The Best Buttermilk Pancakes are everything a perfect pancake should be—light, fluffy, buttery, and golden brown with just the right hint of tang. Made with real buttermilk and pantry staples, these pancakes rise beautifully on the griddle and deliver a restaurant-quality breakfast at home. Whether you’re cooking up a weekend brunch or a weekday breakfast-for-dinner, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

What Makes This Dish Special?
Unlike regular pancake recipes, buttermilk adds a signature tang and reacts with baking soda to create that ultra-fluffy texture. These pancakes have crisp edges and a soft, airy interior. They’re incredibly versatile—perfect for stacking high with butter and syrup, or dressing up with berries, whipped cream, or chocolate chips. Best of all, the batter comes together in minutes.
Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: About 10–12 pancakes
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 cups buttermilk (well-shaken)
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (plus more for greasing skillet)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat the Skillet
Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly grease with butter or oil.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients
In another bowl or large measuring cup, whisk the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla until well combined.
4. Combine Batter
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix—lumps are okay. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes.
5. Cook the Pancakes
Scoop ¼ cup of batter onto the hot skillet for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set, about 2–3 minutes. Flip and cook the other side for 1–2 minutes until golden brown.
6. Serve Warm
Transfer to a plate and keep warm while cooking the rest. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.

Variations
- Blueberry: Fold in ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter.
- Chocolate Chip: Sprinkle chocolate chips on the pancakes after pouring the batter into the skillet.
- Banana Nut: Add sliced bananas and chopped walnuts for a hearty twist.
- Whole Wheat: Substitute half the flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk and spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Nonstick skillet or griddle
- Ladle or measuring cup for scooping batter
Nutritional Information (Per Pancake)
- Calories: 160
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 3g
Storage Tips
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze pancakes between layers of wax paper in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Warm in the toaster, microwave, or oven until heated through.
My Cooking Experience
Making buttermilk pancakes from scratch is one of my favorite breakfast rituals. I’ve tested many variations over the years, but this recipe consistently gives me the fluffiest, most tender pancakes. The buttermilk makes a huge difference, and once you taste these, you’ll never go back to boxed mix again.
Conclusion
The Best Buttermilk Pancakes are a classic done right—simple ingredients, easy steps, and perfect results every time. Whether you’re making a short stack for yourself or feeding a hungry group, this recipe delivers comfort and flavor in every fluffy bite.

The Best Buttermilk Pancakes
Ingredients
Method
- Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly grease with butter or oil.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl or large measuring cup, whisk the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla until well combined.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix—lumps are okay. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes.
- Scoop ¼ cup of batter onto the hot skillet for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set, about 2–3 minutes. Flip and cook the other side for 1–2 minutes until golden brown.
- Transfer to a plate and keep warm while cooking the rest. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze pancakes between layers of wax paper in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Warm in the toaster, microwave, or oven until heated through.