American pancakes (made with self-raising flour)

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32 ratingsRate this recipe

Fancy a big stack of thick and fluffy American pancakes? This is how to make US-style pancakes with self-raising flour

  • Prep Time 10 mins
  • Cook Time 20 mins
  • Serves 4
  • Difficulty Level Easy

Preparation

  • Total Time 30 mins
  • Preparation Time 10 mins
  • Cooking Time 20 mins
  • 100g self-raising flour, sifted
  • 60g caster sugar
  • 1 medium egg
  • 150ml milk
  • oil or butter, for frying
  1. Mix the sifted flour and caster sugar in a bowl or jug
  2. Add the egg and beat well to get a fluffy texture. Then slowly pour in the milk a little at a time, stirring constantly, until you have a smooth and runny batter
  3. Heat a drop of oil or butter in a frying pan. When the pan is really hot, pour in about 3 tablespoons of batter
  4. Cook for just under a minute until the bottom is golden brown. Use a spatula to keep an eye on how it's cooking and turn to the other side once the first is cooked
  5. Remove from the heat once both sides are golden brown the pancake is cooked the whole way through. Repeat with the rest of the batter
  6. Serve

You will need

Large frying pan - This one from Tefal provides durable non-stick performance – see more details here at Amazon.

Whisk - An electric whisk will help speed things up and this affordable one from Morphy Richards – see more details here at Amazon.

Large mixing bowl – this one by Wilko has high sides and a non-slip base and costs next to nothing  – see more details here at Wilko.

 

Tips

Making American pancakes is a great Pancake Day option if you've only got self-raising flour in your cupboard. The self-raising flour gives these pancakes a light and fluffy texture that's great for special breakfasts for the kids, or quick toastable snacks. 

Small kids will love mixing the ingredients together to make the batter, while older kids can have a go at flipping their own pancake. This recipe makes about 18 mini pancakes or 9 big ones.

If you have time, make the pancake batter in advance and leave in the fridge overnight. Batter that has been left to sit for a little bit will rise better when you come to make your pancakes.

Serve with maple syrup and bacon, or berries and a dollop of natural yoghurt. 

Variations

  • Not got any self-raising flour in your cupboards? No problem. This recipe shows you how to make banana pancakes with baking powder instead.
  • Try with a berry compote to serve, chopped banana works well too 
  • Serve with a few rashers of crispy bacon or sausages for a savoury pancake meal
  • Add cinnamon to the batter for cinnamon pancakes
  • Leftover American pancakes make a great tea-time snack; simply pop in the toaster or under the grill and spread a little butter on top

Reviews

32 ratingsRate this recipe

  • Charlotte P(19)

    5

    Great recipe! I omitted the sugar, added a pinch of salt and I also used coconut milk (instead of dairy milk - as I don't like it). I also added a tablespoon of chia seeds for some added protein. They turned out great! Topped with maple syrup and a squeeze of lemon. Looking forward to trying them with some crispy bacon next!

  • Guest

    3

    Great pancakes but try leaving out the sugar and add slightly warm maple syrup after cooking. Pure maple syrup is a much healthier alternative to sugar and is packed with nutritional benefits including antioxidants. Also I find if you whisk up the eggs and milk first then add the flour bit by bit you get a lump free batter really quickly.

  • Guest

    5

    fabulous flavor!

  • DUNCAN B(4)

    5

    Got the grandchildren involved in making the pancakes and then loaded the table with all types of sauces and fruit.

  • Guest

    5

    Delicious! We keep adding different berries for a change but perfect as they are!!

  • Guest

    5

    I'm usually a huge failure at pancakes (even the "just add water" cartons you get at the supermarket) but this recipe is so easy. With my electric whisk I can whip these up in 5 minutes! I just replace the milk with water because I don't drink milk!

  • Guest

    5

    Really nice pancakes, we enjoyed ours with crispy bacon and maple syrup

  • Guest

    5

    So easy to make!

