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German Pancakes are a hot and puffy golden pancake that only requires 5 minutes of prep! This classic breakfast is always a huge hit at our house!
We love a good classic breakfast at our house. Try this Breakfast Casserole, these delicious Quick 45 Minute Cinnamon Rolls, or my Grandma’s Perfect Fluffy Pancakes for a breakfast the family won’t be able to get enough of!
German Pancakes Recipe
Breakfast is always a struggle at our house because mornings are always so busy! I love to surprise the kiddos with a delicious and hot breakfast at least once a week before school. That is why we love German pancakes at our house. They only take 5 minutes of prep with ingredients that you have on hand. This breakfast is totally doable, even for the busiest families!
My kids love to watch things baking in the oven and this recipe is the best to watch! As the german pancakes bake in the oven, they get puffy and golden. Once we take them out, I love sprinkling them with some powdered sugar and topping them with some syrup and berries. But the best part about pancakes is that you can make them however you like!
Are German Pancakes really from Germany?
German Pancakes or Dutch Baby Pancakes are not German Pancakes the way they are prepared in Germany. The American “German Pancakes” are more like a popover, either entirely baked in the oven or started in a pan and finished in the oven.
German Puff Pancakes Ingredients
If you haven’t tried this classic breakfast, you need to make it. We absolutely love it at our house, and it is so fun and easy to make! It is sure to be a huge hit with family or guests!
- Flour: All-purpose flour is best for it to thicken.
- Eggs: This helps with the form and taste of the pancake.
- Milk: This helps make the batter creamy and smooth.
- Butter: Melt the butter before adding it to the batter.
- Sugar: The sugar sweetens the pancakes up!
- Salt: Just a pinch will help it rise.
How to Make German Pancakes from Scratch?
Make this German pancake recipe even easier by adding the batter to a blender for about 30 seconds. Start with blending the wet ingredients together first and then add the dry ingredients until they are smooth. Once the lumps are out, place the batter in the cast iron skillet.
- Whisk Together: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, melted butter, salt, and sugar. Add the flour and stir until incorporated, being careful not to overmix.
- Bake in a Skillet: Add one tablespoon of melted butter to the bottom of a 9 or 11-inch cast iron skillet. Pour the batter into a skillet and bake for 12-18 minutes or just until the edges start to brown. Top with desired toppings.
Tips and Tricks
The best thing about baking German pancakes is watching them rise up and over the pan while baking in the oven. Getting that nice fluffy texture and high rise takes a few tips and tricks to make the perfect German pancakes.
- Eggs: Fresh eggs are best! Taking the time to whisk each egg individually will also help fluff up the pancake. This does take extra time but can be so worth it!
- Flour: For best results, use all-purpose flour to help with the rise and thickness of each pancake.
- Preheating the pan: Before adding the batter to the pan, it helps to melt butter ahead of time to help the pancake rise. The butter will help as a non-stick agent, which creates a taller rise and also keeps the pancake from sticking to the pan.
- Golden Brown Color: German pancakes are a little tricky to know whether they are done. As it is baking in the oven, the sides of the pancake will rise about 1 to 2 inches and even creep over the top of the skillet. Once the edges and top of the German pancake is nice and golden brown, you know to remove the pancake from the oven. The middle of the pancake will be a yellow egg color. Once the pancake is removed from the oven, in a short amount of time, the German oven pancake will fall a bit. This happens as it is cooling.
Optional Toppings to Try
Traditionally adding syrup or sprinkling powdered sugar are always popular choices. Once the German pancake is baked and ready to serve, add your favorite toppings and create a delicious breakfast everyone will love.
- Syrup: Buttermilk syrup or any berry syrup.
- Jam: Strawberry jam is my favorite!
- Fresh Berries: Raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries go together so well and balance out the sweet flavor of German pancakes.
- Powdered Sugar: Sprinkle some powdered sugar over the top!
- Chocolate Chips: Add the chocolate chips right on top of the pancake while it is warm.
- Cinnamon Sugar: A little more sweetness!
- Nutella: This adds a delicious, chocolatey taste!
More Delicious Breakfast Ideas
Breakfast might just be the best meal of the day! It can be sweet, savory or anything in between! I’ve gathered up a few more of my very favorite breakfast recipes that you must try. You’re entire family will love them!
