Air-Fryer Pancakes: A Quick Breakfast Treat

Pancakes are a breakfast staple, but not everyone has the time or energy to make them from scratch. Luckily, air fryers provide a quick and easy solution to this problem. You can cook delicious, fluffy pancakes in your air fryer with minimal effort and in less than 10 minutes. Whether you prefer homemade batter or a boxed mix, your pancakes will turn out golden brown and perfect every time.

Air fryer pancakes: ingredients and recipe

Pancakes are a classic breakfast food and a weekend favourite for many. But did you know you can make them in an air fryer? Yes, it is possible to make fluffy, golden pancakes in an air fryer without sacrificing taste or texture. Here is a simple recipe for you to try.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (460ml) buttermilk
• 2 cups (260g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1-2 eggs
• Salt
• Sugar
• Butter or oil, for greasing

Optional Ingredients:

• Chocolate chips
• Blueberries or other berries
• Peanut butter or almond butter
• Maple syrup
• Fresh fruit like strawberries and bananas

Utensils:

• Air fryer
• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• 6-inch aluminium cake pan or 4-inch aluminium pans
• Ice cream scoop or rubber spatula
• Oven mitts

Recipe:

• Combine the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until the batter is smooth. Do not overmix.
• Let the batter rest for about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat your air fryer to 350°F-400°F.
• Grease your chosen pan with butter or oil.
• Use an ice cream scoop or rubber spatula to spread 1/2 cup of batter into the larger pan or 1/4 cup into the smaller pans.
• Place the pan(s) in the preheated air fryer and cook for 5-8 minutes until the tops are golden brown. No flipping is necessary.
• Carefully remove the pan(s) from the air fryer and let the pancakes cool for a minute or two.
• Serve warm with your choice of toppings or enjoy them as is!

Tips:

• If you don't have buttermilk, you can add 1 teaspoon of vinegar to regular milk or almond milk as a substitute.
• An aluminium pan without a non-stick finish is best for making flat pancakes.
• You can also use a store-bought pancake mix instead of making the batter from scratch.
• You can freeze any leftover pancakes and reheat them in the air fryer or microwave when needed.

Air fryer pancakes: cooking time and temperature

Air fryer pancakes are a quick and easy way to make a delicious breakfast. The cooking time and temperature for air fryer pancakes can vary depending on the model of your air fryer and the size of your pancake, but generally, you can expect to cook your pancakes at around 350°F–400°F for 5–8 minutes.

Choosing a Pan

Firstly, it's important to choose the right pan for your air fryer pancakes. Aluminum pans are the best option, as they fit nicely in most air fryers and ensure your pancakes cook evenly. You'll want to avoid pans with a non-stick finish, as these will cause your pancakes to rise up in the center instead of cooking flat.

You can use either a large 6-inch pan that cooks one pancake at a time or smaller 4-inch pans that can cook 3–4 pancakes at once. Foil baking pans are a good option if you don't want to buy special pans.

Preparing the Batter

You can make your pancake batter from scratch or use a store-bought mix. If you're making the batter yourself, simply combine the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt) in one bowl and the wet ingredients (buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract) in another bowl. Then, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until the batter is smooth. Let the batter rest for 10–20 minutes.

Cooking the Pancakes

Once your batter is ready, spray your chosen pans with cooking spray and fill them with 1/4 cup of batter for smaller pans or 1/2 cup for larger pans. Use a rubber spatula to spread the batter evenly to the edges of the pan.

Place the pan(s) in your preheated air fryer and cook at 350°F–400°F for 5–8 minutes, depending on your air fryer model and desired level of doneness. There's no need to flip the pancakes, as they will cook evenly on both sides.

When the pancakes are golden brown and crispy on top, carefully remove the pans from the air fryer using oven mitts. The pancakes should fall right out when you flip the pans over. If you have batter left, simply respray the pans and cook another batch!

Air fryer pancakes: toppings and serving suggestions

Air fryer pancakes are a quick and easy way to make a delicious breakfast. You can use a pancake mix or make your own batter, and there are plenty of toppings and serving suggestions to elevate your breakfast.

Toppings

The classic topping for pancakes is maple syrup, but you could also use strawberry or blueberry sauce. Peanut butter or almond butter are also tasty alternatives. For a birthday breakfast, why not add some sprinkles? Fresh fruit like strawberries, bananas, and blueberries are also great, healthy options. And for a sweet treat, add some chocolate chips.

Serving Suggestions

If you want a full breakfast, serve your pancakes with hash browns, egg bites, breakfast potatoes, or sausage. You could also try air fryer bacon, air fryer breakfast potatoes, or air fryer eggs.

Reheating and Storing

If you have any leftover pancakes, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. To reheat, you can microwave them or put them back in the air fryer for about 3 minutes at 330°F.

You can also freeze your leftover pancakes. Lay them on a sheet pan and place them in the freezer for 30 minutes, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container. To reheat, cook them in a toaster, the air fryer, or microwave for about 1 minute.

Air fryer pancakes: reheating and freezing

Air fryer pancakes can be reheated in the air fryer or in a toaster, or even microwaved for about a minute. In the air fryer, set the temperature to 320 degrees F and cook the pancakes for 2 minutes. You can also reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes until heated through.

To freeze air fryer pancakes, lay them on a sheet pan and place them in the freezer for 30 minutes. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or container. They can be reheated from frozen in the air fryer, toaster, or microwave.

Air fryer pancakes: equipment and utensils

Air fryer pancakes are a quick and easy breakfast option, perfect for those who want a delicious, fluffy stack without the hassle of traditional cooking methods. To make air fryer pancakes, you will need the following equipment and utensils:

Air Fryer

Firstly, and most importantly, you will need an air fryer. Air fryers come in various models, such as the Cosori Air Fryer, but any standard air fryer should do the job. The size of your air fryer will determine how many pancakes you can cook at once and what size pans you can use.

Pans

The choice of pan is crucial when making air fryer pancakes. Here are some options:

• Aluminum pans are recommended as they conduct heat efficiently and ensure even cooking. You can use a large 6-inch pan for one large pancake or smaller 4-inch pans to make 3-4 smaller pancakes at a time.
• Foil baking pans are a simple and affordable option if you don't want to buy special pans.
• Small, oven-safe containers such as crème brûlée dishes or mini graham cracker crust tins can also be used.

It is important to note that pans with a non-stick finish should be avoided, as they will cause the batter to rise unevenly, resulting in domed pancakes.

Utensils

In addition to the air fryer and pans, you will need some standard kitchen utensils:

• Mixing bowls and whisks/spoons for combining the batter
• Measuring cups and spoons for accurate measurements of ingredients
• A rubber spatula for spreading the batter evenly in the pan
• Cooking spray to grease the pans and prevent sticking
• Tongs or oven mitts for handling the hot pans

With the right equipment and utensils, you'll be well on your way to making perfect air fryer pancakes.

Frequently asked questions