Ever wanted to know how to make copycat Denny’s fluffy pancake recipe at home? This recipe has everything you need to make these yourself. These are light and fluffy, made with simple pantry ingredients and buttermilk for a rich flavor. Serve with softened butter, warm maple syrup, and berries! These are also freezer friendly, so make an extra batch for busy mornings!
Denny’s serves their new buttermilk pancakes in a variety of way, now you can to from the comfort of your own kitchen!
Highlights of the copycat Denny’s pancakes and why you’ll love them:
- Only 9 ingredients: this recipe only need 9 simple ingredient’s, many of them you probably have in your pantry. Save some money and make this easy recipe at home.
- Light and fluffy texture: just like the restaurant style, these pancakes are airy and fluffy from the buttermilk!
- Toppings of choice: add fresh berries, warmed honey or maple syrup, softened butter, banana, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, peanut butter, or Nutella to your pancakes.
- No Special equipment needed: all you need is a mixing bowl and a skillet or large griddle for cooking – these couldn’t be any more simple to make at home!
- Can be kept in the freezer for several weeks: make an extra batch or two of pancakes, allow them to cool, and store in the freezer for 3-4 months. Simply remove desired pancakes as needed and microwave to reheat. This is perfect for busy mornings!
Fluffy pancakes go great with crispy hash browns, sausage links, turkey bacon, or chicken sausage. Serve these family style for a fun Sunday morning breakfast the whole family will love! You can mix in hemp protein or collagen for the added benefit of extra protein and nutrients!
Ingredients Used & Substitutions:
- All purpose flour: whole wheat flour may be substituted but it will result in a different texture, unlike the restaurants.
- Granulated sugar: adds just the right amount of sweetness to these pancakes. Brown sugar could be used in a pinch.
- Baking soda: no substitute here, make sure your baking soda is fresh and not expired.
- Baking powder: no substitute here, make sure your baking powder is fresh and not expired.
- Kosher salt: could use Himalayan salt or Celtic salt.
- Canola oil: could substitute with vegetable oil, avocado oil, or melted coconut oil (may change the texture).
- Whole eggs: room temperature eggs are the best, egg substitute can be substituted if needed. This recipe will work with just egg yolks if you are sensitive to egg whites.
- Fresh Buttermilk: buttermilk is key in this recipe, using regular dairy milk or non-dairy milk will result in a different texture. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make some with milk and vinegar/lemon juice, ratios can be found online. Give your buttermilk a good shake before using to incorporate the buttermilk solids .
- Vanilla extract: could substitute almond extract or omit if desired, I like a hint of vanilla.
- Toppings: maple syrup, honey, berries, chocolate chips, or any other desired toppings.
How to make Copycat Denny’s Fluffy Pancake Recipes (with step by step instructions):
Quick overview:
- Combine dry ingredients in a small bowl
- In a separate bowl combine wet ingredients
- Combine wet and dry ingredients
- Cook pancakes in a griddle or Dutch oven
- Enjoy with desired toppings
1: Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine.
2: In a separate bowl combine oil, egg, vanilla, and buttermilk.
3: Combine wet and dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
4: Mix until combined, batter will still be slightly lumpy
5: Heat a griddle over medium heat, add in spoonful’s of pancake batter. If needed using cooking spray so the pancakes don’t stick.
6: Cook until golden brown on each side.
Tools I used for Denny’s pancake recipe:
- Rubber Spatula – a must have! Easily combine the pancake batter with a rubber spatula. I like these because they don’t come apart so I don’t have to worry about water getting inside the spatula and causing mold.
- Pyrex Mixing Bowl Set – I love this set of nesting bowls. I use them for everything, Pyrex glass does not break easily so you can trust on these bowls for years, plus they come in 3 useful sizes and can be stacked!
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven – I love this enameled Dutch oven for so many things! It conducts heat evenly, making it perfect for whipping up these homemade pancakes.
Fresh fruit or jam can add a nice pop of color and extra flavor to pancakes! Other toppings like peanut butter, chopped nuts, banana slices, Nutella, honey, or granola also pair well with these Denny’s pancakes. Make these as big or as small as desired, you can even make them into fun shapes for kids to enjoy! These are way better than using boxed pancake mix!
If you like this post on How to make Copycat Denny’s Fluffy Pancake Recipe, you’ll love these other copycat recipes…
Copycat Panera Bread Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Starbucks Iced Shaken Espresso with Oat Milk
Copycat Starbucks Marshmallow Dream Rice Krispies
Panera Bread Buttery Shortbread Cookie Recipe
Easy Copycat Panera Bread Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
Copycat Panera Cranberry Orange Muffins
Serve these copycat dennys pancakes with softened butter, fresh strawberries, raspberries, and warm maple syrup! These pancakes would go great served with this Easy Christmas Morning Breakfast Quiche Recipe, Easy Overnight Baked Pumpkin French Toast Casserole, or Bakery Style Blueberry Muffins! This recipe makes great pancakes every time.
Recipe FAQs:
What makes Denny’s buttermilk pancakes so good?
The secret is buttermilk, used in Denny’s and in this at home recipe. Buttermilk not only makes pancakes more moist and fluffier, it also gives a tinge of tang not found in usual milk.
What is the secret to perfect pancakes?
Along with using buttermilk for a light and fluffy texture, also make sure your baking soda or baking powder if fresh so the batter rises as desired. Know when to flip your pancakes, once the top starts to bubble, you know you’re ready to flip. Make sure you get even heat so your pancakes cook evenly and don’t burn. Don’t over stir the batter, a few lumps is ok! Lastly, serve warm. Letting the batter rest for 5-10 minutes before cooking can also create fluffier pancakes!
Can I freeze leftover pancakes?
Yes! Allow pancakes to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container or Ziploc bag. Store in the freezer for up to 4 months, to reheat, take out desired number of pancakes, wrap in a damp paper towel, and microwave for 30-60 seconds until warmed through.
For a quick dessert, serve you warm pancakes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a chopped up peanut butter cup, and some Nutella! Denny’s serves their double berry banana pancake slam with cooked blueberries, fresh berries, and a sliced banana, a delicious breakfast you can make at home!
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups All purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tbsp Granulated sugar
- 2 tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking soda
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 whole Egg
- 1 tbsp Vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp Canola oil
- 1 1/2 cups Buttermilk
- Maple syrup and berries , for topping
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine.
- In a separate bowl combine oil, vanilla, egg, and buttermilk, whisk to combine. Combine wet and dry ingredients, mix until the mixture is combined but slightly lumpy.
- Heat a large nonstick sauté pan over medium heat, once heated scoop 1/3 cup of batter into the pan and form into a circle. Let cook 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown. Repeat with remaining batter, serve immediately or cool and freeze.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
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