It’s a sunny weekend morning and you’ve just made a batch of beautiful pancake batter. You heat your skillet, flip your flapjacks and come to realize, they’ve fallen flat.
If your pancakes always seem to fall flat, don’t worry! There’s a science to fluffier pancakes and it’s pretty simple to master. From resting the batter to beating the egg whites, read on for our tips and tricks to making the most cloud-like pancakes possible.
Once you know how to make fluffy pancakes, you can experiment with all the best toppings, flours and syrups galore to ensure you get the tastiest breakfast possible!
At Bob’s Red Mill, we’re flapjack fanatics and we’re here to help you achieve the ultimate plate of fluffy pancakes!
The Science of Fluffy Pancakes
Whether you are making your own batter or using a pancake mix, the the secret to fluffier pancakes rests in air pockets. Yes—air pockets. Air pockets make the difference between a pancake and crepe, which means it’s crucial that you get the perfect amount of bubbles in your batter to form a fluffy pancake.
The good news is that if you follow a good recipe for fluffy pancakes, the rest of the breakfast will fall (or rise) into place. Add a spread of butter, a drizzle of pure maple syrup and you’ll be set.
A Little Bit of Science
To dive into a little bit of pancake science, fluffier pancakes are caused by bubbles that form in the batter followed by the solidification of those beautiful bubbles! When you add baking powder to your pancake batter, you’re encouraging the release of gas, which forms bubbles in the batter.
When the pancake is heated, this heat produces more bubbles to release more gas and thus, your fantastically fluffy pancake is born! Gluten also allows bubbles to form, which is why it’s typically tough to make fluffy pancakes with gluten free flour.
5 Tips for Fluffier Pancakes
There are a few tried and true tips for fluffier pancakes that are easy to follow! Here are some tricks from the Bob’s Red Mill Team:
1. Allow the Batter to Rest
A good rule of thumb when you’re wondering how to make fluffy pancakes is to let the batter rest. Some of the best pancake makers we know swear by letting the batter rest to achieve ultimate fluff in their pancakes! When you wake up in the morning, make your batter, then pour yourself a cup of coffee and relax. If you give your batter 20-30 minutes to rest, you’ll end up with a fluffier pancake.
2. Beat the Egg Whites
Separate your yolk from the egg white then beat to create a fluffy pancake. This is a small step, but it makes a big difference. When working with your egg whites, beat them until they form stiff peaks, then set aside. Add your yolks to the wet ingredients of the batter and when you’re ready, fold in the whites.
3. Don’t Over Mix!
We’re sure you've heard this one on your quest for fluffier pancakes, but you mustn’t over mix the batter. When your batter has small lumps, it’s time to stop mixing. When you over mix, there’s the possibility that your pancakes will get tough.
4. Wait for the Bubbles
When it comes to fluffier pancakes 101, it’s all about the bubbles. After you’ve ladled your pancakes onto the skillet, wait until you see bubbles form and then flip!
5. Follow a Good Recipe
Of course, a key to all fluffy pancakes is starting with the perfect recipe for fluffy pancakes. Here are some of our favorites.
Fluffy Gluten Free Pancakes
There are some pancake aficionados out there that think fluffy gluten free pancakes are impossible. With this Fluffy Gluten Free Pancakes recipe from Jenuine Home, we beg to differ! Jennie uses our Gluten Free Pancake Mix to create fluffy pancakes with a high rise, a golden color and a perfect texture.
Buttermilk Pancakes
We love this recipe for fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes, as it offers a creative way to enjoy pancakes when you’re camping (or simply forgot to hit up the grocery store the day before). This recipe incorporates buttermilk powder and water in place of liquid for a hearty, healthy and entirely delicious plate of pancakes. Top your pancakes with some sliced strawberries and a hint of fresh mint or basil.
Light and Fluffy Gluten Free Pancakes
If you’re wondering how to make fluffier pancakes that can easily be frozen, this is the recipe for you! These Light and Fluffy Gluten Free Pancakes are super easy to make and will quickly become a family favorite. Add vanilla extract to the recipe to give them an extra boost of flavor and double the recipe if you’re cooking for a crowd. For an added tip, make sure to use room temperature eggs.
Toppings for Fluffy Pancakes
In addition to being delicious, fluffier pancakes are more fun to decorate! Here are some of our favorite toppings for the fluffiest pancakes in the breakfast crowd.
Powdered Sugar
Fluffier pancakes already taste like clouds. Kick this cloud-like quality up a notch by topping your plate of pancakes with a fairy-like sprinkle of powdered sugar.
Fresh Fruit
Who wouldn’t want to bite into a fluffy pancake that’s topped with a piece of fresh fruit or berries? From tropical pineapple to sweet strawberries, fresh fruit and the fluffiest pancakes go hand in hand (or shall we say, fork in fork).
Yogurt or Whipped Cream
If you’re a fan of all things creamy, top your fluffy flapjacks with a dollop of yogurt or whipped cream. Although these creamy additions might seem simple at first, they take on a whole new life once on top of fluffy pancakes (especially with a drizzle of pure, warm maple syrup).
Honey
Although syrup tends to be a pancake topping superstar, honey deserves its place in the pancake limelight, too. Top your fluffy pancakes with a drizzle of honey and sprinkle of cinnamon for something extra decadent and delightful.
Nuts
You can never go wrong with nuts on pancakes, especially when they’re combined with any of the above toppings. If you’re wondering how to make fluffy pancakes that also have a boost of protein, add nuts!
Pancake Mixes
There are a variety of pancake mixes out there that will help you achieve fluffier pancakes, faster. If you’re interested in how to make fluffy pancakes with mix, there are several wholesome, tasty mixes out there. Here are some of the mixes we’re proud to offer at Bob’s Red Mill, to ensure you get the fluffiest flapjacks possible!
10 Grain Pancake and Waffle Mix
Our is bursting with whole grain flavor and nutrition. With its base of stone-ground whole wheat flour, whole grain corn flour, rye flour, triticale flour, oat flour, millet flour, barley flour, brown rice flour, soy flour, flaxseed meal and baking soda, this mix is packed with wholesome ingredients and perfect for fluffy pancakes of all sorts.
Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix
Our is our most popular pancake mix. It makes it easy to create fluffier pancakes, as it’s made with stone-ground whole wheat pastry flour, buttermilk powder and baking powder.
Gluten Free Pancake Mix
The staple for light and fluffy flapjacks, our Gluten Free Pancake Mix is a true fan favorite. It’s made with a unique blend of gluten free ingredients, including whole grain stone-ground sorghum flour and brown rice flour. Just add milk, butter or oil, and eggs—then whisk, cook, flip and enjoy!
Paleo Pancake & Waffle Mix
Our Paleo Pancake & Waffle Mix is gluten free, grain free and so delicious! It features a nourishing blend of almond flour, coconut flour, simple root starches, organic coconut sugar and baking soda. Whether you’re making a paleo breakfast or a snack, these mix makes a versatile batter that creates tender, fluffy and golden pancakes.
Whether you’re exploring how to make fluffy pancakes with mix or making your flapjacks from scratch, we hope this article has inspired you to mix, flip and enjoy!
Have any favorite tips or secrets for fluffier pancakes? Feel free to share them with us in the comments below! At Bob’s Red Mill, we’re always searching for the next greatest idea of how to make fluffy pancakes.
Whether you’re whipping up a batch of buttermilk or gluten free pancakes, we’re wishing you a whole bunch of breakfast success ahead!
From all of us with Bob’s Red Mill, thanks for reading. We’re happy to have you on our team as a fellow flapjack enthusiast.
