These 23 Pancake Recipes Take Breakfast to a Whole New Level

There's nothing better than starting a holiday or birthday celebration with a fabulous breakfast. You'll definitely want to keep this collection of mouthwatering pancake recipes handy to make every member of your family happy.

Are pancakes healthy?

If you load your meal down with maple syrup and whipped cream, pancakes aren’t the healthiest breakfast choice. But they can be good for you, especially if you choose to eat whole-grain pancakes. Both buttermilk pancakes and whole-wheat offer a boost of energy from the carbs, plus an added punch of iron and calcium.

How to make pancakes fluffier

Fluffy pancakes have one simple secret: egg whites. Separate your eggs before you start. Then mix the egg yolks in the bulk of the ingredients and wait for the very end to fold in your egg whites. Only mix them in just enough to get a thick batter—otherwise, it won’t work.

Related: How To Make Perfect, Fluffy, Golden Pancakes Every Single Time

When to flip pancakes

Pancakes are ready to flip when you see bubbles on the visible surface that then pop and stay holes. You’ll also see the edges of the pancakes start to form. Depending on the size of your pancakes, it should take just a few minutes to get to the flipping point.

How to reheat pancakes

It’s the breakfast so nice, you’ll want to eat it twice. Reheating pancakes is easy—and you’ve got a few options.

Treat your pancakes like toast

Take your cold pancakes out of the fridge and pop one in each toaster slot. Just make sure they don’t burn!

Heat them up in your oven

Bake at 350 until they’re warm, which should take about 10 minutes.

Refry pancakes on the stove

Butter a skillet, plop down a cold pancake, and heat it on low while flipping until it’s heated through.

Use the microwave as a last resort

It should only take about 30 seconds to a minute to heat up a pancake, depending on the strength of your microwave. But it’s easy to overcook them and end up with a tough breakfast.

Related: Stuffed Waffle Recipes That Redefine the Meaning of Sandwich

Does pancake mix go bad?

We’ve all heard the urban legend that expired pancake mix can kill you. But it’s a legend for a reason: It’s not true. Your pancake mix will have an expiration date on it, but use it as a guide, not a rule. You should be able to stretch it out a few months after that date, regardless of whether the box is open or not. But keep your eyes open for any changes to the mix, like the appearance of mold or funny colors, unexpected clumping, or any gnats floating around.

Can you freeze pancakes?

You can absolutely freeze pancakes. They’re a great option for meal prep because they reheat so easily. Store them in the freezer between layers of wax paper and tightly sealed in an airtight container. Don’t let them freeze for more than a couple of months if you want the best outcome. When you reheat them, use any of the methods above. Don’t worry about defrosting them first; it’s not necessary.

Related: Foolproof Sheet Pan Breakfasts

Can you save pancake batter?

If you have extra batter left from your pancake recipe, pop it into an airtight container and store it in the fridge or freezer. For the fridge, don’t keep it in there more than four days. But overnight is actually a good idea—some pancake batters work better when they’ve been chilled for a bit. You can keep extra batter in the freezer for up to a couple months, and defrost it in the fridge when you’re ready to use it.

How long do pancakes last in the fridge?

Pancakes should last a few days in the fridge as long as they’re stored in an airtight container. After the first few days, the quality will begin to suffer—so eat them pretty quick!

Best sweet pancake add-ins and toppings:

Whether you top your stack of pancakes with powdered sugar, maple syrup or fruit, it is one delicious way to start the day. These are some ideas of ingredients you can stir into your pancake batter to up the flavor—or sprinkle on top.

  • blueberries

  • raspberries

  • blackberries

  • chocolate chips

  • sprinkles

  • shredded coconut

  • nuts

  • cinnamon

  • marshmallows

When is National Pancake Day?

Bust out those pancake recipes on September 26 and celebrate National Pancake Day! According to the National Day Calendar, the holiday began in 2005 when two friends wanted an excuse to eat pancakes and waffles. September has the official day, but another one often happens around Fat Tuesday. You’ll know it’s the right time because that’s IHOP’s National Pancake Day celebration, where you can get a free shortstack.

Easy Pancake Recipes

Featuring a range of delicious flavors, each of these pancake recipes offers something to love. Get ready to bookmark your new favorite go-to weekend brunch recipe.

<p>CALLIE BLOUNT</p>

CALLIE BLOUNT

<p>Chad A Elick</p>

Chad A Elick

<p>MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY TERESA BLACKBURN</p>

MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY TERESA BLACKBURN

<p>Simple Mills</p>

Simple Mills

<p>Jon Ashton</p>

Jon Ashton

<p>iStock</p>

iStock

<p>Recipe Girl</p>

Recipe Girl

<p>Lucy Schaeffer</p>

Lucy Schaeffer

<p>Photo: flickr</p>

Photo: flickr

<p>Jenny Huang</p>

Jenny Huang

<p>Photo by: gimmefood:) via Flickr</p>

Photo by: gimmefood:) via Flickr

<p>Photo: flickr</p>

Photo: flickr

<p>Shea Goldstein</p>

Shea Goldstein

<p>Timothy Devine</p>

Timothy Devine

<p>Patrick Onofre Photography</p>

Patrick Onofre Photography

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