How to make pancakes | Food and Cooking

Pancakes, a staple breakfast food in cultures around the world are all a little different, depending on where they’re from — from French crepes to potato latkes to American-style flapjacks. And the best pancakes are those that come fresh off the griddle. While it might be tempting to go for a box mix, making homemade pancakes from scratch is easier than you might expect, even in a pinch.

Keep reading for a basic buttermilk pancake recipe and a few tips and tricks for perfectly light and fluffy pancakes every time — plus some seasonal additions and variations.

A basic pancake or flapjack recipe includes just a few simple pantry ingredients you probably have lying around — flour, baking powder and salt — plus eggs and buttermilk or milk. And there are all sorts of variations and substitutions available to adjust the recipe to fit what you might already have. If you don’t have buttermilk, for example, you can easily substitute whole or nut milk — or make homemade buttermilk by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to enough milk to measure one cup.

There are a huge number of recipes for American-style pancakes out there, each of which will produce a delicious batch. This recipe is one of the simplest recipes you can make because all of the ingredients are combined in a single bowl and the simple flavor profile and technique make it prime for flavorful varieties.