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The Best Fluffy Pancakes: Light, Airy, and Tall Breakfast Stacks

A tall stack of four fluffy pancakes, cut to show the airy interior, drizzled with syrup and dusted with powdered sugar.
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Follow this recipe to create thick, incredibly light, and airy pancakes that stack high, delivering a melt-in-your-mouth texture perfect for your weekend brunch.

Ingredients

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  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs, separated
  • 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Butter or oil for the griddle

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This dry mix is key for tall pancakes.
  2. In a separate medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until combined.
  3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined. Do not overmix; a few lumps are fine. Overmixing develops gluten and makes pancakes tough.
  4. In a clean, grease-free bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. This step creates the cloud-like texture.
  5. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter in two additions. Use a spatula and cut down the middle, sweeping up the side of the bowl to incorporate the whites without deflating them.
  6. Heat a griddle or large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Lightly grease with butter or oil. The lower heat helps them cook through and rise tall.
  7. Pour 1/3 cup of batter onto the hot griddle for each pancake. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until bubbles appear on the surface and the edges look set.
  8. Flip the pancakes carefully and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
  9. Serve immediately stacked high with maple syrup and fresh fruit for the ultimate homemade pancake breakfast.

Notes

  • For extra height, let the finished batter rest for 5 minutes before cooking.
  • Use a medium-low heat setting. If the heat is too high, the outside will burn before the center cooks, preventing a fluffy rise.
  • If you do not have buttermilk, mix 1 3/4 cups of whole milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://juliameal.com/fluffy-pancakes-best-light-airy-tall-stacks/