Mild and fluffy, barely tangy, Buttermilk Pancakes – these are the diner fashion pancakes that you just love. This recipe is the explanation there’s at all times buttermilk in our fridge.


Pay attention, I’m severe about my pancakes. I’ve had one excellent pancake recipe for over 20 years that has been my favourite. It’s the one recipe that earned the title. For all of the completely different pancake variations that I’ve developed, through the years (45 pancake recipes and counting), I’ve stood agency on the hill {that a} drizzle of selfmade syrup and a stack of these pancakes was nearly as good because it may get.
This buttermilk pancakes recipe provides my long-standing favourite a run for it’s cash. Crispy, diner-style edges. Mild and fluffy texture for days. They’re head and shoulders above another buttermilk pancakes you’ve ever tasted.
Buttermilk Pancakes


After we had been homes earlier than transferring to Ohio, Sean and I ended for breakfast at Stav’s Diner. Oh boy was that the appropriate alternative. Diner-style buttermilk pancakes like nothing I’d ever had earlier than. I grew to become a wee bit obsessive about recreating these pancakes at residence. I’m pleased to say that this recipe nails the expertise.
Buttermilk is the not-so-secret ingredient for these pancakes. It provides superb texture and taste to them. The acidity reacts with the baking soda, giving us tall, ethereal stacks that maintain up properly even for those who drown them in syrup.
Only a heads up, that is not a recipe the place a buttermilk substitute will work the identical manner. You’ll need actual, cultured buttermilk for these pancakes. You’ll find it within the dairy case in most grocery shops.
And, in case you are ever within the Bexley space, give Stav’s a attempt. You received’t remorse it.

Substances and Substitutions
Flour – I stick to all-purpose right here. There’s no have to get fancy.
Sugar – You want only a little bit of sugar to steadiness the flavors right here. It additionally helps them brown on the griddle. It received’t style like a dessert (except you need it to. I don’t choose toppings!).
Leaveners – I embody each baking soda and baking powder. And, you actually do want each. The double leavening is what provides these pancakes their unbelievable fluffiness.
Salt – I at all times use kosher salt, except in any other case specified.
Buttermilk – The star of the present. I seize store-bought buttermilk from the dairy case. Do-it-yourself substitutes don’t work the identical. The true stuff lends the tang you need, and ends in a young, virtually melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
Eggs – Two. Strive making this recipe with out ’em and also you’ll see why. (Really, don’t. That’s a waste of time and batter.)
Fat – Melted butter goes into the butter for a number of causes, however primarily for FLAVOR. And, I exploit vegetable oil on the griddle to get these crispy golden edges. You may swap for coconut oil, for those who desire.


Notes on Gear
- Massive mixing bowl
- Dough whisk
- Flat-bottom skillet or electrical griddle – That is the griddle I settled on 5 years in the past after testing the top-rated fashions. Complete keeper. No sizzling spots or brown strains. Simply excellent golden brown pancakes, each single time.
- Further giant disher – My pancake recreation modified once I realized that this ice cream scoop is the right 1/3 cup measurement for portioning out pancake batter. It’s additionally nice for scooping muffin batter and further giant cookies.
- Nylon versatile turner – I’ve been loyal to this precise spatula (a.ok.a. pancake turner) for over 12 years – and I’ve gone via a number of of them – nonetheless, they’re properly price changing! Nothing does the job higher in terms of flipping a pancake or a fried egg.


The way to Make Buttermilk Pancakes
Mixing the Dry Substances: Begin by whisking collectively the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt.
Including the Moist Substances: I add within the buttermilk and eggs, then use my favourite dough whisk to mix. (It’d look funky, however you’ll by no means discover a whisk that’s simpler to wash!)
Including the Butter: You want the butter to be melted, however give it a second to chill then pour it into the batter. Whisk all the pieces as soon as extra. Take care to not over whisk the batter. Lumps are okay.
Letting the Batter Relaxation: That is once I activate my electrical griddle. Then I take a minute and do one thing else. Prep some toppings, drink a cup of espresso, or simply kick your toes up. We have now to let these leaveners work their magic for a minimum of 10 minutes.


