Food & Culinary

How to make fluffy pancakes with simple ingredients

Paulette Mboga 27th June, 2026 01:13 PM

There is nothing better than starting the day with a stack of warm, fluffy pancakes.

The good news is that you do not need expensive ingredients or special equipment to make them. With a few kitchen staples and the right method, you can prepare soft, light pancakes that the whole family will enjoy.

Whether you are making breakfast for yourself or serving guests, this simple recipe delivers delicious pancakes every time.

Ingredients

You will need:

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons melted butter or cooking oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Butter or oil for cooking

Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir everything together until the ingredients are evenly mixed. This helps distribute the baking powder, which is responsible for making the pancakes light and fluffy.

Step 2: Prepare the wet ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter or oil, and vanilla extract if you are using it. Whisk until the mixture is smooth.

Step 3: Combine the mixtures

Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently stir until everything is just combined.

Do not overmix the batter. It is perfectly fine if there are a few small lumps. Overmixing develops the flour’s gluten, which can make pancakes dense instead of fluffy.

Step 4: Let the batter rest

Allow the batter to rest for about five to ten minutes before cooking. This gives the baking powder time to work and allows the flour to absorb the liquid, resulting in softer pancakes.

Step 5: Cook the pancakes

Heat a non-stick pan or lightly greased frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, pour about a quarter cup of batter onto the pan for each pancake.

Cook until bubbles begin to appear on the surface and the edges start to look set. Carefully flip the pancake and cook for another one to two minutes until both sides are golden brown.

Repeat until all the batter has been used.