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Vanilla pancakes are the perfect lazy weekend breakfast! I’ve been making this foolproof recipe for years (ever since I lived abroad without pancake mix). They’re made using only 7 pantry-staple ingredients you probably already have.

A tall stack of thick, fluffy vanilla pancakes cut in half, revealing the soft interior; sliced pancakes, strawberries, butter, and a syrup jar are nearby.
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Any pancake recipe that doesn’t use a store-bought mix is a winner! Even more so if the recipe is so easy that you can make it with your eyes closed. Spoiler alert: these pancakes check both boxes!

These vanilla pancakes are basically the love child of my love for homemade Sunday breakfast combined with my degree in food science. In less than half an hour, you’ll find yourself with ten fluffy, delicious, and tender pancakes!

Recipe Improved

This recipe has been retested and improved since I first published it in 2020 to fix slight flavor issues that some readers have commented on. Thank you everyone for your input. This community wouldn’t be the same without you!

A stack of three fluffy vanilla pancakes topped with a pat of butter, served with whole strawberries on a plate.

Reader rating

★★★★★

“I make these pancakes for my family a lot and we all love them! Thanks for posting this AMAZING recipe!” —Jisoo

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Stack of vanilla pancakes topped with butter and drizzled with syrup, with fresh strawberries placed beside the stack.

Veganize these pancakes

This is one of the easiest dishes to make into a vegan-friendly recipe. Here are the ingredients you’ll have to omit along with ideas for replacements.

  • Milk: Instead of cow’s milk, use the plant-based milk of your choice. Vanilla soy milk would work well, as would almond or oat milk. They can also be plain and unsweetened.
  • Egg: Instead of an egg in this recipe, flax seeds work really well. To replace one egg, mix one tablespoon of flax meal (ground flax seeds) with three tablespoons of hot water.
  • Butter: Simply use the plant-based butter of your choice!
Top-down view of labeled baking ingredients for vanilla pancakes: butter, milk, vanilla, sugar, egg, flour, salt, and baking powder in separate glass bowls on a white surface.

Syrup is the obvious topping choice, but I love these pancakes with rhubarb compote or no-pectin jam!

Better-Than-Bisquick Vanilla Pancakes

4.32 from 48 ratings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 10 pancakes
These fluffy vanilla pancakes are made with just 7 ingredients and 3 simple steps—perfect for a cozy, no-mix-needed weekend breakfast!

Ingredients 

  • 1 ½ cup flour
  • 2 Tbsp white sugar
  • 1 Tbsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 ¼ cup milk, or plant-based milk, like vanilla soy
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 Tbsp butter, or dairy-free alternative
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Instructions 

  • Stir Dry Ingredients: Stir together 1 ½ cup flour, 2 Tbsp white sugar, 1 Tbsp baking powder, and ½ tsp salt in a large bowl.
    A metal whisk rests in a white mixing bowl filled with flour and sugar, ready for making fluffy vanilla pancakes, on a crumpled white surface.
  • Stir Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl whisk 1 ¼ cup milk, 1 large egg, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, melt 4 Tbsp butter in the microwave, then drizzle it into the milk mixture while whisking (it will solidify; that's okay).
    A metal whisk rests in a bowl filled with a light yellow liquid mixture, possibly eggs and milk for vanilla pancakes, on a crumpled white surface.
  • Combine: Add milk mixture to the flour mixture, stirring until mostly combined (some lumps in the batter is okay, do not over stir). Let rest for about 5 minutes to maximize their fluffiness.
    A bowl of thick, pale vanilla pancake batter with a black spatula resting inside, placed on a crumpled white surface.
  • Cook: Lightly grease or butter a large saute pan and set over medium heat. Once hot, spoon in ¼ cup portions of batter, leaving space between each pancake. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until bubbles form on the surface, the edges look set, and the underside is golden brown. Flip and cook another 1 to 2 minutes, until the second side is golden and the pancakes spring back when gently pressed. Adjust heat as needed to keep them from browning too quickly.
    Four golden-brown vanilla pancakes cooking on a gray griddle.
  • Serve: Set oven to 200°F (95°C). Keep cooked pancakes warm by setting on a baking sheet and keeping then in the oven while you finish cooking the rest of the pancakes.
    A stack of thick vanilla pancakes topped with butter, surrounded by strawberries, extra butter cubes, and a small bottle of syrup on a white surface.

Nutrition

Serving: 2pancakes | Calories: 254kcal | Carbohydrates: 35.6g | Protein: 7.1g | Fat: 9.4g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 559mg | Potassium: 393mg | Fiber: 1.1g | Sugar: 5.4g | Calcium: 215mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.

did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!

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4.32 from 48 votes (31 ratings without comment)

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34 Comments

  1. Nanajee Travels says:

    5 stars
    Nothing beats the simplicity of homemade pancakes! Love how this recipe keeps it easy and delicious—7 ingredients and pure comfort on a plate. Perfect for those cozy weekends!