Homemade pancakes do not have to be complicated. This Easy Pancake Recipe makes soft, fluffy pancakes with simple pantry ingredients, and it works every single time, even if you are not a breakfast or morning person.
This is the recipe we reach for when we want a classic stack that is lightly sweet, tender in the middle, and golden on the outside. It mixes up fast, cooks up beautifully, and it is perfect with fruit, whipped cream, or a big drizzle of buttermilk syrup. Plus, it’s made with pantry staples and is the perfect base for fruit and mix-ins.
If you have ever ended up with flat, gummy, or dry pancakes, do not worry. We are sharing the exact cues for batter texture, pan temperature, and flipping so this one is truly no-fail.
If you love pancakes, you’ll also love our Buttermilk Pancakes and Fluffy Pancakes… made better when topped with Whipped Cream and Buttermilk Syrup!
Why this recipe works:
- Baking powder does the lifting. If it is fresh, you get reliable rise and fluff.
- A few lumps are good. Stirring until “perfectly smooth” can overwork the flour and make pancakes tough.
- Perfect temperature. Medium-high, about 375°F, helps the pancakes brown evenly while cooking through. (If you do not have a thermometer, we give an easy heat test below.)
Simple Pancakes Ingredients
- All-purpose flour (1½ cups): The base that gives the pancakes structure and that classic fluffy bite.
- Baking powder (3½ teaspoons): This is the key to lift, it helps the pancakes rise and stay light and tender.
- Sugar (1 tablespoon): Adds a touch of sweetness and helps the pancakes brown nicely.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and makes the vanilla and butter flavors pop.
- Milk (1¼ cups): Adds moisture and makes the batter smooth and pourable for evenly cooked pancakes. We always use 2% or higher for this recipe.
- Egg (1): Binds the batter and helps the pancakes hold together while staying soft.
- Unsalted butter, melted (3 tablespoons): Adds rich flavor and keeps the pancakes tender, plus it helps them cook up beautifully.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds that warm, classic pancake flavor that makes them taste homemade.
- Toppings, fresh fruit, whipped cream, buttermilk syrup: Toppings add sweetness, freshness, and fun, and they make the pancakes feel extra special. We love to top ours with fresh strawberries, blueberries and sliced bananas.
How to Make Homemade Pancakes
Combine dry ingredients. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt (or whisk until combined). That’s your pancake mix!
Add wet ingredients. Make a well in the center. Add milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla. Mix just until combined. A few small lumps are fine for this pancake batter recipe. For fluffy pancakes, let the batter rest for 15 minutes after mixing.
Heat the pan. Lightly oil a griddle or skillet and heat to medium-high, about 375°F.
Cook. Pour about ¼ cup batter per pancake. Cook until bubbles form and the edges look set, about 3 minutes.
Flip once. Flip and cook 2 minutes more, until golden brown and cooked through.
Serve warm. Top with fruit, whipped cream, and maple syrup or buttermilk syrup.
Troubleshooting Tips
- My pancakes are flat. Your pan may be too cool, or your baking powder may be old. Also, avoid letting the mixed batter sit too long.
- My pancakes are dark outside but raw inside. The heat is too high. Drop to medium or medium-low and give the pan a minute to level out.
- My pancakes are tough or gummy. Over-mixing is usually the culprit. Next time, stir less and keep a few lumps.
- My pancakes stick. Your pan may not be hot enough yet, or it needs a light oiling. A nonstick skillet or seasoned griddle helps a lot.
Kristyn’s No-Fail Success Tips
- Check your baking powder. If it has been sitting forever, replace it. Fresh leavening is the easiest fluff upgrade.
- Do not over-mix. Stop stirring as soon as you do not see dry streaks. Lumpy batter equals tender pancakes.
- Let the batter sit at least 5 minutes while the pan heats. This helps hydrate the flour and makes a nicer texture.
- Use the water-drop test if you do not have a thermometer: flick a few drops of water onto the pan. They should sizzle and skitter around, not evaporate instantly and not just sit there.
- Flip when the signs show up. Bubbles on top plus set edges means it is ready. Then flip once and do not press down.
- Double the recipe. Mix gently and cook in batches. If the batter thickens as it sits, stir in a splash of milk.
Easy Pancakes
Video
Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 3½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1¼ cups milk
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Toppings: fruit, whipped cream, buttermilk syrup
Instructions
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla and mix until smooth.
- Lightly oil a griddle or frying pan and heat to medium-high (about 375 degrees F).
