40+ Homemade Pancake Recipes You'll Flip For
Sure, you can make pancakes from a box (and there's no shame in doing so!), but there's nothing like a homemade stack of flapjacks, especially when they have so many possibilities. We've got classic pancake recipes, such as blueberry pancakes and lemon ricotta pancakes, pancake recipes to fit with your paleo or gluten-free diet, and decadent twists on pancakes like red velvet pancakes. No matter what pancake recipe you choose, everyone will be happy.
The Original "Pam-Cakes"
The Original "Pam-Cakes" Recipe
Some people toast special occasions with Champagne, but here at Southern Living, we often celebrate with "Pam-cakes." Developed by our Test Kitchen's Pam Lolley, these flapjacks are deceptively light, unbelievably fluffy, and impossible to resist.
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Ricotta Pancakes with Brown Butter-Maple Syrup and Blueberry Compote
Ricotta Pancakes with Brown Butter-Maple Syrup and Blueberry Compote Recipe
We're flipping for ricotta in our pancake batter! It gives this blueberry stack a lighter and insanely moist bite.
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Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes
Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes Recipe
Don’t be fooled, these light and fluffy pancakes are half the fat but equally delicious.
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Key Lime La Croix Pancakes
Key Lime La Croix Pancakes Recipe
If you've never experimented with bubbles in your homemade pancakes for maximum fluffiness, today is the day. In this iteration, we used La Croix's newest flavor, key lime, for an indulgent, oh-so-tropical taste. Topped with toasted coconut flakes, graham cracker crumbs, whipped cream, and maple syrup, this breakfast treat has all the same flavors as your favorite slice of key lime pie.
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Whole-Wheat, Buttermilk, and Orange Pancakes
Whole-Wheat, Buttermilk, and Orange Pancakes Recipe
Sunday-morning-in-your-jammies breakfast. Here we've updated Bill and Cheryl Jamison's fantastic Whole-Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes from 2002 with a little citrus zest. Allowing the batter to sit before cooking gives the leaveners a chance to work, creating light, fluffy pancakes.
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Paleo Pumpkin Pancakes
The pumpkin and spices really shines in these Paleo Pumpkin Pancakes, but feel free to use as much or little of the spice mix as you want. The almond butter gives these naturally sweet pancakes a nutty flavor and a punch of protein and healthy fats.
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PB&J Stuffed Multigrain Pancakes
PB&J Stuffed Multigrain Pancakes Recipe
Peanut butter powder is the secret to adding intense nutty flavor (without a lot of fat) to these jam-stuffed pancakes.
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German Chocolate Pancakes
German Chocolate Pancakes Recipe
Warning: Do not lick your screen. Instead, serve this sinfully indulgent stacker for your next breakfast or brunch, or even for dessert.
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Caramel Cake Pancakes
The Southern Living editors have taken a Southern staple and reimagined it as a sweet breakfast treat. We dare you to try and eat just one.
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Red Velvet Pancakes
Try this festive pancake version of the classic red velvet cake. Whether you serve these for the holidays or everyday, they're sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
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Carrot Cake Pancakes
Use the small holes of a box grater to finely grate the carrots by hand; if you use a food processor, the carrots will be too wet, making the pancakes dense and less tender. Go ahead, have your veggies for breakfast.
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Oatmeal Pancakes with Wild Blueberry Sauce
Oatmeal Pancakes with Wild Blueberry Sauce Recipe
The rolled oats in this recipe will lend a fluffy and thickened texture to these pancakes. The blueberry sauce is a perfect accompaniment.
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Pumpkin-Almond Pancakes
Pumpkin-Almond Pancakes Recipe
Enjoy these gluten-free pancakes for breakfast or dinner topped with butter and drenched in maple syrup. Whole-grain corn flour gives them a cakier texture and adds some fiber, too.
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3-Ingredient Pancakes
These single-serving pancakes are a bit more like the custardy center bite of French toast: fluffy, eggy, and golden delicious.