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German Oven Pancake
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons melted butter divided
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a medium sized bowl whisk the eggs, milk, 2 Tablespoons melted butter, salt and sugar. Add the flour and stir until incorporated being careful not to overmix.
- Add 1 tablespoon melted butter to the bottom of a 9 or 11 inch cast iron skillet. Pour the batter into a skillet and bake for 12-18 minutes or just until the edges start to brown. Top with desired toppings.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I tried this recipe first with just confectioners sugar and freshly squeezed lemon and we all loved it. I tried another similar recipe that included cooked down apple slices and cinnamon and nutmeg. We all agreed it wasn’t as good. We went back to this recipe for the batter and incorporated the apples from the other recipe.
This pancake has become a family favorite! My husband requests it like every morning!!! I just stopped by to say thank you for this delicious and satisfying recipe.
My kids love this too! It is so simple to make and doesn’t take long. It can cook while you are getting ready:)!!
I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the cranberry sauce recipe! It was a hit at my Thanksgiving table, at least for those of us who don’t care for cran sauce (most of us). Thank you for sharing!
YAY!! I am so happy you all loved it! Happy Thanksgiving! XOXO
Fantastic.
A am sure i am making looks so delicious thankyou so much
Sorry I forgot to rate it you get all ten of my stars.
AWE!! Thank you!! That is really sweet of you!! I really appreciate that! Thank you for sharing!! XOXO
I just finished making and eating this.it was so easy to make and fun to watch it bake in my counter top oven. We loved it can’t wait to try putting a Spanish spin on it. Thanks so much for posting.
That sounds delicious!! I can’t wait to hear what Spanish spin you will modify it to!! Thanks so much for sharing!! XOXO
I made it with a French toast crust and let me tell you that was the best thing ever!! For the crust just make french toast like normal but instead of heating it up on my pan I put it on the skillet and then form of crust and let me tell you that was delicious!!! Or you just make the French toast on the side they go great together.
OH WOW!! YUM! You are making me want to go try this NOW!! lol! Thanks so much for sharing! I love your idea! Xo
I loved this recipe, mine came out exactly like the picture. I used too much butter in the pan so they were a little oily, next time I will measure! They are eggier than traditional pancakes, my 2 year old says they are eggs. I might try upping the flour next time as an experiment. I’m also going to try adding the fruit wile baking as someone suggested. Maybe some sweetened ricotta too? Yum! My son didn’t want fruit this time but next time it’s my choice!
These German Pancakes are one of our favorite breakfast meals! I am so glad your son loved it too!! I LOVE all your experimenting thoughts!! Sounds like you have a lot of plans!! Enjoy and good luck! Let me know how it turns out!! Xo
Hi I totally love this I made it on Mother’s Day and I’m only 11 it super easy and delicious. Me and my little brother love watching it rise in the oven. I’m gonna make it again on Father’s Day have any extra suggestions?
That is INCREDIBLE!! Way to go SUMMER!! I am so proud of you! Plus, you are super sweet to make that for Mothers Day! For Father’s Day you could always try warming up frozen berries (I like strawberries) and putting some whip cream on top! We like maple syrup too!! It is a great and fun breakfast!! I know your dad will LOVE his Father’s Day breakfast made by you!! Xo
Love this pancake! Making it for the second morning in a row. My family requested it again and its so easy!
This German pancake is AMAZING and SO DELICIOUS!! My kids and I love to watch it rise in the oven!! It is perfect for a family breakfast everyone can eat at once!! So happy you all loved it!!
Wow I’m speechless ? so delicious ? and warm. Super EZ I made it and im only 12
Lol
I made thsee pancakes for guests this weekend and they were fabulous! I added fresh orange and lemon zest to the batter and I have to say, I would recommend trying this. I received oooha and ahhhs beginning with the smells from the oven. When the pancakes came out of the oven, my friends were impressd. As we all dug in, the rave reviews continued throughout the meal! Home run!
I made these in Girl Scouts forever ago. They were and still are so good! In case anyone is wondering, they taste good with Krusteaz brand gluten free flour.
Hi There! First off, this looks fantastic.
Also, how many does this recipe serve? What size skillet did you use?
I teach a cooling class and always serve breakfast. Do you think this could be made in muffin cups?