Perfect Buttermilk Pancake Recipe (2024)

Make these classic Buttermilk Pancakes from scratch in minutes – even if you’re out of buttermilk! Fluffy, buttery, delicious, and perfect pancakes with this easy recipe!

Enjoy a hot, buttery stack of buttermilk pancakes in less than 20 minutes with ingredients you most likely have in your kitchen with this easy recipe! Follow my simple yet time-tested tips for the perfect buttermilk pancakes for breakfast, brunch, or “breakfast for dinner” anytime!

Perfect Buttermilk Pancake Recipe (1)

Table of Contents

  • Why We Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Buttermilk Pancake Variations
  • How to Make Perfect Buttermilk Pancakes
  • Make Ahead and Storage Tips
  • Tips for Perfect Buttermilk Pancakes
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Favorite Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
  • Perfect Buttermilk Pancake Recipe

Why We Love This Recipe

Made from scratch! These pancakes are so quick and easy that you can have them ready in minutes!

Simple yet scrumptious. This recipe uses simple ingredients you most likely already have in your pantry and refrigerator and yields the most perfect and delicious pancakes!

Great to make ahead. Sometimes, we need breakfast recipes that we can grab from the freezer and reheat for busy mornings. This is one of those recipes we turn to time and again!

Easily scalable. This recipe is just right for four people but can easily be scaled up or down to serve less or more!

Perfect Buttermilk Pancake Recipe (2)

Ingredients

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

Flour – Use all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour, if you prefer. You can also do a blend of all-purpose and whole wheat based on your preferences. I have also substituted gluten-free flour with great success.

Sugar – Granulated sugar is the default sugar to use in this recipe.

Baking Powder – You will use baking powder and baking soda in this recipe. The combination makes for delicious, fluffy buttermilk pancakes.

Baking Soda – You’ll also use baking soda since these are buttermilk pancakes, and the acid in the buttermilk combined with the baking soda ensures the fluffiest pancakes!

Salt – The salt in this recipe helps to balance the sweetness and give additional flavor. If you use salted butter, you may want to reduce the salt called for in the recipe to 3/4 teaspoon.

Buttermilk – You’ll want to be sure to use buttermilk for this recipe. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make your own buttermilk with the ingredients you have on hand!
Resource: How to Make Buttermilk Substitute

Eggs – This recipe uses two fresh eggs. If you need to substitute the eggs, I recommend a commercial egg replacer. I’ve found that flax eggs can cause pancakes to be a bit heavy and dense, and applesauce causes the batter to become too thin. You may need to test to reach your desired final replacement.

Vanilla Extract – The vanilla extract adds so much flavor to this recipe! If you’ve not added it to your pancakes in the past, believe me when I say it makes such a difference!

Butter – You will use melted butter in the batter as to coat your griddle or skillet for cooking.

Buttermilk Pancake Variations

Egg-free Pancakes – Use an egg replacer such as Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer.

Dairy-free Pancakes – Use plant-based milk, such as oat, almond, or cashew milk, and dairy-free butter, in place of the dairy called for in the recipe. And yes, you can even make dairy-free buttermilk substitute!
Resource: How to Make Oat Milk

Gluten-Free Pancakes – Use your favorite gluten-free flour. I’ve made these many times using gluten-free flour substitutes.

How to Make Perfect Buttermilk Pancakes

Perfect Buttermilk Pancake Recipe (3)

Combine the dry ingredients – Whisk the dry ingredients in a medium bowl after combining.

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Mix the wet ingredients – Whisk wet ingredients together in a 2-cup measuring cup.

Perfect Buttermilk Pancake Recipe (5)

Combine wet with dry ingredients – Pour the buttermilk mixture slowly into the flour mixture, stirring to combine as you pour. Allow pato rest for at least 5 minutes for the fluffiest buttermilk pancakes.

Add butter griddle and heat – Heat griddle or skillet over medium-low heat. Add butter to the griddle or skillet to make sure well coated.

Cook the pancakes – Scoop batter onto prepared griddle or skillet and cook according to recipe instructions.

Perfect Buttermilk Pancake Recipe (6)

Serve warm – Remove from griddle or skillet and serve warm or place on a sheet pan in oven to keep warm for serving.

