This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.

Grandma’s homemade fluffy pancakes are the ultimate comfort breakfast! They’re light and airy, yet satisfyingly filling, making them the perfect morning treat. Whether topped with syrup, fruit, or a dollop of whipped cream, these pancakes are sure to brighten up your day and bring a smile to your face

Some of the best tried and true recipes come from my grandma. Her homemade bread is seriously one of the best recipes out there, and I use her homemade pie crust recipe for every holiday! When it comes to pancakes, I promise this will be the only recipe that you use. They are so fluffy and perfect every single time!

A stack of 6 pancakes with syrup being poured over top of butter and fresh berries.

Grandma’s Perfect Fluffy Pancakes

My grandma knew it all. She was a pro in the kitchen with all the homemade recipes she perfected. Everything was always homemade and made from scratch. Always made out of love for that extra touch! She always had a welcoming home and food was a priority for her. These fluffy pancakes were a staple of hers and they always turned out perfect every time we had them. The good news is, if you’re craving some pancakes right now, I’m sure you have everything you need to make a batch! The best part about this recipe is that it only uses a handful of simple ingredients like flour, a little sugar, a sprinkle of salt, an egg, and a cup of milk! Simple and delicious, the way pancakes should be!

When it comes to breakfast, these fluffy pancakes really are the ultimate comfort food. They are the perfect canvas. All you need are your favorite toppings! I always like using fresh blueberries and strawberries, then a sprinkle of powdered sugar and buttermilk syrup. No matter what tasty toppings you use, I know you will love this pancake recipe as much as my family does. With just a few simple ingredients and a little love, you will have thick, fluffy pancakes every time! It’s the perfect way to start your day!

Grandma's recipe card with ingredients she wrote by hand.

Ingredients for Fluffy Pancakes

This ingredient list is seriously as simple as it gets. I love that I can pull all of these things out of my pantry, no grocery trip required! Check out the recipe card below for measurements so you can make a batch of your own! You won’t regret it!

  • One Egg: Egg not only adds a boost of protein, but it also helps to bind the ingredients together, resulting in a fluffy and delicious stack of homemade pancakes!
  • Canola Oil: Canola oil adds moisture to the batter and ensures that the pancakes don’t stick to the pan. You can also use butter or margarine if you’d like!
  • Milk: No pancake recipe would be complete without a generous pour of milk. This ingredient provides the liquid base for the batter, and the fat content helps to keep the pancakes moist and tender. I always go for whole milk when I make pancakes, but you can use your favorite kind here. Dairy-free milk and nut milk works, too! Just keep in mind that the texture of your pancakes may change a little.
  • Flour: The backbone of any good pancake recipe, flour gives the pancakes their structure and texture. Make sure to measure your flour accurately to keep your pancakes from turning out dry and dense.
  • Salt: A pinch is all you need! It helps to boost the flavors of the other ingredients and balance out the sweetness of the sugar.
  • Sugar: The key to making pancakes that are as tasty as they are fluffy. The sugar helps to brown the pancakes and adds a touch of sweetness that will have you coming back for seconds (and possibly thirds.)
  • Baking Powder: This is what makes the pancakes rise and gives them that airy, fluffy texture we all know and love. Don’t skip it!

How to Make Perfect Fluffy Pancakes

Simple ingredients makes for a simple pancake recipe that is out of this world good. This tried and true pancake recipe will impress everyone in your family and become a new breakfast staple! Let’s get flipping!

  1. Wet ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together egg, oil and milk.
  2. Dry Ingredients: Then in a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, sugar and baking powder.
  3. Combine: Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and then combine. Don’t overmix.
  4. Preheat Skillet: Preheat a skillet to medium heat.
  5. Cook Pancakes: Spray with cooking spray and drop about 1/3 cup of the batter onto the warm skillet. Once it forms bubbles then flip to the other side and cook until golden brown.

Only Mix Until Smooth

Only mix your dry and wet ingredients together until combined to keep your pancakes fluffy. If you overmix the batter, this can cause gluten to develop so your pancakes turn out dense and rubbery instead of light and airy.

The process of mixing wet and dry ingredients together then combining them and cooking individual pancakes one at a time on the skillet.

Tips, Tricks, and Delicious Toppings

Pancake perfection is only a few tips and tricks away! With a handful of simple ingredients and some know-how, you’ll be on your way to flipping the best homemade pancakes in town.

