Air Fryer Pancakes: Quick, Easy, And Delicious?

Pancakes are a breakfast classic, but not everyone has the time or energy to make them from scratch on the stovetop. Luckily, air fryers provide a simple and efficient alternative. You can use a store-bought pancake mix or make your own batter from scratch, pour it into small, round aluminium pans or tins, and cook for around 5-10 minutes. The result? Fluffy, golden brown, and perfectly cooked pancakes, with minimal effort.

Air fryer pancakes: a quick, easy, and delicious breakfast

Pancakes are a classic breakfast food and a weekend favourite for many. But the process of making them from scratch can often be time-consuming and daunting, especially if you're short on time in the mornings. This is where air fryers come in.

Air fryer pancakes are a quick, easy, and delicious breakfast option that can be made with minimal effort and in less than 10 minutes. You can use a store-bought pancake mix or make your own homemade batter with simple ingredients like flour, sugar, baking powder, and buttermilk.

Here's a step-by-step guide to making perfect air fryer pancakes:

Ingredients and Equipment:

• Pancake mix or homemade batter
• Water or milk (buttermilk or oat milk for fluffier pancakes)
• Cooking spray or melted butter
• Aluminium pans or silicone molds (6-inch or 4-inch pans, or small silicone molds)
• Air fryer
• Measuring cup and rubber spatula

Method:

Step 1: Combine the pancake mix and water or milk in a mixing bowl according to the package directions. Let the batter rest for a few minutes to make it fluffier.

Step 2: Spray your aluminium pans or silicone molds generously with cooking spray or melted butter.

Step 3: With a measuring cup, pour about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of pancake batter into each pan or mold, making sure to spread it evenly to the edges.

Step 4: Place the pans or molds into the air fryer basket. Cook at 350-400°F for 5-8 minutes until the tops are golden brown.

Step 5: Carefully remove the pancakes from the pans or molds and serve warm with your favourite toppings.

Tips:

• Using buttermilk or adding a teaspoon of vinegar to regular milk will make your pancakes fluffier due to the reaction between the acid and baking soda.
• If using a store-bought mix, follow the package directions for the best results.
• For evenly cooked pancakes, ensure the batter is evenly spread in the pan. You can use a rubber spatula to gently spread it to the edges.
• Aluminium pans without a non-stick finish are recommended for flatter pancakes.
• You can cook 3-4 smaller pancakes at a time, or one large pancake, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Toppings and Serving Ideas:

• Maple syrup
• Fresh fruit (strawberries, bananas, blueberries)
• Chocolate chips or chocolate sauce
• Peanut butter or almond butter
• Whipped cream
• Walnuts
• Strawberry or blueberry sauce

Air fryer pancakes are a convenient and tasty breakfast option that can be made with ease, leaving you with more time to focus on your morning routine. So, the next time you're craving pancakes, give this quick and easy air fryer method a try!

The best pans for making pancakes in the air fryer

Making pancakes in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious breakfast. The key to getting perfect, fluffy pancakes is to use an aluminium or silicone pan, which ensures the batter gets hot enough to crisp up.

Aluminium Pans

Aluminium pans are a great option for making pancakes in an air fryer. The aluminium conducts heat well, ensuring the pancake batter gets hot enough to crisp up and cook evenly. Disposable 6-inch aluminium pie tins are a good option, as they are small enough to fit multiple tins in the air fryer at once, and the disposable nature means there is no need for washing up.

Silicone Pans

Small silicone moulds are another good option for making pancakes in an air fryer. They are oven-safe and make perfectly round and evenly sized pancakes. They are also mess-free, as they can be greased with cooking spray or cake release to prevent sticking.

Other Options

Other oven-safe pans can be used in an air fryer, such as a metal or glass pie pan, small cake pans, or tin foil pie dishes. However, it is important to note that ceramic or glass oven-proof containers will not get hot enough to crisp up the pancakes.

Additionally, parchment paper should not be used in the air fryer as it will result in a goopy mess.

Overall, the best pans for making pancakes in an air fryer are small aluminium or silicone pans, which ensure even cooking and a crispy texture.

How to make air fryer pancakes

Ingredients

• Pancake batter (store-bought or homemade)
• Cooking spray or melted butter
• Toppings of your choice (e.g. maple syrup, fruit, chocolate chips)

Utensils

• Air fryer
• Aluminum pans (6-inch or 4-inch) or silicone molds
• Measuring cup
• Rubber spatula
• Oven mitts

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Prepare the Pancake Batter

If you're using a store-bought mix, simply combine the pancake mix with water according to the package instructions. If you prefer to make your batter from scratch, mix together dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt) in one bowl, and wet ingredients (buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract) in another bowl. Then, combine the wet and dry mixtures, stirring until the batter is smooth. Let the batter rest for a few minutes to ensure fluffier pancakes.

