Homemade Pancakes

Pancakes are one of the most classic breakfasts around, emblematic of lazy weekend mornings with the whole family and holiday brunches. 

Frequently asked questions

How do you make pancakes?

For the best results when making pancakes, mix the batter gently; it’s better to have a few lumps here and there (they disappear when cooked) than to mix the batter so much that it develops gluten and yields tough pancakes. Cook them in butter or oil over medium-low heat, so they don’t brown too quickly; no one likes pancakes that are burnt on the outside and raw inside. Scoop 1/3 cup batter into the pan for each pancake, or 1/4 cup batter if you want smaller pancakes. The batter should sizzle when you add it to the pan. You can usually fit three or four pancakes in a large skillet or up to six pancakes if you use a large pancake griddle, but don’t crowd them; they need space to spread out a bit. Wait until you see a few bubbles on top of the pancakes to flip them, and be sure to use a wide spatula so they flip easily.

Can you double this pancake recipe?

Making pancakes for a crowd? This recipe is easily doubled or even tripled. If you are making a large batch of pancakes, store the cooked pancakes in a 300°F oven until you are ready to serve. Warm up some maple syrup, or make a fruit syrup to go on top, and relax into your day.

Can you freeze pancakes?

Yes — it's one of our favorite weekend breakfast hacks. Make the pancakes as directed, and let them cool completely. Layer the cooled pancakes between sheets of parchment paper, and store in a ziplock bag or other airtight container in the freezer for up to two months. To reheat frozen pancakes, simply microwave them on high for a minute, place them on a baking sheet in a 325°F oven for 10 minutes, or pop them in the toaster.

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

This recipe is excellent on its own or can be used as the basis to make more elaborate or personalized pancakes. You can add fruit — start with 1 cup of blueberries or chopped strawberries, bananas, peaches, or pears per batch. You can also add nuts; 1 cup of halved pecans, walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts works nicely here. Toast the nuts to bring out their flavor, and let them cool until just warm before stirring them into the batter. And if you like, add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, or a large pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the batter for a hint of warm spice. Regardless of what you add to this recipe, be careful to not overmix the batter.