My Favourite Easy Pancake Recipes and toppings
In todays post I thought I would share some easy pancake recipes for you to make at home.
I have loved pancakes right from being little and enjoying pancake day. Back then we just kept it simple with oranges and sugar. The pancakes were more like crepes/English pancakes. Then when I went to Canada for my honeymoon, I first experienced a breakfast with savoury items like bacon with pancakes and syrup (a place called Denny’s – no idea if that still exists or not as a chain) ** edit I have just had a look and not only does it still exits but there is one in Swansea and one in Glasgow!** Back then you wouldn’t have found that as an offering over here – now though you get them everywhere and is something my kids often ask for for a “birthday brekkie” treat.
Another turning point in my “Pancake Journey” (don’t you just love that everything has to be a journey nowadays!!) was going to Centre Parcs Pancake House whilst there to celebrate my 40th Birthday. Literally they had topping combinations I would not have dreamt of. When we both came back we had this dream of owning our own pancake house. I even went to see a business loan company to see if it was feasible. In the end, we just didn’t have the guts to give up the day job to pursue pancake heaven!!
Savoury Pancakes
When researching for this postI didn’t just want sweet pancakes. I love savoury pancakes – in fact I think I prefer them to most sweet versions.
Easy Sweet Potato Pancakes
A sweet-savoury pancake which is a little healthier
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Sweet Potato Peeled cooked and mashed sweet potato
- 1 Cup Plain Flour Can use Oat or Gluten-Free Flour
- 2 tsps Baking Powder
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 Egg
- 1/4 Cup Syrup I used sugar-free from My Protein
- 1/2 Cup Milk Can use Almond or Oat Milk
Instructions
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Peel the Sweet Potatoes and boil them until they are soft – I cut them into small chunks and I think this took around 15 mins. Drain and mash – no butter or anything is required.
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Mix all of the dry ingredients. I used English Measuring Cups which I think are larger than US cups, but as long as you use the same ones throughout you will be ok (ie if you use English ones to measure the flour use the same set for the flour etc)
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Mix wet ingredients together. Then mix the wet into the dry and then incorporate the sweet potato mash.
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Heat oil, butter or a mix of both in a frying pan and make smallish rounds – I could fit three in a pan at once in my pan.
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I served this with Peanut Butter, a little sea salt and syrup – a perfect sweet-savoury combination
Recipe Notes
My photos of this recipe were disappointing as it was nightime so the lighting was rubbish. This is a very forgiving recipe and they were delicious. The sweet potato could be replaced by Pumpkin if you have some of that left over at halloween.
German Potato Pancakes
A quick and easy alternative to normal pancakes
Ingredients
- 8 Potatoes Grated
- 1 White onion Grated or chopped finely
- 2 Eggs
- 2 tbsp Plain Flour
- Salt and Pepper
- Oil for Frying in
Instructions
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Peel and grate the potato – then using a teatowel squeeze as much of the water out of the potato so that they are not too wet. You could put the grated potato in a sieve and put a small plate or bowl on the top and weigh it down to squeeze the liquid out too.
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Grate or finely chop the onion – I tried to grate it but my grater was having none of it and it was a potent onion so it had me in tears in seconds, so I finely chopped it instead.
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Mix everything together in a bowl – get in with your hands and give it a good mix so all of the egg and flour is well incorporated
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Fry in a pan with a bit of oil or butter until they are crispy making sure you cook on both sides.
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I think traditionally these are served with sour cream or apple sauce. I had them with my stew!!
Easy English “Crepe” Pancake Recipes
Basic English Pancake Recipe
Crepe type pancake that is cheap, quick and easy
Ingredients
- 100 g Plain Flour
- 2 Eggs
- 300 ml Skimmed Milk You can use any milk – I just use skimmed as its healthy. I haven't tried milk alternatives but should imagine they would work ok
Instructions
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Weigh out the flour, make a well in the middle and break in the eggs.