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Apple-Spice Pancakes
Save leftover Apple Cider Syrup for drizzling over vanilla ice cream.
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Hummingbird Pancakes
First printed in 1978, the Hummingbird Cake remains the most-requested Southern Living recipe of all time. This time around, mashed banana, pineapple, coconut, and pecans come in pancake form, complete with a Cream Cheese Anglaise.
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Blueberry Dutch Baby with Lemon Curd
Blueberry Dutch Baby with Lemon Curd Recipe
This showstopping breakfast "pancake" will amply reward you for making the trip to Laurette Feit's cafe. Or make it at home. Either way, you'll be amazed at the treat's puff.
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Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes
Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes Recipe
According to one of our online reviewers, "These pancakes were absolutely fabulous. I've tried several whole wheat pancake recipes before. These are by far the best I've ever had. My husband and my mother (both picky eaters) loved them."
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Pecan Pancakes
A sprinkle of cinnamon and the addition of toasted pecans to the batter make these thick and hearty pancakes an extra-special breakfast treat.
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Ricotta-Banana Pancakes
Ricotta-Banana Pancakes Recipe
Make these tasty pancakes even better by adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg, or a handful of chopped nuts.
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Basic Buttermilk Pancakes
Basic Buttermilk Pancakes Recipe
It only takes 10 minutes to whip up the batter for these classic buttermilk pancakes. Serve up a stack drizzled with melted butter and syrup, or try one of the variations of the basic recipe: Fresh Berry, Apple-Walnut, or Orange-Chocolate Chip.
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Pumpkin-Ginger Pancakes with Ginger Butter
Pumpkin-Ginger Pancakes with Ginger Butter Recipe
Pumpkin is not just for the fall holidays–use canned pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to make sweet, rich pancakes that are perfect for any special day. The crowning glory for this stack of cakes is the candied ginger butter made with chopped crystallized ginger and softened butter.
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Peanut Butter Pancakes
Peanut butter fans will cheer for these nutty pancakes featuring chunky peanut butter in the batter. And nothing goes better with peanut butter than jam, so top the pancakes with your favorite flavor of jam, jelly, or fruit syrup.
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5 Spot Banana Pancakes
After you ladle portions of the batter onto the griddle, top each pancake with a few slices of banana, then turn the cakes and cook until they're lightly browned. You'll see that these fruit-topped breakfast treats really hit the spot.
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Oven-Puffed Pancake
Instead of cooking single pancakes on a griddle, make one big one in a cast-iron skillet and bake it. When it gets puffy and golden, take it out of the oven and top it with powdered sugar and jam.
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Whole-Grain Lemon-Buttermilk Pancakes with Strawberries
Whole-Grain Lemon-Buttermilk Pancakes with Strawberries Recipe
"Healthy--and delicious" was the verdict from our Camp Sunset guests. Make the mix for these tender, moist pancakes at home, and they'll be ready in no time in camp.
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Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes
This is our adaptation of Crest Cafe's (San Diego, California) lemon-ricotta pancakes, which are served with fresh strawberries and bananas. Top the bananas with a sprinkling of grated lemon peel and offer warm maple syrup to drizzle over the top
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Italian Cream Pancakes
Laden with pecans and coconut and drizzled with a special cream cheese syrup, these pancakes will make the beginning of your day better, trust us.
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Blueberry Oat Pancakes with Maple Yogurt
Blueberry Oat Pancakes with Maple Yogurt Recipe
Because this dish takes some time to prepare, save it for a weekend morning when you're not in a rush. If you can't find Greek yogurt, substitute plain low-fat yogurt instead. You can use either fresh or thawed frozen unsweetened berries.
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Oatmeal-Cranberry Pancakes
Oatmeal-Cranberry Pancakes Recipe
These hearty, granola-like pancakes will give you a gluten-free energy boost on even the dreariest mornings.