- Pour about ¼ cup of batter onto the griddle for each pancake. Cook until browned (about 3 minutes), then flip and cook for 2 minutes more until browned on both sides. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Don’t overmix, some lumps in the batter is ok.
- Room-temperature eggs and milk mix much easier into the other ingredients and prevent overmixing the batter.
- Let the batter rest for 15 minutes after mixing to help create fluffier pancakes.
- Make 1-2 test pancakes to ensure the temperature of the griddle is just right.
- Flip once and don’t press on the pancakes with the spatula.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Yes. We have a Homemade Pancake Mix recipe you can use.
Flip when you see bubbles across the top and the edges look set and slightly dry. Then flip once and finish cooking on the second side.
The most common reason is old baking powder. The second most common is a pan that is not hot enough. Make sure the pan is fully heated before the first batch.
Over-mixing is usually the cause. Stir just until the flour disappears. A few lumps are normal and they help keep pancakes tender.
For best results, cook the batter soon after mixing because baking powder starts working right away. If you need to prep ahead, mix the dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately, then combine right before cooking.
Place cooked pancakes on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven until ready to serve. This keeps them warm without drying them out.
Yes. Let them cool completely, freeze in a single layer, then store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave, toaster oven, or a warm skillet.
Complete The Meal
Pancake Variations
Chocolate Chip Pancakes
10 mins
How to make Banana Pancakes
15 mins
Oatmeal Pancakes
9 mins
Protein Pancakes
18 mins
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This recipe was first shared March, 2020.
No need for a mix, this is made from everything you have on hand and your family will be amazed. They are fluffy goodness and my go to pancacke recipe for LIFE
It makes me so happy that this has become your go to pancake recipe.
Ok, ok . These really are Easy Pancakes. But I am surprised that no one has called you out over the title yet. I mean seriously. I think the correct name, or title should be : oh my Lord! I think that I must have died and gone to HEAVEN, these are so delicious. Perhaps these are what made Even sin in the Garden. So very good
This completely made my day, thank you so much for the sweet comment! I am so happy you loved the pancakes that much.
These are delicious!!! I made them with cinnamon instead of vanilla and I think they turned out even better. Just use around two tablespoons of cinnamon. Its truly life changing! Also really quick and flipping them is really easy, they never split or turn runny. 12 out of 10 review!
WOW, 12 out of 10 is the best rating. I’m glad they were easy to flip and a total hit. Thanks for sharing your tip!
is that the right amount of baking powder? it seems like a lot
i love this recipes. Thanks for sharing
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
it was great I’m only 10 years old and it was tasty and easy
Pancakes are great for beginners! I’m so glad you thought they were easy and tasty!
I’m only 12 years old cooking this recipe and my cousins would be persistent on making them with me. I’m the oldest one. Even my brother wants to help!!!!!!
Hope you all have a great time making pancakes and enjoying them together!
Do I thaw pancakes before reheating in oven?
After reheating pancakes from frozen, can I refreeze them?
Here are our tips for freezing pancakes & reheating…https://lilluna.com/how-to-freeze-pancakes/. Hope that helps!
Hi, sorry but, I don’t see the amount of the ingredients. If you could please let me know where I could find them I would greatly appreciate that. Thanks
Of course! If you click on “jump to recipe” at the top of the page, it will take you right to the recipe card. Hope that helps!
Most pancake recipes use similar ingredients so you may think why try this one. Well I have tried several different recipes but this is the absolute best! It makes the fluffiest and most delicious pancakes ever while being so easy to make! No need to search any more!
Mine are runny and flat 😭
Can we substitute gluten free flour and if so, what would be the measurements.?
Best recipe I’ve ever tried. The fluffiness is amazing ❤
These weren’t the best pancakes I’ve ever had, but were super easy to make and fluffy. I appreciate the simplicity of the ingredients!
Medium heat is tearable
This recipe is a keeper. I’ve tried this with King Arthur’s gluten free measure for measure flour as well and it is just as tasty. Thank you Kristyn!
You’re welcome! Thanks for sharing about the gluten free flour. So glad the pancakes are a hit!
Thanks for your excellent recipe. It would be nice to also have a metric conversion option.
Glad you enjoyed the pancakes. And thank you for that feedback!!
Question – Is a serving ONE pancake? Using the recipe for a large group, thanks.