Step 2: Grease the Pans

Spray your aluminum pans or silicone molds generously with cooking spray or melted butter. This step is crucial to ensure your pancakes don't stick to the pans.

Step 3: Fill the Pans

Use a measuring cup to scoop the batter into the pans. For smaller pans, use about 1/4 cup of batter, and for larger pans, use 1/2 cup. Spread the batter evenly to the edges of the pan using a rubber spatula.

Step 4: Air Fry the Pancakes

Place the filled pans into your preheated air fryer. The ideal temperature is around 350-400°F (180°C). Cook the pancakes for 5-8 minutes, depending on your air fryer and desired level of browning. No flipping is needed!

Step 5: Remove and Serve

Carefully remove the pans from the air fryer using oven mitts. The pancakes should easily slide out of the pans. Stack the pancakes and serve them with your favorite toppings, such as maple syrup, fresh fruit, or chocolate chips.

Tips:

• For fluffy pancakes, use buttermilk in your batter. The acid in the buttermilk reacts with the baking soda, creating bubbles that make the batter rise.
• If using a store-bought mix, consider adding extras like oat milk or chocolate chips to make your pancakes thicker and fluffier.
• To make multiple pancakes at once, use smaller pans or molds that fit in your air fryer. This way, you can cook several pancakes in a single batch.
• Always grease your pans generously before each batch to prevent sticking.

How to make fluffy pancakes in the air fryer

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 Tablespoons of granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• ¼ cup of melted butter
• 2 cups of milk (or 1 1/3 cups of buttermilk)
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon of oil
• Water

Optional:

• ½ cup of chocolate chips
• ½ cup of blueberries or other fruit
• Peanut butter or almond butter
• Fresh fruit like strawberries and bananas

Utensils:

• Air fryer
• Aluminum pans (either a large 6-inch pan or smaller 4-inch pans)
• Measuring cup
• Rubber spatula

Method:

• Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir to mix.
• In a separate bowl, combine the milk/buttermilk, egg, and oil. Stir to mix and break up the egg yolk.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until most lumps are gone. If you are adding something extra like blueberries, chocolate chips, or sprinkles, stir them in now.
• Let the batter rest for 5 minutes. Use this time to preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees F for 3-5 minutes.
• Spray your chosen baking pans with cooking spray. Then add 1/4 cup of batter to smaller pans or 1/2 cup to larger pans. Use a rubber spatula to spread the batter to the edges of the pan.
• Air fry at 370 degrees F for 6-7 minutes until they are golden brown on top. There is no need to flip the pancakes.
• Carefully take the pancake pans out, using oven mitts. Flip the pans over, and the fluffy pancakes should fall right out.
• Serve your air fryer pancakes with your favorite toppings. Most people like lots of maple syrup, but you can also use strawberry or blueberry sauce instead.

Tips:

• If you don't have buttermilk, add 1 teaspoon of vinegar to regular milk or almond milk as a substitute.
• An aluminum pan that doesn't have a non-stick finish is essential to get perfect pancakes.
• Using the smaller 4-inch pans is much easier than a larger 6-inch one.
• Air fryer cooking times vary, so check on your pancakes after 6 minutes. They are done when they are golden brown on top.

Reheating and cooking frozen pancakes in the air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen pancakes and are perfect for when you don't have the time to make pancakes from scratch. They are also a great way to reheat leftover pancakes.

Cooking Frozen Pancakes in an Air Fryer

When cooking frozen pancakes in an air fryer, it is best to use a basket-style air fryer. Place the frozen pancakes in the air fryer basket in a single layer to ensure even cooking. You don't need to use oil spray. Air fry at 330°F/165°C for 4-5 minutes to get soft and heated through. If you prefer your pancakes crispy, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.

Reheating Pancakes in an Air Fryer

To reheat pancakes in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 350°F/180°C for about 3 minutes. Place the pancakes in your air fryer basket in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Air fry them for 2 minutes on the first side, then flip them with tongs and air fry on the second side for 1-2 minutes until heated through.

Tips

• Different brands of frozen pancakes vary in size, thickness, and ingredients, so you may need to adjust the timing.
• Different air fryers will also vary in their cooking times, so you may need to adjust the temperature and timing depending on your air fryer model.
• If you are cooking multiple batches, the following batches may cook quicker.
• You can also reheat pancakes in the microwave, on the stovetop, in the oven, in a toaster, or in a toaster oven.

Frequently asked questions