How to Make Pancakes by Yourself

Learn to make fluffy, delicious pancakes from scratch with simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps.

1. Gather Your Ingredients. You'll need 1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 cup milk, 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons melted butter (plus extra for the pan), and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract if you have it. Get out a large mixing bowl, a whisk or fork, a measuring cup, and a non-stick pan or griddle.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients. In your large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until they're well combined. This step ensures your pancakes will be evenly fluffy without pockets of baking powder.
3. Combine the Wet Ingredients. In a separate bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Make sure your melted butter isn't too hot, or it will cook the egg.
4. Make the Batter. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a fork or whisk until just combined. The batter should look lumpy - don't overmix it or your pancakes will be tough. A few flour streaks are perfectly fine.
5. Heat Your Pan. Heat a non-stick pan or griddle over medium heat. Add a small pat of butter and let it melt and coat the pan. The pan is ready when a drop of water sizzles and evaporates quickly.
6. Cook the Pancakes. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake into the hot pan. Cook until you see bubbles forming on the surface and the edges look set, about 2-3 minutes. Flip carefully with a spatula and cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Repeat with remaining batter, adding more butter to the pan as needed.
7. Serve and Enjoy. Stack your pancakes on plates and serve immediately while they're warm. Top with butter, maple syrup, fresh fruit, or whatever your family loves. Keep cooked pancakes warm in a 200°F oven if you're making a large batch.