Fluffy Japanese Pancakes are a soft, airy cotton candy-like pancake dream come true. Dress them up in whipped cream, rain down the maple syrup, or try out the tiramisu topping recipe I provide – they come out delicious every which way!
"Souffle pancake" recipes can be tricky, but once we're done here bestie, you'll be able to spark joy…one outrageously fluffy pancake at a time.
Jump to:
- …I finally made Fluffy Japanese Pancakes
- What are Japanese Pancakes / Souffle Pancakes
- How to make Japanese Pancakes (without a mold)
- 3 Secrets to making perfect Japanese Pancakes every time
- Why do my Japanese pancakes deflate
- How to make the Tiramisu Souffle Pancake topping
- Storage suggestions
- Other delicious pancake recipes
- Fluffy Japanese Pancakes, Updated
- Helpful tools
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Reviews
…I finally made Fluffy Japanese Pancakes
Pancake recipes make up four of my ten most popular recipes. And one of the most requested recipes over the last year has been for fluffy Japanese pancakes – how to make them, and how not to mess them up!
And if you've ever tried this custardy clouds-on-a-plate breakfast, you'll know why! (It's because they're delicious.) But as you may have figured out, they're a bit finicky to master. They're often called souffle pancakes, after all!
(As a rule, souffle-anything is probably code for "delicious…but temperamental".)
Don't give up too easily though, we're going to walk through the main things to keep in mind when you're making this style of pancake, and then with a little practice, you can serve up the most gloriously airy and fluffy Japanese souffle pancakes to someone very special.
A Note:
While researching this recipe, I came across A LOT of posts suggesting that their Japanese pancake recipe can be made with ease and abandon in a mere 15-20 minutes.
I'm going to tell you frankly that unless you're a culinary professional, cooking in a pre-prepped restaurant-style kitchen, that's simply not the case.
Regardless of whether you choose to use my recipe (or someone else's), please don't be discouraged if your Japanese pancakes don't come out as fluffy and airy the first time you try.
This is a recipe that sometimes requires a little practice, and a little patience. But it's certainly achievable for anyone cooking at home. (I mean, even *I* got it right…eventually.)
Of course, if you do get stumped somewhere, you may want to check out my guide on How to Read a Recipe.
What are Japanese Pancakes / Souffle Pancakes
Japanese Pancakes, often called Souffle Pancakes, are similar in ingredients, but different in composition and texture to your standard pancake recipe.
Exceptionally thick, airy and soft…they are perfectly fluffy pancakes! The major difference between them and regular pancakes is the smaller amount of flour, and that the egg whites are beaten to form a meringue (just like you would in a souffle, hence the name), before being gently folded into the rest of the pancake batter.
As a result, more air bubbles form inside the pancake batter, and these bubbles are able to hold their shape better. The result is a super fluffy and airy pancake. Seriously, it’s like biting into a cloud!
And in case you're wondering what the word for pancakes are in Japanese, the answer is "pankeki" (パンケーキ). And "fuwafuwa" (ふわふわ) is a mimetic word used to describe fluffy/soft/airy things…from pancakes to kittens! So, yes - we're making fuwafuwa pankeki today!
Fun Fact: I actually studied Japanese at university. And I can tell you quite confidently, that I'm really quite bad at it.
How to make Japanese Pancakes (without a mold)
A lot of people have asked me if you how to make souffle pancakes without a mold. The answer is: it takes a little practice. Of course, your pancakes won’t have the super straight edges that a mold provides; a mold makes it easier to stack the pancakes higher too.
- Prepare. Prepare your yolk mixture and whip your meringue.
- Combine. Combine the meringue and the yolk mixture, being being careful not to over-mix, in order to create your pancake batter.
- Cook. Over a low heat, add a dollop of the batter. Cover the pan. As it begins to cook, pile some more batter on top. Cover again.
- Flip. Oh. So. Gently.
- Serve. Icing sugar, whipped cream, maple syrup – all work great!
