Nothing’s better for the start of the day than a plate piled high with puffy, toasty pancakes. Preparing pancakes from scratch isn’t as complicated as you think it is, and with the right ingredients and techniques, light and airy pancakes are guaranteed to happen every time. Follow this simple step-by-step recipe for perfect homemade pancakes.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon sugar

Wet Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups milk

1 egg

3 tablespoons melted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. This spreads the ingredients out evenly and fluffs the flour, making it lighter.

Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients

Whisk the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract in another bowl until well combined.

Step 3: Create the Batter

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Mix gently with a whisk or spatula until barely combined. Don’t overdo it—lumps are OK! Overmixing creates tough pancakes.

Step 4: Preheat the Pan

Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and grease with a small amount of butter or oil. A preheated pan produces evenly cooked pancakes and golden pancakes.

Step 5: Pan-Fry the Pancakes

Put about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake in the pan. Let it cook when the bubbles come to the top and the edges are set (about 2-3 minutes). Flip them over and fry for another 1-2 minutes, or until they brown.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer pancakes onto a plate and keep warm while cooking the remaining batter. Serve with your topping of choice such as syrup, fresh fruit, whipped cream, or nuts.

Tips to Make Fluffiest Pancakes

Use fresh baking powder: Baking powder is the key to making fluffy pancakes. Make sure it’s fresh and not expired.

Don’t overmix the batter: Stir only until combined to prevent dense pancakes.

Let the batter rest: Allow the batter to rest for a few minutes before cooking for an even better texture.

Keep the right temperature: Cooking on medium heat keeps it all even and prevents burning.

Conclusion

Making fluffy pancakes from scratch is simple and rewarding. With the proper ingredients and technique, you can enjoy homemade pancakes that are light, fluffy, and just plain delicious. Use this recipe and impress your family with a perfect pancake breakfast!