Fluffy Homemade Pancakes: A Simple and Healthy Recipe from Scratch
Waking up and making a stack of warm, fluffy pancakes always feels nostalgic to me. It takes me back to my childhood, when I’d spend the night at my grandpa’s house—those mornings are some of my favorite memories.
While you could always grab a box of pancake mix, there’s something special about making pancakes from scratch—and it’s easier than you might think! Not only does homemade batter taste better, but it’s also a much healthier option compared to boxed mixes, which often come with a laundry list of unwanted ingredients.
If you’ve ever looked at the back of a pancake mix box, you’ll know that many of them are filled with preservatives, artificial flavorings, and unhealthy oils.
By making your pancakes from scratch, you’re skipping the processed junk and opting for a simple, wholesome meal. Here’s a quick breakdown of why homemade pancakes are a better choice, followed by an easy recipe that you can make in no time.
Why Boxed Pancake Mixes Aren’t Ideal
While boxed pancake mixes seem convenient, they often contain a lot of ingredients that aren’t so great for your body:
Hydrogenated oils (trans fats): These are unhealthy fats that can negatively affect your heart health.
Artificial preservatives: To keep the mix shelf-stable for months, manufacturers add preservatives that your body doesn’t need.
Excessive sugar: Many boxed mixes sneak in more sugar than you realize, making your pancakes unnecessarily sweet.
Unnecessary additives: Artificial flavorings, colorings, and stabilizers are often used to make the pancakes seem more appealing.
In short, while boxed pancake mixes are convenient, they often come with processed ingredients that aren’t great for your body. And, despite the convenience, you’re still paying for all those extra ingredients instead of using fresh, whole foods.
My Homemade Pancake Recipe
Here’s a simple, from-scratch pancake recipe that you can make in just minutes.
Servings: 4 (about 8 small pancakes)
Ingredients:
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
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (use homemade if you’ve made it. Psst…my recipe is on the website)
1 1/2 cups blueberries (optional)
Instructions:
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the egg, then add the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir to combine.
Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. It’s okay if the batter is a little lumpy—overmixing can make your pancakes dense, and we want them light and fluffy!
Cook the Pancakes: Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with butter. Once the skillet is hot, pour about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake. If desired, add a handful of blueberries on top prior to flipping
Flip and Cook: Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges begin to look set (about 2-3 minutes). Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
Serve and Enjoy: Stack your pancakes and serve with your favorite toppings—syrup or fresh fruit. If you’ve made my homemade vanilla extract, you can drizzle a little on top for an added burst of flavor!
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turns out! Drop a comment below or tag me on social media. And don’t forget to check out my homemade vanilla extract recipe to elevate your pancakes even further. Enjoy your delicious, nourishing breakfast!
