Gluten-Free Fluffy Pancakes
Okay, let's get cooking! I'm so excited to share one of my absolute favorite breakfast recipes with you—something that's not only ridiculously delicious but also completely gluten-free. I know, finding good gluten-free options can sometimes feel like a treasure hunt, right? But trust me on this one, this recipe is a keeper. It's for fluffy, golden brown gluten-free pancakes that even my non-gf friends rave about.
I actually stumbled upon this recipe during a particularly chaotic week. I was feeling a bit run-down, and all I craved was a comforting, home-cooked breakfast. But between work and everything else, I barely had time to even think about it. I was determined though, so I experimented and this is what I came up with; a recipe that's easy, quick, and guaranteed to make your morning a whole lot brighter. It's become a weekend staple in my house, and I'm confident it will in yours too! Ready to get started?
The Easiest Gluten-Free Pancakes (You'll Actually Love!)
Recipe Card
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (make sure it contains xanthan gum or add ½ teaspoon if your blend doesn't have it)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, plus more for the griddle
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional but highly recommended: Lemon zest from half a lemon for a touch of brightness (totally makes it next-level!)
Please note: If you need to ensure that the recipe is dairy free, use plant-based milk and a plant-based spread instead of melted butter.
Instructions:
- Whisk the Dry Stuff: In a large mixing bowl, grab that whisk and combine the gluten-free flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk it all together until everything's evenly combined. This is a crucial step, so don't rush it. It ensures that your leavening agents (baking powder and soda!) are distributed evenly for peak fluffiness.
- Combine the Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. If you're going for that lemon zest kick, now's the time to add it in! The lemon zest will make this pancake recipe sing, if you like lemons, that is!
- The Grand Combination: Gently pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Now, this is important: mix until *just* combined. Don't overmix! Lumps are totally fine; in fact, a few lumps actually contribute to a lighter, fluffier pancake. Overmixing can lead to a tougher pancake, and nobody wants that!
- Let the Batter Rest: Let the batter sit for about 5-10 minutes. This allows the gluten-free flour to fully hydrate and the mixture to thicken slightly. This short wait is worth it; you'll have noticed that after this step the batter is thicker and will make better pancakes!
- Heat the Griddle: While the batter is resting, heat up your favorite griddle or a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a tiny bit of butter or a spray of cooking oil to prevent your pancakes from sticking. I personally love using a cast iron skillet for even heat distribution (plus it just looks cool!).
- Cook the Pancakes: Pour about ¼ cup of batter onto the hot griddle for each pancake. Cook each pancake for around 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown with bubbles forming on the surface. Flip once the edges look set and the bottom is golden, using a spatula. If the pancakes are browning too quickly, simply lower the heat a smidge. A good pancake will be soft and beautiful looking.
- Serve it up: Carefully stack up the cooked pancakes and serve warm with your favorite toppings like fresh fruit, maple syrup, whipped cream; get creative. These pancakes are incredibly tasty on their own as well, so don't worry if you do not have any toppings ready!
For the mix you can use a kitchen aid stand mixer to expedite the process.
Tips & Tricks for Pancake Perfection:
- Spice it Up: Feel free to experiment with different extracts. A little almond extract or a dash of cinnamon can give these pancakes a unique twist.
- Berry Good: Add some fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, or chopped strawberries to the batter right before cooking. It adds a burst of fruity goodness!
- Chocolate Lover? Mini chocolate chips sprinkled into the batter can transform these pancakes into an absolute chocolate feast.
- Yogurt Addition: Instead of milk you can use greek yogurt and water to get a thick and fluffy consistency, about half of half.
- Toppings Galore: Don't be afraid to let your creativity run wild. Think Nutella, honey, peanut butter, sliced bananas, or even a sprinkle of powdered sugar. The possibilities are endless!
- Make it Vegan: Easily make it a vegan recipe by swapping the eggs for two tablespoons of flax meal mixed with six tablespoons of water, set aside for 5 minutes, and replace melted butter for plant based butter.
- Batch Baking: These pancakes freeze wonderfully! Simply let them cool completely, stack them with parchment paper between each, and store in a freezer bag. When you're ready to indulge, just pop them in the toaster or microwave to warm up.
Recipe Card
Yields: Approximately 8 medium-sized pancakes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (with xanthan gum)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, plus more for the griddle
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Lemon zest from half of a lemon (optional)
Instructions:
- Whisk dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Whisk wet ingredients in another bowl.
- Combine wet into dry until just mixed. Let batter rest 5-10 minutes.
- Heat griddle, add butter or oil, then pour 1/4 cup of batter per pancake.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown.
- Serve warm with your favorite toppings.
And that's it! These gluten-free pancakes are not only incredibly easy to make but also incredibly tasty. They're the perfect way to start a relaxing weekend or to brighten up any weekday morning. I genuinely hope you love them as much as I do! Let me know in the comments if you give them a try, and what your favorite toppings are! Happy cooking!
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