How to Make Simple Pancakes at Home
Updated: 12 November 2026.
Pancakes are one of the easiest hot breakfasts you can make at home. You mix flour, milk, eggs and a little butter into a smooth batter, spoon it into a hot pan, and flip each pancake once it bubbles. In about twenty minutes you have a stack of soft, golden pancakes, ready for butter, honey or fruit.
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| A warm stack of pancakes needs nothing fancy — just butter, honey and a quiet morning. |
This recipe makes about 8 small pancakes, enough for two people. Double the amounts for a family breakfast.
| What you need | How much |
|---|---|
| Plain flour | 1 cup (about 125 g) |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Sugar | 1 tablespoon |
| A pinch of salt | — |
| Milk | 1 cup (about 240 ml) |
| Egg | 1 |
| Butter, melted | 1 tablespoon, plus a little more for the pan |
| Vanilla extract (optional) | A few drops |
A mixing bowl, a whisk or fork, and a frying pan are all you need. A ladle or small jug helps you pour even pancakes.
How do I make pancakes, step by step?
- Mix the dry ingredients. Put the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a bowl and stir them together.
- Add the wet ingredients. Make a small well in the middle, pour in the milk, crack in the egg and add the melted butter and vanilla, if using.
- Whisk until just smooth. Stir gently until the lumps are mostly gone. A few small lumps are fine — do not overmix, or the pancakes can turn tough.
- Rest the batter. Leave it for five minutes while the pan heats. This helps the pancakes rise.
- Heat the pan. Warm a frying pan over medium heat and melt a small knob of butter in it.
- Cook the first side. Pour a small ladle of batter into the pan and cook for about two minutes, until bubbles appear on top and the edges look set.
- Flip and finish. Turn the pancake over and cook for another minute or two, until golden on both sides.
- Serve warm. Stack the pancakes on a plate and serve with butter, honey, jam or fresh fruit.
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| Everything for the batter fits on one small counter — flour, milk, eggs and butter. |
Wait for bubbles to appear across the top and for the edges to look dry and set. If you flip too early, the pancake can break; if you wait too long, the bottom may brown too much. The first pancake is often a test — it tells you if the pan is too hot or too cool.
What can I change in the recipe?
- No milk: use water or a plant-based drink; the pancakes will be a little less rich.
- Add fruit: stir a handful of blueberries or sliced banana into the batter just before cooking.
- A little spice: add a pinch of cinnamon to the dry ingredients for a warm flavour.
- Thicker pancakes: use a little less milk; thinner pancakes: add a spoonful more.
How do I store leftover pancakes?
Let them cool completely, then stack them with a piece of baking paper between each one and keep them in a covered container in the fridge. They keep for two days. To reheat, warm them in a dry pan for a minute on each side, or in the microwave for a few seconds until warm through.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make the batter the night before?
Yes. Mix it, cover the bowl and keep it in the fridge overnight. Stir it gently before cooking, and add a spoonful of milk if it has thickened.
Why are my pancakes flat?
The usual reason is old baking powder or overmixing. Check that the baking powder is fresh, and stir the batter only until it just comes together.
Do I need a special pan?
No. Any flat frying pan works. A non-stick pan needs very little butter, while an ordinary pan needs a thin layer so the pancakes do not stick.
Can children help make pancakes?
Yes, with care. Children can stir the batter, pour it with help, and choose the toppings. An adult should handle the hot pan and the flipping.
A simple breakfast to keep
Pancakes are a good recipe to learn by heart. One cup of flour, one cup of milk, one egg and a spoonful of butter — that is the whole recipe. Once you have made them once, you can change the toppings to suit the season and the fruit you have at home.
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