The best fluffy pancake tips

Even with the best recipe, there are some little tips and tricks that can help you achieve the fluffiest pancake stack.

Use fresh ingredients

Stale old ingredients such as flour and baking powder won’t give you the best pancakes. Check your baking powder is in date, old baking powder quickly loses its raising power, and you’ll end up with dense, flat pancakes.

Measure ingredients carefully

The right ratio of ingredients is important for the fluffiest result. When measuring with a cup, first scoop the ingredients so they’re overflowing. Gently tap the cup to settle the ingredients, then use the flat back of a knife to scrape any excess off the top so it’s perfectly even.

Sift to avoid big lumps

Sifting not only removes lumps from dry ingredients, it also helps to aerate your batter making it easier to get a good rise.

Don’t over-mix

It’s tempting to mix pancake batter until there are no more lumps, but if you over-mix you’ll develop the gluten in the flour, making the pancakes chewier and even tough instead of soft and tender. Instead of mixing the lumps out, rest the batter instead.

Rest the batter

After mixing, let the batter sit for at least 15 minutes. During this time, any dry lumps will smooth out, the gluten will relax and the batter will settle and thicken.

Preheat your frying pan

To get beautiful, evenly golden brown pancakes, always preheat your pan. Preheat a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes to get a nice even heat and avoid hot spots. Then add your butter and swirl to spread evenly across the base before adding the pancake batter.

Keep a close eye

Watch for these signs to know when your pancake is ready to flip:

Bubbles forming over the top of the pancake
Golden coloured edges

You can use your spatula to gently lift up the pancake and check if it’s coloured enough to turn.

As pancakes are added and removed, the pan temperature will fluctuate, so the pancakes won’t always cook in the same amount of time. You’ll need to adjust the heat often to ensure even cooking.

Keep them warm

To keep your pancakes warm as you cook them, heat the oven on low (100°C). As the pancakes come out of the frying pan, wrap them immediately in a clean tea towel. Place on a tray in the oven. Keep stacking the pancakes inside the tea towel, wrapping them well to avoid them drying out.

Fluffy pancakes recipe

Ingredients

1 ½ cups plain flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon caster sugar
3 eggs
1 cup milk
50g unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Maple syrup, to serve
Blueberries, to serve

Method

In a large bowl, whisk the flour baking powder, sugar and a pinch of salt together. In a large jug whisk eggs, milk, butter and vanilla, if using. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and whisk in milk mixture to make a smooth batter.
Heat a large, lightly greased non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Working in batches of 3, pour ¼ cups of batter into the pan. Cook pancakes for 1-2 minutes, until bubbles break on the surface and underside is golden brown. Flip over and cook for 1 minute.
Stack and serve the pancakes with maple syrup and blueberries.

GET THE RECIPE: The Best Pancakes by Australian Eggs

More pancake recipes

These basic pancakes are a staple, but if you're after some more unique pancake ideas you might be interested in Fluffy Japanese Pancakes, Tray Bake Pancakes with Mango and Raspberries, or even Dutch Baby Pancakes! See all these recipes below and lots of interesting pancake topping ideas.

GET THE RECIPE: Double Choc Pancakes with Peanut Butter Sauce by Australian Eggs

GET THE RECIPE: Caramelised Apple and Cinnamon Dutch Baby by Australian Eggs