40+ Homemade Pancake Recipes You'll Flip For

March 18, 2020
Meredith Food Studios 
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.
Start Slideshow

1 of 44

The Original "Pam-Cakes"

Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
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.
Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 44

Ricotta Pancakes with Brown Butter-Maple Syrup and Blueberry Compote

Photo: Hector Sanchez 
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.

3 of 44

Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes

Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes Recipe
Don’t be fooled, these light and fluffy pancakes are half the fat but equally delicious.
Advertisement

4 of 44

Key Lime La Croix Pancakes

Sara Tane
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.

5 of 44

Whole-Wheat, Buttermilk, and Orange Pancakes

Photo: Raymond Hom; Styling: Pamela Duncan Silver    
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.

6 of 44

Paleo Pumpkin Pancakes

Photo: Rebecca Longshore; Styling: Rebecca Longshore
Paleo Pumpkin Pancakes Recipe

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 44

PB&J Stuffed Multigrain Pancakes

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Kira Corbin
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.

8 of 44

German Chocolate Pancakes

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly
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.

9 of 44

Caramel Cake Pancakes

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck
Caramel Cake Pancakes Recipe
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.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 44

Red Velvet Pancakes

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly
Red Velvet Pancakes Recipe
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.

11 of 44

Carrot Cake Pancakes

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly
Carrot Cake Pancakes Recipe
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.

12 of 44

Oatmeal Pancakes with Wild Blueberry Sauce

Charles Masters
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.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 44

Pumpkin-Almond Pancakes

Photo: Oxmoor House
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.

14 of 44

3-Ingredient Pancakes

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen
3-Ingredient Pancakes Recipe

These single-serving pancakes are a bit more like the custardy center bite of French toast: fluffy, eggy, and golden delicious.

15 of 44

Apple-Spice Pancakes

Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Apple-Spice Pancakes Recipe
Save leftover Apple Cider Syrup for drizzling over vanilla ice cream.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 44

Hummingbird Pancakes

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly
Hummingbird Pancakes Recipe
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.

17 of 44

Blueberry Dutch Baby with Lemon Curd

Photo: Helene Dujardin
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.

18 of 44

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes

Randy Mayor; Melanie J. Clarke
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."
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 44

Pecan Pancakes

Photo: Van Chaplin; Styling: Rose Nguyen
Pecan Pancakes Recipe
A sprinkle of cinnamon and the addition of toasted pecans to the batter make these thick and hearty pancakes an extra-special breakfast treat.

20 of 44

Ricotta-Banana Pancakes

Photo: Antonis Achilleos
Ricotta-Banana Pancakes Recipe
Make these tasty pancakes even better by adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg, or a handful of chopped nuts.

21 of 44

Basic Buttermilk Pancakes

Victor Protasio
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.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 44

Pumpkin-Ginger Pancakes with Ginger Butter

Leigh Beisch
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.

23 of 44

Peanut Butter Pancakes

Becky Luigart-Stayner
Peanut Butter Pancakes Recipe
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.

24 of 44

5 Spot Banana Pancakes

Victor Protasio
5 Spot Banana Pancakes Recipe
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.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 44

Oven-Puffed Pancake

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell
Oven-Puffed Pancake Recipe
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.

26 of 44

Whole-Grain Lemon-Buttermilk Pancakes with Strawberries

Photo: Thomas J. Story
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.

27 of 44

Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes

James Carrier
Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes Recipe
The texture of these pancakes is fluffy and light due to the beaten egg whites in the batter, but the taste is extra-rich because of the buttermilk and ricotta cheese. Grated lemon peel adds just a touch of citrus. We recommend serving these with fresh strawberries or bananas for a sweet and tangy breakfast delight.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 44

Italian Cream Pancakes

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck
Italian Cream Pancakes Recipe
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.

29 of 44

Blueberry Oat Pancakes with Maple Yogurt

Jim Bathie
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.

30 of 44

Oatmeal-Cranberry Pancakes

Photo: Oxmoor House
Oatmeal-Cranberry Pancakes Recipe
These hearty, granola-like pancakes will give you a gluten-free energy boost on even the dreariest mornings.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 44

Pancakes with Peanut Butter Sauce

Photo: Greg Dupree; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham 
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."

32 of 44

Chocolate Chip-Toasted Pecan Pancakes

Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Chocolate Chip-Toasted Pecan Pancakes Recipe
Add a generous dollop of whipped cream for an unexpected dessert.

33 of 44

Chocolaty Pancakes with Sauteed Bananas

Photo: Antonis Achilleos
Chocolaty Pancakes with Sauteed Bananas Recipe
The sauteed bananas lend the perfect flavor to these Nutella pancakes.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 44

Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes

James Carrier
Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes Recipe
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

35 of 44

Cornflake-Apple Pancakes

Sara Tane
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.

36 of 44

Olive Oil Pancakes

Photos by Teresa Sabga
Olive Oil Pancakes Recipe
There's no butter in these babies