Delicious and easy recipe
Super easy and delicious! I never made homemade pancakes before, but after running out of the store bought stuff, I decided to give it a try. After trying these, I’m never buying store bought again! Also a bonus that’s it’s a fun process that my toddler can help in too. Followed the exact recipe and let the batter since for the full 15 minutes as mentioned in the notes. Highly recommend this recipe. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Delicious! These turned out great and I’m 50/50 on pancakes lol. Either they’re great or they’re awful. I used oat milk and added chocolate chips as well and my family ate them right up.
Thank you for a great recipe! Simple & quick. I actually made the night before so the school morning was easier. Makes a whole bunch of silver dollar pancakes. Yummy & the rest are in the freezer for another day.
Followed step by step and it literally turned into a giant clump of mashed flower.
Sorry to hear that. Next time you can definitely adjust the amount of milk if you need it to be a little less thick. Thanks for giving the recipe a try!
I love all the pancakes
I’m gonna try to bake it!!!!!!!!😇😙😙😙😙😙
Hope you enjoy!!
This is my new favorite pancake recipe!
Yay! So glad you enjoyed the pancakes!
I think these pancakes are delicious and easy to make so I love you so much ”lil’ lunas”.
Very very fluffy
Mine turned out to be an inch thick
The best fluffy pancakes ever!!!😋well worth it
Yay!! Happy you think so! Thank you!
Hi Kristyn! Thank you so much for this delicious recipe! I enjoy making most things from scratch and I’ve tried several different pancake recipes and NONE of them worked! This one is PERFECT! I want to make a big batch of the dry ingredients and store them in an airtight container so I have it ready to go. How much of the dry ingredients do I use once it’s all mixed (like a store bought mix?) Thanks again for the recipe and thank you for your help.
This is THE most delicious homemade pancake recipe I’ve tried!!!
Wonderful thank you
Fluffy and delicious, these were a hit. I added a little nutmeg. We’ll be using this recipe again!
Perfect pancakes! i sub oat milk and add chocolate chips and its incredible!
These Pancakes are some of the best easy-bake pancakes I have ever made! The most delicious, but simple pancake recipe, as well as so so delicious! I have to wake up pretty early, and I don’t want everyone to have to eat cereal, so I make this easy 15 minute recipe, and only take 10 – 15 minutes to cook all of them. I have made these so many times, and trust me, even if you don’t measure exact, the recipe will still work. Amazing recipes, and I would eat them all day if I could! They are so good, and I definetly reccomend these to all people and ages to try out! (If you have grandkids this would be a fun simple recipe you could do together)
These Pancakes are some of the best easy-bake pancakes I have ever made! The most delicious, but simple pancake recipe, as well as so so delicious! I have to wake up pretty early, and I don’t want everyone to have to eat cereal, so I make this easy 15 minute recipe, and only take 10 – 15 minutes to cook all of them. I have made these so many times, and trust me, even if you don’t measure exact, the recipe will still work. Amazing recipes, and I would eat them all day if I could!
This website sucks. You cannot even get to the recipe and instructions without it auto scrolling back to the top. Too many ads , very difficult for the mobile User to navigate the page. Need to upgrade your host. Sorry
I am just confused, were does it say how much to put in?
So delicious and I am a kid who made the pancakes by myself
Easy, one bowl, nothing fancy, and they came out perfect!
Needed more milk than put in recipe
it was way too thick until I added more milk
Making them right now. I added peanut butter to mine!! Let see how they come out!! Thank you for the recipe!!
My grans and I had these for breakfast topped with little organic maple syrup, organic fresh blueberries and Reddi whipped real cream. Used all organic ingredients. Was absolutely delicious! My grans said, “That was so yummy!”
a pity there is only quantities iwith cups, etc. in Europe we still use the scale
What is a serving size for the pancake recipe? I am a type 2 diabetic and need to know how many, if any, I can have. Love your recipes
It depends on the size of the pancake but for this particular recipe a serving size would be 3 (6-inch in diameter) pancakes.
@Karen, you can substitute the sugar in the recipe w monkfruit and the taste is the same. As far as the intake of sugar and requirements for diabetics I don’t know, but pancakes fall in the carbohydrate department which it will metabolize into sugar in your body and will be dependent on how large you make your pancakes. Hope you find your answer.😊
Definitely a keeper
Happy to hear that!! Thank you so much!!
I want to make pancakes today to eat tomorrow morning on a road trip. Just wondering how they might go cold?
Hi! I hope the pancakes were yummy! I honestly don’t mind them cold… but you can also heat them in a microwave or a toaster the next day.