3 Secrets to making perfect Japanese Pancakes every time
1. Master the Meringue
If you don't have much experience making meringue, then this will likely be the hardest part. Honestly, this could be an entire post by itself, so I'm going to give you a few key things to keep in mind.
- Keep the separated egg white refrigerated until you come around to whisking it.
- Make sure your bowls are clean and dry. Any sediment or leftover moisture (even just water) can hurt your meringue.
- Know when to stop mixing the meringue. You want the whipped meringue to hold its peak…more so than a soft peak, but it shouldn't be a super stiff peak. (Overmixing very slightly won't destroy your pancakes, but it will mean slightly less fluffiness.)
- You can use cream of tartar to help stabilise the meringue. I personally don't think it's necessary here, but if you choose to go in that direction, add ⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar for each egg white in your meringue.
2. Cook ‘Em Low & Slow
Like so many things in life, patience is the key here, bestie. Japanese pancakes need to be cooked slowly with the heat on low. Higher heats will result in the outsides getting cooked, while the inside remains raw. Nobody ever says, "I like my pancakes cooked rare".
Make sure to cover the pan to lock in all that lovely moisture too.
3. Flip Gently, Bestie
No high-flying death-defying pancakes flips here (or ever…if fluffiness is your goal). Delicately turn the pancake over using a flat spatula/flipper. The harsh impact from a careless flip will literally squish the air bubbles in your pancakes!
Why do my Japanese pancakes deflate
If your Japanese souffle pancakes have deflated (or just failed to rise), don’t worry. You’re not alone…it’s happened to the best of us. Sometimes despite doing everything right, it can still happen. However, there are a couple of key points to note to make sure your Japanese pancakes don’t deflate:
Be careful not to over or under beat your egg whites. This can be a bit tricky, you want to mix in air bubbles which will create structure (and fluffiness!) in your pancakes, but if you overdo it, you end up destroying that very structure.
Heat management when cooking your pancakes. There’s often a temptation to use a higher heat when cooking (as it causes a quicker rise). However, the outside of your pancakes also cook quicker and may brown before the internal pancake has had a chance to cook through enough to hold its tall fluffy structure.
How to make the Tiramisu Souffle Pancake topping
I made a tiramisu souffle pancake variation of this recipe. But if you don’t feel like the couple of extra steps required for that recipe, here’s an easier version:
Simply dust a ¼ cup of whipped cream with 1 teaspoon of espresso powder, drizzle on a teaspoon of melted dark chocolate, and then give it a little swirl. Ta-da! Souffle Pancakes with a fancy (but totes easy) tiramisu topping.
Actually, that’s one of the best things about these Japanese pancakes – they go with a lot of different toppings - whipped cream, fruits (I recommend making mango pancakes), and maple syrup work great; powdered sugar is popular too; custard and cream? Yup, still yummy.
Storage suggestions
Japanese pancakes can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days. To reheat, I recommend setting your oven to 200 degrees F, placing your pancakes on a try, and warming them up slowly.
Can you freeze Japanese pancakes
No. The souffle pancake texture doesn’t thaw well.
Other delicious pancake recipes
Pancake recipes are kinda my shtick. Here are some other recipes I know you'll love:
- Fluffy, Fluffy Pancakes (No buttermilk version)
- Lemon Mascarpone Pancakes
- Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes
- Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes
- Lemon-Raspberry Dutch Baby Pancake
Fluffy Japanese Pancakes, Updated
This recipe was originally published on March 28th, 2019. I’ve given it an update to add more information, prettier photos, and a snazzy little recipe video! The recipe is the same as it’s always been, but I hope that the more detailed post helps anyone who finds themselves struggling at making what many consider to be the finickiest type of pancake!
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 extra cost to you. And that would be very lovely of you. Thank you for supporting Chocolates & Chai!
I used an electric hand mixer to beat the egg white into a meringue. You're very welcome to use your impeccably toned whisking muscles, it's a good workout! In fact, I'd join you…except, I don't wanna.
What's your favourite type of pancake? What kind of toppings do you like? Tell me in the comments below.
