Whether you ran out of milk or just want a recipe for pancakes without milk that uses water, today’s recipe and tips will show you how to make fluffy no milk pancakes every time!
This recipe has saved pancake morning at my house on more than one occasion and I’m so happy to be able to share it with you today.
Can You Make Pancakes Without Milk?
Of course, you can make no milk pancakes, that’s why we’re here today!
Flavor aside, the purpose of milk in a pancake recipe is to dissolve the flour and other ingredients and to provide the liquid structure. This means that any liquid will do the trick.
If you’re still weighing your breakfast options for today, you can also make French toast without milk!
Making Pancakes with Water
Making pancakes with water is as simple as making regular pancakes. The main difference with a water-based pancake recipe and a milk-based recipe will be the flavor of the cooked pancakes.
Whether you use dairy milk or non-dairy milk in a recipe, using “milk” adds a creamy flavor to pancakes. Even pancake mixes that say “just add water” have powdered milk in the ingredients.
So, if you want great tasting pancakes with water, make sure to not skimp on the melted butter, vanilla, and the little bit of sugar that’s added to the recipe.
If you try a pancake or two and find them a little bland, add one of the “flavor add-ins” listed below.
No Milk Pancakes Ingredients
To make no milk pancakes, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Granulated sugar
- Water
- Egg
- Butter
- Vanilla extract
If you have those ingredients, let’s keep going!
Pancake Batter Consistency without Milk
The consistency of pancake batter without milk is the same as my milk-based pancake recipe.
Check out this video so you can learn the consistency of good pancake batter. Granted, I add milk to the bowl, but the consistency is the same.
Other Milk Substitutes for Pancakes
Milk adds both flavor and the “liquid” to a pancake recipe. There are other milk substitutes for pancakes and below I share both options: for flavor and liquid texture.
Liquid Milk Substitutes for Pancakes
As a liquid substitute for milk, use equal parts of:
- almond milk
- oat milk
- soy milk
- hemp milk
- half & half + water (50/50 ratio)
- heavy cream + water (50/50 ratio)
- cashew milk
- rice milk
- coconut milk
- eggnog (check out this eggnog pancake recipe)
- water
Milk Substitutes for Pancakes to add flavor
If you’re using water to make a pancake recipe, you’ll need to add a little more “flavor.” Here are some add-in options:
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons almond extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons maple extract
- 1 extra tablespoon melted butter
- 1 cup blueberries, chopped berries
- ¼ cup jam or jelly
- Zest of 1 orange
After you make your traditional pancakes or fluffy gluten-free pancakes be sure to try one of these pancake toppings to make your breakfast complete.
PrintPancakes without Milk
No milk? No problem! This recipe for pancakes without milk uses water instead and still yields a fluffy and delicious stack.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15-20 minutes
- Yield: 10 pancakes 1x
- Category: Breakfast
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ Tablespoons sugar
- 1 ¼ cups water
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
- Make a well in the middle and pour in the water, egg, butter, and vanilla extract. 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.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pancakes
- Calories: 158
- Sugar: 3.9g
- Sodium: 239.6mg
- Fat: 0.4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1g
- Carbohydrates: 35.7g
- Fiber: 1.2g
- Protein: 3.9g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: no milk pancakes, milk free pancakes
emma
Being allergic to milk is a quite a burden when nearly everything requires milk! But these were so easy to make and are most definitely the tastiest pancakes ever!
★★★★★
Amy
I made this recipe. Instead of using an egg used 2 T water. These turned out so very awesome and perfect. My son thought I was lying that we didn’t have box pancake mix that he loves more than anything we have tried. This will definitely be a go to recipe!!! Thank you!
★★★★★
Dan
I didn’t have any milk around, but I thought I’d give pancakes a try anyway. These look like pancakes….but taste like white bread. I guess the milk is an important part of pancake flavoring.
★★★★
Laura Fuentes
Yes, milk adds flavor to the batter which is why it’s important to add vanilla and use syrup if it’s “too plain.”
Samantha clark
Can you make the batter ahead of time like the night before?
Laura Fuentes
Yes. you can absolutely make the batter the night before. Keep it in the fridge and in the morning give it a quick mix and make the pancakes!
Jan
Wow! These are the best homemade pancakes I’ve ever made!! I added cinnamon and vanilla. They were so soft and fluffy. Perfectly sweet!
★★★★★
Laura Fuentes
I’m so glad you loved this pancake without milk recipe!
Chrysolite Emelo
I love this pancake so much
★★★★★
Molly Digmann
Found this recipe because my toddler drank all the milk so none left for pancakes 🙁
Though instead of water, we used flavored seltzer water! We had a can of peach ginger Bubly and it made the most fluffy and delicious pancakes! Yum yum yum! Thank you for the inspiration and our new favorite pancakes!
Laura Fuentes
Brilliant substitute!
Salma
it is perfect! thank you laura!
★★★★★
carla
Delicious! I screwed up the first pancake by putting it in a small pan. Batter was too thick and it fell apart. Then, I made a smaller, thinner pancake on higher heat, cooked it fast and it came out perfect! Nice and crisp. Used a tad bit of avocado oil to heat the pan. Thank you!
★★★★
Angel
I tried it, it was supper fluffy and delicious but I didn’t use butter, I used margarine instead, so when it cooled, it had this heavy after taste or would I say settlement on the tounge…can I replace the butter with a healthy oil instead, like coconut oil? And oh, this is now my pancake recipe henceforth
★★★★★
Laura Fuentes
You can definitely swap butter for melted coconut oil or another neutral oil. So glad this recipe is a keeper for you!
Azizah Idris
Tried this recipe today and my family enjoyed it. Didn’t miss the milk in it. It was delicious. Thank you
Bean
I’m 13 and i made these pancake for my mom’s birthday cause she dairy free (she can have butter)
,she loved them will be making these for mothers day breakfast in bed!
★★★★★
Laura Fuentes
I’m so glad you made these pancakes without milk for your mom. Great job! She’s going to love pancakes in bed.
Londyn Dishman
Wow. This recipe for pancakes without milk was absolutely amazing. A great substitute if you don’t have milk. Thanks, Laura!
★★★★★