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Whole Wheat Pancakes with Peanut Butter Sauce
Whole Wheat Pancakes with Peanut Butter Sauce Recipe
Carolyn says: "Cook this batter immediately after mixing to keep the pancakes springy and light. The whole wheat adds flavor."
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Chocolate Chip-Toasted Pecan Pancakes
Chocolate Chip-Toasted Pecan Pancakes Recipe
Add a generous dollop of whipped cream for an unexpected dessert.
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Chocolaty Pancakes with Sauteed Bananas
Chocolaty Pancakes with Sauteed Bananas Recipe
The sauteed bananas lend the perfect flavor to these Nutella pancakes.
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Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes
This is our adaptation of Crest Cafe's (San Diego, California) lemon-ricotta pancakes, which are served with fresh strawberries and bananas. Top the bananas with a sprinkling of grated lemon peel and offer warm maple syrup to drizzle over the top
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Cornflake-Apple Pancakes
Cornflake-Apple Pancakes Recipe
These crispy breakfast fritters are the perfect weekend brunch menu item. Warm cinnamon and sweet apples give the classic Cornflake cereal a festive punch. Best served with powdered sugar, maple syrup, and/or whipped cream for the ultimate indulgent start to the day.
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Olive Oil Pancakes
The easiest way to offend someone in the morning is to offer up dry, tasteless pancakes soaked in fake maple syrup. This olive oil pancake recipe is a quick, smart, and tasty solution. Mixing a few tablespoons of olive oil to your favorite Sunday brunch pancake batter will keep your cakes super moist, while adding delightfully rich and fruity flavors. Brush the pan with extra olive oil and cook until the pancakes are golden brown. Drizzle these soft, fluffy olive oil pancakes with real maple syrup—splurge on the good stuff—and serve with honey and fresh fruit. Say goodbye to inferior pancakes because this foolproof olive oil pancake recipe cooks perfectly every time.
Olive Oil Pancakes
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Mojito Pancakes
The first time I was ever on a competition cooking show, I had to create a restaurant in 24 hours. As I had never cooked professionally, I wanted to focus on a simple food that could be presented in many creative ways. So, of course I went with pancakes. Just in time for summer, I present you with mojito pancakes. Boozy pancakes are not just a good idea because booze + pancakes = hell yeah, although that's certainly part of it. The rum also evaporates at a lower temperature than milk does, giving the pancakes some extra leavening in the form of alcohol vapor bubbles. This yields Mickey D's-level fluffy pancakes that are screaming for some minty butter and limed-up maple syrup.
Mojito Pancakes
Kitchen gear kindly provided by our partners at Jet.com.
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Dill Pancakes with Country Ham and Cheese
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Sweet Peach Pancakes
The sweetness of the peaches combined with the natural sweetness of the cornmeal makes for a delicious morning. A well-seasoned griddle or skillet won't need much butter and oil; use only as much as you need to keep the pancakes from sticking.
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Blueberry Pancakes
These Blueberry Pancakes are light and fluffy, just like the ones you enjoyed as a kid. We’re not just giving you a foolproof recipe—we’ve also got the secret to keeping every single pancake warm until serving time.
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Pancake Bake with Cinnamon Streusel
Pancake Bake with Cinnamon Streusel Recipe
Don’t even think about spending Christmas morning flipping pancakes. Instead, turn them into a bread pudding-like casserole. Prepare the recipe at least eight hours ahead so the pancakes absorb the egg-and cream-mixture.
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Coconut-Cashew Pancakes
Coconut-Cashew Pancakes Recipe
And you get three of them per serving!
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Fluffy Pancakes
Pancakes are the ultimate comfort breakfast, but these pancakes are truly a fluffy cake you craft over the stove. They’re sweet and savory, with an incredibly bouncy texture wrapped in a buttery, golden crust. All you need for pancakes that go above and beyond is a little extra time and attention. Resist the urge to mess with the pancakes while they’re cooking—if they move too much, they’ll start to crumble.