Make Flippin’ Fantastic Pancakes

Pancakes—crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside—are a beloved breakfast staple that can elevate any morning meal. Whether you're making them for a lazy Sunday breakfast or a busy weekday treat, mastering the art of pancake making is easier than you think. With a few expert tips and tricks, you can whip up pancakes like a pro every time.

Prepping is Key

Always have your favorite pancake toppings ready before mixing your batter. Pancakes are meant to be enjoyed fresh, so make sure you don’t lose a moment of that freshness by preparing all your toppings at the beginning. Have softened butter, warmed syrup, and room-temperature berries waiting in anticipation of your pancake perfection.

The Perfect Batter

Wet Ingredients First, Then Dry
Start by whisking the wet ingredients together before adding the dry ones. This emulsifies the fat and water in the batter, reducing over-mixing and preventing dry ingredients from sticking to the bottom of the bowl.

Don’t Over-Stir
Gently stir until the wet and dry ingredients are incorporated. Overmixing can make pancakes tough and chewy instead of fluffy.

Rest the Batter
Allow the batter to rest while your griddle heats. A brief rest activates the leavening agent (like cream of tartar), which will help your pancakes puff up beautifully on the griddle. Aim for at least 5 minutes, enough time for the batter to thicken.

Perfect Size Every Time
To ensure that each pancake will be a uniform size, use a cookie scoop. It is more precise than a measuring cup for dropping the batter.

The Cooking Process

Choose the Right Griddle
Use a square or rectangular, completely flat nonstick griddle. This provides more room for cooking and flipping multiple pancakes at once. While it might be tempting to cook your pancakes on a regular round pan, a flat griddle will provide more room flipping your pancakes. 

Preheat the Griddle, Then Lower the Temperature
Begin with medium-high heat. Once hot, add about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake and immediately reduce the heat to medium-low. This ensures crispy, golden-brown pancakes on the outside that are fully cooked on the inside.

Use Oil, Not Butter
To prevent burning, use oil (like olive, avocado, or coconut oil) rather than butter. Olive oil gives pancakes nice, crispy edges without burning and prevents sticking.

Grease the Griddle
Even nonstick griddles benefit from a light coating of warm oil right before you drop the batter onto it. And be ready to reapply a light coating between batches.

Flip at the Right Time
Look for small bubbles to appear around the edges, or after about 2-4 minutes of cooking. Use a nonstick flexible spatula to carefully peek under your pancake, ensuring it looks golden brown before flipping. Once flipped, cook for about 2 more minutes until the underside matches.

Serving Suggestions

Cool on a Rack, Not a Stack

If making a large batch, place pancakes on a wire rack in a low oven (about 150°F) covered with a clean towel. Spacing them out prevents them from sticking together and becoming gummy.

Ready to put these tips into practice? Check out these delicious pancake recipes on our Dilettoso.com:

1. Lemonberry Poppy Pancakes - A zesty twist with fresh berries and a hint of poppy seeds.

2. Glowing Apricot Pancakes - Packed with juicy apricots for a naturally sweet and vibrant breakfast.

3. Lavender Pancakes - Infused with fragrant lavender for a unique and calming flavor experience.

4. Plump Pumpkin Pancakes - Perfect for autumn, these pancakes are full of warm spices and pumpkin goodness.

Now that you’ve got the know-how, impress your lover with pancakes that are nothing short of perfect!