Best Basic Old-Fashioned Pancakes Recipe
Classic and comforting, these Best Basic Old-Fashioned Pancakes are fluffy, tender, and simple to make with everyday ingredients. Perfect for a quick weekend breakfast or brunch, these pancakes cook up golden using a stovetop griddle or skillet and can be enjoyed with your favorite toppings like maple syrup, fresh fruit, or butter.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 16 pancakes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Wet Ingredients
- 1 2/3 cup milk
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda until evenly combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Combine Batter: Whisk all ingredients together until there are no dry streaks of flour. It’s okay if the batter remains slightly lumpy; avoid over-mixing to keep the pancakes tender.
- Preheat Griddle: Heat a griddle or nonstick skillet to medium heat, about 350°F, until a drop of water sizzles on the surface.
- Portion Batter: Using a #20 cookie scoop or 3-4 tablespoon measure, pour batter onto the griddle forming circles.
- Cook First Side: Cook the pancakes until small bubbles form on the surface and the edges start to look set, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Flip and Finish: Flip the pancakes carefully and cook for another 2 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Keep Warm & Serve: Repeat with remaining batter and serve immediately or keep pancakes warm in a single layer in a 170°F oven until ready to serve.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the batter to ensure fluffy pancakes; lumps are fine.
- You can substitute milk with buttermilk for a tangier flavor and even fluffier texture.
- Use a nonstick griddle or skillet for easiest flipping and minimal sticking.
- Keep cooked pancakes warm in the oven at low heat if making ahead.
- Add-ins like blueberries or chocolate chips can be folded in before cooking for extra flavor.
