Make Pancakes From Scratch

Mix a simple batter, let it rest briefly, then cook portions on a lightly greased hot pan until golden on both sides.

Easy · 20-25 minutes

Tools

  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Skillet or griddle
  • Spatula
  • Ladle or 1/4-cup measure

Materials

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter or neutral oil
  • Butter or oil for the pan
  • Optional toppings such as syrup, fruit, or butter

Safety

  • Wash hands before cooking and use clean bowls and utensils.
  • Check ingredient labels for allergens such as milk, eggs, or wheat.
  • Use care around the hot skillet or griddle to avoid burns.
  • Do not leave the stove unattended while cooking.
  • Cook pancakes until the centers are set and no wet batter remains.

Steps

  1. Step 1: Gather ingredients and tools

    • Set out all ingredients and tools before you start.
    • Lightly grease the skillet or griddle and place it on the stove, but do not heat it yet.

    Check: You have measured ingredients ready or easy to reach. · Your pan, spatula, and mixing tools are clean and available.

  2. Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients

    • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
    • Break up any lumps so the dry mixture is even.

    Check: The dry ingredients look evenly combined. · There are no large lumps of baking powder or flour.

  3. Step 3: Mix the wet ingredients

    • In the same bowl or a separate bowl, add the milk, egg, and melted butter or oil.
    • Whisk until the egg is fully mixed in.

    Check: The wet mixture looks smooth and uniform. · The melted butter is mixed in and not sitting separately.

  4. Step 4: Make the batter

    • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
    • Stir gently just until combined. A few small lumps are fine.
    • Let the batter rest for 3 to 5 minutes while the pan heats.

    Check: The batter is pourable, not dry or overly thick. · You did not overmix; small lumps are still present.

  5. Step 5: Heat the pan

    • Turn the stove to medium heat.
    • Heat the lightly greased pan for a few minutes.
    • Test the surface with a tiny drop of batter; it should sizzle gently.

    Check: The pan is hot enough for batter to sizzle lightly. · The pan is not smoking or excessively hot.

  6. Step 6: Cook the first side

    • Pour about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto the pan.
    • Leave space between pancakes so they do not touch.
    • Cook until bubbles form on top and the edges begin to look set.

    Check: The tops show bubbles and the edges look less wet. · The bottoms are golden, not dark brown.

  7. Step 7: Flip and finish cooking

    • Slide the spatula fully under each pancake and flip once.
    • Cook the second side until golden and the center is set.
    • Transfer cooked pancakes to a plate and repeat with the remaining batter, greasing the pan lightly as needed.

    Check: Both sides are golden brown. · The center is cooked through with no wet batter.

  8. Step 8: Serve

    • Serve the pancakes warm.
    • Add toppings such as butter, syrup, or fruit if desired.

    Check: The pancakes are warm and fully cooked. · Toppings are added according to preference.

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kitchen

Make Pancakes From Scratch

Easy20-25 minutes

Mix a simple batter, let it rest briefly, then cook portions on a lightly greased hot pan until golden on both sides.

Was this guide helpful?
Safety Warning
  • Wash hands before cooking and use clean bowls and utensils.
  • Check ingredient labels for allergens such as milk, eggs, or wheat.
  • Use care around the hot skillet or griddle to avoid burns.
  • Do not leave the stove unattended while cooking.
  • Cook pancakes until the centers are set and no wet batter remains.

Tools & Materials

  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Skillet or griddle
  • Spatula
  • Ladle or 1/4-cup measure
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter or neutral oil
  • Butter or oil for the pan
  • Optional toppings such as syrup, fruit, or butter

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Gather ingredients and tools

Diagram for step 1: Gather ingredients and tools
  • Set out all ingredients and tools before you start.
  • Lightly grease the skillet or griddle and place it on the stove, but do not heat it yet.
Check

You have measured ingredients ready or easy to reach. • Your pan, spatula, and mixing tools are clean and available.

Was this step clear?
Step 2

Mix the dry ingredients

Diagram for step 2: Mix the dry ingredients
  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  • Break up any lumps so the dry mixture is even.
Check

The dry ingredients look evenly combined. • There are no large lumps of baking powder or flour.

Was this step clear?
Step 3

Mix the wet ingredients

Diagram for step 3: Mix the wet ingredients
  • In the same bowl or a separate bowl, add the milk, egg, and melted butter or oil.
  • Whisk until the egg is fully mixed in.
Check

The wet mixture looks smooth and uniform. • The melted butter is mixed in and not sitting separately.

Was this step clear?
Step 4

Make the batter

Diagram for step 4: Make the batter
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
  • Stir gently just until combined. A few small lumps are fine.
  • Let the batter rest for 3 to 5 minutes while the pan heats.
Check

The batter is pourable, not dry or overly thick. • You did not overmix; small lumps are still present.

Was this step clear?
Step 5

Heat the pan

Diagram for step 5: Heat the pan
  • Turn the stove to medium heat.
  • Heat the lightly greased pan for a few minutes.
  • Test the surface with a tiny drop of batter; it should sizzle gently.
Check

The pan is hot enough for batter to sizzle lightly. • The pan is not smoking or excessively hot.

Was this step clear?
Step 6

Cook the first side

Diagram for step 6: Cook the first side
  • Pour about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto the pan.
  • Leave space between pancakes so they do not touch.
  • Cook until bubbles form on top and the edges begin to look set.
Check

The tops show bubbles and the edges look less wet. • The bottoms are golden, not dark brown.

Was this step clear?
Step 7

Flip and finish cooking

Diagram for step 7: Flip and finish cooking
  • Slide the spatula fully under each pancake and flip once.
  • Cook the second side until golden and the center is set.
  • Transfer cooked pancakes to a plate and repeat with the remaining batter, greasing the pan lightly as needed.
Check

Both sides are golden brown. • The center is cooked through with no wet batter.

Was this step clear?
Step 8

Serve

Diagram for step 8: Serve
  • Serve the pancakes warm.
  • Add toppings such as butter, syrup, or fruit if desired.
Check

The pancakes are warm and fully cooked. • Toppings are added according to preference.

Was this step clear?

Common Mistakes

  • ×Overmixing the batter, which can make pancakes tough.
  • ×Using heat that is too high, which burns the outside before the inside cooks.
  • ×Flipping too early before bubbles form and the edges set.
  • ×Pressing down on pancakes after flipping, which can make them dense.
  • ×Skipping the light greasing of the pan, which can cause sticking.

When to Call a Professional

  • Not applicable for a basic home pancake recipe.
  • Ask a doctor or allergist for guidance if someone eating the pancakes has a known or suspected food allergy.

Notes

  • If the batter seems too thick, add a small splash of milk.
  • If the batter seems too thin, add a small spoonful of flour.
  • The first pancake is often a test pancake and may help you adjust the heat.
  • For best texture, avoid stirring the batter repeatedly once mixed.
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