These delicious and easy American style pancakes are the perfect weekend treat! Here is my simple recipe with helpful tips to help you whip up a batch of fluffy pancakes for those lazy mornings or when you want something special. Get ready to surprise and delight your family and friends with this breakfast game changer.
Create these mouthwatering American style pancakes that will have your taste buds dancing with delight. This comprehensive guide takes you step-by-step through the process, ensuring that your pancakes turn out irresistibly delicious every time.
Imagine waking up on a lazy Sunday morning, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifting through the air. As you slowly make your way to the kitchen, your taste buds awaken with anticipation. What could possibly make this moment even better? The answer lies in a stack of these fluffy, golden American style pancakes.
This recipe is not reserved for weekends alone – you can enjoy these heavenly pancakes anytime you crave a comforting and delicious breakfast.
Why you’ll love this American style pancakes recipe
So why should you love this easy American pancakes recipe? Well, besides the fact that it’s ridiculously easy to make, it’s also incredibly versatile. Whether you prefer a classic pancake stack smothered in maple syrup, or you’re feeling a little adventurous and want to try out some unique flavour combinations, these American style pancakes will never let you down.
Whether you’re looking to indulge in a leisurely breakfast or simply want to savour a moment of pure indulgence, these pancakes are the answer.
What sets American style pancakes apart from other breakfast options is their light and airy texture. The combination of flour, eggs, baking powder, and milk creates a batter that puffs up while cooking, resulting in pancakes that are soft and fluffy on the inside, with a slightly crispy exterior. It’s this contrast in textures that makes each bite a true delight for your taste buds.
American style pancakes are incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize them to suit your preferences. You can add blueberries, chocolate chips, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon to the batter for an extra burst of flavour.
Top the easy American pancakes off with your favourite syrup, fresh fruit, or a dollop of whipped cream, and you have a breakfast that feels like a decadent treat, not just a meal.
Ingredients
For the full recipe and instructions scroll to the bottom of the page for the recipe card.
Plain Flour
The first key ingredient for achieving that pillowy softness is plain flour / all-purpose flour. Sieve the flour and make sure you beat the mixture well to have light and airy pancakes. Make sure to measure the flour accurately by using kitchen scales.
Baking Powder
Another vital ingredient for fluffy pancakes is baking powder. This leavening agent adds a burst of airiness to the batter, helping the pancakes rise and creating those delightful bubbles on the surface. Be sure to check the expiration date on your baking powder to ensure its effectiveness, as expired baking powder can result in flat pancakes.
Eggs
Eggs help bind the ingredients together and add moisture, resulting in a tender and fluffy texture. Be sure to beat the eggs well with the milk before incorporating them into the batter to ensure even distribution and a consistent texture throughout your pancakes.
Milk
When it comes to choosing the right milk for your pancake recipe, the options are plentiful. From whole milk to low-fat, or even non-dairy alternatives like almond or soy milk, you can experiment with different types to find the taste and consistency that suits your preference.
The addition of milk serves multiple purposes in your pancake batter. Firstly, it contributes to the overall moisture of the mixture, ensuring that your pancakes turn out fluffy and tender. As the batter cooks on the griddle, the moisture from the milk evaporates, creating those delightful golden-brown pancakes that are irresistible.
Sugar
When sprinkled into the easy American pancake batter, sugar not only adds a delightful sweetness but also helps to create those irresistible golden-brown edges. It caramelizes as the pancakes cook, creating a subtle hint of toffee-like flavour that will have your taste buds dancing with delight.
How to Make American style pancakes – Step by Step
Keep scrolling to find the full printable instructions and ingredient quantities.
Sieve the flour into a mixing bowl and add the other dry ingredients.
Measure out the milk and add the eggs to the measuring jug. Whisk to combine.
Pour the milk and egg mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk together to make a smooth batter.
Heat a frying pan on a medium heat. When it’s warm add a teaspoon of butter and let it melt and coat the bottom of the pan. Add a large spoonful of the pancake batter to the pan.
The pancake is ready to flip when bubbles appear on the top.
Serve with your favourite toppings.
American Style Pancakes Top Tips
Most importantly is to make these pancakes fresh. You can make the batter in advance – a few hours or so at most. If you do make it in advance make sure you give it a really good whisk to add the air back in.
For an extra boost of flavour, try adding a splash of vanilla extract or a sprinkle of cinnamon to the batter. The possibilities are endless, and these little adjustments can truly elevate your pancakes.
Don’t skimp on the toppings! Pancakes are a blank canvas just waiting to be adorned with deliciousness. From classic maple syrup and butter to fresh fruit, honey, or even a dollop of whipped cream, the toppings you choose can truly make your pancakes shine. And don’t forget to think outside the box – savoury options like bacon, avocado, or a runny fried egg can add a delightful twist to your breakfast stack.
Fluffy Pancake Serving Suggestions
the options for pancake toppings are endless, allowing you to create a personalized stack of deliciousness that will have everyone reaching for seconds.
Keep it simple with lemon and sugar
Make it Savoury
Make it Fruity
Fresh fruit
If you’re craving a burst of freshness, why not top your pancakes with a generous dollop of whipped cream and a scattering of vibrant seasonal fruits? Strawberries, blueberries, bananas, or even a medley of mixed berries will add a burst of color and natural sweetness to your stack. For an extra touch of luxury, sprinkle some powdered sugar over the top.
Make the pancakes savoury
For those who prefer a savoury twist, bacon and cheddar pancakes are a must-try. Simply cook some crispy bacon, crumble it into small pieces, and mix it into your pancake batter along with shredded cheddar cheese. Or just add it on top! The combination of the salty bacon and creamy cheese is pure deliciousness. Smoked salmon also works very well.
