Easy Pancakes Recipe

Nothing screams "weekend" quite like the smell of buttery pancakes gently caramelizing on the stove. This classic and super easy recipe is the perfect one to keep in your back pocket for lazy weekend breakfast cravings. Our version consists of staples we all (should) have in our kitchens. But even more impressively, you only need one bowl to make it. Because no one deserves a sink full of dirty dishes on their day off!

This particular recipe utilizes the "well method," commonly used when making fresh pasta, to prevent over-mixing the batter (which may result in tough, rubbery pancakes). This involves whisking together the dry ingredients in a bowl, making a dip (or well) in the center of the dry ingredients, and pouring the wet ingredients into it before gently folding the batter with a rubber spatula. This ensures that all the ingredients get evenly incorporated without getting tough, resulting in the fluffiest possible pancakes.

To make these easy pancakes, you'll need all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, milk, an egg, maple syrup, and some neutral oil. You can use any milk you have for these — dairy or non-dairy — so long as it's unflavored and unsweetened. For some extra rich pancakes, you could swap out the oil for melted butter.

In bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. You'll want to use a bowl large enough to also fit the wet ingredients, which you'll be adding shortly.

Measure out the milk in a liquid measuring cup. Then break the egg into the milk and add the oil and maple syrup. Whisk until the egg is completely broken up, creating a homogenous mixture.

Using a rubber spatula, make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour the wet mixture inside. As you do so, gently fold the wet ingredients into the flour mixture until no large lumps of flour remain (some small lumps are okay, though).

Heat a large nonstick skillet and lightly coat it with some more of the oil. Scoop some of the batter onto the skillet and cook until the pancakes are dry around the edges and very bubbly on top, about 3 minutes. At that point, flip them over and cook the other side 1 to 2 minutes more.

Serve the pancakes with some additional maple syrup. Other great toppings include jam, nut butter, and fresh fruits. If you're feeding a crowd, you could even set up a toppings bar so folks can customize their breakfast.