How to make the Best Homemade Pancakes From Scratch (10+ Recipes!)

Ever wanted to learn how to make homemade pancakes? This Guide to the Best Homemade Pancakes was written for you! Come learn my tips and tricks for how to make fluffy pancakes and the best pancake toppings around, plus 10+ pancake recipes to make at home this coming weekend.

A stack of old fashioned homemade pancakes on a white plate with syrup and butter with a wedge cut out of it

Listen, I’m not going to tell you what to do with yourself on the weekends, but our family has made Saturday or Sunday morning pancakes a tradition—and it’s really delightful.

Every family member—including our 2-year-old—plays a role in making pancakes.

We switch ‘em up every weekend, too, and have a blast adding different flavors to the table.

Why I love making pancakes at home

My sorority sisters and I used to make Chocolate Chip Pancakes every Thursday night before we watched The O.C. (and then Grey’s Anatomy), and my love of pancakes has been strong since that time.

However, since that time, I’ve learned that making pancakes from scratch at home isn’t much harder than using the pancake mix. You’ve just got to have the right ingredients and equipment.

Also, homemade pancakes are simply the BEST, tasty and a fun way to involve the entire family in breakfast… or breakfast for dinner.

Need breakfast inspiration, but don’t know where to start? Head on over to my Breakfast and Brunch Recipe Index.

Bowls of ingredients sit on a blue striped towel on a marble counter

Tools to make Homemade Pancakes

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Large mixing bowl
Small mixing bowl or liquid measuring cup
Whisk
Rubber spatula
2-tablespoon cookie scoop
Cast iron griddle—you can also use an electric one if you have one
Pastry brush—to brush oil or butter onto your griddle
Metal spatula—if you’re using a nonstick skillet, make sure your spatula is plastic so it doesn’t scratch the surface!

Let’s talk ingredients!

In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.

In addition to these tools, you’ll need a few ingredients to make pancakes from scratch.

This list below is a general one and will yield some plain fluffy pancakes—but I’ve got ideas below for recipes to try that have some more flair and also other ingredients.

All-purpose flour — we always have unbleached at our house, but the regular kind works perfectly, too!
Granulated sugar — also known as white sugar, this provides a little sweetness to the pancake batter.
Leaveners — I like to use a combination of both baking powder and baking soda. Make sure yours are fresh.
Kosher salt — medium-grain kosher salt is my go-to. You could easily use a similarly sized sea salt.
Milk—over the years, we’ve made our pancakes with every type of milk available. Recently, we’ve made them with whole milk because we always have that on hand, but this pancake recipe works with any cow’s milk (from whole to skim), as well as almond, cashew and coconut milk.
Eggs — these act as a binder, as well as help the pancakes puff up a little. I use large eggs.
Vanilla extract — the real deal vanilla extract brings together ALL the ingredients! Don’t skimp here!
Flavorless oil — avocado, vegetable or canola oil are perfect here! You can also use unsalted butter if that’s your jam, too.

Toppings for Fluffy Homemade Pancakes

Chocolate chips—I love these dark chocolate chips, but you can use whatever your favorite is!
Maple syrup—or variations on this classic, like Cinnamon Syrup or Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup
Sweetened whipped cream, Strawberry Whipped Cream or your favorite store-bought kind
Berries, like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries or blackberries
Fruit-based toppings, like Peach Compote, Fresh Blueberry Sauce and Strawberry Syrup
Sprinkles

Old Fashioned Pancakes in a ring on a plate next to strawberries and a chocolate sauce — Strawberry Pancakes

Homemade confetti pancakes on a griddle cooking — Strawberry Pancakes

How do you make Homemade Pancakes?

Well, it depends on the recipe. But let me walk you through how I generally make my pancakes, no matter which recipe we use:

First, measure out the dry ingredients into a large bowl. This normally includes flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk them together.

In a small bowl or a liquid measuring cup, combine the wet ingredients. This usually means the milk, eggs, vanilla extract (or other extracts) and oil/melted butter.

If you’re sweetening your pancakes with honey or maple syrup, you should add that to the wet ingredients.
Want your pancakes to be a different color? Add the food coloring to wet ingredients, too.

If you’re adding eggs to your pancakes, you need to whisk the wet ingredients really well until everything is combined. Because if you don’t give them a good mix, there will be random ribbons of egg in your pancakes, and that’s gross.

