The Best Old-Fashioned Pancakes on Earth

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When you take a bite of these slightly crispy-golden-brown-exterior pancakes with a soft-fluffy-moist-interior, you’ll be exclaiming that they’re the best old-fashioned pancakes on earth!

take a bite of the best old-fashioned pancakes.

Today I’m bringing you our very favorite recipe for the best old-fashioned pancakes on earth. I know this to be true because my husband and kids have declared these the best pancakes on Earth and I have to agree.

What makes this pancake batter so great? I think it’s down to one key ingredient that makes these pancakes officially ‘old-fashioned’ and totally Southern: buttermilk! For anyone new to Southern-style cooking, here’s a tip: if it has buttermilk in the ingredients, it’s gonna be good!

In this instance, buttermilk pancakes are just so soft and moist with the perfect golden-brown crispy edges. I just know you’ll be making this pancake recipe for your family every weekend. Don’t be afraid to slather them in butter, maple syrup, or your preferred pancake topping. The more the better, I say!

The best part is, you can use this old-fashioned pancake recipe to make buttermilk waffles as well if that’s more your style.

(While we’re on the topic of homemade pancakes and waffles (the ultimate breakfast combo), check out these recipes: banana pancakes and paradise pancakes. I hope you’ll get a chance to try and enjoy them soon!)

Anyway, here’s how to make The Best Old-Fashioned Pancakes on Earth!

Ingredients for the best old-fashioned pancakes.

Recipe Ingredients

  • Buttermilk
  • Baking soda
  • Eggs
  • Salt
  • Vegetable oil (or butter)
  • Plain flour
  • Sugar

You’re going to make these old-fashioned pancakes from scratch

Pour vegetable oil in pan.

Pour enough oil into a skillet to cover the bottom.

Why Use The Vegetable Oil?

The oil is going to give our pancakes a nice crispy outer layer, which is delicious! You can also use melted butter in place of oil if you like, but you’re going to want more than cooking spray!

Add flour and salt to a mixing bowl.

In a large bowl, place your dry ingredients: flour, salt, and baking soda.

Add milk, eggs, and baking soda.

Add sugar, buttermilk, and eggs to the flour mixture. Stir to combine.

Stir up ingredients until well combined.

Stir up this milk mixture until well combined. It will still be lumpy but that’s normal.

Add a quarter cup of the pancake batter to the skillet.

I use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to add my pancake batter to the heated skillet.

Pancake batter in oil.

It should sizzle really good as soon as your batter hits the oil.

Wait for bubbles to form on pancake.

See how it is sizzling around the edges and little bubbles are appearing on the top?

You want to cook it for a minute or two before flipping. Wait until the edges appear dry and the top is covered in little bubbles.

Then…

Flip pancake until golden brown on other side as well.

FLIP and continue cooking until browned on the other side.

Stack of pancakes with a lot of butter and syrup.

Serve your fluffy pancakes with as much butter and maple syrup as you want!

take a bite of the best old-fashioned pancakes.

Dig in!

Remember, this pancake batter makes excellent waffles as well!

Storage

If you have leftover pancakes, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze pancakes in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Once thawed, reheat either in the microwave or quickly in the skillet once more.

Recipe Notes

  • You can make your own buttermilk by adding one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a cup of whole milk. Let it sit for five minutes before using. Since this recipe calls for two cups of buttermilk, you’ll need to add two tablespoons to two cups of whole milk, of course.
  • Remember, for the fluffiest pancakes, don’t over-mix the batter! Lumps are a-okay!
  • Make sure your skillet is hot but not too hot. Medium heat is perfect.
  • To make this good old-fashioned pancakes recipe dairy-free, opt for your favorite oil and use your favorite dairy milk alternative, like almond milk.
  • On the other hand, for gluten-free buttermilk pancakes, you’ll want to use any type of gluten-free all-purpose flour instead of the wheat flour, such as almond flour.
  • For a thinner pancake, place less pancake batter in the griddle/skillet. Just keep an eye on the edges, as they’ll cook quicker than thicker pancakes.
  • For an indulgent breakfast, opt for maple syrup and whipped cream, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Recipe Variations

Here are some interesting additions to include in your buttermilk pancake batter:

  • To make chocolate chip pancakes, add 1/2 cup of white or milk chocolate chips.
  • For berry buttermilk pancakes, add 1/2 cup of frozen or fresh berries, such as blueberries, chopped strawberries, or raspberries.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of sprinkles if it’s someone’s birthday!
  • A teaspoon of cinnamon will transform the batter into a fall-inspired batch of pancakes.