Made my pancakes on a griddle, they came out as flat as a paper
Sorry to hear the pancakes were flat. That hasn’t ever happened to me with this recipe. Possibly could have been an issue with the baking powder? I’d double check that it isn’t too old so that those pancakes will rise! 🙂
Recipe doesn’t mention when to add vanilla. With the other wet ingredients?
Oh yes! You’ll add it with the egg, milk and melted butter.
I made these for my son and his friends yesterday. Teenager approved. They really liked them. Nice and fluffy and great flavor.
This is our go to family pancake recipe! Thanks!
Love these fluffy pancakes!!
Best pancakes I have ever had in my life !!!
Aw, thank you!! I’m so glad to hear you love them!
These pancakes came out GREAT!
Yay!! So glad they did! Thanks for sharing!
Is 1 1/2 cups of milk and 1 1/2 cups of flour correct? I had to add more than 1 1/2 cups flour because it was very liquidity.
Nevermind. It was my error. 🤦♀️ That’s what happens when 4 kiddos are distracting me.
Haha! No worries. I totally can relate to you there! 🙂
Yes, those measurements are correct, but you can certainly tweak a little to get to the desired consistency you prefer. 🙂
Soft and fluffy pancakes with this recipe, thank you!
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed the pancake recipe!!
These are SO delicious and incredibly easy to make! Our new go-to recipe. Thank you!
You are welcome! I’m so happy you liked it and that you have a new go-to recipe. Thanks for trying it!
Does this recipe call for all purpose flour?
Also, can I substitute Gluten Free AP Flour?
Yes, all purpose flour. I have not tried them with Gluten Free flour, but I imagine you could substitute it out for pancakes and it would work just fine.
I can’t wait to try these! Can you please share your favorite griddle?
Yay! Hope you enjoy the pancakes. Yes, here are some favorites of mine: https://amzn.to/3e0Ktxn and https://amzn.to/3363jNj
How would this recipe change if I wanted to make waffles instead? Would I need to add anything or just use this recipe as directed?
You would want to increase the fat content to create that crispy outside and fluffy inside. I would add about 3 Tbsp of oil to this recipe to turn it into waffles. You could also give our waffle recipe a try. It’s very similar to this pancake recipe, just created specifically for waffles! https://lilluna.com/belgian-waffles/
I’m looking forward to trying some of the add-ins – it would be helpful if all of them had suggested amounts for the add-in ingredients
Thanks for the suggestion! Hope you enjoy the pancakes!
So easy and delicious! It has the perfect amount of salty sweet flavor. I used a 1/3c measuring cup and it made 9 pancakes! Definitely going in my recipe book!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it as much as we do! Definitely my go-to pancake recipe for sure! 🙂
(FYI-You listed vanilla in ingredients but forgot to add it in directions). I omitted the vanilla and also substituted almond milk. My husband is a very fussy connoisseur of pancakes, and he gave the pancakes 10 stars out of 5! Ty!
Oops, I will need to fix that. Thank you for letting me know! Please, tell him thank you!!
Wonderful, my whole family love it.
That makes me so happy! Thank you!
My favorite pancakes
I love these pancakes. So easy and always have ingredients and will never buy a box mix again. Yummy
Yay!! Happy to hear that! Thank you!
In your wet ingredients you don’t mention the vanilla
I will need to add it, but go ahead & add it with the other wet ingredients.
Delicious and easy!!!! Thank you!!!
You are so welcome! Thank you so much!
So… this recipe was a HUGE hit in my home. The taste was DIVINE!
My only caveat was the thickness of the batter. It was thicker than I prefer so next time I’ll use less baking power and a little more milk and water mixture.
Easy to make and fun too!
Thank you so much for sharing that! Glad it was a hit!
This was so simple and came out perfectly! I used almond cocunut milk since I don’t do dairy and it was still delicious. Thanks so much for sharing!
Great option!! Thank you for sharing that!
By far the easiest and tastiest pancake recipe i’ve found! my son is super picky and will actually eat these!
That’s why we love it! Glad he did! Thank you!
Great Pancakes
Thank you so much! Happy you liked them!
Thank you so much! I want to try this – but my family does not eat eggs. What would be a good substitute? Or is it going to make a big difference if i skip the egg? I’m not sure if the egg makes it more soft – but i am a fan of crispy food so if it was less soft than usual it wouldn’t be a huge deal for me :p
I haven’t tried leaving out the egg, but I would just google what a good substitute would be for eggs in pancakes. I know it makes them nice & fluffy 🙂
So simple and delicious!
So happy you think so 🙂 Thank you!
