How To Make Perfect Pancakes

Light and fluffy, absolutely perfect pancakes are a recipe that everyone needs to have in their pocket. I’ve been making this pancake recipe for as long as I can remember and every single person who has tried these pancakes has loved them.

Perfect Pancakes

My family’s original version of these pancakes was made with whole wheat flour and I shared it here on the website over 11 years ago. That was one of the first recipes I shared on this blog. The idea that whole wheat waffles really could be light and fluffy? It was a bit of a breakfast game-changer for us.

Over the years I’ve shared versions of that recipe with countless friends and readers who asked for a traditional flour recipe, because yes, it can be adapted for all-purpose flour, and it has received nothing but raves from everyone who tries the pancakes.

That said, it was way past time I finally shared the recipe here exactly as we make it today. The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to feed a crowd or fill the freezer for future breakfasts.

This pancake recipe has been such a hit, I included it in The Weekday Lunches and Breakfasts Cookbook a few years ago too.

And if you’re looking for absolutely perfect Light and Fluffy Gluten Free Pancakes, you’ll want to check out that recipe too. With so many five-star rave reviews, that recipe is a must for anyone who needs to eat gluten-free.

How To Make Perfect Pancakes

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe:

• all-purpose flour
• baking powder
• sugar
• kosher salt
• milk
• eggs
• melted butter

How To Make Pancakes Fluffy

Light and fluffy pancakes are a breakfast favorite. I like to make a giant batch on the weekend and freeze them for easy breakfasts throughout the week.

Topped with peanut butter and Brown Sugar Butter Syrup or Buttermilk Syrup, berries and whipped cream, butter and peach jam, these pancakes are a breakfast that the entire family loves.

Want to know how to make perfect pancakes that turn out fluffy and light every single time? Let the batter rest. I always mix the batter before turning on the griddle.

Do you know how you almost always get a lousy first batch of pancakes? This prevents that! The batter thickens just enough while it rests to ensure the pancakes turn out great each time.

Simply allowing the batter to rest for the 5-10 minutes while the griddle or the pan heats up makes an enormous difference in the results.

I turn on the griddle and then pour myself a cup of coffee and set out some toppings for the pancakes or maybe I’ll prep bacon for the oven if I’m feeling ambitious.

If you make pancakes often, nothing beats a great electric griddle for streamlining the cooking process. A few years ago, when my 15-year-old griddle finally died, I tested every single griddle I could get my hands on.

When I finally tried this extra large electric griddle, I knew I’d found THE ONE. It’s a little on the spendy side, but I am telling you now, it beats all the others hands-down.

This nylon flexible turner is a pancake-making must-have, as is a dough whisk. If you aren’t familiar with the awesomeness that is a dough whisk for pancakes and waffles, you are missing out. It’s a crazy-looking tool, but it stirs the batter just enough without overmixing it.

I’ve tried pretty much all of the nifty pancake-pouring gadgets out there, and I stand by a good old measuring cup as the easiest way to make pancakes. I use the ¼ or ⅓ cup sizes for most pancake making – this set that I use every day will allow you to improvise for all kinds of sizes.

Perfect Pancake Recipe

Whisk together the dry ingredients and set aside. Add the milk and the eggs, whisk to combine, and then add the butter. Whisk once more and then let the batter rest while the griddle or pan heats.

Heat a flat-bottom nonstick skillet or electric griddle (this is my favorite griddle) over medium heat. Butter the skillet or griddle lightly and then pour about ¼ cup of batter onto the griddle for each pancake.

Let cook until they begin to bubble on top and they are lightly browned on the bottom. Flip and cook the second side just until golden brown. Serve warm with the toppings of your choice.

How To Freeze Pancakes

Allow the pancakes to cool completely, before storing them in an airtight ziploc bag. Reheat the frozen pancakes in the microwave.

I frequently triple this recipe for my family, so that we’ll have plenty to stash in the freezer for easy breakfasts.

Easy Pancake Variations

I adore blueberry waffles and the same goes for pancakes. More often than not (basically anytime I can get my hands on fresh blueberries) I add them to the pancakes.

Fluffy, buttery, nutty, pecan pancakes topped with maple syrup make for a tasty and easy breakfast we all enjoy. Tangy cranberry pancakes sweetened with maple syrup make getting out of bed on the weekend a little bit easier.

For diner-style pancakes that everyone loves, you’ll want to try these Buttermilk Pancakes too. And if you love pancakes the way my family loves pancakes? Check out 25 more pancake recipes over here!

{originally published 9/25/20 – recipe notes and photos updated 2/28/24}