📖 Recipe
Fluffy Japanese Pancakes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 2–3 fluffy Japanese pancakes 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Fluffy Japanese Pancakes (aka. Japanese Souffle Pancakes) are an airy pancake dream. Light, fluffy, and an experience you’ll long to eat again. Time to spark a little joy…one fluffy souffle pancake at a time!
Ingredients
Bowl 1 – Yolk Mixture
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp cake flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
Bowl 2 – Meringue
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 ½ tbsp sugar
Instructions
Bowl 1 – Yolk Mixture
- Whisk the egg yolk with the sugar until pale and frothy. Mix in the milk and vanilla.
- Sift flour and baking powder into the mixture and whisk until incorporated.
Bowl 2 – Meringue
Whip the eggs white using an electric mixer (or a tireless whisking arm) until pale and frothy, begin adding the in sugar in batches until a glossy meringue is formed. You want stiff-ish peaks, not STIFF-peaks.
Combine
- Whisk ⅓ of the meringue into the yolk mixture until completely incorporated. Add half of the remaining meringue and mix delicately. Add the remaining meringue and fold into the mixture using a spatula - be careful not to deflate the batter.
- Heat a large non-stick pan (with a lid) over low heat. Add a very small drizzle of oil. Using ¼ cup scoops, scoop the batter into the pan. Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the lid, add another ¼ cup of batter on top of the pancake already cooking. Cover and continue to cook for another 4-5 minutes.
- Flip the pancake…EVER. SO. GENTLY! Cover and cook for 4-5 more minutes until done. Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve!
Notes
- Getting these to be perfect is honestly a little bit finicky. If it doesn't work out for you the first time, don't lose heart. It takes time and a little patience to get these Fluffy Japanese Pancakes to come out just right!
- I've seen tips online suggesting you add a tablespoon of water to your pan to add even more moisture to the pancakes. I only tried this once, but personally didn't see a difference.
- I cook these one pancake at a time in a large pan. In Japan, they’re often cooked on a griddle with a lid. Either option is fine.
- You can use a ring mold if you want to ensure an thickness and shape. I personally like the asymmetry that comes from working without a mold!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast & Brunch
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Japanese
Lizrdee
My son and I made these since he had been asking for a japanese themed breakfast for a few weeks in anticipation of a trip to Japan. We made 3X the batch and since we were cooking them one a time the batter started to separate over time. Initially I was just using the top later (the fluffy part) but eventually I had to start mixing it and after that all the pancakes were flat. Any tips to prevent the separation? Still delicious though and he was very happy.
Riz
Hi there! That’s a tough one I’m afraid. Japanese pancakes (by their very nature) are a bit finicky. An occasional stir will prevent that separation from occurring but it will take away from how fluffy the pancakes get as well. I know a lot of restaurants (at least, here in Toronto) that cook bigger batches, but they tend to use very large griddles (to cook several at a time) as well as pancake molds (to help make the pancakes fatter).
Hope that helps a bit!
PM Higgins
I DID IT!!!
I’ve been trying to do this using the TASTY RECIPES one for weeks and FAIL FAIL FAILING! But I tried this version and success on the first shot! And they turned out even better the second time!!!
THANK YOU!
My wife has promoted me to PM of our house!
BEST REGARDS
PM Higgins
Rich Lai
Can you just multiply the ingredients by what ever number you need to yield, or do you recommend doing this recipe in batches?
Riz
Hi Rich,
I’ve not tried cooking these in large batches but I would imagine you should be fine to multiply the ingredients by whatever number you need to yield 🙂
Shaunda
Can you use an egg substitute, like egg beaters for less cholesterol?
Riz
Hi Shaunda,
I’ve not tried this…but my guess would be no. This is a bit of a finicky type of pancake to make. The reduced fat content of the substitute likely wouldn’t be ideal. I’d be interested in knowing how it turned out if you did use a substitute though 🙂 Good luck!
sydney
I just attempted these and they stuck like crazy to the pan! 🙁 I oiled the pan before hand, any idea why this could’ve happened?
