These super fluffy pancakes are sure to be a showstopper at your next brunch party! This recipe is quick, easy, and doesn't require any buttermilk!
This post is all about teaching you how to make thick, airy pancakes without the need for special equipment or buttermilk. And while there is a recipe, I urge you to read through the entire post - the truth of it is, making wondrous pancakes is very do-able however, there is some knowledge and technique involved!
Don't worry…it's not going to feel like you're stuck in chemistry class. It's just some basic tips and explanations that often get overlooked when it comes to making pancakes at home.
Jump to:
The simple joy of fluffy pancakes
There’s something magical about a perfect stack of fluffy pancakes on a lazy weekend morning. That moment when golden maple syrup cascades down the sides like a sweet, amber waterfall - it’s one of life’s simple but profound pleasures.
For many of us, fluffy pancakes represent the ultimate comfort breakfast. Unfortunately, many recipes call for buttermilk, an ingredient that many home cooks don’t regularly stock in their refrigerators (especially outside of North America). Without it, pancakes can turn out disappointingly flat and dense, more reminiscent of crepes than the cloud-like breakfast we crave.
That’s where this recipe comes in. I’ve developed this fluffy pancake recipe using ingredients you likely already have in your pantry and fridge - no special trips to the store required. This approach gives you all the height and fluffiness of traditional buttermilk pancakes without the need for that elusive ingredient. Once you try these from-scratch pancakes, with their perfect texture and homemade flavor, you might never look at a box mix the same way again.
Can you make fluffy pancakes without buttermilk?
In short, yes. This pancake recipe uses no buttermilk at all (it does require regular milk and a little technique though). So, you may ask, what's the deal with buttermilk? Well, it's terribly in vogue when it comes to baking. And there's a reason for it. The acidity in buttermilk helps the pancakes rise.
On the flip side, I've never known anyone to regularly stock up on buttermilk. In fact, until I moved to Canada, I had never even seen buttermilk… not even at a supermarket!
If you're making a different pancake recipe that uses buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by mixing 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and letting it sit for 10 minutes. (You can also use fresh lemon juice.) You won't need to do that for this recipe, though-this recipe is specifically designed to make fluffy pancakes using regular milk.
Now, if you do happen to have buttermilk, you can give this simple blueberry pancake recipe recipe a shot!
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour, sifted
- Baking powder (no need for baking soda)
- Salt
- White sugar
- Milk (full fat or whole milk is best)
- Large egg, beaten
- Unsalted butter, melted
- Pure vanilla extract
- Canola oil (or any other vegetable oil), for cooking
Instructions
To make perfect homemade pancakes, start by combining sifted all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and white sugar in a large bowl, mixing them thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents. In a separate bowl, prepare your wet ingredients by combining a beaten egg, milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter - let the butter cool ever so slightly first to prevent it from cooking the egg!
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and gently mix until they’re mostly combined. Don’t worry about getting all the lumps out - a slightly lumpy batter is ideal for fluffy pancakes. Let the batter rest for five to ten minutes, which allows the flour to properly hydrate and the leavening agents to activate. (If you have a particularly warm kitchen, you can pop the batter into the fridge for thirty minutes.)
While the batter rests, prepare your cooking surface by heating a heavy-bottomed, non-stick pan (or griddle) over low-medium heat. Coat the pan with a thin layer of oil. Using a quarter-cup measure as your portioning tool, drop batter into the heated pan to create uniformly-sized pancakes. Watch for golden-brown coloring on the bottom and bubbles forming on the top surface - these are your cues to flip. Cook the second side until it matches the first in color, adjusting your heat as needed. Serve your pancakes immediately while they’re still hot and at their best. Enjoy!
Why are my pancakes flat? How can I make my pancakes fluffier?
There are a number of factors that can lead to your pancakes being flat. But here are the four (okay, five) horsemen of the pancake apocalypse (pancalypse…panpocalypse…pancakalypse…help):
- Over-mixing your batter - overmixing your pancake batter will deflate a lot of the air bubbles in your batter, making it difficult for your pancakes to rise into the light and fluffy pancakes you want. Secondly, it'll develop the gluten. And too much gluten will result in a tough, chewy pancake. One way to avoid this is to fold your pancake batter using a spatula instead of a whisk or electric mixer.
