It happens every year – Pancake Day rolls around, and suddenly, social media is full of people losing their minds because the shops have sold out of those ready-made pancake mix bottles. Pancakes are ridiculously easy to make from scratch. No need for a bottle or a packet when you can whip up the perfect batch in minutes!
Here’s how to make perfect pancakes at home, no packet required!
How to make pancakes from scratch: Classic crêpe-style
If you love thin, lacy crêpes, this is the only recipe you need:
Ingredients:
- 100g plain flour
- 2 large eggs
- 300ml milk
- 1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil (plus extra for frying)
- A pinch of salt
Method:
- Whisk together the flour, eggs, milk, oil, and salt in a large bowl or jug until smooth. The batter should be the consistency of single cream.
- Let it rest for 30 minutes if you have time (but don’t stress if you don’t).
- Heat a frying pan over medium heat and lightly grease it with oil.
- Pour in around half a ladleful of batter, swirling it around the pan. Cook for about a minute on each side until golden.
- Stack them up and keep warm while you cook the rest.
- Serve with classic lemon and sugar or get creative with your toppings (more on that below!).
How to make pancakes from scratch: Fluffy American-style
For thick, fluffy pancakes, I swear by this Jamie Oliver recipe:
Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs (separated)
- 115g plain flour
- 1 heaped teaspoon baking powder
- 140ml milk
Method:
- Separate the eggs, putting the whites in one bowl and the yolks in another.
- Mix the flour, baking powder, and milk into the yolks until you have a smooth, thick batter.
- Whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form, then fold them into the batter—this is what makes the pancakes light and fluffy!
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat, pour in some batter, and cook for a couple of minutes until golden on one side.
- Flip and cook the other side until golden brown.
- Serve immediately with your favourite toppings!
Pancake topping ideas
Whether you’re team crêpe or team fluffy pancake, toppings make all the difference! Here are some delicious ideas:
Sweet Pancake Toppings 🍓
- Classic: Lemon juice & sugar
- Indulgent: Nutella & sliced bananas
- Fruity: Mixed berries & Greek yogurt
- Decadent: Maple syrup & crispy bacon
- Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Melted chocolate & crushed biscuits
- Biscoff Bliss: Biscoff spread & sliced banana
Savoury Pancake Toppings 🧀
- Brunch Vibes: Smoked salmon & cream cheese
- Cheesy Goodness: Grated cheddar & caramelised onions
- Egg-cellent Choice: Poached egg & avocado
- Vegan-Friendly: Hummus & roasted veggies
Boosting Your Pancakes with Protein 💪
If you want to make your pancakes more filling, adding protein is a great idea—especially if you’re having them after a run or workout! Here are a few easy ways to add extra protein to your pancakes:
- Protein Powder: Mix a scoop of your favourite protein powder (vanilla or chocolate works best) into the batter. You may need to add a splash more milk to keep the consistency right.
- Greek Yogurt: Swap some of the milk for Greek yogurt to add creaminess and extra protein.
- Egg Whites: Use extra egg whites in the batter for a lighter, high-protein pancake.
- Nut Butter: Drizzle peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter over your pancakes for a delicious protein boost.
- Cottage Cheese: Blend some cottage cheese into the batter for a smooth, protein-packed option.
So, if the shop has sold out of pancake mix, don’t panic. Making your own from scratch is easy, fun, and way tastier than anything from a packet. Happy flipping!
Love making things from scratch? You might also like my smoothie recipes!
