Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.

This post will show you when to flip pancakes, so they are crispy around the edges, fully cooked inside, and fluffy! The perfect pancake every time!

Wondering if it’s time to flip your pancakes over or how long you should cook them? I’ve got you covered.

You’ll find what I’ve learned from publishing many pancake recipes since 2012 here so I’ve learned a thing or two about what helps make the perfect stack.

overhead view of a stack of pancakes topped with butter

When to Flip a Pancake

The color of the bottom side isn’t the best indicator of when to flip pancakes since it can vary a lot depending on whether you use butter, oil, or spray. You’ll know it’s time to flip a pancake when the edges are defined, and some bubbles have formed on top.

Your spatula should easily slide under the pancake, allowing you to lift it and, in one fell swoop, flip it over so the second side can continue to cook for another minute or two.

Here is a simple video demonstrating this easy process that you can use in all your pancake recipes.

What do Pancakes Look Like When They are Ready to Flip

Since you can’t always go by the color of the bottom side, a defined edge around your pancake batter is the first sign that your pancakes will soon be ready to flip. Shortly thereafter, the heat will push through the batter, and air bubbles will form on top. Now, it’s time to flip it over.

Avoid pressing down with the spatula after flipping since this will cause the batter to ooze out and the pancake to be undercooked.

Best Temperature for Flipping Pancakes

Cooking your pancakes over medium heat is one of the best ways of ensuring that you won’t burn the butter or oil, which can fool you into flipping the pancakes too early, thinking they’re ready when it’s just that the butter got burned.

You can always adjust the heat up or down, depending on the cooking surface. Electric griddles should be set around 350F.

two rounds of pancake batter cooking on a griddle, right before it's time to flip them to the other side

How Long to Cook Pancakes

The general rule of thumb for how long to cook pancakes on each side is about 2 minutes per side. This can vary by 30 seconds here or there depending on your cooking surface, your heat source, and the thickness of your pancake batter.

Traditional pancake batter made with all-purpose flour tends to be less dense than whole-grain or batter made with alternative flours. For this reason, I always recommend cooking pancakes by the way they look, not just by time.

If your pancakes seem to be taking too long to cook and the bottoms don’t change to a golden brown color your heat might be too low.

Easiest Pancake Recipes

If you’re new to the weekend pancake tradition or simply want pancake recipes that work, I recommend you make my famous classic homemade pancake recipe, fluffy chocolate chip pancakes, and these Greek yogurt pancakes.

When to Flip Pancakes

Servings: 10 pancakes

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 15

This post will show you when to flip pancakes, so they are crispy around the edges, fully cooked inside, and fluffy! The perfect pancake every time!

5 from 15 votes

Print Pin

Ingredients

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
3 ½ teaspoons aluminum-free baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 ¼ cups milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
Make a well in the middle and pour in the milk, egg, and butter. Mix with a whisk or fork until smooth.
Heat a non-stick griddle or large pan over medium-high heat, I set my griddle at 300-350 F.
Pour or scoop ¼ cup of batter for each pancake. Wait until bubbles form to flip. Continue cooking for an additional minute to cook through, and brown on the other side. Remove from the pan or griddle and serve.

Notes

100% whole wheat - add an additional teaspoon of baking powder + 1 Tablespoon milk.
50% whole wheat - add ½ teaspoon baking powder.
Want to add flax meal? Add ¼ cup ground flax and remove ¼ cup flour + ½ teaspoon baking powder.
Add banana: Add 1 mashed banana - no changes.
Add up to 1 cup blueberries or nuts - no changes.
Use the right baking powder: Since pancake batter naturally has a mild, neutral flavor, it’s important to use aluminum-free baking powder. The metallic flavor will ruin the taste, especially in fluffy pancake recipes that call for 2 or more teaspoons. Trust me on this one.