Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes {From Scratch}

The best, quick, easy, thick, fluffy buttermilk pancakes recipe from scratch, homemade with simple ingredients in 20 minutes. Light, soft, airy and slightly tangy.

Nothing says Saturday morning relaxation like these fluffy flapjacks! They are so easy to make from scratch, that you won't mind the few extra minutes it takes to whip them up. Your family will be happy, full, and content after a stack of these smothered in butter and maple syrup. If you are in need of a more decadent version, try these Fluffy Chocolate Pancakes {With Fudge Sauce}. For a bright, sweet version give these Lemon Blueberry Pancakes {So Fluffy} a try.

How to make easy homemade fluffy buttermilk pancakes recipe from scratch? 

1. Whisk dry ingredients- Including flour, baking powder, baking soda sugar.
2. Mix wet ingredients- Including buttermilk, eggs, butter, vanilla extract, almond extract.
3. Add wet to dry mixture- Until combined.
4. Let batter rest- At room temperature.
5. Cook pancakes- Until done on both sides.
6. Serve- With maple syrup and butter. Enjoy!

What is the key to making pancakes rise and fluffy?

Leavening agents like baking powder and baking soda, eggs, and the resting time is crucial. Make sure the leavening agents are fresh so that they can help the pancakes rise as much as possible. The eggs, when beaten, help create a light and airy pancake, and the rest time allows the starches to swell so that they become even more fluffy.

Why are my pancakes flat? 

This may be the result of overly wet batter. Make sure to measure all of your ingredients accurately so that there is a correct ratio of wet to dry ingredients. This can also result from over-mixing, old leavening agents, and not resting the batter.

Key ingredients for best buttermilk pancakes

• Flour- Use All-Purpose for best results.
• Buttermilk- To add a nice tang.
• Leavening agents- Including baking soda and powder.
• Eggs- To make them light and airy.
• Sugar- I used granulated to add sweetness.

Homemade buttermilk substitute

Simply add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a 1 cup measuring cup. Then, fill the remainder of the cup with whole milk. Pour this into a bowl, and then repeat the process to make 2 cups worth of buttermilk. Stir the mixture gently and let it rest for about 5 minutes.

Pancake toppings

Syrup- Such as Maple, Nutella Syrup {2 Ingredients}, or even fruit syrups.

Nut butters- Such as almond, peanut, cashew, or sun butter.

Fruit- Such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, bananas, or apples.

Yogurt- Vanilla would be yummy, or Greek yogurt for added protein.

Granola- Pick your favorite version, and sprinkle it on top.

Whipped cream- Such as this How to Make Homemade Stabilized Whipped Cream, or even Chocolate Whipped Cream {3 Ingredients}.

Butter- Grass-fed is my favorite.

Pie fillings- Like this How to Make Strawberry Pie Filling, How to Make Raspberry Pie Filling, How to Make Blueberry Pie Filling, How to Make Peach Pie Filling, or Homemade Apple Pie Filling.

Jams/jelly- Such as Easy Homemade Strawberry Jam, or your store-bought favorite.

Chocolate– Such as Easy Chocolate Ganache {2 Ingredients} or Chocolate Ganache Frosting {2 Ingredients}.

Caramel– Like this Homemade Caramel Sauce or Dulce De Leche.

Frostings– Such as Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting, Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe, Caramel Frosting {3 Ingredients}, or Peanut Butter Frosting {4 Ingredients}.

Variations for fluffy pancakes

Other sweetener options- You can use coconut sugar, brown sugar, or even a sugar alternative.

Try other extracts- I used almond and vanilla, but you could try maple, or even lemon extract.

Color the batter- Add food coloring for fun for holidays for kids.

Add fruit- Such as apple or banana pieces.

Add chocolate chips- I like mini chocolate chips, and you can use dark, milk, semisweet, or even white chocolate.

Add nuts– Such as finely chopped walnuts, pecans, peanuts, or macadamia.

Add spices– Such as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, or even pumpkin or apple pie spice.

Add cocoa powder- For a chocolate version.

Tips and techniques 

When to flip pancakes? When the top and sides become bubbly, that means it's time to flip them.

Don’t flip too many times- Because this will cause them to deflate, and become flat.

Don’t over cook the pancakes- Because they will burn and taste bad.

Don’t over mix the batter- Because it will make the pancakes dense as opposed to airy and fluffy.

Must rest the batter- Because this step is crucial to get fluffy pancakes.

Use full fat ingredients- Because it adds so much flavor.

Must use nonstick pan or girdle- Because this prevents the batter from sticking, making it possible to flip the pancakes.

Don't crowd the pan or girdle- Because that makes it harder to flip the pancakes.

How much batter per pancake? I use a ⅓ cup batter per pancake for nice sized pancakes.

Heat griddle before adding batter- Because this makes the batter cook immediately and therefore maintains the nice round shape, instead of spreading all over a cold pan.

Use unsalted butter- Because this prevents them from becoming too salty.

The batter will be lumpy- This is good and normal, do not over-mix the batter.

Storage

Refrigerate- In a sealed container for up to 2 days.

Freeze- In a freezer safe bag or container for up to 1 month.

Reheat- In the microwave.

More pancake recipes

• Chocolate Chip Pancakes {With Chocolate Syrup}
• Fluffy Cinnamon Pancakes
• Pumpkin Pancakes
• Mocha Pancakes With Mocha Syrup
• Pancake Muffins

Recipe