  • Size of Pancakes: I used 1/3 cup of mix to pour onto the skillet. This made about 10 pancakes. You are welcome to make the pancakes smaller or bigger depending on your preference.
  • Doubling the Recipe: My grandma’s fluffy pancake recipe can be doubled with all the same ingredients. If it is too thick add 1/8 of a teaspoon water or milk.
  • Keep Pancakes Warm: If you are doubling the recipe or need to keep some warm while others are still cooking, place the pancakes on a baking sheet in a single layer and keep warm in the oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit until ready to serve.
  • Cooking Spray Substitute: If you don’t have cooking spray, butter also works for greasing the skillet or griddle.
  • Clean the Griddle: In between cooking pancakes, try to wipe off the excess cooking spray or butter for the next batch of mix to be cooked. This will make sure the pancakes turn out golden brown and perfectly cooked each time.
  • Add More Flavor to the Batter: To give your pancakes more flavor, try adding a teaspoon or two of vanilla extract or almond extract.
  • Tasty Toppings: Looking to switch things up from the usual powdered sugar and maple syrup? Try adding fresh fruit, walnuts or pecans, or shredded coconut! In between your stacks, you can also add things like fruit jam, peanut butter, caramel sauce, or Nutella! The options are endless.
Fluffy pancakes stacked on top of each other.

Storing Leftovers

Got leftover pancakes or batter? No problem! Here’s how to keep it fresh.

  • In the Refrigerator: Store your pancakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze them for later.
  • In the Freezer: To freeze, separate each pancake with a piece of wax paper to prevent sticking and then place in a freezer bag. Your fluffy pancakes will stay good for up to 2 months!
  • Leftover Batter: For leftover batter, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours – just give it a quick stir before using. Pancake prep has never been easier!
Fluffy pancakes stacked on top of each other with a slice of butter, syrup and fresh fruit.

Pin this now to find it later

Pin It

Grandma’s Homemade Pancakes

4.34 from 15 votes
By: Alyssa Rivers
Grandma's homemade fluffy pancakes are the ultimate comfort breakfast! They're light and airy, yet satisfyingly filling, making them the perfect morning treat. Whether topped with syrup, fruit, or a dollop of whipped cream, these pancakes are sure to brighten up your day and bring a smile to your face
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 People

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • In a medium sized bowl whisk together egg, oil and milk. In a separate bowl combine flour, salt, sugar and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and combine.
  • Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray and drop about 1/3 cup of the batter onto the warm skillet. Once it forms bubbles then flip to the other side and cook until golden brown.

Video

Notes

Originally posted April 19, 2020
Updated on April 17, 2023

Nutrition

Calories: 258kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 7gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 193mgPotassium: 735mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 158IUCalcium: 340mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

More Ideas

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




38 Comments

  1. Someone told me that this recipe only needs one ingredient to be perfect. Vanilla. Is this true, and how much would it take?

    1. I love adding vanilla to pancake batter! 1 teaspoon is a good start, but it’s an ingredient that can be measured with your heart! I wouldn’t go beyond 1 1/2 tablespoons though!

  2. Alyssa!
    You have a wonderful website with so many fabulous recipes!!!
    Thank you so much for so many great recipes.

  3. 1 star
    How tf are there so many pancake “recipes” that don’t list quantities of ingredients. How much of each dry ingredient do I mix? How much milk? This recipe isn’t helpful at all.

    1. All measurements are in the recipe card at the end of the post. If you click on jump to recipe at the top of the page it will take you there!

  4. Hi, is it 2 tablespoons or 2 teaspoons of baking powder for recipe for 4 pax? 2 tablespoons seems way too much!

  5. 5 stars
    I have made this recipe multiple times now, and it never disappoints. It has become a family favorite in our household.

  6. 5 stars
    Bisquick has always been my go to for pancakes but I woke up this morning didn’t have any and did my Googles for a pancake recipe and stumbled on this one.Everything was readily available in my pantry so I went for it.

    Boy oh boy this is my new go to for pancakes!!! Followed the recipe to the T and the results were super soft and tasty pancakes!!! I knew this was the one when I saw the puff up of the pancake once I flipped it. Will definitely be making these again when I’m craving pancakes!

  7. I tried making these for my mom for Mother’s Day and the batter turned out like soup! I followed the recipe to a T and even tried to cook them and they were uncookable. Do not recommend this recipe.

    1. Oh no!! I’m not sure why this batter would turn out too runny! I would try adding a small, additional amount of flour to the batter next time. Thanks so much for letting me know!