Air Fryer Pancake Perfection: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making pancakes in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious breakfast. While it may seem like an unusual method, air fryers can cook pancakes to a golden brown colour without sacrificing taste or texture. The key to success is using the right equipment and ingredients. This includes an aluminium pan, which ensures the pancake cooks evenly and achieves the desired level of crispness.

Choosing the right pan

When it comes to choosing the right pan for making pancakes in your air fryer, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, the pan needs to fit inside your air fryer, so it's important to measure the dimensions of your air fryer before purchasing a pan. Secondly, it is recommended to use a pan without a non-stick finish. Pans with a non-stick finish tend to cause the batter to rise in the centre, resulting in a domed-shaped pancake rather than a flat one. Therefore, opting for an aluminium pan with a non-coated finish is ideal.

Aluminium pans are the best option for making pancakes in the air fryer as they allow for even cooking and browning. You can choose between a larger 6-inch pan that cooks one pancake at a time or smaller 4-inch pans that can cook multiple pancakes simultaneously. The smaller pans are more manageable and are perfect for a single serving. Additionally, foil baking pans are a simple and cost-effective alternative if you don't want to invest in special pans.

It's worth noting that some recipes suggest using disposable aluminium pie tins or small silicone moulds to achieve perfectly round and evenly sized pancakes. These moulds or tins are greased with cooking spray or cake release before adding the batter. This ensures that the pancakes don't stick and can be easily removed from the pans after cooking.

In summary, when choosing a pan for making pancakes in your air fryer, opt for an aluminium pan with a non-coated finish, ensuring it fits your air fryer dimensions. Consider the number of pancakes you wish to cook simultaneously, as well as your desired pancake size, when selecting between larger or smaller pans.

Preparing the batter

The first step in making pancakes in an air fryer is to prepare the batter. You can use a store-bought pancake mix or make your own homemade batter. If you're short on time, a pancake mix is a convenient option, but making your own batter from scratch will give you more control over the ingredients and allow you to customize the flavour to your liking. Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing the batter for your air-fried pancakes:

Ingredients

First, gather your ingredients. For a basic pancake batter, you'll need:

• Flour: Use all-purpose/plain flour as the base for your batter.
• Liquid: You can use buttermilk, regular milk, almond milk, or even a combination of milk and vinegar to create a buttermilk substitute.
• Eggs: These help bind the ingredients together and provide structure to your pancakes.
• Fat: Options include melted butter, oil, or a combination of both.
• Leavening agents: Baking powder and/or baking soda are essential for fluffy pancakes. They create the air bubbles that give your pancakes a light and airy texture.
• Sweetener: Granulated sugar is commonly used, but you can adjust the amount to suit your taste preferences.
• Salt: A small amount of salt enhances the flavour of the other ingredients.

Mixing the batter

Now, it's time to mix your ingredients:

• Combine the dry ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt (if using). Ensure they are well combined.
• Mix the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the liquid (buttermilk/milk), eggs, and melted butter/oil. Whisk them together until they are well incorporated.
• Combine the dry and wet ingredients: Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, stirring continuously until you achieve a smooth batter. It's okay to have a few lumps in the batter.
• Optional add-ins: If you want to include mix-ins like chocolate chips, blueberries, or sprinkles, gently fold them into the batter now.
• Rest the batter: Allow the batter to rest for a few minutes (5-20 minutes is recommended). This resting period helps the batter thicken and ensures that your pancakes will be fluffy and cooked evenly.

Your batter is now ready to be cooked in your air fryer! Remember to follow the specific instructions provided by your air fryer model for the best results.

Filling the pans

First, ensure you have the right equipment. You will need small, round aluminium pans that fit inside your air fryer. These pans are essential as they create the perfect-sized pancakes and prevent the batter from spreading too much or dripping. Avoid using pans with a non-stick finish, as these will cause the batter to rise in the centre, resulting in domed pancakes instead of flat ones.

Once you have the correct pans, it's time to prepare your pancake batter. You can use a store-bought pancake mix or make your own batter from scratch. If using a mix, simply add water according to the package directions. For a homemade batter, combine dry ingredients like flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in one bowl, and wet ingredients like buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter in another bowl. Then, gently mix the wet and dry ingredients until combined, being careful not to overmix. Allow the batter to rest for a few minutes.

Now it's time to fill the pans. Generously spray your chosen aluminium pans with cooking spray or melted butter to prevent sticking. Then, use a measuring cup to scoop the batter into the pans. For smaller pans, add about 1/4 cup of batter, and for larger pans, use 1/2 cup. Use a rubber spatula to spread the batter evenly to the edges of the pan.

After filling the pans, it's time to cook your pancakes in the air fryer. Place the filled pans into the preheated air fryer, setting the temperature between 350°F and 400°F, depending on your air fryer model. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the tops of the pancakes are golden brown and crispy. There is no need to flip the pancakes during cooking.

Finally, remove the pans from the air fryer using oven mitts, and your fluffy air fryer pancakes will easily fall out of the pans. If you have batter remaining, simply respray the pans and repeat the process. Enjoy your freshly cooked pancakes with your favourite toppings, such as maple syrup, fresh fruit, or chocolate chips!

Air-frying the pancakes

Step 1: Prepare the batter

Firstly, prepare your pancake batter. You can use a store-bought pancake mix or make your own from scratch. If you're making it from scratch, combine the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt) and the wet ingredients (buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla) separately, and then mix them together. For fluffier pancakes, use buttermilk or add a teaspoon of vinegar to regular milk.

Step 2: Prepare the air fryer

Spray your chosen baking pans or aluminium tins/trays with cooking spray or melted butter. If using a cake pan, place it inside the basket of your air fryer and preheat the air fryer to 360-400°F.

Step 3: Fill the pans

Pour 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 with a rubber spatula.

Step 4: Air fry the pancakes

Place the pans into the preheated air fryer and cook for 5-8 minutes, depending on your air fryer's temperature. The pancakes are ready when the tops are golden brown and slightly crispy. No flipping is required!

Step 5: Remove and serve

Carefully remove the pans from the air fryer using oven mitts. The pancakes should fall right out, and you can serve them immediately. If you have more batter, simply respray the pans and repeat the process.

Tips:

• Using an aluminium pan without a non-stick coating will help you achieve the perfect pancake shape.
• For fluffier pancakes, use buttermilk or add a teaspoon of vinegar to regular milk.
• You can cook 4 pancakes at once using 4-inch silicone dishes or foil pie dishes in a basket air fryer or air fryer oven.

Removing the pancakes from the pans

Once your pancakes are golden brown on top, it's time to remove them from the air fryer.

Open the air fryer and, using oven mitts, carefully remove the pancake pans. Flip the pans over and the fluffy pancakes should fall right out. If they don't, use a small spatula to help ease them out. Place the pancakes on a cooling rack and make another batch if you have batter left.

If you're cooking multiple pancakes in one go, you can use a 6-inch cake pan or several smaller 3- or 4-inch cake pans.

Frequently asked questions