If you want a quick, delicious breakfast, these buttermilk pancakes are exactly what you need. Fluffy, tender, and simple to make, they’re perfect any morning.

I love breakfast—savory or sweet—and pancakes have always been a favorite. These buttermilk pancakes are a go-to for busy mornings or leisurely weekends. They’re easy to prepare, feed a crowd, and strike a lovely balance of flavor and texture.
Top them with butter and syrup, pair with your favorite sides, and you’ve got a classic breakfast that everyone will enjoy. The batter produces light, airy pancakes with a tender crumb—exactly what I look for in a great pancake.
If you’re hunting for a reliable pancake recipe, these buttermilk pancakes should be at the top of your list. They’re forgiving, adaptable, and consistently delicious.
Some other breakfast recipes you might like: Homemade Breakfast Sausage, Cinnamon Roll Buns, and Cherry Danish.

Why this recipe works
- Simple to customize with mix-ins or toppings.
- Light, fluffy texture with a tender bite.
- Easy to double or triple for a larger crowd.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Granulated sugar
- Buttermilk
- Egg
- Unsalted butter
- Vanilla extract

How to make the best buttermilk pancakes
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar until evenly combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir gently until combined. Do not overmix—some small lumps are fine. If the batter seems too thick, add 1 tablespoon more buttermilk. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes.
- Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and spray or lightly grease it.
- Scoop about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto the hot surface and spread gently to an even round.
- Cook until bubbles form and begin to pop on the surface, about 3–4 minutes, then flip and cook until golden on the second side. Repeat with remaining batter.
- Serve warm with butter and syrup, or your favorite toppings.

Customization ideas
This recipe is a great base for variations: fold in chocolate chips, fresh or frozen blueberries, diced strawberries, or chopped nuts. For toppings, try whipped cream, fruit compote, chocolate or caramel sauce, or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.
Is buttermilk necessary?
Buttermilk gives these pancakes their tender crumb and slight tang, so it’s recommended. If you don’t have buttermilk, use regular milk and reduce the amount by about 1 tablespoon to keep batter consistency similar.
Can I change pancake size?
Yes. Make smaller silver-dollar pancakes or larger ones—adjust cooking time accordingly and watch for bubbles on the surface as an indicator to flip. Smaller pancakes yield more servings from the same batter.

Storage
Store pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To freeze, layer pancakes with parchment between them in a freezer bag or container; they keep for about 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave or toaster.
Tips and tricks
- Do not overmix the batter; a few lumps are fine and help keep pancakes tender.
- Add-ins like fruit or chocolate should be folded in gently to avoid weighing the batter down.
- Adjust size and cooking time to make silver-dollar or larger pancakes.
- Double the recipe easily to serve a crowd.
- You can make quick homemade buttermilk by adding 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.

These buttermilk pancakes deliver a classic breakfast—hearty, tasty, and easy to make. They’re a dependable recipe to keep in your morning rotation.
If you like this recipe you might also like:
- Sheet Pan Pancakes
- Ricotta Pancakes
- Strawberry Oatmeal Pancakes
If you try THE BEST BUTTERMILK PANCAKES, share how they turned out in the comments. Enjoy!

The Best Buttermilk Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cups buttermilk
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl add the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
- Whisk together until combined.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir it together until combined; do not overmix. If the batter seems thick, add another tablespoon of buttermilk. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes.
- Place a nonstick skillet on the stovetop over medium heat and spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Scoop about 1/4 cup of batter onto the skillet and gently spread it out.
- Cook 3–4 minutes per side, until bubbles form and burst, then flip and cook until golden brown. Repeat with remaining batter.
- Serve with butter and syrup and enjoy!
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter; some lumps are okay.
- Add-ins like fruit, chocolate, or nuts can be mixed into the batter for variety.
- Adjust pancake size to make more or fewer servings.
- Double the recipe to serve a larger group.
- To make a quick buttermilk substitute: add 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk and let it sit 5 minutes.
Nutrition
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