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!
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!
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 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 !
In a large bowl, place your : flour, salt, and baking soda.
Add sugar, buttermilk, and eggs to the . Stir to combine.
Stir up this until well combined. It will still be lumpy but that’s normal.
I use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to add my pancake batter to the heated skillet.
It should sizzle really good as soon as your batter hits the oil.
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 and continue cooking until browned on the other side.
Serve your fluffy pancakes with as much butter and maple syrup as you want!
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 .
- 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 , such as almond flour.
- For a , place less in the /skillet. Just keep an eye on the edges, as they’ll cook quicker than thicker pancakes.
- For an indulgent , opt for and or even a scoop of 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 will transform the batter into a fall-inspired batch of pancakes.
Check out these other delicious breakfast recipes:
Overnight Stuffed French Toast
Cracker Barrel Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole (Copycat Recipe)
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
Nutrition
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Hey Christy! Just wanted to share a little something I do if I don’t have buttermilk. I add sour cream and little bit of regular milk(depends on how wet the batter needs to be) and it usually turns out great! Hope you are having a great time with your family! You deserve a very long and relaxing vacation! 🙂
My mom made the best homemade pancakes, especially when we went on camping trips. We’d get up to the smell of frying bacon, which she would use the grease to make the crispy edges. Yummy!
We also use bacon grease for our pancakes….there is nothing that bacon grease can’t improve!
Dear Christy,
Thanks for the pancake recipe. We love them! And I have a helpful hint for those who may be out there trying to cut pancakes for three little ones all at once. We use a pizza cutter, and it cuts easily through the pancakes. It’s so super fast and easy. You just roll that baby across the pancakes and you have perfect little bites.
Sheila
Thanks so much, what a great idea! I will use it for my grandson- pancakes are his favorites!
Dear Christy,
I have this pancake recipe just where I can get it at a moments notice I added about a T. of oil to it for the waffles my hubby loves. But the pancakes are the very best just like your family says.
Keep up the good work we love this southern recipes.
Hey Christy,
Just wanted you to know that darling W on Brady’s nose was painted by my husband. Congratulations on Brady’s advancement. We all hope he reaches Eagle! Pack and Troop 350 are a great bunch of folks. Get ready for lots of rainy campouts in the troop! Lynne Alexander
I am new to your site-came on for your delish chicken & dumplings recipe. My family loves it!! Thanks! I just saw your pancake recipe and your post before it. I really needed to hear that today! Recently our family had a devasting fire that we lost nearly everything we owned including our business. I have been depressed and grieving material things and even though I have said ‘we have each other-thats all we need’ sometimes its hard too truly mean it. Somehow your family story puts it all into perspective. Thank you-not only for your wonderful recipes, but the wisdom as well. (Also, love the way you tell it with humor!)
Thanks!