Fluffy Buttermilk Pancake Recipe

This fluffy buttermilk pancake recipe is a classic breakfast favorite known for their light, airy texture and rich, tangy flavor. These pancakes are a delight, turning an ordinary morning into a special occasion.

Why I Love This Dish

I adore fluffy buttermilk pancakes for their comforting taste and the way they pair perfectly with a variety of toppings, from fresh berries and maple syrup to a dollop of whipped cream.

The tanginess of the buttermilk enhances the flavor, making them more interesting than standard pancakes. Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about watching them puff up on the griddle, golden and ready to enjoy.

Total Cooking Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes

Nutritional Information (per serving, approximately 2 pancakes)

• Calories: 250
• Protein: 8g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fat: 8g
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 500mg

Ingredients List

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Cooking spray or additional butter for the griddle

Instructions

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
3. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The batter should be slightly lumpy; do not overmix.
4. Preheat the Griddle: Heat a griddle or non-stick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease with cooking spray or butter.
5. Cook the Pancakes: Pour 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake onto the griddle. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set, about 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Serve: Serve the pancakes warm with your favorite toppings, such as syrup, fruit, or whipped cream.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the secret to light fluffy pancakes?

The secret to light and fluffy pancakes lies in the batter consistency and the leavening agents. First, it’s crucial not to overmix the batter; mix just until the dry and wet ingredients are combined, and it’s okay if there are some lumps. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tough pancakes.

Secondly, using the right amount of leavening agents like baking powder and baking soda is key. These ingredients create air bubbles in the batter, which expand when heated, giving pancakes their fluffiness.

Buttermilk plays a significant role too; its acidity reacts with the baking soda, enhancing the leavening effect and contributing to the tender texture. Additionally, letting the batter rest for a few minutes before cooking can allow the leavening agents to start working, creating more air bubbles and thus, fluffier pancakes.

Lastly, the cooking temperature is important. A griddle or pan that’s too hot can cause the pancakes to brown too quickly on the outside while remaining uncooked inside. A medium heat allows the pancakes to cook evenly and rise properly, achieving that coveted fluffy texture.

Is baking soda or powder better for fluffy pancakes?

For fluffy pancakes, both baking soda and baking powder are important, but they serve slightly different purposes. Baking powder is generally better for creating the lift necessary for fluffy pancakes because it contains both an acid and a base, which react together to produce carbon dioxide gas and create rise in the batter. This means it can create the leavening action on its own when it becomes wet.

Baking soda, on the other hand, requires an acid to activate its leavening properties. It is often used in recipes that include acidic ingredients like buttermilk, yogurt, or lemon juice. When baking soda reacts with an acid, it also produces carbon dioxide and helps the batter rise, contributing to the fluffiness of the pancakes.

In many pancake recipes, you’ll find both baking soda and baking powder. Baking powder provides the initial lift, while baking soda reacts with the acid (like buttermilk in the batter) to add extra fluffiness and tenderness to the pancakes.

So, while baking powder does most of the leavening work, baking soda can enhance the texture and flavor, especially in buttermilk pancake recipes. Therefore, using the appropriate balance of both can result in the lightest, fluffiest pancakes.

Why are my pancakes flat and not fluffy?

When my pancakes turn out flat and not fluffy, it’s often due to overmixing the batter, which develops the gluten in the flour and makes the pancakes tough. Another common issue is using old leavening agents, like baking powder or baking soda, which lose their effectiveness over time and fail to produce the necessary gas to lift the pancakes.

Incorrect batter consistency can also be a culprit; if the batter is too runny, it won’t hold the air bubbles needed for fluffiness. Additionally, cooking temperature plays a role; a griddle that’s not hot enough won’t allow the pancakes to rise properly, whereas one that’s too hot can cause them to cook too quickly on the outside, preventing them from rising.

Lastly, not letting the batter rest before cooking can result in less fluffy pancakes, as resting allows the leavening agents to activate and create the air bubbles that contribute to a light texture.

Should pancake batter be thick or thin?

In my experience, pancake batter should be somewhere in the middle—not too thick and not too thin. Ideally, it should be pourable but still hold some shape when it hits the griddle. If the batter is too thick, the pancakes can turn out overly dense and heavy.

On the other hand, if it’s too thin, the pancakes may spread out too much and become too flat, lacking that desirable fluffy texture. The perfect consistency will allow the batter to spread slightly on its own but still maintain a good amount of thickness to rise properly and create light and fluffy pancakes.

Adjusting the amount of liquid can help achieve the right consistency, adding a bit more if the batter is too thick or a little extra flour if it’s too thin.

Helpful Resources

• All our Breakfast Recipes
• All our Griddle Recipes
• Everything you need to know about pancakes

Wrap-Up

Fluffy buttermilk pancakes are a joy to make and eat, offering a perfect balance of lightness and flavor that makes them a beloved breakfast choice. Whether for a lazy weekend morning or a special brunch, these pancakes are sure to impress and satisfy everyone at the table.

Enjoy the process of making them and the delightful experience of eating them, savoring every fluffy, buttery bite.