Perfect Buttermilk Pancake Recipe (7)

Since these are ready in just a few minutes, it’s not hard to get everyone to the breakfast table when they know these babies are waiting for them. Light, fluffy, and so delicious, you’ll get requests for these all the time. I promise!

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

To Make Ahead:

  • Up to 30 Minutes Make Ahead – Place the pancakes onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Then hold the pancakes in a 200º F oven for up to 30 minutes.
  • Up to 2 Days Ahead – Allow the baked pancakes to cool completely. Place into a zip-top bag and into the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place in a 350º F oven for 5 minutes.

To Freeze: These pancakes freeze beautifully.

  • Place them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the freezer for 30 minutes.
  • Then, remove them from the baking sheet, and place them into a freezer-safe, zip-top bag, and freeze for up to 1 month.
  • To reheat, allow them to defrost and then heat them in a 350º F oven for 5 minutes and serve warm.

Tips for Perfect Buttermilk Pancakes

  1. Let the mixed pancake batter sit for about 5 minutes for the fluffiest pancakes!
  2. When cooking the pancakes, allow the pancake batter to cook until the edges have lost their sheen and bubbles have formed in the center of the top of the pancake, about 2-3 minutes. Then, flip the pancake to cook the other side.
Perfect Buttermilk Pancake Recipe (8)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these pancakes if I don’t have buttermilk?

Yes! Make my easy buttermilk substitute and use just as you use regular buttermilk.

Can I freeze these pancakes for later?

These pancakes are great to freeze and reheat on busy mornings. Follow the instructions to freeze in the recipe notes.

More Favorite Breakfast and Brunch Recipes

French Toast

Pancake Muffins

Blueberry Muffins

How to Cook Eggs

How to Cook Bacon

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Perfect Buttermilk Pancake Recipe (9)

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Perfect Buttermilk Pancake Recipe

Robyn Stone

5 from 25 votes

Make these classic Buttermilk Pancakes from scratch in minutes – even if you're out of buttermilk! Fluffy, buttery, delicious, and perfect pancakes with this easy recipe!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes minutes

Batter resting time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 16 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • butter for griddle or skillet

Instructions

  • Whisk dry ingredients together. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.

  • Whisk wet ingredients together. Whisk together buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter or cooking oil in a 2-cup measuring cup.

  • Combine. Pour buttermilk mixture slowly into the flour mixture, stirring to combine as you pour. Allow to rest for at least 5 minutes to thicken for the fluffiest pancakes.

  • Cook. Heat griddle or skillet over medium-low heat. Add butter to griddle or skillet to make sure well coated. Scoop pancake batter onto prepared griddle or skillet by about 1/3 cup. Allow to cook until the edges of the pancake have lost their sheen and bubbles have formed in the center of the top of the pancake, about 2-3 minutes. Flip the pancake and allow to cook about 2-3 minutes on the other side.

  • Serve. Remove from griddle or skillet and serve warm or place on a rimmed sheet pan in a 200º F oven to keep warm for serving.

Notes

Gluten-Free Pancakes

Substitute your favorite gluten-free ingredients for the ingredients called for in this recipe.

Egg-free Pancakes

Use an egg replacer such as Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer.

Dairy-free Pancakes

Use plant-based milk, such as oat, almond, cashew, and dairy-free butter, in place of the dairy called for in the recipe.

Make Ahead Buttermilk Pancakes

  • Up to 30 Minutes Make Ahead – Place the pancakes in a single layer onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Then hold the pancakes in a 200º F oven for up to 30 minutes.
  • Up to 2 Days Ahead – Allow the baked pancakes to cool completely. Place into a zip-top bag and into the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place in a 350º F oven for 5 minutes.

How to Freeze Buttermilk Pancakes

These pancakes freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the freezer for 30 minutes. Then, remove them from the baking sheet and place them into a freezer-safe, zip-top bag, and freeze for up to 1 month. To serve, allow them to defrost and then reheat them in a 350º F oven for 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 494kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 140mg | Sodium: 1289mg | Potassium: 459mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 737IU | Calcium: 265mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Enjoy!
Robyn xo

Categorized as:30 Minutes or Less Recipes, All Recipes, Birthday Recipes, Breakfast Recipes, By Cooking Style, Camping, Cooking, Essentials, Father’s Day Recipes, Freezer Friendly Recipes, Game Day Recipes, Gluten-Free Recipes, Holiday and Occasion Recipes, July 4th Recipes, Mother’s Day Recipes, Pancake Recipes, Recipes, Shower Recipes, Simple Recipes, Valentine’s Day Recipes

Welcome to Add A Pinch

About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

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Perfect Buttermilk Pancake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why are my buttermilk pancakes not fluffy? ›

Why were my buttermilk pancakes flat/not fluffy!? Most likely this is a result of over-mixing the batter, this can yield flat, dense, or even rubbery pancakes. Do not over-mix your pancake batter — I can not overstate how important this is.