Heating the Griddle: Warmth a flat-bottom nonstick skillet or for those who’re utilizing an electrical griddle, be certain that it’s set to medium warmth. I exploit a griddle as a result of it has extra floor space. Extra floor space means extra pancakes, quicker.
Cooking: Unfold a couple of tablespoon of oil over the griddle in order that the floor is flippantly coated. I discover it simpler to scoop this thick batter onto the griddle. About 1/3 cup per pancake. Allow them to cook dinner undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, till the pancakes start to bubble on high.
Flipping: As soon as the bubbles begin to burst on the floor of the pancake, I exploit a skinny versatile spatula to flip them over. Allow them to cook dinner on the second aspect till golden brown.
Serving: Serve them sizzling with the toppings of your alternative.


Knowledgeable Tip
Right here’s my high piece of recommendation for this recipe for this buttermilk pancake recipe: depart the hotcakes alone after you flip. I do know, there’s like this primal urge to press them down. However, that squeezes out the fluffiness you simply labored to create, and you find yourself with flatter, denser pancakes. Simply let the warmth do its factor.
Oil Between Batches – These pancakes are cooked in oil. That’s what provides them the crispy edges you need. Add a contemporary tablespoon to the griddle or pan between rounds of pancakes.
Hold Them Heat – I make huge batches of pancakes. We undergo a whole lot of them! So, conserving the pancakes heat generally is a problem when you’ve got so many rounds to make. You may switch the completed pancakes to a baking sheet in a 200°F till able to eat. Or, depart them on the on the counter, coated with a tea towel to entice a number of the warmth.
Belief the Thickness – This can be a very thick batter. It won’t be “pourable” like conventional pancake batter. And, it will get thicker because it sits. That’s regular. You don’t have to maintain whisking or add extra liquid. Simply scoop it onto the griddle.


Serving Ideas
I at all times set out a number of choices when serving pancakes, and simply let everybody go to city. Everybody loves them with buttermilk syrup (the tanginess pairs so properly with these). And, peanut butter syrup is a newer addition to our lineup that has turn out to be a quick favourite.
Need breakfast to really feel extra like a elaborate brunch? I simply whip up some selfmade whipped cream and end them with a spoonful or two of berry sauce. Voila!
Make Forward & Storage
Make Forward: These pancakes freeze superbly, making this a great recipe for meal prepping. I at all times make extra batter than I want. Leftovers are bestovers!
The way to Retailer: Let leftover pancakes cool, then simply comply with my information to freezing pancakes. It’s simpler than you may assume! They maintain properly within the freezer for as much as 2 months.
The way to Reheat: If I’m in a rush, I exploit the microwave at 20-second intervals. However, you received’t get the identical crispy edges. The toaster oven will convey again a number of the texture again, you probably have the time.


Extra Pancake Recipes
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
No. I actually wouldn’t, not for this one. Actual buttermilk reacts with the baking soda for rise, and it creates that tang and tender crumb that makes these pancakes what they’re. A vinegar and milk swap will get you one thing edible and the pancakes can be tasty, however not the identical.
That’s precisely what you need. This can be a thick, scoopable batter. The pancakes will skinny out as they cook dinner on the griddle. For those who add extra liquid to loosen it up, you’ll find yourself with flat pancakes.
Technically, no. These pancakes will nonetheless be scrumptious when cooked on a dry griddle. However, you received’t get the crispy, golden diner edges with out cooking them in some sort of oil.
Look forward to bubbles to look throughout the highest. When about half of the bubbles have popped, use your spatula to take a peek beneath. Golden brown means good to go!
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Whisk collectively the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt and put aside. Add the buttermilk and the eggs, whisk to mix, after which add the butter.
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Whisk as soon as extra after which let the batter relaxation whereas the griddle or pan heats. Watch out to not overbeat the pancake batter, lumps are wonderful. This can be a very thick batter and the pancakes will skinny out as they cook dinner on the griddle.
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Warmth a flat-bottom nonstick skillet or electrical griddle (that is my favourite griddle) over medium warmth. Oil the skillet or griddle generously (utilizing a couple of tablespoon of oil) after which pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto the griddle for every pancake.
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Let cook dinner till the pancakes start to bubble on high and they’re flippantly browned on the underside, about 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook dinner the second aspect till golden brown. Serve heat with the toppings of your alternative.
Energy: 120 kcal | Carbohydrates: 16 g | Protein: 4 g | Fats: 5 g | Saturated Fats: 3 g | Ldl cholesterol: 32 mg | Sodium: 214 mg | Potassium: 125 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 3 g | Vitamin A: 180 IU | Calcium: 71 mg | Iron: 1 mg
Vitamin info is routinely calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.
{initially revealed 1/15/2024 – recipe notes and pictures up to date 4/6/26}