I made these earlier this week! So good – my kids all raved over them!
That makes me so happy! Thank you so much!
These pancakes are amazing! Some of the BEst I’ve EVEr had and THey are so easy to make. So glad I found your blog. I’m pregnant and Will be making These often 🙂
I am so glad you found it, too!! Thank you! I hope you find more recipes to try 🙂
I swear these were superb!!! I ate them without my Bacon because I had forgotten it was on my plate! I got finished and made more. This is a true blessing and I THANK GOD!
I’ll be trying more of your recipes!!
LOL…I love this! Thanks so much for sharing that with me 🙂 Hope you like other ones you try!
It was a great recipe! I added 1 sliced apple to mine and a cinnamon and sugar mixture and it was delicious! Thank you for the great recipe 🙂
You are so welcome! Sounds yum! Thank you for sharing that!
I have never been able to make pancakes. I’m a decent Cook, but my pancakes are always a disAster. These came out Perfect on The fIrst try. Thank you!!!!
Oh, that makes me so happy to hear!! Thanks so much for letting me know 🙂
I will keep simple: my 10 year old ate 2 medium sized and asked for One more 🙂 ExCeLlent recIpe. Practical, Easy, and fast! Thumbs up
Awe, happy to hear! Glad you gave it 2 thumbs up! Thank you!!
THE INSTRUCTION ARe clear and the website is well made also the end result is great
Thanks so much!
Best PANCAKEs I’ve ever had!
I love hearing that! Thank you for letting me know!
I have a recipe i love but thought I’d try this one. I liked it even better. I felt like the pancakes cooked more evenly than my regular recipe. Thanks for sharing.
These were fluffy and delicious and the perfect breakfast!!! Can’t wait to make them again!
I love how easy and delicious these are! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
These are so easy and fluffy. My kids loved them.
These really are so easy & so fluffy!! I try to make pancakes every week..usually on the weekends, so these will be our go-to from now on!
THESE WERE THE PERFECT PANCAKE FOR US! A HINT OF SWEET, PERFECTLY FLUFFY AND SO EASY! WE DEVOURED THEM, AND I WISH I HAD DOUBLED THE RECIPE. DEFINITELY HAVE TO DO THAT NEXT TIME, MY KIDS WANTED MORE AND MORE. YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE BUTTERMILK SYRUP SHE SUGGESTS. IT IS LITERAL HEAVEN AND WHIPS UP SO FAST. OUR NEW GO TO FOR SURE!!
Easy, delicious homemade pancakes with mix-ins that don’t sink! We used what we had on hand, #COVID19, and made brownie pancakes with mint chips instead of chocolate chips. No wrong answers!!
Love it! Sounds yummy! Thank you for sharing that!
Such a yummy and quick recipe! I make pancakes from scratch almost Every week. my littles said i needed to maKe this recipe from Now on. They loved it! DEfinitely my new go to! It is seriously so good!!! Thanks for sharing!
Yay!! Glad they like them 🙂 I am glad to share yummy recipes!
Our Favorite Homemade pancake mix! Can’t wait to try the Different vaRiaTions.
Woohoo!! Yes, that’s the best part!!
This is ALMOST iden to my go-to pancake recipe! When i want to Switch it up A litTle i use flavoured coffee creamer for all or part of the milk. Yummy!!! ?
Good way to change it up 🙂 Thanks for sharing that! Glad you like them!
These are so yummy! All of my kids devoured them! They were super easy and so versatile for EVERYONE to CUSTOMIZE with their own toppings. This will be my new go-to Pancake recipe!
Yay!! Yes, that’s why we love them, too! Thank you 🙂
This recipe is so easy and quite the crowd pleaser! The batter holds up well with mix-ins (we added mashed banana) and cooks up so fluffy and light. THank you for another great recipe!
Thank you so much for trying it! Glad you found it!
The person who said that they gave your recipe a 4, instead of a 5, because it needed more milk…. That’s unfair; because “it” didn’t need more milk, “SHE” needed More MILK!
We make adjustments accordingly!
I adjusted the sugar on the mere fact that I love sweet pancakes. I also adjusted the milk a tiny bit, because I love a thinner pancake.
However, this RECIPE was/is excellent!
Awe, thank you so much for sharing that! Glad you liked it!
There is a recipe on this post. 🙂 You can either scroll to the bottom of the page for the recipe card or you can click up at the top of the page where it says “Jump to Recipe” and it’ll scroll right to the recipe for you.
When does it say how much to put in?