How to Eat Pancakes

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: January 18, 2022 Tested

A stack of hot and freshly baked pancakes dripping with syrup may seem like a modern-day treat, but the pancake has actually been around for thousands of years, and has always been a popular way to consume cereal grains. Pancakes are thin, round cakes made from a flour-based batter, and are often cooked in some oil in a stove-top pan. There are many ways to prepare them and a variety of ingredients that can go into or onto them, but if you were to order pancakes at a restaurant, you'll most likely get a stack of pancakes that are slightly sweet and meant to be eaten with fruit or syrup. However, pancakes can also be stuffed or rolled, and can be eaten with many different kinds of toppings, and figuring out your favorite way to eat them is deliciously fun!

Ingredients

Basic Pancakes

1 cup flour
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 pinch salt
1 cup non-dairy or dairy milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing Pancakes

1
Heat some oil in a pan. Pour a teaspoon of vegetable oil into a clean frying pan and heat it on medium heat. Popular vegetable oils for frying include soy, coconut, or canola. Avoid olive, peanut, or sesame oil for pancakes, as these oils have very strong flavors.
- Oil is optional for cooking pancakes, especially if you are using a non-stick pan.
2
Combine your dry ingredients. Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.^{[1]
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3
Mix in the wet ingredients. Pour in the milk and oil. Whisk the mixture until the ingredients are incorporated, but don't worry about a few lumps. Overmixing can actually make your pancakes chewy when you want them fluffy.^{[2]
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Research source} This basic pancake batter is ready to cook now, but it can also be spruced up! According to your taste, you can also add things like:
- Fresh fruit, such as blueberries and banana chunks
- Dried fruit, such as raisins and cranberries
- Chocolate chips
- Nuts and seeds
4
Cook your pancakes. Pour a small amount of batter into the center of the frying pan. For larger pancakes, use about one-third to one-half cup of batter per pancake. For smaller pancakes, use one-eighth to a quarter-cup of batter. For small, silver dollar pancakes, use one tablespoon of batter per pancake.
5
Flip your pancakes. When the center of your pancake batter is full of bubbles that are starting to burst, the pancake is ready to flip. Continue cooking on the other side for one to two minutes, until it’s golden brown.
- To keep your pancakes warm, keep them in a warming drawer, cover them with foil, or place them on a baking sheet and kept warm in an oven on its lowest heat.
6
Add more oil and repeat. Repeat this process until all the batter is gone and the pancakes are all cooked. Add a splash of oil before adding new batter.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Eating a Stack of Pancakes

1
Stack your pancakes. On a medium or large plate, stack three large pancakes (or four smaller ones) on top of each other. You can also make two stacks of three silver dollar pancakes.
- To add toppings between each layer of pancakes, simply top your first pancake according to your preference before stacking another one on it and topping it.
- Pancakes can be served and eaten one at a time instead of as a stack.
2
Add traditional toppings. A popular way of eating pancakes is by spreading butter on the top pancake and then pouring syrup all over the stack. Instead of butter you can also use coconut oil, margarine, or nut butter. Some of the most common syrups to use are maple, corn, or pancake syrup. You can also use honey, agave nectar, or rice syrups.
- You can also add your favorite toppings between the layers of pancakes if you like.
3
Avoid soggy pancakes. Pouring syrup all over the entire stack of pancakes can result in soggy pancakes. Some people don't mind the texture, but if it bothers you, fill a small bowl with syrup instead of drizzling it all over your pancakes.
- When you are ready to eat, use your fork to dip individual bites of pancake into the syrup.
- If there are several people eating, make sure everyone gets an individual bowl of syrup.
4
Experiment with other toppings. There are many things you can put on your pancakes if you choose. Many people like fruit on their pancakes, in the form of fresh fruit, compote, or jam. You can also add nuts, seeds, or dried fruit for some added nutritional benefits. And then there are the sweet toppings like whipped cream, chocolate chips, and chocolate syrup. Pancakes are a very personal thing, and everyone likes them prepared differently!
5
Cut your pancakes with a knife and fork. Because your pancakes are stacked and every bite will include several layers of pancake, you want to cut them up into small pieces. Starting at the edge of your pancakes, pierce the layers of pancakes with your fork and hold the stack in place. Use a knife to cut through the layers of pancakes surrounding your fork and cut off a bite.
- If you are dipping your pancakes into syrup, dip each forkful into the syrup and let the excess drain off over the bowl.
6
Eat and enjoy! When you’ve cut off a small bite, use your fork to lift your pancakes. Hold the forkful over your plate for a moment to allow excess syrup or toppings to fall back onto your plate. Once you've got the pancakes in your mouth and the fork's out of the way, be sure to chew thoroughly before swallowing.
- Chew soft foods about 10 times before swallowing, and harder foods (like nuts) up to 30 times.^{[3]
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- To keep your pancakes in their stacked form, only cut off one bite at a time.
- Use a napkin to wipe away any food or syrup from around your mouth.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Eating Stuffed Pancakes

1
Prepare your pancakes. For stuffing and rolling pancakes, you’ll need a larger, thinner pancake that’s more like a French crepe. Thin out the batter by adding an extra quarter-cup to half-cup of water so the batter runs easily. Pour one-third to one-half cup of batter (per pancake) into the hot frying pan. Cook as before.
- For a sweeter, dessert-style crepe, add about two tablespoons (30 grams) of sugar to the batter.^{[4]
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2
Get your stuffing and topping ingredients ready. Stuffed pancakes can be made sweet or savory, and make a great breakfast or dinner food. Sweet pancakes can be stuffed with fruit (popular choices are banana, strawberry, and blueberry), whipped cream, nut butters, chocolate or caramel sauce, or any other toppings you’d put on regular pancakes. For savory pancakes, try stuffing them with:
- Cooked meat or tofu
- Sautéed vegetables, such as mushrooms, onions, and asparagus
- Cheese
- Cooked potato filling
3
Stuff your pancakes. Lay a single pancake on a plate. Take one-quarter to one-half cup of stuffing and spread it out in a line in the center of the pancake. Use your hands to roll one side of the pancake over to envelop the stuffing. Tuck the stuffing into the pancake pocket you created when you rolled it over, and continue rolling up the rest of the pancake.
- Alternatively, you could fold the crepe-style pancake instead of rolling it.
4
Top your pancake. Place the pancake on the serving plate with the seam underneath (against the plate). Top your pancake with the desired toppings. For sweet pancakes, use butter, syrup, or any other topping you’d put on regular pancakes. For savory pancakes, try toppings like:
- Gravy
- Grated cheese
- Hollandaise sauce
- Hot sauce or barbeque sauce
5
Eat and enjoy! Start at one end and cut off a single bite at a time. Use your napkin to clean up any excess food around your mouth as you eat.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I eat the pancake?

Community Answer

You could eat it flat out and cut it with a knife or use your hands. You could also roll it up and cut it into little roll pieces with a knife, fork, etc.
Question

Can I use something other than baking powder in my pancakes?

Community Answer

You could use baking soda, but it won’t be as fluffy and might be a bit grainy. Baking powder is the best to use, and you can find it at any grocery store.
Question

How do I add banana to the pancakes?

Community Answer

Try the methods in Make Banana Pancakes .