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The Truth About the World’s Best Pancakes You don’t get the title “Queen of Pancakes” by accident. You get it by being obsessed. When I developed my Best Fluffy Pancakes, I didn’t just mix flour and hope for the best. I tested that recipe 132 times!
Table of Contents
- What is Shrove Tuesday?
- The Science of Fluff: How to get Tall Pancakes
- The #1 Question I Get Asked: “Can I Make The Batter The Night Before?”
- The Workaround (How to Prep Ahead)
- The World’s #1 Fluffy Pancakes
- Chocolate Lovers Heaven
- Fruity & Fresh
- Wholesome & Hearty
- I want to see your Stacks!
- More Reader Favorites & Recipe Collections
I’m serious. At one point, I had stacks of pancakes towering on every surface of my house. The kitchen island, the dining table, the counters, my washing machine!. My kids were in heaven for the first 50 batches, but eventually, even they tapped out! We were literally running plates of warm, syrup drenched pancakes to the neighbors down the street just so they wouldn’t go to waste. That famous shot of the maple syrup dripping down the side? That’s the result of pure, sticky, exhausting dedication.
What is Shrove Tuesday?
Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day, is the traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Historically, it was the last chance to use up rich ingredients like eggs, milk, and sugar before the fasting season.
While the rest of the world might flip thin crêpes, here in the US and in my test kitchen back in Australia, we believe pancakes should be tall, proud, and cake like. American breakfasts are legendary for a reason, we don’t do flat. We do fluffy.
The Science of Fluff: How to get Tall Pancakes
To get that bakery-style rise, you need to follow my Golden Rules:
- Fresh Agents: If your baking powder is older than 6 months, throw it out. It’s the engine of your pancake.
- The Lump Rule: Never whisk until smooth. Lumps are your friends. Over-mixing develops gluten and makes them chewy, not soft.
- The Rest Test: Let the batter sit for 5-10 minutes while your pan heats. This relaxes the gluten and activates the bubbles.
- Heat Control: Medium-low is the sweet spot. Too hot, and you burn the outside before the inside puffs up.
The #1 Question I Get Asked: “Can I Make The Batter The Night Before?”
I get asked this constantly, especially before Pancake Day. The short answer is: No. Please don’t.
Baking powder and baking soda are chemical leaveners. As soon as they touch liquid (milk/eggs), they activate and start creating gas bubbles. That reaction is what gives you tall, airy pancakes. If you make the batter the night before and let it sit in the fridge, those bubbles will pop and die while you sleep. You will wake up to a gray, lifeless batter that cooks into rubbery, flat discs —it’s never worth it.
The Workaround (How to Prep Ahead)
If you want to save time on Shrove Tuesday morning, use my Dry Mix method:
- Tonight: Whisk all your dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, salt) together and store them in a jar or ziplock bag on the counter.
- The Wet Mix: Whisk your eggs, milk, and vanilla in a jug and keep it in the fridge. (Melt the butter fresh in the morning so it doesn’t clump).
- Morning Of: Pour the wet into the dry. Mix gently, let it rest for 5 minutes while the pan heats, and cook.
The World’s #1 Fluffy Pancakes
These are the recipes that broke the internet.
Best Fluffiest Pancakes
Buttermilk Pancakes
Easy 3 Ingredient Pancakes
Chocolate Lovers Heaven
Because let’s be honest, breakfast is just an excuse for dessert.
Double Chocolate Brownie Pancakes
Nutella Stuffed Cinnamon Sugar Donut Pancakes
Chocolate Stuffed Churro Pancakes
Zebra Marble Pancakes
Nutella Stuffed Banana Pancakes
Fruity & Fresh
Bright flavors to wake you up.
Blueberry Pancakes
Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes
Strawberry Shortcake Greek Yogurt Pancakes
Fluffy Greek Yoghurt Mixed Berry Choc Chip Pancakes
Caramel Apple Pancakes
Orange Poppy Seed Pancakes
Wholesome & Hearty
Guilt-free comfort.
Whole Wheat Choc Chip Banana Bread Pancakes
Caramel Chip Pumpkin Pancakes
I want to see your Stacks!
Don’t let another Pancake Day pass with flat, rubbery disks. Grab that whisk, heat up the griddle, and let’s make this Shrove Tuesday the fluffiest one yet. Tag me on Instagram or Facebook — I want to see your stacks!
More Reader Favorites & Recipe Collections
Loved this pancake list? Here are my other top-rated recipe collections to help you plan the rest of your week.
- 18 Best Salad Recipes
- Need to balance out the sugar rush? These are the 18 most popular salads on the blog that actually taste amazing.
- Best Creamy Chicken Recipes
- If you love comfort food as much as I do, this list of creamy chicken dinners is the most visited page on my site for a reason.
- Juicy Chicken Breast Recipes
- Don’t let your dinner be dry. I’ve compiled my best techniques and recipes for keeping chicken breast juicy every single time.”
- Cinco De Mayo & Mexican Recipes
- Planning a party? From tacos to margaritas, this round-up has everything you need for a Mexican-inspired feast.
- Taco Tuesday Recipes
- Not in the mood for pancakes today? Browse my full collection of taco recipes, from fish to salad.
- Sheet Pan Dinners
- For busy nights when you want zero cleanup, check out this sheet pan method that changed how I cook breakfast and dinner.