- Stale Baking Powder - baking powder typically has a shelf life of 9 months to a year. To check whether your baking powder is still fresh, simply stir half a teaspoon of baking powder into a cup of water. If you see an immediate reaction (it'll fizz up, bestie!), then it's still good to use. If not, you should consider replacing it.
- Humid Conditions - This is based on an observation made by many of my readers (you can see it mentioned in the comments section below). But a very humid kitchen results in a runnier batter, which means less fluffy pancakes. If you happen to be in a place that is very humid, try putting your batter in the fridge for 15-30 minutes to make sure it doesn't become too fluid/runny.
- Not Letting Your Batter Rest - Letting your batter rest before cooking allows the starch granules in the flour to expand resulting in an airier pancake.
- The Violent Flip - Turn the pancakes over gently. Flipping them high into the air results in the air literally being squished out of them.
Also…make sure to relax, bestie. Making pancakes should be a pleasurable experience! And this fluffy pancake recipe is simple; it doesn't require any fancy steps (like whipping egg whites into a meringue). Be mindful of the tips above, and pay attention to your heat management, and you're sure to be fine.
Of course, if you do end up burning your first pancake, just remember what they say: "Le première crepe est pour les chiens!" (A French saying meaning, "The first crepe is for the dogs!").
How to make fluffy pancakes with pancake mix
While this post is really about homemade pancakes without buttermilk, a lot of readers have asked me if it's possible to make fluffy pancakes using pancake mix. The answer is…yes! Absolutely.
Generally speaking, I find buttermilk pancake mixes are better for this. What you want to make sure is that you follow the recipe on the box exactly, and also keep the tips mentioned above in mind.
Getting fuller pancakes is just as much about technique as it is about components, and if you go rogue on either thing, it becomes just that much harder to get that perfect result.
Topping suggestions
While many pancake recipes involve mixing the toppings into the pancake batter, I don’t recommend that with this particular recipe – at least, I don’t recommend it presuming that your goal is super fluffy pancakes. Here are some simple suggestions for toppings to add over the pancakes (you can dot them onto the top of the pancakes in a single layer just before they finish cooking):
- Blueberries, raspberries, and/or strawberries with a generous dollop of whipped cream
- Chocolate chips
- Butter and maple syrup
Storage suggestions
Though they are best served fresh and warm, these pancakes can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Store your maple syrup separately (and not on top of the pancakes), so that it doesn't soak through.
For longer storage, place cooled pancakes in a freezer-safe bag with parchment paper between each pancake to prevent sticking. They’ll keep well for up to a month.
To reheat refrigerated pancakes, warm them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. For frozen pancakes, either thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, or reheat directly from frozen in a toaster oven until warmed through, about 1-2 minutes.
Substitutions
While I’ve only tested this recipe as written, many of our wonderful readers have provided feedback on how they’ve adapted the recipe for their diets. Here are the two most popular variations:
Gluten-free variation
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum, and let the prepared batter rest in the fridge for an extra 10-15 minutes. If needed, you can add an extra egg or increase the baking powder by a ¼ teaspoon.
Dairy-free variation
Many readers have found that the recipe works very well with a simple substitution swapping out the milk for oat milk (generally agreed to have the best texture) as well as almond milk. I’d add swapping out the butter with coconut oil to make the recipe truly dairy free.
Other no-buttermilk pancake recipes
Here are three more amazing pancake recipes that don't require any buttermilk at all. Each one is unique, and delicious!
- Fluffy Japanese Pancakes - taking a bite out of these meringue-based babies is like eating a delicious cloud! (Yes, they spark joy.)
- Lemon Mascarpone Pancakes - perfect for days when you're looking to impress with an elegant pancake recipe.
- Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes - this is the pancake you serve when you want everyone to spend the first 5 minutes of the meal taking photos of the food.
Fluffy Pancakes, Updated: What's Changed?
If you've been visiting my blog for a while, you may realise that this is a republished version of one of my very early blog posts (also titled, "Fluffy, Fluffy Pancakes", originally published: February 17th 2015). I've updated the post quite significantly.
