Easy Homemade Pancakes (Light & Fluffy!)
There’s nothing quite like waking up to a stack of easy homemade pancakes that are soft, airy, and perfectly golden. This fluffy pancake recipe is everything you want in a classic breakfast: light texture, rich buttery flavor, and just the right balance of sweetness.
Forget boxed mixes — once you try these light pancakes from scratch, you’ll never go back. With simple pantry ingredients and just a few minutes of prep time, you can create restaurant-quality pancakes right at home.
Let’s make the fluffiest pancakes ever.
Why These Are the Best Fluffy Pancakes
This recipe stands out because:
- It uses basic pantry ingredients
- The pancakes turn out tall and airy
- The texture is soft but not gummy
- They cook evenly with golden edges
- Perfect for customizing with add-ins
The secret lies in proper mixing, fresh baking powder, and letting the batter rest briefly before cooking.
What Makes Pancakes Light and Fluffy?
Three key factors create that dreamy texture:
1. Baking Powder
Acts as a leavening agent, creating bubbles that lift the batter.
2. Proper Mixing
Overmixing develops gluten and makes pancakes tough. Gentle mixing keeps them tender.
3. Resting the Batter
Letting the batter sit for 5–10 minutes allows ingredients to hydrate and rise slightly before cooking.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 3½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1¼ cups milk
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
Step 3: Make the Batter
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients.
- Gently stir until just combined. Small lumps are okay.
- Let batter rest for 5–10 minutes.
Step 4: Cook Pancakes
- Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- Lightly grease with butter or oil.
- Pour about ¼ cup batter per pancake.
- Cook until bubbles form on surface (about 2–3 minutes).
- Flip and cook another 1–2 minutes until golden brown.
Step 5: Serve
- Serve warm with butter, maple syrup, and your favorite toppings.
Easy Homemade Pancakes (Light & Fluffy!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Whisk dry ingredients together.
- Whisk wet ingredients separately.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures gently.
- Rest batter 5–10 minutes.
- Cook pancakes on medium heat until golden.
Notes
Pro Tips for Perfect Pancakes
Don’t Press Them Down
Pressing pancakes with a spatula makes them dense.
Use Medium Heat
Too hot burns the outside before cooking inside.
Keep Them Warm
Place cooked pancakes in a 200°F oven while finishing the batch.
Delicious Variations
Blueberry Pancakes
Add fresh blueberries directly to batter or sprinkle onto pancakes while cooking.
Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Fold mini chocolate chips into batter.
Banana Pancakes
Mash one ripe banana into the wet ingredients.
Protein Boost
Add 1 scoop vanilla protein powder and a splash of milk.
Topping Ideas
- Maple syrup
- Fresh berries
- Whipped cream
- Nut butter
- Powdered sugar
- Yogurt and honey
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerator: Store up to 4 days in airtight container.
Freezer: Freeze between parchment layers up to 2 months.
Reheat: Toast, microwave, or warm in oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my pancakes flat?
Your baking powder may be expired.
Can I make them dairy-free?
Yes, substitute milk with almond or oat milk and use oil instead of butter.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — it scales perfectly.
Final Thoughts
These easy homemade pancakes are soft, fluffy, and incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re cooking for a lazy weekend brunch or a busy weekday morning, this fluffy pancake recipe delivers consistent results every time.
Once you master this simple pancake batter, breakfast will never be boring again.