Check out these other delicious breakfast recipes:

Make-Ahead Breakfast Quiche

Overnight Stuffed French Toast

Make-Ahead Breakfast Burritos

Bacon Breakfast Pizza

Apple Pie Oatmeal

Cracker Barrel Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole (Copycat Recipe)

take a bit of the best pancakes

The Best Old-Fashioned Pancakes on Earth

With a soft, fluffy, and moist interior thanks to the addition of buttermilk, these are officially the best old-fashioned pancakes on earth.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: pancakes
Servings: 4
Calories: 227kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups buttermilk*
  • vegetable oil or butter or margarine for cooking pancakes in

Instructions

  • Place enough oil or butter in the bottom of a skillet to coat it. Put on stove eye and heat on medium heat while you prepare the batter.
    vegetable oil
  • In a large bowl, stir together all the dry ingredients.
    2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons sugar
  • Add eggs and buttermilk to the flour mixture and stir until well combined. The pancake batter will be lumpy.
    2 eggs, 2 cups buttermilk*
  • Drop 1/4 cup-sized dollops of the pancake mix into the heated oil and cook on medium heat until the edges appear dry and the top is covered in bubbles. Flip and continue cooking until browned on both sides.
  • Serve warm with syrup!

Notes

*You can make your own buttermilk by adding one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a cup of whole milk. Let it sit for five minutes before using. Since this recipe calls for two cups of buttermilk, you'll need to add two tablespoons to two cups of whole milk, of course.

Nutrition

Calories: 227kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

 

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223 Comments

  1. Sounds yummy Christy! I usually use Pioneer baking mix for pancakes, but I am going to try these. My husband, kids and I all love pancakes!!

  2. That is the same as my recipe and I agree, it’s perfect!

    Congrats to Brady! Nice little family album (but where are the cats, hello??!!) and I am so thrilled that y’all went with a dog from the HS. Labs are a good breed for kids too – I have a yellow one!

  3. Hello Christy,

    I write this with tears of joy for haivng the priviledge of knowing you and the honor of being able to read your writings.

    Thank you in particular for this post. I read all of them,and in my humble opinion, this one is your best.

    As a positive person it’s odd to me that I’ve been mocked by strangers, had people actually ask, “Are you on drugs?” and snicker in front of me at my supposedly unrealistic expectations of the power of kind, other-centered, optimistic interactions.

    People ask me, “How do you do it?” or my favorite, “You must live a charmed life, Do you?” A charmed life: no. I wish I did, the truth is, I work at it…hard. I determine it. I purpose it in my heart, my mind, and my tongue.For most of us (really, all of us) positive isn’t our factory setting. Your positivity is in equal porpotion to your determination.

    The beauty of positivity is that each positive encounter and outlook is a triple win: a win for ourselves, a win for those nearest to us, and a win for our legacy.

    Thank you for working hard at being positive. I’ll be hoping that your mule moves to another barn. Until then, know that you are admired, aknowledged, and appreciated!

    Blessings,
    Maralee

    1. God Bless you both Christy and Maralee.

      You both help me in different ways. I feel privileged to know you.

      Don’t forget – Spring is nearly here.

  4. Thanks so much, Christy, for sharing your outlook on life, your family history w/ us, and another simple/delicious recipe with pictures of your family. One part of the post talked about …you know if it has buttermilk in the ingredients, it is going to be good ….I just could not agree more! I do have one question though…is it true that after sunup that sugar weighs more? hmmmmm
    Love ya!

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