Once the wet ingredients are well combined, pour them directly into the dry ingredients. Use a rubber spatula to gently stir them together until just combined.

If you overmix the pancakes, they will become tougher, so just stir until the flour is incorporated. It’s OK if this homemade batter has lumps.

Set the homemade pancake batter aside, and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. While it rests, heat your griddle or nonstick skillet over medium heat and when it’s hot, grease lightly with butter, oil or cooking spray.

How to cook Homemade Pancakes perfectly

Use a cookie scoop or a measuring cup to dollop the pancakes onto the preheated skillet. I like to make 2-tablespoon silver dollar pancakes, but you can make larger ones, too.

When several bubbles have formed on the surface, flip the pancakes, and cook through. (Do NOT press down on them after you flip them! This will deflate them!) Repeat until all batter has been made into pancakes.

Make a stack of pancakes, and serve with your favorite toppings.

Three plates of pancakes with cream cheese glaze

How to make Homemade Pancakes for Brunch

While pancakes are something that I previously thought might be a fussier item to prepare for a brunch at home situation, you can absolutely make them for brunch! It just requires a little patience, planning and working ahead to get ‘em made before guests arrive.

Here are a few tips and tricks to transforming these pancakes into a brunch centerpiece:

Depending on the amount of people you’re serving, you can double this recipe. You can also half it if you’re not feeding a crowd.
Make the pancakes before guests arrive, and keep them warm in the oven. We put ours on baking sheets* (affiliate link) and keep them warm in a 200°F oven.
Transform your table into a pancake bar! Offer various toppings, like the vanilla glaze, as well as maple syrup, sweetened whipped cream and sprinkles.

What can I make homemade pancakes for?

If you don’t think just because is an answer, here are a few other celebrations you could make these pancakes for…

A birthday celebration
Mother’s Day or Father’s Day
The first day of a vacation, summer/winter break or a staycation
Any holiday that deserves a special breakfast

A fork holds a triangular bite of pancakes with a white plate of pancakes behind it — Buttermilk Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

A stack of Funfetti Pancakes on a white plate — Buttermilk Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the secret to making fluffy pancakes?

In my opinion, to secret to fluffy pancakes is mixing the wet and dry ingredients separately so you don’t overmix the batter once they’re combined. Also, making sure your baking powder and baking soda are both fresh.

How do you make pancakes crispy from scratch?

To get a crispy exterior on your pancakes, your griddle needs to be warmed up, as well as have a little fat on it. We like to brush ours with butter between pancakes, but you can also use an unflavored oil if that’s more your speed.

Why are my pancakes flat and rubbery?

If your pancakes are flat and rubbery, you probably overmixed them. The more you mix the ingredients together, the more gluten forms, which will change the texture.

Should pancake batter be thick or runny?

The batter for the pancake recipes I make is kind of in between super thick and runny. The key is letting it be lumpy and just stirring until all the flour is incorporated so the pancakes will be nice, light and fluffy.

A cream cheese glaze drizzled onto a stack of red velvet pancakes

Quick Tips and Tricks for the Best Pancakes

Don’t overmix your batter! Just mix the batter until it has just come together. Lumps are OK. If you mix until it’s smooth, the pancakes won’t be as fluffy.
When do you know how to flip? When big ‘ol bubbles start to form in the batter. Lift up the edge a little bit with a spatula to confirm the color on the other side before committing… because when you flip them, you won’t flip them again. (Yep. We only need to flip our pancakes once.)
Once you’ve flipped your pancakes, don’t press down on them! This will deflate them. Obviously, we want them to puff up and be as light and airy as possible.
Leftover pancakes? Freeze ’em! Line a baking sheet with wax paper, and pop them in the freezer for 4-6 hours. When the pancakes are fully frozen, transfer them to a freezer baggie. Reheat in the toaster oven, toaster or the oven until warm.

The Best Homemade Pancake Recipes To Try

Looking for the best homemade pancake recipes to make? We've got 10+ ideas for you right here!

Anytime Pancake Recipes

These recipes are great year-round!

Old Fashioned Pancake Recipe

This Old Fashioned Pancake recipe makes for a delicious breakfast and completely from scratch. Calling for a few pantry and fridge staples, this homemade pancake batter transforms into the best fluffy pancakes!

