Fluffy and Easy American Pancakes Recipe
Enjoy the unbeatable taste of real American pancakes — soft, thick, and irresistibly fluffy.
This recipe is simple, fast, and guarantees a perfect result every time.
Ideal for a family breakfast or a weekend treat!
Recipe for Authentic, Fluffy American Pancakes
There’s nothing like waking up to the irresistible smell of pancakes sizzling in the kitchen — it’s pure happiness for my kids.
Their favorite way to enjoy them? A generous pat of butter melting on top, with a golden drizzle of maple syrup cascading down the sides. Pure magic.
Over the years, I’ve tested countless pancake recipes, all in search of the perfect one for my family. After so many tries, this is the one that stole our hearts — and trust me, it’s a keeper!
This recipe gives you the real deal: true American-style pancakes that are thick, pillowy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
The best part? No resting time needed. Just mix, cook, and enjoy — perfect for a busy morning or a last-minute craving.
Every bite is fluffy, airy, and full of buttery goodness… it’s simply impossible to stop at just one.
Give this recipe a try and tell me how it turns out — I have a feeling it’ll become your go-to too!
Ingredients for Fluffy American Pancakes
- 225g (1 ¾ cups) all-purpose flour – Provides the structure for your pancakes while keeping them soft and tender.
- 310ml (1 ¼ cups) milk – Use whole milk if possible for a richer flavor and creamier texture.
- 50g (about 3 ½ tablespoons) melted butter – Adds richness, a hint of buttery flavor, and keeps the pancakes moist.
- 1 pinch of salt – Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness of the pancakes.
- 1 large egg – Binds the ingredients together and helps create a fluffy, airy texture.
- 4 teaspoons baking powder – The key ingredient for super fluffy pancakes, giving them their lift and softness.
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract – Adds a warm, aromatic note to make your pancakes taste even more delicious.
How to Make Fluffy American Pancakes: Easy Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt using a wooden spoon. Set aside.
- Prepare the wet ingredients: In a smaller bowl, crack the egg and pour in the milk.
- Add flavor and richness: Stir in the melted butter and vanilla extract.
- Combine gently: Using a fork, whisk the wet ingredients just until they are well combined and smooth.
- Bring it all together: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, and pour the wet mixture into it.
- Form the batter: Gently mix with a wooden spoon until you have a smooth batter without any large lumps. Avoid overmixing to keep the pancakes light and fluffy.
- Heat your pan: Preheat a heavy-bottomed skillet or non-stick pan over medium-low heat. A well-heated pan is key for even cooking.
- Cook the pancakes: Lightly grease the pan with a little butter. Pour a small ladleful of batter into the center of the pan.
- Watch for bubbles: Cook the pancake for about 2–3 minutes on the first side, until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set.
- Flip and finish cooking: Flip the pancake gently and cook for another 1–2 minutes until the second side is golden brown.
- Repeat the process: Continue cooking the remaining batter, greasing the pan lightly as needed.
- Serve and enjoy: Stack your pancakes high, top with a pat of butter and a generous drizzle of maple syrup, and enjoy them warm!
Tip:
If you have a special pancake pan with molds, it will make the cooking process even easier and ensure perfectly round pancakes!
Essential Tips for Perfect, Fluffy American Pancakes Every Time
1- Mastering the Right Cooking Temperature for Pancakes
Getting the temperature right is key to making perfect pancakes.
You want a moderate heat:
- If the pan is too hot, the surface of the pancakes will burn quickly while the inside stays raw.
- If the pan is too cold, the pancakes will stay pale, take too long to cook, and turn out dry.
A steady medium heat ensures an even, golden finish and soft, fluffy insides.
2- The Secret to Perfect Pancake Batter
The texture of your batter is just as important as the cooking process:
- Too thick, and your pancakes will be gummy and undercooked in the center.
- Too thin, and they’ll spread out too much, ending up flat and dense.
This is the main difference between American pancakes and crêpes. Pancake batter should be much thicker than crêpe batter, which is fine and very liquid.
Choosing the right pan also matters. Use a heavy-bottomed, non-stick skillet to ensure even heat and easy flipping, without sticking.
3- How to Prepare American Pancakes for Fluffy Results
When making the batter, mix gently and briefly. The goal is to keep the batter thick so that when you pour it into the pan, it holds its shape without spreading too much.
Important:
Avoid overmixing! If you want truly fluffy pancakes, you need to mix the batter as little as possible.
I usually use a fork instead of a whisk. Gently stir from the outside of the bowl toward the center in a long, sweeping arc.
This method helps preserve the natural air bubbles that form in the batter, making your pancakes beautifully airy.
4- Can You Make Pancake Batter in a Thermomix?
This is a common question!
Personally, I haven’t tried making American pancake batter with a Thermomix yet, so I can’t guarantee perfect results.
However, knowing that the Thermomix tends to mix very quickly, there’s a risk it could overmix the batter, which would affect the fluffiness.
If you’ve tested it, I’d love to hear your experience!
5- How to Cook Pancakes to Golden Perfection
Follow these tips for irresistibly fluffy, tender pancakes:
- Lightly butter the pan before each batch.
- Pour a small ladleful of batter into the pan, depending on the size you want.
- Watch the surface carefully: Once you see the edges lifting easily and bubbles popping on the surface, it’s time to flip!
Typically:
- Cook for 2 to 2½ minutes on the first side, until golden.
- Cook for about 1 minute on the second side.
This technique will give you beautifully golden pancakes that are soft and fluffy inside.
Pro Tip:
Between batches, gently wipe off any excess butter or oil from the pan. If left in the pan, the fat can burn, causing your next pancakes to become too dark or taste bitter.
Other recipes to try for breakfast
Golden and Fluffy, Authentic American Pancakes
Ingredients
- 225 g 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 310 ml 1 ¼ cups milk
- 50 g about 3 ½ tablespoons melted butter
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 large egg
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt using a wooden spoon. Set aside.
- In a smaller bowl, crack the egg and pour in the milk.
- Stir in the melted butter and vanilla extract.
- Using a fork, whisk the wet ingredients just until they are well combined and smooth.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, and pour the wet mixture into it.
- Gently mix with a wooden spoon until you have a smooth batter without any large lumps. Avoid overmixing to keep the pancakes light and fluffy.
- Preheat a heavy-bottomed skillet or non-stick pan over medium-low heat. A well-heated pan is key for even cooking.
- Lightly grease the pan with a little butter. Pour a small ladleful of batter into the center of the pan.
- Cook the pancake for about 2–3 minutes on the first side, until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set.
- Flip the pancake gently and cook for another 1–2 minutes until the second side is golden brown.
- Continue cooking the remaining batter, greasing the pan lightly as needed.
- Stack your pancakes high, top with a pat of butter and a generous drizzle of maple syrup, and enjoy them warm!
