Fluffy, golden pancakes with crisp edges and tender centers—this simple buttermilk recipe makes every morning feel like a weekend.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: About 8 pancakes (Serves 3–4)
Dietary Tags: Vegetarian
🛒 Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
All-purpose flour
Sugar
Baking powder
Baking soda
Salt
Wet Ingredients
Egg
Butter (melted; homemade or store-bought)
Buttermilk
👨🍳 Instructions
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, melted butter, and buttermilk until smooth.
Combine: Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients and gently whisk until just combined. A few lumps are okay—don’t overmix!
Heat Pan: Heat a skillet or nonstick pan over medium heat with a bit of butter or oil.
Cook Pancakes: Pour ¼ cup batter into the hot pan. Cook until bubbles form and edges look set (about 2 minutes). Flip and cook 1–2 more minutes until golden.
Serve Warm: Stack and top with butter and maple syrup or honey.
📝 Notes
Don’t overmix the batter—lumps are totally fine and make fluffier pancakes.
Use real buttermilk if possible; it adds tang and helps activate the leavening.
Homemade butter adds richness, but any quality butter will work great.
🥄 Weekend-Ready Comfort in a Stack
There’s nothing quite like pancakes from scratch. This recipe is cozy, easy, and uses pantry staples—perfect for lazy Sundays or special brunches. The tang of buttermilk and richness of butter make them feel extra special.
📸 Step-by-Step Pancake Guide
🥣 Step 1: Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt.
🥛 Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk the egg, melted butter, and buttermilk. You want a creamy, slightly thick mixture.
🥄 Step 3: Bring it Together
Gently mix wet into dry. Stop stirring when just combined—lumps = fluff!
🔥 Step 4: Cook on a Hot Pan
Heat a skillet with butter or oil. Pour ¼ cup batter per pancake.
Tip: Flip when bubbles appear and the edges look dry. Second side takes less time!
🍽 Step 5: Stack & Serve
Top with more butter and maple syrup or honey while warm. Fresh fruit or whipped cream optional (but encouraged!).
🧂 Ingredient Details & Substitutions
Key Ingredients
Buttermilk: Adds tang and helps make the pancakes tender and fluffy.
Melted Butter: Adds richness and helps with browning.
Baking Soda + Powder: The perfect rise combo—activated by buttermilk.
Substitutions
No buttermilk? Use 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar (let sit 5 mins).
No butter? Use oil, but butter adds more flavor.
Dairy-Free: Use plant milk with lemon juice + oil instead of butter.
🍽 Variations & Serving Ideas
Add-Ins
🍫 Chocolate chips
🫐 Blueberries
🍌 Mashed banana + cinnamon
🥥 Shredded coconut
Topping Suggestions
Maple syrup or honey
Whipped cream
Fruit compote or jam
Nut butter drizzle
🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead
Storing
Keep leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days.
Reheating
Reheat in toaster, skillet, or microwave. Toaster gives best texture.
Freezing
Freeze pancakes between layers of parchment. Reheat straight from frozen in toaster or oven.
📊 Nutrition (Per 1 Pancake – Approximate)
Calories: ~150
Carbs: 18g
Fat: 7g
Protein: 3g
Sugar: 3g
Allergens: Contains gluten, dairy, egg
Dietary Tags: Vegetarian
❓ FAQ
Q: Can I make this without buttermilk?
A: Yes! Use milk with lemon juice or vinegar (see substitution tip above).
Q: Why is my pancake flat?
A: Overmixed batter or expired baking soda may be the culprit. Mix gently and use fresh leavening agents.
Q: Can I make these ahead for brunch?
A: Absolutely—keep warm in the oven at 200°F or reheat just before serving.
Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Yes—this recipe scales beautifully. Just stir in two batches to avoid overmixing.
🥰 A Pancake Worth Waking Up For
This pancake recipe is a family favorite in my kitchen. Quick enough for weekdays, cozy enough for weekends—it’s reliable, satisfying, and endlessly customizable. Bonus: even picky eaters love them.
📣 Made These Pancakes?
Let me know how they turned out! Leave a comment, rate the recipe, or tag @YourHandle on Instagram with your best pancake stack. 🥞 Got a topping twist? I’d love to hear it!