Easy Homemade Buttermilk Pancakes

There’s nothing better than waking up to a stack of easy homemade pancakes. Let me show you just how easy homemade buttermilk pancakes can be with my go-to recipe. 

Everyone needs this recipe for easy homemade pancakes

While there are times I feel like getting fancy, most mornings I just want a really good, basic pancake that I know my family will love. And these easy homemade buttermilk pancakes fit the bill perfectly. 

Plus, they work perfectly with all your favorite toppings as they are a dependably delicious base. 

However, that doesn’t mean that these pancakes are in any way boring. The texture is melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the buttermilk gives the pancakes a distinctive tang. 

Let me show you why this recipe for easy homemade pancakes is one to keep and make over and over again. 

Why I love these homemade buttermilk pancakes

There are so many reasons to love these easy pancakes from scratch: 

• Simple ingredients
• No mystery ingredients like those in store bought mixes
• Making them is easier than running to the store for a box of mix 
• Taste positively delicious with even the simplest of toppings 

Go ahead - start making these easy pancakes from scratch now

And the best part? You probably have all the ingredients in your pantry already. And all you need is a bowl, whisk, and griddle. Talk about easy clean-up! 

Use my homemade pancake mix to save time

The quickest way to make these buttermilk pancakes from scratch is by using my homemade pancake mix. You can easily make the DIY pancake mix ahead of time. 

If you haven’t made your own dry pancake mix yet, trust me when I say it’s a breakfast game-changer. 

All you have to do is combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl, pour into a mason jar, and store in your pantry for whenever those pancake cravings hit. 

Other reasons I love keeping a jar of DIY pancake mix on hand: 

• No need to pull out and measure a bunch of ingredients 
• Makes it easier for kids to help make breakfast 
• Works perfectly as a housewarming or Christmas gift 

I also like how beautiful it looks on my worktop. 

How to make buttermilk pancakes

Making buttermilk pancakes from scratch is easier than you might think. And, it only requires a few ingredients — many of which you likely already have on hand! 

Ingredients for easy buttermilk pancakes

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Vanilla powder
• Sea salt
• Buttermilk
• Egg
• Butter

You can make this ingredient list even shorter by making my DIY pancake mix. That way, you’ll already have all the dry ingredients on hand and mixed together. 

Why do I use vanilla powder in this recipe? 

Made from dried vanilla beans, vanilla powder is my secret ingredient for adding a more concentrated vanilla flavor to buttermilk pancakes. 

I also like how the powder adds specks of vanilla bean in the batter. 

I like this 100% pure vanilla bean powder as it’s made from Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans and will easily add beautiful specks and great vanilla flavor in your pancakes.

While I highly recommend using vanilla powder, you can use ¾ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract instead. 

Making the buttermilk pancakes from scratch

As mentioned earlier, these pancakes are made in just one bowl. 

To make your buttermilk pancakes light and fluffy rather than dense, make sure not to overmix! Making a well to add the wet into the dry helps the ingredients to mix together more efficiently without having to overwork the batter.

Once you have your pancake batter ready to go, simply pour about ¼ cup of batter per pancake onto a lightly greased, preheated skillet. 

You’ll know when it’s time to flip as the edges of the pancakes will look set and the bubbles that have formed on top will start to pop. 

TIP: Use a big sturdy pancake flipper for perfect pancakes every time.

What’s the difference between buttermilk pancakes and regular pancakes

Non-buttermilk pancakes are usually made with just regular milk. As a result, they often have a slightly different texture and taste than buttermilk ones. 

What does buttermilk do in pancakes

Buttermilk is a fermented dairy beverage that adds acidity and flavor. 

You may notice that most buttermilk pancake recipes call for more baking soda than regular ones. This is because the acidity in buttermilk reacts with the baking soda, helping the batter to lift when cooking and creates bubbles inside the pancakes. 

As a result, buttermilk pancakes are usually light, tender, and fluffy. 

My favorite part of homemade buttermilk pancakes though is the slight tangy flavor. 

How to substitute buttermilk in a pinch

Using real buttermilk works best in this easy homemade pancake recipe. 

But, if you find yourself craving pancakes and not wanting to go to the store, you can make a substitute by combining ¼ cup of milk with ¾ cup of regular plain yogurt. Just make sure not to use Greek yogurt as it’s a bit too thick. 

You can also add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk. I often use apple cider vinegar for a lighter taste, but honestly, you can’t really taste the vinegar. 

Get more details on making a buttermilk substitute here. 

These easy homemade pancakes are American style fluffy pancakes

Pancakes come in all shapes and sizes and I love them all! To avoid any confusion though, these easy homemade pancakes are classic American-style pancakes.

If you’re looking for something a little different, I have a variety of pancake recipes on The Worktop to choose from:

• Thin Pancakes (British style)
• Basic French Crepes and Nutella Crepes
• Chinese Pancakes (savory pancakes with scallions)
• Keto Cream Cheese Pancakes (made with almond flour)

Make these easy homemade pancakes a breakfast staple in your home

This easy homemade buttermilk pancake recipe is one that we make over and over again. 

I really hope a stack of these easy buttermilk pancakes makes it on your table soon. It’s definitely a recipe we make when we want pancakes but don’t have time to whip up anything too fancy. 

Any questions? Feel free to ask in the comments below or email tina@theworktop.com.