Cooked fluffy American pancake with a bottle of Lyle's golden syrup in the background
How to Make American Pancakes

As much as we love our classic British pancakes, our friends from across the pond have their own delicious version. Whether it’s for a weekend brunch, breakfast or dessert – American pancakes are a delicious treat that everyone loves, especially when they’re topped with Lyle’s Golden Syrup.

Read on to discover how to make American pancakes, with some handy tips and delicious recipes. 

Difference between classic pancakes and American pancakes

Classic pancakes are a breakfast staple, but how are American pancakes different? American pancakes contain either buttermilk, yoghurt or milk and a raising agent, like baking powder or bicarbonate of soda. The buttermilk, yoghurt and milk react with the raising agent to create carbon dioxide, which leads to a thick, light and fluffy pancake. 

Tips to make extra fluffy American pancakes

Now you know the difference between classic and American pancakes, take a look at these tips to help you make your own. 

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Cooked fluffy American pancakes

Sift your flour from a height

Sifting your flour not only allows you to break up any lumps, but sifting flour from a height will also add more air to your batter and make your pancakes extra fluffy!

Don’t overmix the batter

The last thing you want is dense and chewy pancakes! To make sure your pancakes are as fluffy as can be, mix your batter until it’s combined and then stop.  

Leave the batter to rest

Once you’ve mixed your batter, you should leave it to rest before you cook your pancakes. This gives the starch in the flour a chance to relax, leading to a lighter pancake. 

Use an ice cream scoop to portion your batter

To make sure your pancakes are all the same size, use an ice cream scoop to add your pancake batter into the pan. 

Fry your pancakes in butter

Creating an irresistible breakfast by frying your pancakes in melted butter, giving your pancakes extra mouth-watering flavour.

Keep an eye out for bubbles

It’s hard to get the timings right when you cook pancakes. To get gorgeous golden-brown pancakes, wait until bubbles form on the surface of your pancake batter before you flip them. 

Keep your pancakes warm 

Don’t give your family cold pancakes! Put a wire rack on a baking tray and place them in the oven on a low heat to keep your pancakes warm and fresh.  

Freeze cooked pancakes for a quick and easy breakfast

You can keep American-style pancakes in the freezer for up to a month. All you need to do is cook and freeze your pancakes – it’s that simple! Freeze them in a stack with some baking paper between each layer so they don’t get stuck together.  

Check out our video for some extra tips

Easy American Pancake Recipes

Fluffy chocolate chip pancakes

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Chocolate chip American pancakes with a melting dollop of butter on top of the stack and Lyle's Golden Syrup in the background

Adding chocolate chips to these American-style pancakes makes them even more irresistible, why not go one step further and drizzle some gorgeous golden syrup on top?

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Blueberry and buttermilk pancakes

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Birds eye view of blueberry and buttermilk pancakes with blueberries and golden syrup drizzled over the top

You can get delicious light and fluffy pancakes with just five ingredients and three simple steps – the perfect breakfast! 

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Orange and ricotta pancakes

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Orange and ricotta pancakes served on a plate with a dollop of cream

Enjoy the zesty kick of orange in these gorgeous orange and ricotta pancakes. Serve them with some caramelised bananas to add an extra layer of flavour. 

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Golden bacon pancakes 

With the combination of crispy bacon and fluffy pancakes, enjoy the ultimate American breakfast with this simple recipe. 

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Apple and cinnamon stateside pancakes

This recipe gives you light and fluffy American-style pancakes with a gorgeous apple and syrup topping – a delicious British twist! 

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Lemon drizzle poppy seed pancakes

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Birds eye view of lemon drizzle and poppy seed pancakes, with golden syrup drizzled over them

If you’re looking for something different, why not try out these poppy seed pancakes with a punchy lemon drizzle sauce?

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Pancakes are flippin’ delicious with Lyle’s Golden Syrup

There is no better pancake topping than Lyle’s Golden Syrup! Make sure you add some to your next batch.

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