Pancakes are a favorite breakfast food across the world. Making pancakes is a fun way to spend time with family or friends, and they come in many varieties. There are buttermilk, chocolate chip, veggie, and fruit pancakes.
Making them looks like fun, but sometimes it can be tricky to get the texture and shape of the pancake just right. We here at PancakeHelper.com want to tell you that your pancake does not have to be perfect to taste perfect!
The secret to a fluffy pancake is in the batter preparation and when you flip the pancake over in the pan. We will tell you how to make the perfect fluffy pancake in this article!
If you are tired of having limp and dense pancakes, then read this article to learn how to make the perfect one every time.
Listen for the sizzle
When you hear the pancake rustle, it is time to flip! But before you do, listen for the sizzle.
As the pancake heats up, the butter will begin to melt and spread. Once it does, it will start to sizzle. When you hear this sizzle, it is time to flip your pancake.
If you wait until there is no more sizzle, then your pancake will be brown on both sides but still raw in the middle. This is not what we want!
So listen for the sizzle and then flip your pancake! Try this several times to get the hang of it. You will get a perfect golden brown fluffy pancake every time!
Note: Some people have better hearing than others.
Check the color
Once you have flipped your pancake, check the color of the top surface. If it is a pale, creamy color, then it is ready to be flipped back over and served.
If it is any other color, like brown or black, then it needs to be cooked longer. If it is burnt, then you should probably make something else!
Remember, if you flip your pancake before it is ready, it will still need to cook on the other side. So make sure to check the color first!
Tips: Some recipes call for adding things to the batter like sugar, chocolate chips, or lemon zest. You can either place these on top of the pancake as it cooks or mix them into the batter. We recommend placing them on top so that they get cooked through.
Wait until the bubbles start to form
When flipping a pancake, wait until the underside of the pancake has started to brown and bubbles have formed in the batter. Then, you can safely flip it!
Many people assume that the pale white pancake is done on both sides, and then they try to flip it and get into lots of trouble.
The problem with flipping a pancake when it is darker on one side is that you risk burning the other side while trying to turn it over. So, make sure to check both sides very carefully before attempting to flip your pancake.
A lot of people like to add things to their pancakes like butter or maple syrup. If you do this, make sure to add it on after you have flipped your pancake so that it does not burn on the bottom. Trying to put these ingredients on before would be difficult due to how the shape changes when you flip it.
Flip once
A lot of people say to flip your pancake once it has cooked enough on the first side. This is not what we say!
Pancakes are very delicate creatures. If you try to flip them before they are ready, they can break down and you will have to re-mix the batter and cook them again, which is a pain.
Once the pancake has set enough on the first side to be able to handle being turned, then go for it! Try not to pull it too quickly or shake it, though.
The best way to tell if your pancake is ready to be flipped is by looking at the bubbles. If you see the bubbles start to break down and spread out, then it is ready to be flipped.
Flip twice
A popular way to flip a pancake is to first shake the pan and then lift and drop it back down. Once you have flipped the pancake, you can then roll it up and then drop it back down.
This is a fun way to flip a pancake, but there is a risk. You could accidentally roll the pancake out too far or not get it to stick on the drop back down, which would result in a broken pancake.
Many people have mastered the art of flipping a pancake and creating an impressive flip. However, most top chefs will tell you that the best way to flip a pancake is to just do it twice!
This way you are less likely to break the pancakes apart or have trouble getting it to stick on the pan.
Avoid flipping multiple times
When cooking pancakes, try to avoid flipping the pancake multiple times. While this may save you time, it will result in less-than-perfect pancakes every time.
Pancakes need time to cook through on one side before the batter sets. As soon as the pancake hits the heat, the baking powder and/or baking soda begins to react with the liquid ingredient(s) to start rising the pancake.
Once that happens, it is hard to reverse. If you try to flip it over too early, then it will break down and not rise properly. If you wait too long, then the other side will burn before it can cook through the middle.
We recommend using a flat spatula to remove and turn only once the whole pancake has set in place.
Use a spatula to flip the pancake
When flipping a pancake, you should use a spatula to transfer it to the other side. A fork can be used as well, but it may scrape the bottom of the pancake, creating holes that result in lost butter and melted edges.
A spatula with a rounded edge can also cause issues as it may push the pancake off balance while flipping. A thin, flat spatula is the best tool for the job.
If you have very thick pancakes, like those used in some breakfast sandwiches, then using a fork to turn them over is fine. Otherwise, stick to using a spatula to avoid any breaking off of the fluffy texture.
Pancakes are usually not cooked all the way through on one side due to their texture. Thus, having an even surface makes it easier to flip it without breaking it apart.
Watch how you flip the pancake
Once you have the pancake in position, it is time to flip it. As mentioned before, do this slowly and with care. You do not want to drop the pancake on the griddle or spatula!
Many YouTube videos suggest flipping the pancake when the bubbles start to break on the surface. This is a good guideline, but you can also try watching the color of the pancake.
When the underside is light brown, then it is time to flip it. If you wait until it is almost brown on both sides, then it will be too hard to flip.
If you are having trouble flipping the pancake without breaking it, try using a larger spatula. This will make it more difficult to slide under the pancake, but will help prevent breaking it.