  • Guest

    5

    These are brilliant, I have been using a recipe very similar for years but I used normal white sugar but the castor sugar really makes the difference

  • Guest

    5

    Made these for my husbands breakfast served with egg crispy bacon and syrup for an American style brekkie, very easy to make and follow recipe

  • Laura W(1577)

    5

    Great recipe, works every time. We don't always have the best breakfasts during the week but these American pancakes have become our Sunday tradition now. They are yummy and the one breakfast I know the kids will always clear their plates with :)

  • Guest

    5

    My kids love love loved these!!!

  • Guest

    5

    Absolutely delicious. I also add 1-2 tsps of vanilla extract or essence.. Make a big batch and freeze them in two's for my daughters breakfasts when she wants a change from ordinary brekkies... Plus saves time on making next time!

  • Guest

    5

    Really easy and so delicious

  • Guest

    5

    Absolutely fantastic, we've made these again and again and again! :)

  • Guest

    5

    Yummy! Great with blueberries and maple syrup!

  • Guest

    5

    easy to make and taste lovely, everyone enjoyed them and will be making a load more next time as the first lot disappeared so quickly

  • Guest

    5

    My toddler loves these with banana and maple syrup and so do I.

  • Guest

    5

    Just the best breakfast to have on a weekend! I do add blueberries to mine whilst they cook too and also raspberries are a good addition. Give it a go!

  • Guest

    5

    These pancakes are scrummy and yummy and my kids love them! To help with my children's '5 a day', I add blueberries while the pancakes cook and then flip them over and the blueberries become soft and juicy. They're lovely with banana slices too. I suppose any sort fruit will work a treat. I've also used this batter in my waffle maker and they turn out great!

  • sarah f(567)

    5

    I made these and froze them, so I could get them out for breakfast as and when. The children love them warmed in the toaster and spread with chocolate spread! Yummy!

  • Isabelle P(30)

    4

    These small American pancakes are so easy to make and cook. I have made them at home many times and also in a Foundation Unit where I work. I successfully made approx 120 without setting off the smoke alarm! When the recipe says add 3 spoonfulls, I would wait a few seconds between each one and let the previous one cook a little so that they don't merge together. Make sure your pan is at a good heat too. I like to add little healthy extra's, for example you can grate a couple of apples into the mixture or a couple of handfulls of raisins or blueberry's prior to cooking. They still cook as well and are Very Yummy! (Great for adding fruit for children who claim not to like it!) x

  • Chris H(270)

    5

    I made these on pancake day. They were very easy and quick to make. We have four decent sized ones each with cheats crispy bacon (from M&S ready cooked) and maple syrup. I would definitely make them again.

  • Guest

    4

    Great tasting and simple to make

  • Guest

    5

    Kids loved these when i made these a few mths ago. I cooked stacks of them and put them in the oven to keep warm then they filled their bowls and covered them with all sorts. Success!

  • Guest

    5

    Extra tasty and a yummy treat mmm

  • Guest

    5

    excellent, easy, tasty. What more could you want?

  • Deborah P(178)

    5

    Absolutely lovely! Far better than a bowl of cereal on these cold mornings.

  • Guest

    5

    Loved the fluffy pancakes

  • Guest

    5

    might just make these in a mo, iv got some salted caramel ice-cream that will go lovely with them

  • Guest

    5

    Love, love, love these! With blueberries, strawberries and maple syrup.

  • Guest

    5

    Kids love these. works really well with Nutella and a fruit plate. cheeky way to get fruit in the kids!!

  • Guest

    Do these freeze well?

  • Guest

    We have just had these as a Christmas eve treat. My son gave them 10 out of 10! It's made my Christmas.

  • Guest

    I'm an American living in Scotland and I have yet to find out the difference between American pancakes and Scotch pancakes. The Scotch ones are smaller version (what Americans would call a silver-dollar size) and can be bought almost everywhere! plus they are always super fluffy! America take note!

  • Guest

    hi the pancakes are a great breakfast - brunch treat, I do not use any sugar in the recipe though and you do not need to use any oil, a good non-stick pan works wonders;-) I serve them with - maple syrup - fruit yoghurt - blueberries cooked for a few min with a bit of maple or golden syrup yummy!

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