Nutella or Chocolate Spreads
You can’t go wrong with adding a smear of Nutella or chocolate spread to your pancakes. Especially if you add fresh strawberries to the pancakes too.
Traditional Lemon and Sugar
A classic for a reason is the traditional lemon and sugar pancakes. A sprinkle of sugar and a little lemon juice is a divine combination.
Maple Syrup
A beautiful flavour and one that works so well with pancakes. It also is lovely over fruit, nuts and even yoghurt.
Nuts and Seeds
For those who love a bit of crunch, consider adding chopped nuts to your pancakes. Pecans, walnuts, or almonds can provide a satisfying texture contrast to the softness of the pancakes. Toasting the nuts beforehand will enhance their flavour and create a delightful aroma that will awaken your senses.
Equipment
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- Kitchen Scales
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring jug
- Frying Pan (non stick is best)
American Style Pancakes – Substitutions and variations
Add fruit to the batter
One idea to consider is incorporating your favourite fruits into the pancake batter. Whether it’s fresh blueberries, sliced bananas, or chunks of juicy strawberries, adding fruit will not only provide extra sweetness but also a burst of vibrant colour.
You can either fold in a generous amount of your chosen fruit right before cooking the pancakes on the griddle or simply add it as a topping.
Spices
If you’re a fan of spices, why not sprinkle in a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter? These warm, aromatic flavours will infuse the pancakes with a cosy essence, perfect for a leisurely brunch on a lazy morning.
Gluten Free American Style Pancakes
It is so easy to replace the plain flour with a gluten-free alternative in this recipe. You might need to add a little extra to make the batter think but start with the same amount as the recipe.
Swap out the milk for buttermilk
Buttermilk adds a lovely flavour to pancakes and can be swapped in, as a replacement for milk. If you only have a little bit to use up then top up with milk.
Chocolate Chips
If you have a sweet tooth, why not indulge in some decadent chocolate chip pancakes? Simply fold a handful of chocolate chips into your pancake batter and watch as they melt and create little pockets of gooey goodness. You can even sprinkle some extra chocolate chips on top of the pancakes once they’re cooked for an extra touch of luxury.
Storing American style pancakes / Making ahead of time options
Best served fresh. Make them and serve… enjoy!
American style pancakes FAQS
- Can I use self-raising flour instead of plain for pancakes?
- Which flour to use for pancake?
- Why are my pancakes not fluffy?
- What is the difference between pancakes and American pancakes?
- Is American pancake batter thick?
- What’s the difference between American and Scottish pancakes?
Can I use self-raising flour instead of plain for pancakes?
Yes you can use self raising flour instead of plain flour in pancakes. The pancakes will be a bit thicker and rise a little more. If you are using self raising flour then it will replace the plain flour and baking powder for these pancakes.
Which flour to use for pancake?
The best flour to use for pancakes is plain flour (all-purpose flour in the USA). Simply mix the plain flour into the mixture along with the other ingredients.
Why are my pancakes not fluffy?
The main reason your pancakes aren’t fluffy is that the batter has been left out too long. The air you’ve whipped up into the batter has disappeared so it can’t rise and create that beautiful fluffy texture you want.
What is the difference between pancakes and American pancakes?
American pancakes are traditionally thicker and beautifully stackable. Classic pancakes are also called crepes and are a lot thinner.
Is American pancake batter thick?
American pancake batter should be thicker than English pancake batter. A good pancake batter should be smooth and have a pourable consistency, but still thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. If the batter is too thin the pancakes will spread out too much and become thin and not rise as you would like.
What’s the difference between American and Scottish pancakes?
Scotch pancakes are similar to pancakes but American pancakes tend to be larger and thicker. They all use the same ingredients but the amounts and consistency differ.
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Recipe
Easy American Style Pancakes
Equipment
- Frying Pan (non stick is best)
Ingredients
- 200 g plain flour / all purpose flour
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- small pinch salt
- 3 tablespoons caster sugar
- 200 ml milk
- 2 large eggs
- unsalted butter (for frying the pancakes)
Instructions
- Sieve the flour into a mixing bowl and add the other dry ingredients.200 g plain flour / all purpose flour, 1.5 teaspoons baking powder, small pinch salt, 3 tablespoons caster sugar
- Measure out the milk and add the eggs to the measuring jug. Whisk to combine.200 ml milk, 2 large eggs
- Pour the milk and egg mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk together to make a smooth batter.
- Heat a frying pan on a medium heat. When it's warm add a teaspoon of butter and let it melt and coat the bottom of the pan.unsalted butter
- Add a large spoonful of the pancake batter to the pan.
- The pancake is ready to flip when bubbles appear on the top.
- Cook the other side and the pancake is ready to serve. Repeat with the remaining pancake batter.
Notes
- Pancakes need a medium heat to cook but you will need to watch it to make sure it’s not cooking too quickly. Adjust to creat beautifully golden brown pancakes.
- Pancake batter is best used when you make it. It will help the pancakes remain fluffy.
- Serve with your favourite toppings. I love fresh fruit and my husband loves bacon with a drizzle of maple syrup!
Nutrition
Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
This was delicious! We really enjoyed.
I made these pancakes for breakfast this morning and they were delicious! So much better than the mix from the store!
A quick and fluffy Pancake recipe for Breakfast is so helpful. My kids love Pancakes and your recipe is perfect for my weekend Breakfast plan.
These turned out beautifully! Excellent flavor and very moist.
These are fluffy and packed with delicious flavor – just what everyone wants in a pancake!
I’m a bacon with maple syrup on my fluffy pancake gal! These were delish.