How Do You Make Pancakes Tender?

If the idea of another specialty pan gives you a headache, you can breathe easy. Use a regular electric griddle, skillet, or even a cast iron pan to cook your thin pancakes. Preheat your pan of choice over medium heat (about 350°F if you’re using an electric griddle) and grease it lightly.

Directions. Whisk the butter into the milk mixture. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture, and whisk until a thick batter is just formed. Keeping the skillet at medium heat, ladle about 1/4 cup of the batter onto the skillet, to make a pancake.

It doesn’t take any special ingredients, or even any more work — it’s just a matter of time. The secret to diner-style pancakes is giving the batter a rest overnight on the counter.

Bake the second side about half as long as the first. Don’t flatten the pancakes with the spatula or they’ll become leaden. Serve ’em as you make ’em. Pancakes taste best right off the griddle. This can be a drag if you want to eat with the crowd, but if you really love pancakes, it’s worth the sacrifice.

Why are my pancakes not fluffy?

The culprit is likely overmixing the pancake batter, which overworks the gluten in the flour. Use a gentle hand when folding the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated. It’s ideal to see some streaks and pockets of flour. You can also try adding this secret ingredient that makes the fluffiest pancakes ever .

No baking powder? No problem! For every teaspoon of baking powder in the recipe, combine ½ teaspoon cream of tartar, lemon juice or distilled vinegar, ¼ teaspoon baking soda and ¼ teaspoon cornstarch. Incorporate this quick baking substitution into the batter at the last minute and don’t let the batter rest but use it right away.

The first pancake doesn’t have to be bad if you follow these tips. To avoid a bad first pancake, it is best to first season your skillet or griddle by heating it over medium heat. Then, carefully grease the cooking surface with oil or butter, wiping off any excess with a paper towel.

Yes, you should let the pancake batter rest! Resting the batter for about 5 minutes before spooning onto the griddle allows it to hydrate evenly and helps relax any gluten that may develop, resulting in tender and fluffy pancakes. Check out our other fluffiest pancake recipes .