Hello to all lovers of indulgent breakfasts and snacks that feel like home! Today I bring you my secret to start the day with a smile: easy and fluffy pancakes without butter. Forget the guilt, these golden disks are incredibly light and just as delicious as the classics, ready to pamper you with their softness in no time.
Whether you’re an early riser or a weekend “sleeper,” this is the recipe that will change your breakfast (and snack!). I’ll guide you step by step, revealing all the tricks to make them tall, puffy, and spongy, perfect for soaking in your favorite syrup or filling with whatever you like best. Let’s get ready to flood the kitchen with a scent that will make everyone crazy!
The recipe I tried is from Vittorio of Viva la Focaccia, very simple to prepare.
Let’s see the ingredients for this recipe.
However, you can also prepare muffins and have them ready in the morning. Here are some recipes:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Affordable
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients for Butter-Free Pancakes
- 1 1/4 cups All-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons Sugar (Level)
- 1/4 cup Sunflower oil (or vegetable)
- 1 pinch Salt
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Baking powder (12g)
- 1 Egg
- 1 cup Milk
Tools
- 1 Mixer Electric
- 1 Flat Griddle
- 1 Spatula
How to Make Pancakes without Butter
Liquids in Action: In a large bowl, crack the egg and add the milk. Beat well with a manual or electric whisk until you achieve a smooth mixture.
Why? Mixing the liquids first helps to dissolve the sugar better and distribute the oil, creating a uniform base for the batter.
Sweetness and Flavor: Add the sugar and salt, stirring again to dissolve the sugar.
Lightening Oil: Pour the sunflower oil into the mixture and mix well.
Why? The oil, instead of butter, makes the pancakes lighter and keeps them soft without weighing them down.
Magic Powders: Sift the all-purpose flour and baking powder directly into the liquid mixture. IT’S CRUCIAL! Mix very little but decisively with a hand whisk or spatula. You just need to incorporate the flour into the liquid ingredients.
Don’t worry if you see small lumps: it’s completely normal and is actually the secret to having super fluffy and not “rubbery” pancakes! Overmixing would develop gluten, making the pancakes tough.
Extra Tip: If you like, you can also add vanilla or grated lemon zest here for a delightful aroma.Heat the Pan: Place a non-stick pan on medium heat. It’s crucial that the pan is hot but not smoking. A good indicator is around 392°F, but you can test it easily.
Lightly Grease: Grease the pan with a tiny bit of oil (you can use a paper towel dipped in oil to spread it evenly and remove excess).
The Drop Test: To ensure the temperature is perfect, pour a small amount of batter into the pan. If bubbles form immediately on the surface and the pancake starts to color, it’s ready!
Pour the Batter: With a ladle, pour a portion of batter into the hot pan. Adjust the amount according to the desired size of your pancakes.
Wait for Bubbles: Let it cook without touching. You’ll see bubbles forming on the surface, which will then pop. This is the sign the pancake is ready to be flipped!
Why? The bubbles indicate the baking powder is doing its job and the pancake is puffing up nicely.
Flip and Cook: When the pancake is full of bubbles and the edges are slightly dry, gently flip it with a spatula and cook for another 30-40 seconds on the other side until golden.
Continue Cooking: Proceed the same way with the rest of the batter. If the pan becomes too hot, slightly lower the heat to prevent the next pancakes from browning too quickly.Serve Hot: Pancakes are best enjoyed fresh! Stack them onto a plate.
Unleash Creativity: Serve your fluffy pancakes without butter with your favorite toppings: Maple Syrup 🥞 (a classic that never disappoints!)
Hazelnut Cream 🍫 (Nutella or your favorite spread)
Jam or honey 🍯
Fresh Fruit 🍓🍌 (strawberries, blueberries, sliced bananas…)
For an extra touch, add whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar!
If you want to make delicious pancakes without complicating your life, putting all the ingredients in the bowl and using a stick blender is certainly a practical and quick solution without dirtying too many dishes, and you can see it HERE–> Quick pancakes recipe. However, if you’re looking for a lighter and airier texture, try separating the dry ingredients from the liquid ones and combining them gently.