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Whisk together adding the milk a little at a time until all incorporated
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Using a ladle or jug pour the batter into a hot frying pan or onto a crepe machine/skillet, move the batter around until you have a think lacy crepe. Turn over when the uncooked side no longer looks wet. Turnover with a spatula or "toss" until you have a nice even colour on both sides
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Serve with whatever topping you fancy savoury
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Or sweet
For the basic pancake/crepes I like lots of different toppings but here are my favourites
- Basic butter and sugar
- Orange/lemon juice and sugar
- Jam
- Cheese and Ham
- Mexican – salsa, cheese, tortilla chips, sour cream
- Italian – mozzarella, tomato and basil
- Pizza – tomato pizza sauce, pepperoni, cheese
- Cheese
- Golden Syrup
- Chocolate and Banana
Easy American pancake Recipe
Basic American Pancake Recipe
This recipe may not be authentic American – I have used the same recipe from an old Dairy Cookbook for years. I have had a look on the website but cannot link to the recipe as it's not listed.
Ingredients
- 450 g Flour
- 8 Tsp Baking Powder
- 4 Tsp Caster Sugar
- 2 Tsp Salt
- 4 Eggs
- 700 Ml Milk I used Skimmed
- 50g Butter Melted – I normally melt it in the pan I am going to be cooking in so it greases the pan at the same time.
- Additional Butter For frying
Instructions
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Put all dry ingredients into a large bowl and mix thoroughly
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Break in the eggs and start to mix in, add the milk and melted butter and mix thoroughly
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Once combined, fry in a frying pan – I prefer butter or margarine for this rather than oil (don't know why – it just tastes better)
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I normally do 3-4 small ones at once. Turn over as soon as the bubbles burst on the uncooked surface of the pancake
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Continue until all batter is used.
Recipe Notes
I have doubled the original recipe as I find you need a stack each so may as well!
Personally, I also prefer to cook all of the batter and freeze the cooked pancakes – the batter can be left in the fridge but it always looks a little “grey”. It can be used after re mixing, but I think its just easier to stick the precooked pancakes in the toaster!
My favorite American toppings
- Bacon and syrup
- Orange juice and sugar
- Fruit and cream
Easy Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes
These are a cross between an American pancake mixed with a cinnamon bun!
Ingredients
- 1 batch American Pancake Batter
Cinnamon Syrup
- 1/4 Block Butter I used Lurpak
- 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1 Tsp Cinnamon
- 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 Cup Water
Instructions
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Make up a batch of the American pancake batter listed on this page!
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Make a portion of the Cinnamon Syrup by, melting the butter and sugar together in a saucepan.
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When melted and combined add the cinnamon, Vanilla extract and water and mix thoroughly
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Simmer for 10 mins
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Put 3 spoons of batter into a frying pan and leave for a few minutes to start to cook through. Just before they "dry" out, swirl some cinnamon syrup into the pancake.
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Cook as normal.
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Serve with either a glaze made by mixing some icing sugar with some milk or a soft cheese topping (mix soft cheese with milk and icing sugar)
Recipe Notes
If you try to add the syrup to early it doesnt swirl into the pancake.
These pancakes can be frozen and either defrosted or put into a toaster frozen to reheat.
Another variation I tried was to stir in a couple of tablespoons of cocoa powder into the batter to make a chocolate pancake. I served this with whipped cream, cherries and chocolate sauce as a “Black Forest Stack”
Here are some pics of my efforts – some of the pics were rubbish because of the lighting, but at least you can see what a real unedited version will look like – and they still tasted good!!
Tomato Mozerella and Basil Cinnamon Swirl with a coffee Making the cinnamon Swirl pancakes Chopped chocolate bar for the top Tinned Cherries Attempt two with the cherries in the pancakes themselves Attempt two when served Attempt one – epic fail Close up – success!
Which Pancake was best
I didn’t try all of the pancakes I made – I am on SW and it was bad enough the ones I did have!! However, I was told that the Cinnamon Swirl and the Black Forest were a huge success. Definitely put the cherries into the actual pancake as it warms them and makes it easier to stack!!
My favourites are the savoury ones – so on the English pancake, I had the mexican with salsa, tortilla chipes and sour cream. On the American I had the Mozzerella, Tomato and Basil.
I love the potato pancakes – these were the German varient but are similar to ones we had in Poland – delicous!!
And the Sweet Potato pancakes – a slightly different texture, not rubbery but definitely not quite as light as a normal pancake. Served with Peanut Butter and syrup and was just delicious.
To help me with my pancake-making I have a crepe machine that is electric – my sister bought it for us for a gift when we were looking at having the pancake house.
Let me know if you try any of my easy pancake recipes or my suggestions for toppings. I would love to know what your favourite toppings are!
Julie x
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One Comment
Kinga K.
Cool pancakes ❤