How To: Make Pancakes

In a medium-size mixing bowl or large glass measuring cup, whisk together your dry ingredients (or follow directions for premade pancake mix).

In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients (milk, eggs, vegetable oil, or melted butter) until the egg is broken up (this will prevent overmixing in the next step).

Add the wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir them together until you stop seeing flour. Remember to not overmix, which makes the batter tough.

Tip: Keep a few lumps in your batter to keep the pancakes tender.

Turn your stove to medium-high heat and place a large skillet or griddle on the burner.

Tip: To test for temperature, sprinkle a few drops of water on the pan. It’s hot enough when the droplets bubble up and evaporate.

Moisten a paper towel with vegetable oil and use it to lightly wipe the bottom of the pan. This will keep the pancakes from sticking.

Related: Cleaning and Seasoning a Cast-Iron Skillet

For each pancake, gently pour 1/3 to 1/2 cup of batter into the pan, using a ladle or a measuring cup. Use a spoon to spread the batter into a circle.

Tip: Add pancake fillings, like bananas or sliced peaches, in the circles of batter.

Once bubbles begin to pop in the pancake’s center, it’s ready to be turned. Insert the entire spatula under the pancake’s middle. Lift the pancake quickly about an inch off the pan’s surface and flip it over.

Tip: If you’re making pancakes for a large crowd, place them on a wire rack over a baking sheet (to prevent sogginess), and keep pancakes in the oven on low heat (approximately 200 degrees F to 225 degrees F) until you’re ready to serve.