While the recipe is the same thoroughly tested pancake recipe it's always been, I've rewritten the post with the aims of addressing some of the major questions I've received from commenters over the last few years. If there's anything you feel is still missing, please do let me know with a comment below.
I've also done my best to create a clearer, more readable post, while maintaining the gist and the feel of the original. (The original post was written quite some time back, it was mostly me rambling about how much I love pancakes!)
Helpful tools
The link below is an affiliate link. This means that if you choose to purchase using it, I will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you). These small commissions help keep Chocolates & Chai going. Thank you.
Luckily, it doesn't take much equipment to make perfect pancakes. It is however a lovely feeling to have all the right equipment. Here are a few little things that might make your pancake-making experience just that much sweeter.
- Silver Dollar Pancake Pan - if you want your pancakes to all look exactly the same.
- Zwilling J.A. Henckels Marquina Non-Stick Frying Pan - a good pan is crucial to properly cooking pancakes, and this one is sure to please.
Final thoughts
Making the perfect fluffy pancake is part science and part art. While this recipe provides a foolproof foundation, don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques and ingredients. Practice makes perfect and while your first few batches may not be Instagram-worthy, they’ll still be delicious!
The key to becoming a pancake expert is understanding how your ingredients work together and paying attention to the little details: the sound of the sizzle when the batter hits the pan, the timing of the bubbles forming, and the golden-brown color development. Each kitchen and stove is different, so take notes on what works best in yours.
Most importantly, pancakes are about bringing joy to your morning. Whether you’re making them for yourself, your family, or friends, this fluffy pancake recipe is sure to start the day on a sweet note. Don’t forget to share your pancake-making adventures with us in the comments below!
📖 Recipe
Fluffy, Fluffy Pancakes
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4–6 pancakes 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A surefire recipe to make fat and fluffy pancakes, without any buttermilk or special ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
- 2 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tbsp white sugar
- ¾ cup milk (if your batter is too dry, you can add up to 2 tablespoon milk)
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Canola oil (or any other neutral vegetable oil), for cooking
Instructions
- Combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder into a bowl and mix well.
- In a separate bowl, mix the egg, milk, vanilla, and melted butter together. Be careful not to use hot, melted butter, as that may end up cooking your eggs!
- Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients and stir till mostly incorporated. The batter should be thick and a little lumpy, but without any visible streaks of flour. (If it is too thick to work with, you can add a little milk.) Set the batter aside for 10 minutes.
- Heat a heavy-bottomed, nonstick skillet over a low-medium heat and coat it with oil. Use a ¼ cup measure to scoop and drop the batter into the pan so that you get evenly-sized pancakes.
- Cook until the first side is golden brown, or until the top surface forms bubbles. Flip and repeat on the other side. Adjust heat accordingly. Serve while still hot. Enjoy!
Notes
Remember the key points for fluffy pancakes:
- Don’t over-mix your batter.
- Make sure your baking powder isn’t stale.
- Avoid overly humid kitchens (or counteract them by refrigerating your batter).
- Make sure to let your batter rest for 10-20 minutes before cooking.
- Turn your pancakes over gently when cooking them.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Breakfast & Brunch
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
BK Thunder cheeks
Didn’t work at all.
Followed recipe to a T and had condensed, ridged and flat pancakes.
It’s a no for me, Dogg.
Riz
Hey there BK! I’m sorry to hear this didn’t work for you! I’m not sure what went wrong, but wishing you a happy pancake breakfast soon!
Sacha
Super easy. Super tasty. Super everything.
Riz
Hi Sacha! Thanks so much for your SUPER comment! 🙂 I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed them!
Omar
the first time I made them they turned out perfect but the second time it was not a success like the first time I made them
Thank you for sharing your recipe and I guess it was because the butter, it was not melted completely.
It Tasted AMAZING. thanks
Riz
Hi Omar,
Thanks for your comment! So glad to hear you enjoyed them….yes, not melting the butter might’ve been the cause 🙂 Good luck for next time!
Lily
Thanks for this recipe Riz, its really good and fluffy. Perfect Saturday breakfast. I like putting coconut in some and blueberries in others, they really are the bomb! Thanks again 🙂
Riz
Hi Lily, thanks so much for commenting! You know, I’ve never tried adding coconut to my pancakes…it’s something I’ll have to try now that you’ve suggested it! Thanks!
