Air-Fryer Pancakes: Quick, Easy, And Delicious Breakfast!

Pancakes are a breakfast staple, but can you make them in an air fryer? The answer is yes, and it's easier than you might think. With this cooking method, you can make a stack of fluffy pancakes without the mess and hassle of traditional frying. But how long do they take to cook?

Air fryer pancakes recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups (460ml) buttermilk
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups (260g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 egg
• A pinch of salt
• Sugar
• Cooking spray
• Maple syrup, berries, or other toppings of your choice

Utensils

• Air fryer
• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Silicone moulds or cake pan
• Ice cream scoop or cookie scoops

Method

First, combine the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Stir well. Then, in a separate bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and stir until the batter is smooth. Leave the batter to rest for 20 minutes.

Next, prepare your air fryer by misting the silicone moulds or cake pan with cooking spray. Place the moulds or pan inside the air fryer basket and pour in the batter.

Cook your pancakes at 350°F / 180°C for 5 minutes, or until the tops are slightly golden. Then, use tongs to flip the pancakes and cook for an additional 4 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

Repeat this process until you have used up all the batter, greasing the moulds or pan each time to prevent sticking. Serve your pancakes with maple syrup, fresh berries, or your favourite toppings. Enjoy!

Tips

• Using buttermilk will make your pancakes extra fluffy.
• You can also use a store-bought pancake batter mix instead of making your own.
• If you want to make multiple pancakes at once, use smaller cake pans or silicone moulds that fit inside your air fryer.
• You can reheat leftover pancakes in the air fryer at 320°F for 2-3 minutes.

Air fryer temperature and time

The ideal temperature and time for cooking pancakes in an air fryer depends on the type of air fryer you have, the size of the pancakes, and the number of pancakes being cooked at once.

Air fryer type

Air fryers come in different styles, such as drawer-style or with a round basket. The style of your air fryer will determine the type of cookware you can use and how many pancakes you can cook at once.

Pancake size

The size of the pancakes will depend on the size of the cookware you use. For example, you can use a 6-inch cake pan or 4-inch silicone pans or dishes to make smaller pancakes. For larger pancakes, you can use a 9-inch pie pan.

Batch cooking

Most recipes recommend cooking one pancake at a time in the air fryer, but some suggest using multiple smaller pans to cook 4 pancakes at once.

Temperature

The recommended temperature for cooking pancakes in an air fryer ranges from 350°F to 400°F. However, some sources suggest lowering the temperature if the outside of the pancake cooks too quickly.

Cooking time

The cooking time for pancakes in an air fryer generally ranges from 5 to 8 minutes. If you are cooking multiple pancakes at once, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Flipping

Some recipes suggest flipping the pancakes halfway through the cooking time, while others claim that flipping is not necessary.

Air fryer pancake toppings

There are many different toppings you can add to your pancakes to elevate your breakfast experience. Here are some ideas:

Fruits

Add a burst of freshness to your pancakes with fruits like blueberries, strawberries, bananas, or any other fruit of your choice. You can also get creative and make a fruit compote or caramelised fruit to take your pancakes to the next level.

Nuts

Nuts can add a nice crunchy texture to your pancakes. Try walnuts, pecans, almonds, or even peanut butter to give your pancakes a nutty twist.

Syrups and Sauces

Of course, the classic maple syrup is always a great option, but you can also experiment with other syrups and sauces like chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, or even a fruit-based sauce like strawberry or raspberry syrup.

Whipped Cream

For an indulgent touch, top your pancakes with some freshly whipped cream. You can even add a dash of vanilla extract to your whipped cream for an extra flavour boost.

Other Sweet Toppings

If you're feeling adventurous, try some marshmallows, sprinkles, chocolate chips, or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Savoury Toppings

If you're in the mood for something savoury, you can top your pancakes with fried eggs, bacon, or sausage, or even avocado and smoked salmon for a more sophisticated brunch option.

Remember, the sky's the limit when it comes to pancake toppings, so feel free to get creative and combine different ingredients to find your perfect combination.

Reheating pancakes in an air fryer

To reheat your pancakes, preheat your air fryer to 320°F. Place your leftover pancakes inside, ensuring they are in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes or until heated all the way through. Repeat until all the pancakes are reheated.

If you're reheating frozen pancakes, preheat your air fryer to 320°F and place the frozen pancakes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until heated through, and repeat until all the pancakes are cooked.

You can also reheat pancakes in the microwave. Place 2-3 pancakes on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 30-45 seconds on high until heated through.

Air fryer pancake hacks

Air fryers are a great way to make perfect, fluffy pancakes without the mess of a frying pan. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the best results:

Choose the right ingredients

The key to fluffy pancakes is in the batter. A classic buttermilk pancake recipe is a good option for air fryer pancakes as the acid in the buttermilk reacts with the baking soda to create little bubbles that make the batter rise. You can also use a store-bought pancake batter mix or make your own from scratch. Just be sure to let the batter rest for a few minutes to allow it to aerate and lighten, resulting in fluffier pancakes.

Use the right tools

To get perfectly round and evenly sized pancakes, use a set of small silicone moulds or cake pans. You can also use cookie scoops for mess-free batter distribution. If you're using an air fryer basket, you'll need to place a cake pan or some oven-safe pans inside to prevent the batter from dripping through. For easy cleanup, line your pans with greaseproof paper and grease them with butter, oil, or cooking spray before pouring in the batter.

Get the temperature and timing right

The ideal temperature for cooking pancakes in an air fryer is around 350-400°F (180-200°C). At this temperature, your pancakes should take about 5-8 minutes to cook, depending on the size and thickness. Be sure to keep an eye on them, as the timing may vary depending on your air fryer model. If you're cooking multiple batches, the first batch may take a little longer, and the remaining batches may need slightly less time as the fryer will already be hot.

Add some extras

Want to take your pancakes to the next level? Try adding some mix-ins like chocolate chips, sliced bananas, or berries to your batter before cooking. Or get creative with your toppings—the options are endless! You can also make pancake bites by using smaller pans or silicone moulds to cook multiple pancakes at once.

Reheat and store your pancakes

If you have any leftover pancakes, you can easily reheat them in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 320°F and cook the pancakes for 2-4 minutes until heated through. You can also freeze your pancakes by placing them in an airtight container or bag and storing them in the freezer for up to three months.

Frequently asked questions