Riz
Hi Sydney,
Pancakes usually stick to pans for one of two reasons: 1) the pan has residue (so this could be leftover food from a previous cook, or an old pan that has lost its smoothness etc) or 2) The heating distribution is off (the pan might not be hot enough, or it may not heat evenly). Hope that helps!
Fran
I was making the meringue with 3x servings and i think i overmixed it. However it was already runny from the beginning, i followed the steps exactly and my meringue turned out runny right away before me reaching a stiff peak phase 😞 they just look like regular pancake withh holes, sad it turned out this way. I read somewhere if you are in a humid place it affects the consistency of the batter. My country is super humid and today in particular was very hot, could that be the contributing factor despite my kitchen not being so hot? At least that’s how I felt 😞
Riz
Hi Fran,
The humidity could be the issue – it could also be overmixing, or an issue with the meringue (which can be very finicky). I’d recommend going through the details in the post to see if anything rings true for you. Good luck!
Heather H
I did it! I did it!!! I had trouble with my first one (it brkoe!) but then all the rest turned out beautifully!!! I’m so excited! Thank you!!!
Riz
Yessss!!! So happy to hear this Heather!!
MissChef
Unfortunately mine (first attempt) were not as fluffy (maybe 1cm thick). When i poured the second layer it spread till beyond the first layer instead of clumping up on top of it. I didn’t know when to stop beating the egg whites, after 5min, still barely peaks that i just stopped at some point thinking i must be overbeating it already. Also i made my own cake flour mixing all-purpose with cornstarch. Taste-wise though it’s great. I’ll try again next time, will tag you when it’s perfect. Thanks for sharing!
Riz
Glad you enjoyed them, MissChef! Japanese pancakes can be a little bit finicky, but keep practicing you’ll get the hang of them soon. (And in case it’s not something you’ve done in the past, I’d recommend checking out some basic tutorials on how to make a meringue – that will help!)
Riz
Cakesbylynnzw
Tried this recipie today. My husband woke up feeling like pancakes and had never made pancakes before. (I know, how dare I) but tried these and OMG are they amazing. They came out perfectly!!!
Riz
I’m so happy to hear that!! Wishing you and your husband many more delicious pancake breakfasts!
Anna
Mine burned, was the gas on too high? Or what?
Riz
Hi Anna – yes, the heat was likely too high. These ones are a bit delicate!
Gerri Hunter
These pancakes are awesome I made them for my twin granddaughters and the loved them
Thank You
Riz
Hi Gerri, YOU’RE awesome! And I’m super happy to hear you and your twin granddaughters enjoyed this Japanese Pancake recipe!
Happy Holidays!
Riz
Karen
This was my 4th try at fluffy pancakes and it was a success!! The first time the pancakes came out wonderfully fluffy, probably more by chance than anything else! Cream of tartar,? Nope. Steaming? Nope. But I lowered the heat to 3 (1-9 ceramic top) and covered. Bingo! Can’t wait to make these for my grandsons next Christmas! Thank you!!
Riz
Woohoo!!! Wishing you a delicious Japanese pancake Christmas!!
Djabrina
They were perfect until I delicately transfered them to my plate : prrrrrrt ! Bye bye air… they became flat under my eyes @$!%€ ! Maybe they weren’t cooked enough ?
So close, will definitely try again. And even if they became flat, the taste is simply delicious !
Riz
Oh no!! I’m not sure how they were transferred (they’re delicate little things so they have to be moved gently!) as they shouldn’t be significantly deflating once off the heat, but I’m glad you still enjoyed them !!
AK
Tried these after almost giving up on making soufflé pancakes from trying so many recipes
And these turned out perfect!
I finally made it, all thanks to your clear and helpful tips and recipe
Super yum, and super super light! Loved it! Thank you!!
Riz
AK! I am SO SO happy to hear this. Wishing you many delicious pancake breakfasts in the future!! (And please do share a photo of your pancakes with me on Instagram if you’d like!)
Ashley
can I sub cake flour for all purpose?
Riz
Hey there Ashley – yes, you can but your Japanese pancakes won’t be quite as fluffy or airy (they’ll still be fairly fluffy though!)