What makes fluffier pancakes milk or water? ›

Milk helps make pancakes fluffier than water. Since milk is thicker than water, it creates a thicker batter. Further, if you use whole milk or low fat milk, the fat content helps yield tender, fluffy results.

What makes pancakes rise and be fluffy? ›

Pancakes and waffles typically both contain baking soda, which causes them to rise. As soon as the baking soda is combined with the wet ingredients (which contain an acidic ingredient, like often buttermilk), it starts producing carbon dioxide gas bubbles that cause the batter to rise.

What not to do when making pancakes? ›

Don't let the lumps fool you into overmixing!
  1. You ignore the heat during cooking. If you are not using an electric skillet, you must pay attention to the heat when you start cooking the pancakes. ...
  2. You've been using the wrong pan. ...
  3. You flip your pancakes too soon. ...
  4. You don't fully preheat your pan.

How to get perfect pancakes every time? ›

Things to Avoid When Making Pancakes
  1. Don't overmix the batter. ...
  2. Don't let the griddle or skillet get too hot! ...
  3. Don't add the butter or shortening until after the griddle or skillet has been preheated.
  4. Don't go overboard with butter or shortening. ...
  5. Don't press down on the pancakes while they're cooking.
  6. Don't overflip.
Jan 18, 2023

Should you let buttermilk pancake batter rest? ›

A – Ideally make your batter and let it rest for about 30 minutes before cooking.

What happens if you add an extra egg to pancake mix? ›

Eggs are a crucial ingredient. They provide the cakes with the structure to hold light bubbles. Eggs also give the batter additional, richer flavor from the yolk fat. If you add too many eggs, you'll have “pancakes” that look more like custard or crepes.

Should I add egg to pancake mix? ›

Even if your pancake mix doesn't call for an egg, mix one into the batter. The egg will add richness to the recipe and make the end result taste like homemade pancakes. If your pancake mix already calls for an egg, try adding an extra one.

What ingredient in a basic made from scratch pancake batter makes pancakes fluffy? ›

Air! The combination of homemade buttermilk (milk and vinegar) and two leaveners (baking powder and baking soda) create lots of air bubbles in the pancake batter, resulting in the lightest and fluffiest pancakes imaginable.

How much milk for 1 cup of pancake mix? ›

For the pancake batter:

For each 1 cup pancake mix, add 1 egg, 1 cup milk, and 1 tablespoon melted butter.

Can I use mayo instead of eggs in pancakes? ›

Note that mayonnaise contains eggs and oil, so it can replace oil or butter as well. This trick may not work as an egg replacement for an allergy or egg-free diet (unless it's a vegan mayo) but it works for those who don't have eggs on hand in a pinch.

Does adding more baking powder make pancakes fluffier? ›

Don't be tempted to add more than the recipe suggests, as too much baking powder will make pancakes taste soapy. Alternatively, you could use self-raising flour, which will add to the amount of raising agent in the recipe and potentially make your pancakes fluffier.

How long should you mix pancake batter? ›

Stir your batter until the dry and wet ingredients are just incorporated. That means mixing until the flour streaks have disappeared, but leaving the pesky lumps. If you over-mix, the gluten will develop from the flour in your batter, making your pancakes chewy instead of fluffy.

What makes restaurant pancakes taste so good? ›

Restaurants tend to use real, farm-fresh eggs and real milk when making their pancakes, which as you might guess, adds to a richer, higher-quality eating experience.

Does milk instead of water make pancakes better? ›

1. Use Milk/ Alternative Milk Instead Of Water. Even though the mix may call for water, you can easily substitute that for an alternative milk (I like oat milk). You may have to add a dash more due to the difference in consistency, but it'll taste so much better!

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