Easy Fluffy Pancake Recipe without Buttermilk (2024)

Ingredients for Pancakes without Buttermilk

• Milk– You can use whatever milk you have on hand. I have even used almond milk before with good success. You milk have to add a couple of tablespoons of flour to thicken up the batter if you use a nut milk, but the pancakes will still be yummy.
• Flour– I use an all-purpose flour for our pancakes.
• Sugar– You may use cane sugar, maple sugar, honey, or maple syrup. I have used a variety of sweeteners and the results are still great.
• Baking powder– This is used for the rise of the pancakes.
• Salt– As with every good recipe, you must have a salt to balance and bring out the sweet.
• Egg– Eggs create a fluffy texture and give structure to baked goods.
• Oil- You may use an oil or butter to give this recipe some fat content, which helps to create a fluffy pancake.

How to make Pancakes without Buttermilk in 4 easy Steps

1. Mix wet ingredients.
2. Mix dry ingredients and add to the wet ingredients.
3. Allow batter to sit while griddle preheats.
4. Cook each pancake on a buttered griddle until done. See flipping tips below.

What does Buttermilk do in Pancakes?

Buttermilk is great at creating a fluffy pancake. You don’t have to use buttermilk, but pancakes tend to be fluffier if you do.

If you decide to make a buttermilk pancake, add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to the recipe to create the ultimate fluffy pancake. When the acid from the buttermilk and the baking soda interact, it creates tons of bubbles and rise to your pancakes.

Can I make my own buttermilk?

Making your own buttermilk, also known as sour milk, is extremely simple and it only requires that you want 15 minutes. Mix your regular milk with an acid, such as 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar, to create a simple buttermilk. Mix 1 tablespoon acid for every 1 cup of milk.

Allow this mixture to set for 15 minutes to activate the soured milk. You now have buttermilk!

What to put on pancakes instead of syrup

Maple syrup is the standard topping for pancakes, but you don’t have to stop there. There are so many toppings to put on pancakes to make them feel exciting and new!

If you want more than just new toppings for your pancakes, be sure to try my cinnamon pancakes that are reminiscent of cinnamon rolls.

• Browned butter– This butter is, essentially, cooked in a pan until browned. This creates a rich, deep flavor profile that is amazing for pancakes.
• Jelly/jam– Jellies and jams can be delicious on top of pancakes.
• Peanut butter– If you put any nut butter on top of a hot pancake, it will melt down and be divine. Plus, it gives added protein.
• Fresh Fruit– A sweet berry is always good atop pancakes- strawberries, raspberries, blueberries.
• Whipped Cream– This is best when accompanies by above fruit.
• Powdered Sugar– A quick shake of powdered sugar makes pancakes a bit sweeter.
• Honey– If you’re looking for a healthy, local option, local honey is wonderful for pancakes.

How to cook pancakes

You can use any cooking pan to cook your delicious pancakes, but I recommend a cast iron skillet. I shared my love for cast iron in a blog post because nothing makes food taste better. If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, use whatever you have on hand. My second choice would be an electric griddle.

When cooking your pancakes, use butter to create a nonstick surface. If you don’t have butter, use coconut oil or cooking spray. The butter creates a rich, crispy outside layer that is hard to replicate. If you don’t like crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, just use a cooking spray.

When should you flip pancakes?

Flipping the pancakes at the perfect time is part of the art of pancakes. If you flip too early, your griddle will be a mess. The batter will fly across the top of the pan. If you flip too late, you risk burning your pancakes.

If you follow these simple steps, you will flip your pancakes at the perfect time:

1. Have your griddle set to medium heat
2. Wait until you see your batter beginning to set up around the edges and bubble on the inside.
3. Slide your spatula under the pancake and flip using your wrist.
4. Allow the pancake to cook on the second side for a few minutes to ensure that it’s cooked through.

Dry Pancake Mix

If you’re looking for a quick breakfast, try this dry pancake mix, which is lightyears better than a box mix.

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix this together and store in a glass mason jar. Add 1 egg, 3/4 cups milk, and 2 tablespoons oil/butter to dry mixture.

Variations and Substitutions

Banana Pancakes

To make banana pancakes, mash 1 ripe banana and add to batter after the wet and dry ingredients are combined.

Chocolate Pancakes

To make chocolate pancakes, add 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the batter with the dry ingredients. If needed, add more milk to create the proper consistency. I prefer a batter that has to be scooped (a bit thicker) rather than a soupy batter, but either will work!

Substitutions

• If you don’t have oil for your batter, use melted butter.
• If you are wanting pancakes without using egg, substitute 1/4 cup of apple sauce for 1 egg.

Other Pancake Recipes

• How to make Sweet Cream Pancakes

Can pancakes be frozen?

Yes! Freeze cooked pancakes individually on a baking sheet, first. Set them on a cookie sheet, slide them into the freezer and let them gently freeze. Then, put them into a ziplock until you’re ready to use them. To reheat them, microwave them for 15-30 seconds, or toast them in a toaster. The toaster will give you pancakes that are still crispy on the outside.

Can pancakes be made without egg?

Yes, although they won’t be as fluffy. If you are looking to omit eggs from your pancake recipe, substitute 1/4 cup applesauce in place of 1 egg.

What makes pancakes fluffy?

Combining an acid and baking powder is what gives rise to pancakes. For example, buttermilk pancakes are extra fluffy because the acid from the buttermilk combined with the baking powder increases the rise to the batter.

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Fluffy Pancake Recipe without Buttermilk

Liz Quick

This simple recipe is perfect for those mornings when your family wants pancakes, but you don't have buttermilk on hand. These pancakes turn out tall and fluffy every time.