Perfect Pancake Recipes

Hot off the griddle, thick, fluffy, crispy on the outside, cloud-like on the inside, stuffed with bananas, sprinkled with chocolate chips, loaded with blueberries, or drowned in sweet cane syrup. No matter how you like your homemade pancakes, our favorite pancake recipes has a fluffy pancake recipe perfect for you. There’s something about waking up early on a Saturday morning, slowly heating up a griddle to the perfect pancake temperature, and filling your house with the smell of fluffy pancakes hot off the stove. Here are some of our best pancake recipes to make your breakfasts (or brunches!) a little sweeter. From unique pancake recipes with sophisticated toppings, like creamy ricotta cheese, rich brown butter, and fresh and sweet blueberry compote drizzle, to classic fluffy pancakes that are so light they’ll make your heart float away. For a traditional twist, try our truly Southern homemade pancake recipe with chocolate chips and toasted pecans. These decadent perfect pancake recipes are certainly company-worthy. But you may not want to share.

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Ricotta Pancakes with Brown Butter-Maple Syrup and Blueberry Compote

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Ricotta Pancakes with Brown Butter-Maple Syrup and Blueberry Compote

"Pancakes were a Saturday staple for us growing up. I elevated these a bit by using ricotta for a fluffier, richer pancake. I also infused the syrup with nutty brown butter." - Chef John Hall

These light and fluffy pancakes are great on their own, but even better when they're topped with our Brown Butter-Maple Syrup (recipe at bottom of pancakes recipe) and Blueberry Compote.

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The Original "Pam-Cakes"

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: The Original "Pam-Cakes"

Some people toast special occasions with Champagne, but here at Southern Living, we often celebrate with "Pam-cakes." Developed by our Test Kitchen's Pam Lolley, these flapjacks are deceptively light, unbelievably fluffy, and impossible to resist.

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Chocolate Chip-Toasted Pecan Pancakes

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Chocolate Chip-Toasted Pecan Pancakes

Add a generous dollop of whipped cream for an unexpected dessert.

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Apple-Spice Pancakes

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Apple-Spice Pancakes

Save leftover Apple Cider Syrup for drizzling over vanilla ice cream.

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Hummingbird Pancakes

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Hummingbird Pancakes

Wake up and smell the pancakes! These perfect pancake recipes offer delicious variations on a classic breakfast meal.

The South's favorite cake takes a breakfast turn as Hummingbird Pancakes. The cream cheese frosting is transformed into a lip-smacking Cream Cheese Anglaise to drizzle on top.

Watch: Hummingbird Pancakes

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Sweet Peach Pancakes

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Sweet Peach Pancakes

The sweetness of the peaches combined with the natural sweetness of the cornmeal makes for a delicious morning. A well-seasoned griddle or skillet won't need much butter and oil; use only as much as you need to keep the pancakes from sticking.

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Italian Cream Pancakes

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Italian Cream Pancakes

Toasted pecans add a gratifying bite to this light breakfast treat. Top it off with rich and delicious Cream Cheese Syrup.

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German Chocolate Pancakes

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: German Chocolate Pancakes

We couldn't put down these light and fluffy cakes. The German Chocolate Syrup is a looser variation of the classic frosting, but just as decadent.

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Caramel Cake Pancakes

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Caramel Cake Pancakes

If you're a fan of caramel cake, then you'll love our Caramel Cake Pancakes. We complete these over-the-top pancakes with Caramel Syrup.

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Carrot Cake Pancakes

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Carrot Cake Pancakes

Use the small holes of a box grater to finely grate the carrots by hand; if you use a food processor, the carrots will be too wet, making the pancakes dense and less tender.

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Pam-Cakes With Buttered Honey Syrup

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Pam-Cakes With Buttered Honey Syrup

These fluffly buttermilk pancakes are named after their creator, Test Kitchen Pro Pam Lolley. Drench them in honey syrup and top off the meal with bacon and fresh fruit.

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Pecan Pancake with Caramel-Apple Topping

Photo: Luca Trovato

Recipe: Pecan Pancake with Caramel-Apple Topping

Instead of individual pancakes, consider whipping up the jelly-roll pan-baked Pecan Pancake with Caramel-Apple Topping. This pancake is the perfect solution when servings 6 or more people. The Caramel-Apple Topping would be good over ice cream, too.

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Red Velvet Pancakes

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Red Velvet Pancakes

The Loveless Café, Nashville's famous down-home spot, is best known for biscuits, but we love its festive pancakes. Top them with a decadent Sweet Cream-Cheese Butter.

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Buttermilk-Pear Pancakes

Photo: Charles Walton IV

Recipe: Buttermilk-Pear Pancakes

These delicious pancakes are light too! Serve with Fresh Pear-Cinnamon Topping for a tasty finish.

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Pecan Pancakes

Photo: Van Chaplin

Recipe: Pecan Pancakes

This breakfast favorite is quick and easy, not to mention super tasty. We prefer the hearty thickness of these pancakes. If you like yours thinner, add up to 2/3 cup additional milk to batter.

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Brunch Popover Pancake

Cast Iron Skillet Recipes: Popover Pancake

Photo: J. Savage Gibson; Styling: Leslie Byars Simpson

Recipe: Brunch Popover Pancake

Complete with fruit and the "pancake," this recipe needs little else served with it. If you want a heavier meal, consider serving it with scrambled eggs and bacon or thinly sliced ham.

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Perfect Pancake Recipes

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Ricotta Pancakes with Brown Butter-Maple Syrup and Blueberry Compote