The Fluffiest Ina Garten Buttermilk Pancakes Recipe Ever Made

Fluffy buttermilk pancakes transform lazy weekend mornings into pure culinary magic.

Imagine golden, cloud-like stacks bursting with tangy richness and irresistible charm.

Professional cooks know the delicate art of crafting these breakfast miracles hinges on precise ingredient interactions.

Buttermilk’s secret weapon brings unparalleled tenderness and depth to every forkful.

Creamy and light, these pancakes dance between sweet and zesty flavor profiles that awaken sleepy taste buds.

Each perfectly cooked round tells a story of comfort and connection, promising breakfast bliss that lingers long after the last bite.

You’ll fall head over heels for this melt-in-your-mouth morning masterpiece that turns ordinary ingredients into extraordinary memories.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 23 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

Ina Garten’s Buttermilk Pancakes: What’s in the Batter

• All-Purpose Flour: Select unbleached flour for richer flavor and better texture.
• Sugar: Choose fine granulated sugar for smooth sweetness.
• Baking Powder: Pick fresh, unexpired powder for maximum rising potential.
• Baking Soda: Ensure container is sealed tightly to maintain potency.
• Salt: Use fine table salt for even distribution.

• Eggs: Select large, room temperature eggs for smoother mixing.
• Buttermilk: Opt for full-fat version for richer, tangier pancakes.
• Vanilla Extract: Choose pure extract over imitation for deeper flavor.
• Melted Butter: Use unsalted butter to control overall salt content.

• Butter: Select high-quality butter for greasing and enhancing golden color.
• Maple Syrup: Pick pure, Grade A maple syrup for authentic sweetness.

Tools to Flip Pancakes Like Ina Garten

• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious vessel for combining dry ingredients, perfect for thorough whisking.
• Medium Mixing Bowl: Ideal for blending wet ingredients smoothly and evenly.
• Whisk: Essential tool for breaking up lumps and creating smooth, well-mixed batters.
• Griddle or Nonstick Skillet: Flat cooking surface for creating perfectly golden pancakes.
• Spatula: Handy for flipping pancakes and transferring them to serving plates.
• Measuring Cups: Precise measuring tool for accurate ingredient amounts.
• Measuring Spoons: Small but crucial for measuring smaller ingredient quantities.
• Butter Brush: Helpful for lightly greasing the cooking surface between pancake batches.

Step-by-Step to Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes

• Whip Together Dry Blend

Create a smooth mixture in a large bowl by combining flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk everything until perfectly blended, ensuring no dry clumps remain.

• Activate Wet Components

In a separate bowl, energize your wet ingredients by whisking eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, and melted butter into a silky smooth liquid. Stir with enthusiasm to create a consistent texture.

• Craft Pancake Batter

Gently marry your wet and dry mixtures, folding them together with a light touch. Embrace a few small lumps – they’re the secret to fluffy pancakes! Avoid overmixing, which can make your pancakes tough and dense.

• Fire Up the Cooking Surface

Warm your griddle or skillet over medium heat. Slide a light layer of butter across the surface to prevent sticking and add a hint of rich flavor.

• Transform Batter into Golden Discs

Pour spoonfuls of batter onto the sizzling surface. Watch for tiny bubbles to form and edges to look slightly dry – this signals your pancake is ready to flip. The bottom should be a beautiful golden brown.

• Flip and Complete

Carefully turn each pancake, allowing the other side to cook to a perfect golden hue. Keep an eye on the heat to prevent burning, adjusting as needed.

• Serve and Savor

Slide your warm, fluffy pancakes onto waiting plates. Stack them high, drizzle with maple syrup, and enjoy your homemade breakfast masterpiece while it’s piping hot.

Ina’s Tips for Light, Golden Buttermilk Pancakes

• Customize Flour Power: Experiment with whole wheat or gluten-free flour blends to add nutritional variety and unique textures to your pancakes.
• Boost Flavor Dimensions: Enhance batter by adding cinnamon, nutmeg, or lemon zest for unexpected and delightful taste profiles that elevate the classic recipe.
• Mix-In Magic: Sprinkle chocolate chips, blueberries, or chopped nuts directly into the batter for exciting bursts of flavor and interesting texture in every bite.
• Temperature Tricks: Let ingredients like eggs and buttermilk sit at room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother batter and more consistent pancake texture.

Serving Pancakes the Ina Garten Brunch Way

• Drizzle with Decadent Syrup: Warm maple syrup cascades over fluffy pancakes, creating a classic breakfast experience that melts in your mouth.
• Top with Fresh Fruit: Scatter ripe berries, sliced bananas, or diced peaches across the pancakes for a burst of natural sweetness and vibrant color.
• Sprinkle with Crunchy Extras: Add chopped nuts like almonds or pecans, or a light dusting of powdered sugar to bring extra texture and elegant finish to your breakfast plate.
• Pair with Breakfast Sides: Serve alongside crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, or a dollop of whipped cream for a complete and satisfying morning meal that will energize your day.

Storage Tips for Ina Garten’s Buttermilk Pancakes

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Batch Prep Like a Pro: Make extra pancake batter and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Whisk briefly before using to restore smooth consistency.
• Freeze for Quick Breakfasts: Stack cooled pancakes between parchment paper, place in freezer-safe bags, and store for up to 1 month. Reheat directly from frozen in toaster or microwave for 30-60 seconds.
• Refrigerator Storage Hack: Keep cooked pancakes in sealed containers for 3-4 days. Reheat in toaster or skillet to restore crispy edges and warm center.
• Portion Control Trick: Portion leftover batter or cooked pancakes into individual servings for easy grab-and-go breakfast options during busy mornings.

Fluffy Ina Garten Buttermilk Pancakes Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 23 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s buttermilk pancakes deliver classic breakfast comfort with silky-smooth batter and golden edges. Diners savor light, fluffy results that complement maple syrup and fresh berries perfectly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ cups (591 ml) buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• ⅓ cup (67 grams) sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Butter (for brushing and serving)
• Maple syrup (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl until uniformly blended.
2. Liquid Component Preparation: Vigorously blend eggs, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and melted butter in a separate bowl until smooth and homogeneous.
3. Batter Creation: Gently incorporate wet ingredients into dry mixture, stirring minimally to preserve a slightly lumpy consistency – ensuring tender, airy pancakes.
4. Griddle Preparation: Preheat griddle or nonstick skillet to medium heat, lightly lubricating the surface with unsalted butter for optimal golden-brown results.
5. Pancake Crafting: Ladle batter onto heated surface, allowing bubbles to form across the pancake’s top – signaling the perfect moment for flipping (approximately 2-3 minutes).
6. Precision Cooking: Adjust heat if browning occurs too rapidly, ensuring each pancake achieves a uniform, delectable golden hue on both sides.
7. Serving Finale: Transfer perfectly cooked pancakes to a warmed plate, continuing the process until all batter is transformed into delightful, fluffy discs.
8. Presentation: Serve immediately, accompanied by premium maple syrup and additional butter, creating a luxurious breakfast experience.

Notes

• Prevent Tough Pancakes: Mix wet and dry ingredients minimally to keep batter slightly lumpy, ensuring light and fluffy texture.
• Temperature Control: Adjust griddle heat to medium or medium-low to prevent burning and achieve even golden-brown coloration.
• Bubble Indicator: Watch for small bubbles across pancake surface as a reliable signal for perfect flipping time.
• Butter Management: Lightly coat cooking surface with butter between batches to enhance flavor and prevent sticking.

• Prep Time: 8 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg