Skip the box mix and make these easy homemade buttermilk pancakes from scratch! Fluffy, golden, and packed with that classic tangy flavor. Plus they’re made in one bowl in under 30 minutes, with simple pantry staples that you already have on hand.

A stack of pancakes with a pat of butter and syrup, with a triangular section cut out on a ceramic plate.

If there’s one breakfast recipe that I think everyone needs in their back pocket, it’s a really good buttermilk pancake. Not the kind from a box (no shame in the boxed mixed game, we’ve all been there), but the real deal- fluffy, golden, with that slightly tangy flavor that makes them taste like something your mom used to make on a slow Saturday morning.

These are those pancakes. I know what you’re thinking… just buy the box mix, it’s easier. And look, I get it! But I promise you, once you see how simple this recipe actually is (one bowl, pantry staples, done), you’ll never look back. Just like my Cornbread Pancakes, these come together so fast and the flavor is just so much better than anything from a box.

I recently made this and topped with with my strawberry compote- absolutely delicious!! Next time I make them I’ll be topping them with this buttermilk syrup.

Ingredients you’ll need

Bowl of flour, milk, sugar, vanilla, baking powder, butter, and three eggs arranged on a metal surface.
  • flour- regular all purpose flour is what we need for these pancakes.
  • sugar
  • baking powder
  • baking soda
  • salt
  • buttermilk- buttermilk gives our pancakes a tangy flavor that is so nostalgic in these pancakes. Plus this reacting with the baking powder/soda is what gives us that fluffy texture.
  • butter- adding melted butter to our pancake batter, plus you’ll need some for your skillet when cooking the pancakes.
  • eggs- make sure these are at room temperature before mixing them in! If you forget to take them out, put them in a bowl of lukewarm water for 5-10 minutes to bring them up to room temperature.

Making the best buttermilk pancakes

A metal whisk in a white bowl of smooth, creamy batter on a beige surface.

make the pancake batter by mixing the dry ingredients with the wet.

Three pancakes cooking in a frying pan on a stovetop with bubbling butter around them.

pour pancake batter into a buttered skillet. Look for bubbles on top to know when to flip!

Three golden-brown pancakes cooking in a black pan on a stove, with some batter spilled on the sides.

flip when golden brown to your liking, and let the pancakes cook on the other side.

Making pancakes from scratch is one of those things that sounds tedious, and you want so badly to make excuses to buy pre-made mix, but after you’re done whipping them up it’s soooo worth it to take the (little bit of) time to make them homemade! I promise the batter only takes 5 minutes or less to make.

Start by whisking together the dry ingredients into a large bowl. You can add all the wet ingredients straight to this, making it the perfect one-bowl recipe. After whisking in the dry ingredients, let the batter sit while you prepare the pan.

Add some butter to a skillet and warm over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, give the batter another whisk, and then scoop 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake.

Cook for roughly 2 minutes on the first side (first pancakes might take a little longer), and then flip. I like to watch for little bubbles in the batter to know when to flip the pancake! Cook on the other side until cooked through and golden brown, another ~2 minutes or so.

A stack of pancakes topped with butter, with a wedge cut out and a fork holding the slice.

How to Make Homemade Buttermilk

Making your own buttermilk at home is so so easy, once I learned how I basically stopped worrying about having buttermilk on hand all the time.

All you need is some milk, either lemon juice or white vinegar, a measuring cup, and 5 minutes of your time. It’s truly that easy!

Stack of pancakes with a pat of butter on top, syrup drizzled, and a wedge cut out on a speckled plate.

My Favorite Pancake Toppings

Just a few ideas to add to your buttermilk pancakes to take them to the next level (though I will say these are delicious on their own).

  • maple syrup & butter- a classic, nostalgic, comforting combo for your pancakes. You can never go wrong here. You also can’t go wrong with my spiced maple syrup for a bit of a twist.
  • fresh fruit- basically any berry works on top of these. I actually sprinkled some wild blueberries into my batter as I was cooking these, and they were my favorite out of all the flavors I made.
  • jam- either store bought or homemade, but there’s something so delicious about the sweetness of berries on top of pancakes
  • nut butters- drizzling peanut butter on pancakes or waffles is something I learned from my husband, his entire family does it and for good reason. It’s so delicious.

Storing & reheating

Once the pancakes have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container.

To reheat, place them in the microwave until warmed throughout, or back on a skillet on medium-low, flipping until warm again.

More Recipes To Try

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A stack of fluffy pancakes with a pat of butter and syrup, showing a wedge cut out on a plate.
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Better-Than-Box-Mix Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes

Skip the box mix and make these easy homemade buttermilk pancakes from scratch! Fluffy, golden, and packed with that classic tangy flavor. Plus they're made in one bowl with simple pantry staples that you already have on hand.

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups (250 g) flour
  • 2 tsp (2 tsp) baking powder
  • 1 tsp (1 tsp) baking soda
  • ½ tsp (0.5 tsp) salt
  • 2 tbsp (25 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 cups (480 g) buttermilk, at room temperature
  • 3 tbsp (42 g) melted butter, plus extra for cooking
  • 2 (2) large eggs, lightly beaten, at room temperature
  • 1 tsp (1 tsp) vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
    2 cups flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ tsp salt, 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • Add in the buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
    2 cups buttermilk, 3 tbsp melted butter, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Set batter aside while you prep the pan. Melt a pat of butter in a large skillet or griddle and heat over medium heat.
  • Once the butter melts and the pan is hot, whisk the batter one more time. Pour a ¼ cup of batter per pancake into the skillet. Cook on one side for approximately 1-2 minutes or until the top of the pancake has bubbles all over that start to burst.
  • Flip and cook for another 1 to 1½ minutes until golden brown on each side. Add more butter as needed as you make more pancakes.

Notes

  • No buttermilk? No problem- make your own buttermilk at home, it’s so easy. 
  • Keep Pancakes Warm: To keep warm, preheat oven to 200° F. Place cooked pancakes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and keep in the oven until served.
  • Store these in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for 2 months. 
  • Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. 
Serving: 1pancake, Calories: 145kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 39mg, Sodium: 334mg, Potassium: 88mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 193IU, Calcium: 93mg, Iron: 1mg
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