Whatever method you choose, the result will always be irresistible: soft, fragrant pancakes perfect for a delightful breakfast. Now you just have to try them and personalize them with your favorite toppings! 🍯🥞
Tricks for Perfect Pancakes
The Rest of the Batter: If you have time, let the batter rest for 10-15 minutes at room temperature before cooking. This will help the baking powder work better and make the pancakes even taller and fluffier.
Lump-Free Batter (But Not Too Much!): Remember, you shouldn’t mix the batter too much! If you see small lumps of flour, don’t worry, they will dissolve during cooking, and your pancakes will still be perfect.
Perfect Height: Don’t press down on the pancakes in the pan when you flip them! Let them rise on their own, that’s the secret to their fluffiness.
Extra Flavor: Besides orange or lemon zest, you can enrich the batter with a pinch of cinnamon powder or directly add delicious chocolate chips or fresh blueberries to the batter before cooking.
The Rest of the Batter: If you have time, let the batter rest for 10-15 minutes at room temperature before cooking. This will help the baking powder work better and make the pancakes even taller and fluffier.
Lump-Free Batter (But Not Too Much!): Remember, you shouldn’t mix the batter too much! If you see small lumps of flour, don’t worry, they will dissolve during cooking, and your pancakes will still be perfect.
Perfect Height: Don’t press down on the pancakes in the pan when you flip them! Let them rise on their own, that’s the secret to their fluffiness.
Extra Flavor: Besides orange or lemon zest, you can enrich the batter with a pinch of cinnamon powder or directly add delicious chocolate chips or fresh blueberries to the batter before cooking.
Variations
Don’t limit yourself to the basic recipe; the possibilities are endless!
Cocoa Pancakes: Replace 20 g of flour with 20 g of unsweetened cocoa powder for chocolate pancakes.
Whole Wheat Pancakes: You can replace part of the all-purpose flour (e.g., 80 g) with whole wheat flour for a more rustic and fiber-rich version. The batter may be slightly thicker, so add a tablespoon of milk if necessary.
Vegan Pancakes: Replace the egg with 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water (let it rest for 5 minutes), and replace cow’s milk with plant-based milk (soy, oat, almond).
Ricotta Pancakes: Add 80-100 g of fresh ricotta to the batter for even moister and more protein-rich pancakes.
FAQ – Pancakes
Can I Make Pancakes Without Milk?
Absolutely yes! You can replace cow’s milk with any plant-based beverage (such as soy, almond, oat, or rice milk) in the same amount.
How to Get Taller Pancakes?
The tricks are two: don’t overmix the batter (leaving some small lumps is okay!) and don’t press down on the pancakes in the pan when you flip them. Let them rise naturally. A short rest of the batter for 10 minutes before cooking can also help.
Can I Prepare Them in Advance?
It’s not ideal to prepare the batter too far in advance because the baking powder starts activating as soon as it comes into contact with liquids, losing some of its strength over time. I recommend preparing the batter and cooking the pancakes within 30 minutes.
How Do I Store Cooked Pancakes?
Once cooled, cooked pancakes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. To reheat them, you can use a pan (a few seconds per side) or the microwave.
Can I Freeze Pancakes?
Of course! They are perfect for freezing. Once cooled, separate pancakes with parchment paper sheets and place them in a freezer bag. They will keep for up to 1 month. To thaw, place them in the microwave or a hot pan directly from the freezer.
And here we are at the end of this delicious adventure! I hope you enjoyed my recipe for easy and fluffy pancakes without butter. You discovered it’s possible to enjoy a light and delicious dessert without sacrificing taste and softness.
Now that you have all the secrets to make perfect pancakes, all that’s left is to get to work and delight yourself and your loved ones. They are ideal for a family breakfast, a brunch with friends, or simply to treat yourself to a moment of pure pleasure.
What topping will you use for your pancakes? Let me know in the comments how your pancakes turned out! Have fun in the kitchen!
