Easy Pancakes with Fruit

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Indulge in the simplicity of Easy Pancakes with Fruit—a tasty boost for your morning. Uncover the secrets to becoming a pancake pro here.

Fluffy Pancakes with Fresh Fruit

Sometimes the seemingly simplest foods can be the most difficult to get right. With only a few ingredients, technique becomes much more important.

Pancakes are one of those foods. I've seen a lot of tough, flat, pancakes in my lifetime.

This recipe is no-fail. If you follow the details closely you will have the fluffiest most delicious pancake you've ever had.

Add fresh seasonal fruit to the inside and top of this pancake for a fruity start to your day.

Ingredients for Easy Pancakes with Fruit

All Purpose Flour - provides the body of the pancake batter. Carefully measure the flour.
Sugar - use white or brown sugar to sweeten the batter just a little
Baking Powder - serves as the leavening agent in pancakes and makes them fluffy
Salt - rounds out the flavors and offsets some of the sweetness
Large Egg, beaten - binds the dough together
Buttermilk - provides moisture and makes pancakes fluffy. Add a Tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to whole milk for a buttermilk substitute.
Cooking Oil - prevents pancakes from sticking to the pan and adds richness
Fruit - fresh blueberries, raspberries, bananas, strawberries, etc.
Toppings - fresh whipped cream, cinnamon, syrup, peanut butter, almond butter, etc.

ingredients for pancakes with fruit ingredients.

How to Make Easy Pancakes with Fruit

In a large bowl stir together dry ingredients including flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the beaten egg, buttermilk, and oil.
Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and just until blended. It should NOT be a smooth batter. Lumps should remain.
Allow the batter to rest for 20-30 minutes while the griddle is preheated to 350 degrees F.
Pour about ¼ cup pancake batter onto the hot griddle or heavy skillet. Allow room between each pancake to spread slightly.
Sprinkle the fruits of choice onto the pancake.
When the edges of the pancakes are dry and the tops are bubbly carefully flip the pancakes using a turner.
Cook on the second side until golden brown.
Serve immediately with butter, fruit toppings, syrups, whipped cream, chocolate chips, cinnamon, etc.

Hint: Keep pancakes warm in a 250-degree oven while cooking additional batches.

making the batter for pancakes with fruit ingredients.

Top Tips for Fluffy Pancakes

Allow the Batter to Rest

Let the batter rest. 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.

Don’t Over Mix

When your batter has small lumps, it’s time to stop mixing. Over-mixed batter equals tough pancakes.

Wait for the Bubbles

Knowing when to flip the pancakes without overhandling them requires that you wait until you see bubbles form and then flip.

FAQ

Will baking powder make my pancakes fluffy?

Yes, baking powder is a leavening agent that releases carbon dioxide gas when mixed with liquid and heat, causing the pancake batter to rise and become fluffy during cooking.

However, as a word of caution, too much baking powder will give a bitter, metallic taste to your food.

Why are my homemade pancakes not fluffy?

Check the expiration date on your baking powder. If it's been open for longer than 9 months, it likely needs replaced.

If your pancakes are too thin, you may not have measured your flour correctly. Try adding a Tablespoon of flour to your remaining batter to thicken it up some.

Why are my pancakes flat and tough?

Likely, you over-stirred your pancake batter. Next time, stir just until the flour is mostly incorporated. There will be lumps. Refer to my batter pictures.

Science of Fluffy Pancakes

Fluffy pancakes are caused by bubbles that form in the batter followed by the solidification of those bubbles.

Baking powder is "double acting". This means it forms bubbles in the batter both when it's mixed with liquid and when it is heated.

Baking soda forms bubbles when it's mixed with acid, as in buttermilk.

Toppings for Fruity Pancakes

Of course, any fruit you like is the perfect topping. There are a few other toppings that just might become one of your favorite toppings:

Nuts - add any nut you like. I like English walnuts and pecans. But pistachios and almonds are others to consider adding.
Fruits - all the fresh berries, ripe bananas, and even pineapple is delicious.
Peanut Butter - adds some protein to your breakfast and lots of flavor. Almond or other nut butters are tasty, too.
Syrups - maple syrup and honey are some of our favorites
Chocolate Chips - sprinkle some in along with the blueberries and they will be nice and melty

Which Pan to Cook Easy Pancakes with Fruit

Electric Griddle - I prefer using my electric griddle. They are inexpensive to buy and are useful for making pancakes quickly. I also love using the griddle for cooking burgers such as Porky Burgers, Rodeo Burgers, and Sweet and Spicy Bacon Burgers.

Non-stick Frying Pans - can certainly work, but it means you can only cook a few pancakes at a time.

Fun Easy Pancakes with Fruit

With a little bit of creativity, pancakes can bring a sweet surprise to your breakfast plate.

Dollar-Size Pancakes - my daddy always made tiny little pancakes when I was a kid and they always made me smile. Use a ⅛ cup measuring cup for little dollar-size pancakes for extra fun on the breakfast plate.

Happy Face Pancakes - Use your fruit, nuts and other toppings to create faces and other fun pictures in pancakes to make your breakfast guests feel extra special.

Substitutions

Coconut Milk - can replace buttermilk for those who are lactose intolerant

Sourdough Discard Pancakes

Prepare as directed, except substitute 1 ½ cups sourdough starter discard for the 1 cup milk. Add more

Storing

Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-5 days.

To freeze pancakes: Wrap in heavy-duty foil or place in a freezer bag and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature.

Reheating Fruit Pancakes

Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or until warm.

pancakes topped with strawberries, bananas, blueberries, and walnuts.

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DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE?

Lastly, if you made a Easy Pancakes with Fruit following this recipe, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and/or giving a rating!

I love hearing from you! I'll do my best to respond to each comment.

And of course, if you do make this recipe, tag me on Instagram! Seeing your photos is my favorite thing!

FOOD SAFETY

Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
Never leave cooking food unattended
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.