If you’ve ever woken up craving fluffy, golden pancakes that taste like a warm hug on a plate, you’re going to fall in love with these Best Homemade Pancakes. This tried-and-true recipe delivers cloud-soft stacks with crisp edges and just the right hint of sweetness. Whether it’s a lazy weekend morning or you’re celebrating a special brunch, these pancakes are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that you’ll want to make again and again.

Best Homemade Pancakes Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of the Best Homemade Pancakes is that the ingredient list is simple, but each item is absolutely essential to achieve that signature texture and flavor. Every ingredient has a role to play: from providing structure and lift, to lending buttery flavor and beautiful golden color.

All-purpose flour: This is the backbone of the batter, giving pancakes their light yet hearty texture.
Baking powder: Don’t skip this! Baking powder makes the pancakes rise tall and fluffy with every glorious bite.
Sugar: Just the right touch of sweetness makes these pancakes moreish but not cloying—perfect for pairing with syrup.
Salt: A pinch brings all the sweet and buttery flavors into sharp, delicious focus.
Eggs: Eggs add richness and help bind everything together for picture-perfect pancakes.
Milk: A silky batter starts here, creating that tender crumb every pancake lover dreams of.
Unsalted butter: Melted and cooled, it infuses every pancake with classic richness, while also ensuring golden edges.
Vegetable oil: For greasing the pan—this keeps pancakes from sticking and helps achieve appealingly crisp outsides.

How to Make Best Homemade Pancakes

Step 1: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

Start by grabbing a large bowl and whisking together your flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. This might seem like a simple step, but it ensures the leavening agent and seasoning will be evenly distributed, eliminating pockets of powder that can ruin a perfect bite. No need for a sifter; a good whisk does the trick here to keep things airy.

Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk the eggs and milk until everything is smooth and well mixed. Taking the time to thoroughly blend the eggs into the milk helps the final texture stay uniform and pillowy, a hallmark of the Best Homemade Pancakes.

Step 3: Create the Batter

Pour the egg-milk mixture and the cooled melted butter into your bowl of dry ingredients. Now whisk gently, just until everything is incorporated. If the batter looks a bit thick, add another tablespoon or two of milk until it gently ribbons from your whisk. Avoid over-mixing—some lumps are totally fine! Over-mixing can make your pancakes tough, and no one wants that.

Step 4: Heat Up the Griddle

Set a griddle or your widest nonstick pan on medium heat. Lightly brush with a bit of vegetable oil, and swirl in a small pat of butter for flavor and color. This combo ensures the pancakes won’t stick, while also giving them a drool-worthy, golden-brown finish.

Step 5: Cook the Pancakes

Ladle out about ¼ cup of batter for each pancake onto the hot griddle. Let them cook until the tops are bubbling and the edges are set—about 2 minutes. That’s your cue to flip! Cook the other side until equally golden, usually about 30-60 seconds. Resist the urge to press them down with your spatula; you want them to stay fluffy and thick. Remember to wipe down your pan with a paper towel between batches to keep each pancake just as perfect as the first.

Step 6: Serve Right Away

Once your pancakes reach golden perfection, stack them high and serve immediately. Steaming hot and irresistibly fluffy, these are the moments when the Best Homemade Pancakes truly shine!

How to Serve Best Homemade Pancakes

Garnishes

Topping your pancakes is where you can really let your creativity run wild! The classics—warm maple syrup and a big pat of butter—never go out of style. You can also dust with powdered sugar, scatter fresh berries overtop, or drizzle a bit of honey or homemade fruit compote. Whipped cream and a few chocolate chips? Absolutely encouraged for those extra special mornings.

Side Dishes

Pairing these pancakes with savory sides creates a complete, satisfying meal everyone will remember. Try serving them with crispy bacon, juicy sausages, or even scrambled eggs. The salty contrast makes every bite of your Best Homemade Pancakes sing.

Creative Ways to Present

For something fun, use a biscuit cutter to make mini pancakes and stack them like a tower—ideal for brunch parties. If you want a touch of elegance, layer pancakes with whipped ricotta or Greek yogurt and macerated berries. Or, try turning pancakes into “sandwiches” with a swipe of almond butter and banana slices tucked between two layers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let your pancakes cool completely before storing. Layer them with parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking, then wrap tightly in foil or pop into a resealable bag. In the fridge, they’ll stay fresh for up to three days—ready for a fast breakfast or snack later on.

Freezing

For longer storage, the Best Homemade Pancakes freeze beautifully. After cooling, layer parchment or wax paper between each pancake, stack, and wrap tightly in foil or seal in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep their flavor and texture for up to three months—perfect for when those morning cravings hit unexpectedly!

Reheating

To reheat, arrange the pancakes in a single layer on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil, and warm them in a 375°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes. This keeps them soft inside and refreshes their golden outsides, mimicking that fresh-off-the-griddle magic. For a quick fix, you can also pop them in the toaster or microwave.

FAQs

Can I make Best Homemade Pancakes dairy-free?

Absolutely! Substitute your favorite plant-based milk for the dairy, and swap the butter for melted coconut oil or a dairy-free alternative. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious and fluffy.

Why are my pancakes not fluffy?

Flat pancakes are often the result of over-mixing the batter or using old baking powder. Use a light hand when combining ingredients, and check that your baking powder is fresh for those signature lofty stacks.

Is it okay to let the batter rest?

Yes! Letting the batter rest for about 10 minutes can help the flour fully hydrate and the gluten relax, which results in even more tender, pillowy pancakes. If you have the time, it’s worth doing.

Can I add mix-ins to the Best Homemade Pancakes?

Of course. Gently fold in fresh blueberries, sliced bananas, chocolate chips, or nuts after mixing the batter. Just be careful not to over-mix so your pancakes stay light and luscious.

What kind of pan is best for cooking pancakes?

A nonstick griddle or large skillet is ideal because it heats evenly and helps keep your pancakes from sticking. You’ll get beautifully golden results with minimal fuss—just what you want for the Best Homemade Pancakes experience.

Final Thoughts

These fluffy, irresistible Best Homemade Pancakes truly deliver on their promise to make breakfasts special. Whether you’re treating family, friends, or yourself, every golden stack is a reason to slow down and savor the morning. Grab your whisk, gather your favorite toppings, and see just how easy it is to make the best pancakes you’ve ever tasted!

Best Homemade Pancakes Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

Author: Patricia
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 16 pancakes
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Learn how to make the best homemade pancakes with this easy recipe. These pancakes are fluffy, delicious, and perfect for a cozy breakfast or brunch!

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled off
4 teaspoons baking powder
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

2 large eggs
1½ cups milk, plus more if necessary
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled, plus more for cooking

Vegetable oil, for cooking

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Instructions

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs and milk until evenly combined.
Combine Batter: Pour the milk/egg mixture and the melted butter into the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined. Add more milk if the batter is too thick.
Cook Pancakes: Heat a griddle or nonstick pan over medium heat. Ladle or drop the batter onto the griddle, cook until golden brown on both sides. Serve with maple syrup.
Freezing Instructions: To freeze, cool pancakes, stack with parchment paper in between, wrap tightly, and freeze. To reheat, bake in a 375°F oven for 8-10 minutes.

Notes

For extra flavor, add vanilla extract or cinnamon to the batter.
You can customize these pancakes by adding chocolate chips, blueberries, or bananas to the batter.
If you prefer a thinner batter, simply add more milk until you reach your desired consistency.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Mixing, Cooking
Cuisine: American