Air Fryer Pancakes: Perfect Timing For Breakfast

Pancake lovers, rejoice! You can make light, fluffy, and golden pancakes in an air fryer in less than 10 minutes. No more slaving over a hot stove and flipping pancakes—just pop them in the air fryer and go about your morning routine. The air fryer's hot air circulation cooks the pancakes to perfection.

To make pancakes in an air fryer, you'll need a pancake recipe or a store-bought mix, an air fryer, and some small, round aluminum pans. Combine the pancake mix with water or milk, melt some butter, and add any toppings you like, such as chocolate chips or blueberries. Spray the aluminum pans with cooking spray or butter, pour in the batter, and air fry for 6-10 minutes at 350-400°F (180-200°C) until golden brown.

So, if you're looking for a quick, easy, and delicious breakfast, give air fryer pancakes a go!

Air fryer pancakes: cooking time and temperature

Air fryer pancakes are a quick and easy breakfast option that can be made using a pancake mix or homemade batter. The cooking time and temperature for air fryer pancakes vary depending on the type and brand of air fryer, but generally, they cook at temperatures between 350-400°F for 6-10 minutes.

Air Fryer Pancakes Using Pancake Mix

To make air fryer pancakes using a pancake mix, simply combine the mix with water according to the package directions. Let the batter rest for a couple of minutes, which will give you fluffier pancakes. Spray your chosen baking pans with cooking spray and add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of batter to each pan, spreading it evenly. Place the pans in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 400°F for 7-8 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.

Air Fryer Pancakes Using Homemade Batter

To make air fryer pancakes using a homemade batter, combine the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt) in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients (milk, melted butter, and egg). Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Let the batter rest for a few minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your air fryer to 360-370°F. Spray a 6-inch cake pan or small aluminum pans with cooking spray and add the batter. Place the pan(s) in the air fryer and cook for 6-8 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.

Tips for Making Air Fryer Pancakes

• It is recommended to use aluminum pans or cake pans without a non-stick finish to get the best results.
• You can cook multiple pancakes at once by using smaller pans or tins that fit in your air fryer.
• If using a store-bought pancake mix, buttermilk pancake mixes tend to yield fluffier pancakes.
• You can add mix-ins such as blueberries, chocolate chips, or sprinkles to your batter for extra flavor.
• To reheat leftover pancakes, place them in the air fryer at 320-350°F for 2-4 minutes or until heated through.

How to make fluffy pancakes in the air fryer

Making fluffy pancakes in the air fryer is easy! All you need is your favourite pancake recipe or a boxed pancake mix, and you can cook up a batch of hot, fluffy pancakes in less than 10 minutes.

Ingredients

You can use your favourite pancake recipe or boxed pancake mix. Here is a basic pancake recipe that you can easily adapt to your taste:

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2-3 tablespoons of granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups of buttermilk or regular milk
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 egg

Method

• Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Whisk to combine, then create a well in the centre of the dry ingredients.
• In a separate bowl, beat the egg, then whisk in the milk and melted butter.
• Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and gently stir the mixture until just combined. It's okay if there are still a few lumps. Allow the batter to rest for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F.
• Spray your chosen baking pans (silicone or aluminium) with cooking spray or melted butter.
• Use an ice cream scoop or a 1/2 cup measuring cup to drop the batter into the pans, spreading it out evenly with a rubber spatula.
• Place the pans in the air fryer tray or basket in a single layer and cook for 5-8 minutes, until the tops are golden brown. There is no need to flip the pancakes!
• Carefully remove the pans from the air fryer and let the pancakes cool for a minute or two before removing them from the pans.
• Repeat with the remaining batter, making sure to respray the pans before each batch.
• Serve the pancakes with your favourite toppings, such as maple syrup, peanut butter, fresh fruit, or chocolate chips.

Tips

• For fluffier pancakes, use buttermilk in your batter. The acid in the buttermilk reacts with the baking soda to create little bubbles that make the batter rise.
• If you don't have buttermilk, you can add a teaspoon of vinegar to regular milk or use yoghurt or sour cream with lemon juice.
• To make multiple pancakes at once, use smaller 4-inch pans or tins.
• Check on your pancakes after 6 minutes, as air fryer cooking times may vary. The pancakes are done when they are golden brown on top.
• You can freeze leftover pancakes in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
• To reheat frozen pancakes, pop them in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through.

Pancake toppings

Pancakes are a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of toppings. Here are some ideas to elevate your pancake breakfast or brunch:

Fruits

Fresh fruits are a great way to add a refreshing touch to your pancakes. Slice up some sweet bananas, juicy peaches, tart kiwi, or any other fruit of your choice and arrange them neatly on top of your pancakes. You can also create a fruit compote by cooking fruits with sugar, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan. This will give you a sweeter option compared to fresh fruit. Blueberry compote, cranberry compote with rosemary, and peach compote are some options to consider.

Sauces and Spreads

Maple syrup is a classic choice, but you can also get creative with other sauces and spreads. Try drizzling on some chocolate fudge sauce, buttermilk syrup, or a fruit coulis like blueberry or raspberry. For a more indulgent option, go for Nutella or caramel sauce. You can even make your own caramel sauce by combining butter and sugar, and adding a pinch of salt or a splash of bourbon.

Healthy Toppings

If you're looking for something a bit more wholesome, there are plenty of healthy options to choose from. Try some almond butter fruit dip, coconut date syrup, or sugar-free vegan marshmallow fluff. A low-carb, sugar-free caramel sauce made with keto ingredients is another tasty option.

Nutty Toppings

Nuts and pancakes go together perfectly. Toast some cashews, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, macadamias, or pecans to release their aroma and enhance their flavor. Then sprinkle them on top of your pancakes for a crunchy and creamy contrast. You can also go for nut butter, like pistachio almond butter or hazelnut praline paste. Or, try drizzling on some caramelized walnut syrup.

Reheating pancakes in the air fryer

To reheat frozen pancakes, first, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the frozen pancakes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until heated through.

For leftover pancakes, preheat the air fryer to 320 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the pancakes in the air fryer in a single layer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until heated all the way through.

You can also reheat leftover pancakes in the air fryer for about 15-20 seconds, or quickly pan-fry them to warm them up.

The beauty of the air fryer is that it cooks the pancakes evenly, without the need for flipping, and leaves you with a stack of golden, fluffy pancakes every time.

Can you make gluten-free pancakes in the air fryer?

Yes, you can make gluten-free pancakes in an air fryer!

If you want to make gluten-free pancakes in an air fryer, you can substitute plain flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum. Bob's Red Mill 1:1 All-Purpose Flour is recommended for its gluten-like taste and texture. You can also use gluten-free oat flour, which is available in most supermarkets. If you can't find it, you can make your own by placing rolled oats in a food processor until they are finely ground.

The cooking process for gluten-free pancakes in an air fryer is the same as for regular pancakes. You can use a cake pan, a 6-inch pie tin, or small aluminium pans to cook the pancakes. The key is to use a container that allows the pancake to get hot enough to crisp up a bit on the bottom. You can also use silicone moulds to make perfectly round and evenly sized pancakes.

The cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer model. As a guide, cook the pancakes for around 10 minutes at 330°F / 170°C until they are fully cooked and lightly golden brown.

You can serve gluten-free pancakes with butter and your favourite toppings. Some suggestions include maple syrup, fresh berries, whipped cream, nut butter, and Greek yoghurt.

You can also make a big batch of gluten-free pancakes and store them in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for up to three months.

Frequently asked questions