Classic Buttermilk Pancakes
There’s nothing like a stack of Classic Buttermilk Pancakes to start the day. This recipe results in soft and fluffy pancakes with a subtle tang from the buttermilk. Whether you’re making a big weekend breakfast or breakfast for dinner, this timeless recipe is easy, reliable, and made with a few pantry staples.
My family loves going out for breakfast, but it’s not something we can do every weekend. We all enjoy homemade buttermilk pancakes, so I often make them at home. Another favorite in my family is this funfetti pancake recipe, which is perfect for special occasions like a birthday breakfast.
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Ingredients for making Classic Buttermilk Pancakes
Made with pantry staples and buttermilk, you can have this buttermilk pancake recipe ready in no time. A total of seven ingredients is all you need.
- All Purpose Flour
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Sugar
- Large Eggs
- Buttermilk – no substitutions. You need the buttermilk’s acidity to react with the leavening agents for perfect pancakes. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make it. See how below.
How do you know when to flip pancakes?
The key to making pancakes is patience. Before flipping them, you have to wait for the telltale bubbles around the edges and in the center. The edges should also start to appear dry. If you flip and it doesn’t look golden brown, you can always flip back once the second side is done.
Best tips for making homemade pancakes
Whether you use a skillet or a griddle pan, it’s needs to be liberally buttered before dropping the batter onto it. You don’t want any sticking. I usually regrease the pan every two or three batches.
You can take these buttermilk pancakes to the next level with some delicious add-ins. Try a few blueberries, chocolate chips, a teaspoon of cinnamon or vanilla when you mix the batter, or pecans. Toast the pecans for extra flavor. Read on to see the best time to add the extras.
For perfect fluffiness and tenderness, let the batter rest and avoid overmixing it. When you make pancakes from scratch, it’s ok if there are lumps in the batter.
Can I customize old fashioned buttermilk pancakes?
Pancakes hold a special place for me. I love that they are so customizable. Add berries, nuts, or chocolate chips. We all like something differentand of course, plain ones are good too.
The best time to throw in your add-ins is just before they begin to bubble up. This gives the pancake batter a chance to puff up around the berries, nuts, or chips. That way, they aren’t just sitting on the bottom where they have an opportunity to fall off the pancake.
How do you serve homemade buttermilk pancakes?
Serve pancakes with bacon or sausage to go with them. Or make a big breakfast serving fried or scrambled eggs, toast or breakfast potatoes, bacon or sausage. Maple syrup or my fresh strawberry sauce are also a must!
Coffee, tea, juice, or something fancy like a non-alcoholic cranberry orange spritzer are perfect beverage choices.
Pancakes are a perfect way to make Mom or Dad feel special. Older kids can help make the pancakes. Both of my boys make them on their own, but they are teenagers. Younger children should always be supervised. It’s a great life skill to learn to cook for yourself, and pancakes are an easy place to start.
More Pancake and Breakfast Recipe Ideas
Dad’s Favorite Blueberry Pancakes are a fluffy pancake with blueberries. Apple Cider Pancakes are made with a splash of apple cider for the flavors of fall. Homemade crepes are another easy breakfast item and something that can be served in a lot of fun ways.
What can I use if I don’t have buttermilk?
Don’t worry, you can make a substitute. Stir 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar with enough dairy milk to make 1 cup total. Allow the mixture to stand for 5 – 10 minutes until it starts to curdle and gets thick before using. Do not substitute regular milk. You need buttermilk to react with the leaveners to create the fluffy pancakes.
Can I make pancake batter ahead of time?
For best results, pancake batter is best made fresh and used right away.
Why are my pancakes flat?
There are a few reasons for flat pancakes. Overmixing the batter, expired baking powder and/ or baking soda, or not letting the batter rest for a few minutes after mixing.
Did you make this recipe? If so, please leave a comment and 5-star review on the recipe card below. If you really love this recipe, please share it on your social media!
Classic Buttermilk Pancakes
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 2 cups buttermilk
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Stir with a whisk to combine and aerate.2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons sugar
- Add the buttermilk and eggs, whisking until combined. The mixture will be lumpy. Allow the mixture to sit for 8 – 10 minutes. It will bubble a bit and thicken.2 large eggs, 2 cups buttermilk
- Heat a large griddle over medium heat. Brush the griddle with melted butter. Spoon about 1/3 of a cup of batter onto the griddle, smoothing it into a circle so it's even. Don't drop batter too close together and don't crowd the griddle.
- Flip the pancakes over when the edges look dry and bubbles appear on the surface. Continue cooking until golden brown.
- Remove from the griddle and serve with butter and warm maple syrup.
Yum! I love going out for breakfast too! It’s my favorite meal to eat out. But, homemade pancakes are the best and yours look great! When our kids were growing up, they knew if Dad wasn’t working on a Saturday morning, they would wake up to him in the kitchen making pancakes. That was his treat to the family. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Love it. Wednesdays evening we do pancakes as a desert lol served with done syrup, golden syrup , murrels & whipped cream.. absolutely delicious.
I agree! There is nothing better than a stack of pancakes, especially on the weekend. Can’t wait to try these
Yum! This is such a good pancake recipe. I love the tips you share throughout the post too. Thank you!
Ohhh, now I’m craving pancakes! I used to customize too–added frozen blueberries for me, plain for my husband and chocolate chips for the kids!
What a perfect Father’s Day breakfast. Pancakes are such a treat and yours are so nice and fluffy.
We make pancakes a lot! I have a recipe I always use but I’m always on the lookout for a different one! Can’t wiat to try this.
Pancakes are always a hit. The Angel Face and Teen like the chocolate chips in theirs too.