The Perfect Heat: Mastering The Cast Iron Pan For Sourdough Pancakes

To make the perfect sourdough pancakes, you'll need to heat your cast-iron pan to around 375°F. This will ensure that your pancakes cook evenly across the entire surface without burning. It's important to preheat your skillet before adding any fat, such as butter, coconut oil, or avocado oil, to prevent the pancakes from sticking. Once your skillet is preheated, turn down the heat to around 360°F, which is the perfect temperature for browning the outside of your pancake while keeping the inside fluffy.

How to preheat your cast iron pan

Preheating your cast-iron pan is essential for achieving the perfect sourdough pancakes. Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure your pan is ready for cooking:

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan

Place your cast-iron pan inside your oven. Set the oven temperature to around 450°F (200°C) if you plan to finish cooking your pancakes in the oven, or preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) if you intend to cook them entirely on the stovetop.

Step 2: Heat the Pan

Leave the pan in the oven as it preheats. This ensures the entire pan, including the sides, heats up evenly. Cast iron is an excellent heat conductor and retains heat well, so this step is crucial for achieving a consistent cooking temperature.

Step 3: Check the Pan's Temperature

The ideal temperature for cooking pancakes on a cast-iron pan is around 375°F (190°C). Use an oven thermometer to check the pan's temperature if you're unsure.

Step 4: Add Fat

Once your pan is hot, add your choice of fat: butter, coconut oil, or avocado oil. A generous amount, such as 1-2 tablespoons, will create a non-stick surface and add flavour.

Step 5: Preheat the Fat

Allow the fat to melt and heat up. This step is essential, as it creates a natural non-stick coating on your pan. Preheating the fat also ensures your pancakes get that delicious crispy, golden-brown exterior.

Step 6: Test the Heat

At this point, you can test the heat of your pan. Sprinkle a few drops of water onto the pan. If the water sizzles and evaporates immediately, your pan is ready for cooking. If not, let it heat up a little longer.

Step 7: Pour the Batter

Now, you're ready to pour your sourdough pancake batter into the pan. Remember to only flip your pancakes once to achieve that perfect crispy exterior and fluffy interior.

Enjoy your cast-iron sourdough pancakes!

How to know when to flip your pancake

Flipping your pancake at the right time is a crucial step in the pancake-making process. Here are some detailed tips to help you master the perfect flip for your sourdough pancakes:

Firstly, ensure your cast-iron pan is preheated to the right temperature. This is important because it affects how your pancake cooks and whether it sticks to the pan. For pancakes, you want to preheat your cast-iron pan to around 375°F. Once preheated, turn the burner down to around 360°F, which is perfect for achieving a golden-brown colour without burning.

Now, you're ready to add your batter. Pour or scoop about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake. Keep in mind that the thickness of your batter will influence the cooking time. A runny batter is better suited for waffles, where heat cooks both sides simultaneously. For pancakes, you want a thicker batter that holds its shape.

So, when is the perfect time to flip? You'll know it's time when you see the edges of your pancake begin to appear solid, and the middle no longer looks like runny batter. You'll also notice some bubbles forming on the surface. This is the ideal time to slide your spatula under the pancake and give it a gentle lift to check if the base is golden brown. If it is, go ahead and flip!

It's important not to flip too early, as this will create a mess, or too late, as your pancake may burn. After flipping, cook the pancake for an additional minute or so on the second side, until it's cooked through and golden brown.

Now you know the secret to perfect pancakes! Enjoy your sourdough pancakes, and don't forget to serve them with your favourite toppings and syrups.

How to clean your cast iron pan after cooking

To clean your cast-iron pan after cooking pancakes, you should:

• Clean the pan while it's still hot. Stuck-on food hardens as it cools, so cleaning the pan promptly will save you time and effort.
• Clean the pan with hot water and no soap. Conventional wisdom says that soap strips seasoning from a pan. Instead, use a cast-iron scrubber to firmly scrub the pan.
• For stuck-on food, use salt and a dry towel. The abrasion of the salt will help lift the food away, and the surface area of the towel will amplify your scrubbing power.
• Dry the pan thoroughly with paper towels. If there is still water on the pan, use a dry towel to wipe it away.
• To ensure the pan is completely dry, place it on the stove and gently heat it until all the water evaporates.
• Wipe the inside of the pan with an oiled paper towel. Neutral oils, such as vegetable, canola, or grapeseed oil, are best.

How to prevent your pancake from sticking to the pan

To prevent your pancakes from sticking to the pan, you need to ensure that your pan is hot enough before adding the batter. This is especially important if you are using a cast-iron pan, as it needs to be preheated to create a non-stick surface.

Firstly, you should heat your cast-iron pan to around 375°F before cooking your pancakes. This will take around 3-5 minutes, depending on your stove. Once preheated, turn the burner down to around 360°F. This temperature will ensure that the outside of your pancake is browned without burning, while the inside remains fluffy and cooked through.

Secondly, add a small amount of fat to the pan, such as butter, coconut oil, or avocado oil. This will create a crispy outer edge to your pancake and prevent it from sticking. For a cast-iron pan, a good amount is around half a tablespoon of butter or a dollop of coconut oil.

Finally, wait for the batter to cook on the outside and bubble on the inside before flipping. This will ensure that the pancake has set and will not stick to the pan when flipped.

In addition to these steps, it is important to use a seasoned cast-iron pan, which has a coating of oil that creates a non-stick surface. If your pan is not seasoned, there is a process you can follow to create this coating.

How to store your pancakes

Storing your pancakes properly is essential to maintaining their freshness and preventing them from spoiling. Here are some detailed instructions on how to store your pancakes:

Let the pancakes cool down:

Before storing your pancakes, it's crucial to let them cool completely. This will prevent moisture buildup, ensuring they don't become soggy during storage. Place them on a wire rack to ensure proper airflow and even cooling.

Use parchment paper or wax paper to separate the pancakes:

Place a sheet of parchment or wax paper between each pancake to prevent them from sticking together. This simple step will make it easier to remove individual pancakes when you're ready to eat them.

Store the pancakes in an airtight container or resealable bag:

Use airtight containers, such as plastic containers with tight-fitting lids, or resealable plastic bags to store your pancakes. This will help keep them fresh and prevent exposure to air and moisture, which can lead to staleness. Make sure to seal the containers properly.

Refrigerate or freeze the pancakes:

If you plan to eat the pancakes within a few days, store them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for 2-4 days. However, if you want to store them for a more extended period, freezing is your best option. Pancakes can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Label the containers or bags with the date:

Remember to label the containers or bags with the date before placing them in the refrigerator or freezer. This will help you keep track of how long the pancakes have been stored and ensure more accessible organisation.

Thaw and reheat the pancakes properly:

When you're ready to enjoy your stored pancakes, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. To reheat, you can use a toaster, toaster oven, oven, or microwave. Reheating time will vary depending on your chosen method and appliance, but it usually takes a short 10 minutes in the oven or 20-60 seconds in the microwave for one or two pancakes.

Frequently asked questions