Why You Should Reconsider Cooking Pancakes In Butter

Whether you call them flapjacks, griddle cakes, hotcakes, or pancakes, the simple breakfast food is perfect any time of day and simple to make. Still, there are some mistakes people make when cooking pancakes. If you can avoid them, you'll have a perfect, round little gem to dress in butter and cover with syrup.

Pancakes don't ask for much. The average pancake recipe usually involves some flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and eggs. When mixing everything together, it's important to remember to measure carefully so you don't mess up the recipe you've perfected. It's okay to add a pinch of this and a pinch of that when cooking some things, but not with pancakes. It's their simplicity that makes them delightful.

Another thing to pay attention to is how long you are mixing the batter. Over-mixing can lead to pancakes that are the opposite of slightly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Just as when you knead bread dough, the more you mix, the more you develop the gluten and end up with a disappointing, chewy pancake.

As for the last step, which comes just before you pour your batter into a delicate little circle, a dilemma may erupt over whether to prepare your pan with butter or oil.

Butter and oil both work well at creating a nonstick situation when cooking. However, for the sake of your health, there's no denying that the right oil is healthier than butter. According to Arlotta Food Studio, butter has more saturated fat than most oils. It's composed of 63% saturated fat or 7 grams saturated fat per tablespoon. When you compare that to canola oil, which has only 1 gram per tablespoon, oil is a better option than butter. Also, many oils, such as canola or grapeseed oil have a neutral flavor that allows the flavor of the pancakes to shine through.

The other reason you should reconsider cooking pancakes in butter is that butter burns quickly. Butter has a low smoke point, meaning it will quickly brown up in the skillet and your pancakes will quickly brown as well, leaving them with a burned flavor. Choose oil instead, for a better result. It has a higher smoke point, and you can use a variety of oils, such as canola, vegetable, or grapeseed.

Once you've chosen the right oil, take it easy on the amount you use. An over-greased pancake skillet causes your pancakes to turn out in a variety of shapes and sizes while a skillet with evenly distributed oil allows the pancakes to cook evenly.