The Best Fluffy Pancakes
Fluffy, golden, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, this is the only fluffy pancake recipe you’ll ever need! These airy pancakes are made with simple pantry staples and come together very quickly. They are light and packed with flavor.
Pancakes have always been a breakfast favorite in our home. For a while now, I’ve wanted to make a version that is so good that you don’t even need syrup. This recipe is adapted from Jenn Segal’s fantastic recipe on Once Upon a Chef, with a nutritional boost from flaxseed and an extra flavor kick from vanilla and almond extracts.
Inside This Post
What You'll Love About This Pancake Recipe
I love these fluffy pancakes with fresh berries and maple syrup, but really? You can eat them plain off the griddle since they’re that delicious!
These are my top reasons for loving this recipe, and I think you will, too:
- Quick and Easy: The ingredients used in this recipe are pantry staples
- Versatile and Customizable: Pancakes can be customized to your family’s preferences. I make a plain batter and add toppings such as blueberries, chocolate chips, and cinnamon sugar while the pancakes are cooking. This enables me to customize the flavors for my boys.
- Meal Prep Friendly: I make a big batch on Saturday or Sunday and freeze them for easy weekday breakfast options. I reheat the pancakes in the microwave using a damp paper towel.
- Rich in flavor: The almond extract gives these pancakes a delicate, nutty flavor while the vanilla provides a warm sweetness!
- Fun Family Activity: Making pancakes is an easy recipe to involve kids. They enjoy adding the ingredients, mixing the batter, and adding their favorite toppings. It’s an ideal activity for a delicious breakfast and family bonding time. My boys love helping me cook other dishes, such as Dominican-style white rice.
What You Will Need To Make Pancakes
To make the best fluffy pancake recipe, here’s everything you’ll need on hand:
- Granulated Sugar – Adds sweetness and promotes browning
- Salt – Balances and enhances flavor
- Baking Powder – Leavens the batter to make pancakes fluffy
- All-Purpose Flour – Provides structure and body to the pancakes
- Ground Flaxseed – Adds nutrition (fiber and omegas-3s) helps with binding and adds a subtle nutty flavor
- Milk – Adds moisture and helps blends ingredients
- Vanilla Extract – enhances flavor
- Almond Extract – Adds a subtle, nutty aroma and depth
- Eggs – Bind the ingredients and add richness
- Unsalted Butter (melted) – Adds moisture, richness, and tender texture
- Avocado Oil Spray- Used to lightly grease the pan for easy flipping
Step-By-Step Instructions
1. Prepare Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and flaxseed. In another bowl, beat the eggs, then whisk in the milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
2. Mix the Batter
Pour the wet ingredients and melted butter into the dry ingredients. Give it a gentle stir—just enough to bring everything together. Overmixing can make your pancakes dense instead of fluffy. The batter will be on the thicker side, but if it feels too thick, go ahead and add a splash of milk to loosen it up.
3. Heat the Griddle or Skillet
4. Cook the Pancakes
Using a ¼ or ⅓ measuring cup, pour the batter onto the preheated griddle. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set. Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown—your fluffy pancake recipe is almost ready to serve!
5. Serve and Enjoy
Serve the pancakes immediately with your favorite toppings. I love maple syrup and fresh berries, but whipped cream, or even a sprinkle of powdered sugar makes fantastic additions.
How Your Kids Can help Make Fluffy Pancakes
My boys love helping me make pancakes—it’s one of their favorite weekend traditions! Pancakes are a great recipe to get kids involved in the kitchen. Here are some practical and safe ways your child can help you make this dish:
- Pour and Measure Ingredients: Your child can assist you by measuring the flour, sugar, baking powder, and flaxseed using measuring cups and spoons. This is an excellent way to practice basic math and fine motor skills.
- Whisking the Batter: Your little helper can stir the dry ingredients or gently mix the wet and dry ingredients using a whisk or spoon.
- Crack the Eggs: If your child is older and you are brave enough, let them try cracking the eggs into a separate bowl. It’s messy initially, but it helps them build confidence and independence.
- Set the Timer: Designate your child as the official “pancake flipper assistant” by setting a timer for when to check for bubbles or flip the pancake. This builds time awareness and executive function skills.
- Taste Tester: Once everything is cooked and plated, let them take a bite and rate the pancake from 1 to 10. It’s a fun way to engage their senses.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Best Fluffy Pancakes
How do I make my pancakes extra fluffy?
- Make sure you are using fresh baking powder.
- Do not overmix the batter; it is okay to have lumps in it.
- Let the batter rest for a few minutes before cooking.
Can I make these pancakes dairy-free?
Yes! Swap the milk for almond, oat, or coconut milk and use vegan butter or oil instead of regular butter.
What's the best way to reheat pancakes?
The best way I have found, which is also my favorite way, to reheat these fluffy pancakes is to place them on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat them for 20-30 seconds; if needed, continue heating in 10-second increments until hot. When reheating a large batch, put them in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the pancakes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Heat for 5-7 minutes or until warm
What are some toppings suggestions for pancakes?
You can easily take this fluffy pancake recipe to the next level with these delicious toppings:
- Caramelized apples and cinnamon
- Greek yogurt and granola
- Honey and sliced almonds
- Peaches and cream
- Coconut Flakes and pineapple
- Mixed berry sauce and powdered sugar
The Best Fluffy Pancakes
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Whisk or mixing spoon
- Spatula
- Griddle or non-stick skillet
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 tsp baking powder
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1-2 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp almond extract
- avocado oil spray
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and ground flaxseed.
![A glass mixing bowl filled with dry pancake ingredients and a metal whisk on top, sitting on a wooden surface.]()
- In another bowl, beat the eggs and then whisk in the milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract. (If you really like vanilla flavor add 2 tsp of vanilla extract)
![Fluffy Pancake Wet Ingredient Mix. Step 2 of the best fluffy pancake recipe.]()
- Pour the wet ingredients and melted butter into the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined. It’s okay if the batter is a bit lumpy, over-mixing can make the pancakes tough. If the batter is too thick, add a little more milk until you reach the desired consistency.
![wet and dry ingredients combined]()
- Preheat your griddle or a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease with avocado oil spray. The griddle should be hot but not smoking.
- Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, pour the batter onto the preheated griddle. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set.
![A pancake cooking in a nonstick skillet, with bubbles forming on the surface, indicating it's ready to flip.]()
- Flip and cook for another minute until golden brown.
![A golden-brown pancake cooking in a nonstick skillet, shown after being flipped.]()
- Serve the pancakes immediately with your favorite toppings. We love classic maple syrup and fresh berries, but whipped cream, or even a sprinkle of powdered sugar makes fantastic additions.
![Fluffy Pancake picture with butter and syrup on top]()