Homemade Buttermilk Pancakes

Homemade Buttermilk Pancakes are an easy weekend breakfast that can be dressed up to celebrate any occasion! This buttermilk pancake recipe makes fluffy, tender, incredibly flavorful pancakes in very little time. All you need are a handful of ingredients and a little elbow grease to make the best pancakes ever!

Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Homemade Chocolate Chip Pancakes are the most decadent breakfast! Soft, fluffy homemade pancakes, cooked to perfection and studded with your favorite chocolate chips, are easier to make at home than you think. All you need are a handful of ingredients and about 30 minutes to make this Chocolate Chip Pancake recipe.

German Pancake (Dutch Baby Pancake)

This German Pancake, also known as a Dutch Baby Pancake, is the perfect centerpiece for a breakfast or brunch! Calling for just 7 ingredients, this puffed pancake recipe has a crispy exterior, fluffs beautifully in the oven and is delightfully soft on the inside.

Nutella Pancakes (Chocolate Hazelnut Pancakes)

Nutella Pancakes are the perfect treat for any weekend breakfast or brunch. Made with just a handful of pantry ingredients and a few refrigerated ones, these homemade pancakes are tender, fluffy, light and taste like everyone’s favorite chocolate-hazelnut spread!

Gluten-Free Pancakes

Photo Credit: www.adashofmegnut.com

This recipe uses simple ingredients to give you light and fluffy gluten-free pancakes every time with very little fuss or planning. Top with pure maple syrup and fresh berries for the perfect weekend morning treat!

Funfetti Pancakes

From scratch Funfetti Pancakes are the perfect way to start a celebratory day. Also known as Birthday Cake Pancakes, these easy homemade pancakes feature bright sprinkles and a scrumptious vanilla icing. No cake mix required.

Peanut Butter Pancakes with Raspberry Preserves Syrup

Peanut Butter Pancakes with Raspberry Preserves Syrup are the ultimate breakfast treat! These scratch-made pancakes, made peanutty with a heaping scoop of peanut powder, are fluffy and flavorful! The syrup, featuring raspberry preserves and maple syrup, adds a lovely balanced sweetness.

Strawberry Pancakes with Dark Chocolate Drizzle

Classic fluffy pancakes topped with fresh sliced strawberries and a melted chocolate drizzle are the best breakfast treat. Top them with homemade strawberry syrup and strawberry whipped cream to make them extra special!

Double Chocolate Pancakes

These decadent, dairy-free Double Chocolate Pancakes are utterly delicious and easy to make at home. We call these "double chocolate" because they feature dark chocolate almond milk (or your favorite chocolate milk) and dark chocolate chips.

Whole Wheat Oatmeal Pancakes

These Whole Wheat Oatmeal Pancakes are slightly sweet, tangy flapjacks. When topped with a little butter and real maple syrup, these pancakes are the perfect weekend treat.

Dark Chocolate Satsuma Pancakes

Treat your loved one to these decadent Dark Chocolate Satsuma Pancakes! Dressed up with orange juice and zest, this recipe is the perfect breakfast for the whole family!

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Make breakfast an experience with Cinnamon Roll Pancakes! A twist on the brunch classic, these homemade pancakes feature cinnamon-sugar swirls and are topped with a cream cheese glaze. Perfect for weekends, holidays or even breakfast for dinner.

Blueberry Breakfast Sausage Pancakes

Blueberry Breakfast Sausage Pancakes make the perfect recipe for any weekend morning. Homemade pancake batter is studded with chicken breakfast sausage and fresh blueberries. This combination of sweet and savory creates a lovely balance and a breakfast that's hard to stop enjoying.

Red Velvet Pancakes

Make breakfast more colorful and sweet with Red Velvet Pancakes! This homemade pancake recipe is drizzled with a cream cheese glaze and perfect for weekends, holidays or even breakfast for dinner. These are extra good for Valentine's Day breakfast in bed, but you could make them year-round because who doesn't love red velvet?

Seasonal Pancake Recipes

If you're looking for a pancake recipe that goes with a certain season, we've got a few suggestions below:

Green Christmas Pancakes

These Green Christmas Pancakes are perfect for Christmas day. Kids will love the bright green Grinch-like color. Drizzle them with maple syrup or a cream cheese glaze and enjoy this festive breakfast.

Apple Cider Pancakes

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes are the best fall-flavored breakfast. From-scratch apple pancakes are filled with apple cider, applesauce and spices and topped with gooey caramelized apples. Learn how to make these spiced pancakes for a homemade fall breakfast.