Easy Fluffy American Pancakes for Breakfast

French

Discover how to make fluffy, light, and soft American pancakes with this tried-and-tested recipe.

Step-by-step instructions and helpful tips make breakfast or brunch effortless.

Using simple ingredients, you’ll create a generous stack of airy, golden pancakes the whole family can enjoy with endless toppings.

Authentic American pancakes, easy and quick

For my kids, waking up to the smell of pancakes is the best breakfast they could ask for.

They love enjoying them warm, with a pat of butter and a drizzle of maple syrup.

Over the years, I’ve tested countless recipes to find the perfect one, and according to my children, this is it—the ultimate recipe for authentic American pancakes that are quick and easy to make.

The result? Tall, fluffy, airy pancakes that are soft and melt-in-your-mouth delicious—truly irresistible!

Best of all, the batter doesn’t require any resting time: just mix the ingredients and go straight to cooking.

Try this pancake recipe, and I’m sure you’ll agree—it’s a delight!

Ingredients for Fluffy American Pancakes (Easy Recipe)

• 225 g (1 ¾ cups) all-purpose flour : The base of your pancakes. Use plain, unbleached flour for the best texture.
• 310 ml (1 ¼ cups) milk : Whole milk gives richer flavor and fluffier pancakes, but any milk works.
• 50 g (3 ½ tbsp) melted butter : Adds moisture and a buttery taste. Let it cool slightly before mixing.
• 1 pinch of salt : Enhances flavor and balances sweetness. Don’t skip it!
• 1 large egg : Binds the ingredients and helps the pancakes rise.
• 4 teaspoons baking powder : The secret to fluffy, well-risen pancakes. Always check it’s fresh for best results.
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract : Adds warmth and a delicious aroma. Optional, but highly recommended.

Tip: Baking powder loses effectiveness after about 6 months once opened. Always check the expiration date to make sure your pancakes rise beautifully.

How to Make Fluffy American Pancakes Step by Step

Follow these simple instructions to prepare light, fluffy, and delicious pancakes every time:

1. Mix the dry ingredients
   In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt using a wooden spoon. Set aside.
2. Prepare the wet mixture
   In a smaller bowl, crack the egg and whisk it lightly with the milk.
3. Add flavor and richness
   Stir in the melted butter and vanilla extract.
4. Whisk to combine
   Use a fork to gently mix the liquids until everything is blended.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients
   Make a well in the center of the flour mixture, then slowly pour in the wet mixture.
6. Mix the batter
   Stir gently with a wooden spoon until you have a smooth batter. A few small lumps are fine—avoid overmixing.
7. Heat the pan
   Warm a heavy-bottomed skillet or non-stick pan over medium-low heat.
8. Add butter and cook
   Lightly grease the pan with a little butter. Pour in a small ladle of batter.

9. Cook the first side
   Cook for 2–3 minutes, until bubbles appear on the surface and the edges look set.
10. Flip and finish cooking
    Turn the pancake and cook the other side for 1–2 minutes, until golden.

11. Repeat
    Continue until all the batter is used up.
12. Serve and enjoy
    Stack the pancakes high, top with butter and drizzle with maple syrup. Enjoy them warm!

Tip: If you own a special pancake pan, cooking will be even easier and more consistent.

Cooking Temperature & Perfect Pancake Batter

The right cooking temperature
Keep the heat at a medium level:

• Too hot, and the surface of the pancakes will burn before the inside is fully cooked.
• Too low, and they’ll stay pale on the bottom, take too long to cook, and turn out dry.

The secret to perfect pancake batter

• If the batter is too thick, the pancakes will be gummy and undercooked inside.
• If it’s too thin, the pancakes will spread out and won’t rise properly.

That’s the key difference between French crêpes and American pancakes: pancake batter should be thicker and fluffier, while crêpe batter is very thin and liquid.

The right pan matters
Cooking technique makes all the difference. Use a heavy-bottomed non-stick skillet so the pancakes cook evenly and flip easily without sticking.

Tips for Making Perfect American Pancakes

When preparing the batter, mix gently so it stays thick rather than runny. This way, when you pour it into the pan, it won’t spread too much.

Avoid overmixing the pancake batter!

For the fluffiest pancakes, the less you mix, the better.

I usually use a fork to combine the ingredients. Start at the edge of the bowl and move toward the center in a sweeping arc. The goal is to gently fold the mixture without breaking the natural air bubbles forming in the batter.

This leads to a common question:

Can you make American pancakes with a Thermomix?

Personally, I haven’t tried it yet, so I can’t confirm with certainty. However, since the Thermomix is known for its speed, it may risk overmixing the batter. What do you think?

How to Perfectly Cook Fluffy Pancakes

To achieve soft, fluffy American pancakes every time, follow these simple tips:

– Prepare the pan : Lightly butter a non-stick pan, then pour in a small ladle of batter (adjust depending on the pancake size you want). Keep an eye on the surface as it cooks.

– Watch for the right signs : Once the edges begin to lift easily with a spatula and bubbles start popping on the surface, it’s time to flip.

– Cooking time : Pancakes usually need about 2 to 2 ½ minutes on the first side, and 1 minute on the second side. This creates a golden brown finish and irresistibly soft texture.

– Keep the pan clean : Between each batch, wipe away excess butter or oil. Otherwise, it will burn and darken the pancakes, affecting both color and taste.