February 18, 2022
updated Jul 7, 2023

5 from 12 votes

Make old-fashioned pancakes that are super fluffy with golden-crisp exteriors just like the ones you remember.

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Want to make super fluffy pancakes that take you back to mornings at grandma’s house? I’ve got just the recipe you’re looking for with these old-fashioned pancakes.

They are soft and thick with crisp golden edges- it is THE BEST pancake recipe of all time! And by the end of this post, you’ll know just how to make an epic batch at home.

large stack of pancakes with butter on top

What are Old Fashioned Pancakes

Old-fashioned pancakes are thicker than regular pancakes, with a soft texture that soaks up the butter and pancake syrup once sliced.

The batter is cooked on a large griddle or cast-iron skillet to achieve those crispy edges and the ‘old-fashioned look,’ although a non-stick pan will certainly get the job done.

These are the kind of pancakes you get from a pancake ‘haus’ while on vacation or your grandmother’s kitchen, but with my recipe, you can achieve those same mouthwatering results without leaving your house.

The Most Important Ingredient in Old Fashioned Pancakes

Buttermilk and baking soda are the two ingredients that set old-fashioned pancakes apart from my classic pancake recipe. Baking soda reacts with acids in the buttermilk to create more bubbles and bring the pancakes to a whole new level of fluffy.

If you are reading this and want to make these epic pancakes for breakfast but don’t have any buttermilk, you can still make them! I included a quick homemade ‘buttermilk’ in the recipe card below.

stack of old fashioned pancakes on a plate

Old Fashioned Pancake Ingredients

Let’s take a look at the ingredients you need to make old-fashioned pancakes:

all-purpose flour: essential for soft and fluffy pancakes.
sugar: makes the pancakes slightly sweet.
baking powder: helps the batter rise.
baking soda: reacts with the acids in buttermilk for extra fluffy pancakes.
salt: enhances the flavors of sugar and melted butter.
buttermilk: the super-star ingredient that reacts with the baking soda and makes these bonafide old-fashioned pancakes.
eggs: binds the ingredients and helps the batter rise.
unsalted butter: for buttery flavor.
vegetable oil: to grease the skillet or griddle.

You’ll find the quantities in the printed recipe card below.

Why are we using vegetable oil instead of butter to grease the skillet?
This old-fashioned pancake batter is denser than my classic pancake batter, therefore the pancakes take longer to cook. Butter browns quickly, which can result in pancakes with burnt edges and undercooked centers.

Vegetable oil solves this problem and gives the pancakes a gorgeous golden exterior.

stack of old fashioned pancakes with a bite taken out of them

How to Make Old Fashioned Pancakes

Are you ready to make the tastiest batch of pancakes ever? Grab a bowl, those ingredients, and let’s make it happen!

Mix the dry ingredients
In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make a well in the center.
Make the batter
Pour the buttermilk into the well and crack the eggs into the buttermilk. Add the melted butter and whisk everything together until the ingredients are incorporated. Perfect pancake batter should have only a few pea-sized lumps.
Heat and grease
Heat a large griddle or cast-iron skillet over low heat. Grease with 1 tablespoon of oil and increase the heat to medium-low.
Pour the batter
Using a ⅓ measuring cup, ladle the batter onto the griddle or skillet. *If using a skillet, only pour 1 to 2 pancakes at a time.
Cook
Once bubbles rise to the surface of the pancake and the bottoms are light brown, give the pancakes a flip. Cook until the other side is browned. Repeat with the remaining batter.
Serve
Stack the pancakes and top with butter and a generous drizzle of syrup.

A helpful tip to keep the finished pancakes warm while you cook the remaining batter is to place a wire rack on a baking sheet. Set the pancakes on the rack and put them in a 200F preheated oven.

Cook these fluffy pancakes along with me, using this quick recipe video!

Topping Your Old Fashioned Pancakes

Let’s talk pancake toppings! Before you grab the maple syrup, why not try one of the incredible syrup recipes below? They are made with simple ingredients from the pantry and store very well for future breakfasts.

You could also try any of these epic pancake topping ideas. There are so many delicious options to make this pancake breakfast all your own.