Dorçaf
Thank you soo much !! of course the first one got a little burnt, but then it was soft and fluffy and gold and so delicious. definetly my new go-to recipe !
Riz
Hello!!! So happy to hear this! And so glad you got past that first burnt one!
Rachel
Sit-in breakfast places shut down due to pandemic. Crazy pancake craving kicks in full gear. Oh the irony. So glad I found you and your awesome recipe…..made it tonight at 9 pm (because you know, cravings don’t care that all the dishes have been washed and put away and prefer to grace you with their presence at the most inopportune moment). Made the recipe just as you have it, no tweaks or changes. They turned out great. My new go-to…I thank you from the very bottom of my clean plate 😉
Riz
LOL! Hello Rachel! Thank you for your hilarious comment, I feel exactly the same way…those cravings are a mischievous bunch!
I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe, and I hope you’ll pass by again soon! Maybe even try out some of the other recipes on the blog too? 🙂
Sara
So tasty! I tripled it to freeze and they still turned out great!
Riz
Hi Sara! That’s awesome, I’ve never tried freezing the recipe, but I’m glad to hear it worked out for you!
Riz
Lisa
These were DELICIOUS! The lower heat makes a huge difference. I was kind of irked to have to scroll through the whole post but then, intrigued enough to go back and read it. Worth it! I’m looking forward to trying the Japanese fluffy pancakes soon 🙂
Riz
Hey Lisa! Thanks so much!!
So, readers scrolling through our posts is one of the key ways we earn money as bloggers, and it’s also important as it helps us provide all the information on a recipe…BUT – for days when you just don’t feel like reading or are in a rush, there’s a Jump to Recipe link at the very top of all my posts (right under the post title). Clicking that will take you straight to the recipe 🙂
I hope you enjoy the Japanese pancakes recipe too!!
Mahtab
Really fluffy and nice.
My toddler loved them! Thank you!
Riz
Hi Mahtab,
I’m so glad you and your toddler enjoyed the pancakes!!! Hope to see you here again soon!
Jo
I was on auto pilot and added 2 eggs, separated and whipped the whites. I also gave the milk/yolk/butter mixture a while with the hand mixer and it got so fluffy and frothy. My combined batter was like a cloud! And the pancakes were light and fluffy as can be!
Riz
Woohoo! That sounds amazing, Jo! I think that autopilot style of cooking is when I make my best food too…I think of it as “being in the flow” 🙂
Celia
Thank you for this recipe! We have officially dubbed this our go-to pancake recipe after a lot of searching. Also, thank you for the automatic doubling and tripling feature, I appreciated not having to math. 🙂
Riz
Hi Celia! Thank YOU for trying the recipe and for commenting! I look for any opportunity to avoid math, that feature is there as much for me as it is everyone else! haha!
Daniel
I’ve used this recipe many times with many different outcomes. What I’ve come to realize is this…follow the recipe exactly. Don’t over mix. The heat of the kitchen will change the fluffiness of the pancakes. I’ve found that the batter should be refrigerated during the cooking process. Put the main bowl of batter in the fridge while using scoops of batter for making the pancakes. It’s science. The heat and the humidity will cause flat pancakes if the batter is left out while cooking. This is the best recipe i’ve found for fluffiness and taste. THANK YOU!!!!
Riz
Hey Daniel!! Thank you so much for your comment. This is exactly what I’m trying to get across in the post! 🙂
Hayley
I’m not sure what I did wrong as I followed the recipe. The pancakes were a bit bland and tasteless. Even with added chocolate chips and lots of butter.
Riz
Hey Hayley, I’m not sure! This is designed to be a base fluffy pancake recipe so it’s not got any special flavour to it…you could try adding some more sugar, or maple syrup is always a good start!
lily
my pancakes were very thin
Riz
Oh no! I’m sorry to hear this, Lily. I’d suggest going through the Tips section in this post to see if there’s anything that can help you there. Good luck!
Idimoku
Made this for my family this morning! It is probably the best pancake I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Thanks so much for the recipe! 😀
Riz
Hi there! You’re very welcome, I’m so happy you all enjoyed it! Hope to see you again soon 🙂