Air-Fried Pancakes: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making pancakes in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious breakfast. You can use a pancake mix or make your own batter from scratch. The key to getting perfect pancakes is to use an aluminium pan, which ensures the pancake cooks evenly and gets crispy on the bottom. You can also use silicone moulds to make perfectly round, evenly sized pancakes. The best temperature to cook pancakes in an air fryer is 400°F for 7-8 minutes.

Choosing the right pan

Material

Aluminum pans are the best option for making pancakes in an air fryer. This is because aluminum conducts heat efficiently, ensuring your pancakes cook evenly and achieve the desired golden brown colour. Avoid using pans with a non-stick finish, as these can cause the batter to rise up in the centre, resulting in domed pancakes instead of flat ones. If you're looking for a simple solution without purchasing special pans, foil baking pans made of aluminum can also get the job done.

Size

The size of the pan you choose will depend on how many pancakes you want to make at once and the size of your air fryer. Smaller, 4-inch pans are ideal for making 3-4 pancakes at a time and are a perfect serving size for one person. On the other hand, a large 6-inch pan can make one pancake at a time, but the serving size may be too much or too little, depending on your appetite. If you're cooking for a larger group, using multiple smaller pans may be more efficient.

Shape

Round pans are the typical choice for making pancakes, and you can find small, round aluminum pans that create perfectly sized pancakes. However, if you want to make multiple pancakes in your air fryer oven simultaneously, consider using 4-inch silicone dishes or 4 to 6-inch small tin foil pie dishes. These will allow you to cook 4 pancakes at once in a basket air fryer or air fryer oven.

Other Considerations

When selecting a pan for your air fryer pancakes, ensure that it fits comfortably inside your air fryer with enough space for air circulation. Additionally, it's essential to grease your pan generously with cooking spray or cake release before adding the batter. This step will ensure your pancakes don't stick to the pan, making them easier to remove once cooked.

Making the batter

If you're short on time, a store-bought pancake mix is a great option. Simply combine the mix with water according to the package directions. It is important to let the batter rest for a few minutes, as this will give you fluffier pancakes.

For those who prefer to make their own batter, the process is a little more involved but definitely worth the effort. Here's what you need to do:

• Combine the dry ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk them together to ensure they are well mixed.
• Mix the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir the ingredients together until they are well incorporated.
• Combine the dry and wet ingredients: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and gently fold them together until you have a smooth batter. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make your pancakes dense. A few lumps in the batter are fine.
• Let the batter rest: Once you've mixed the batter, let it rest for about 20 minutes. This resting time allows the batter to settle and will result in fluffier pancakes.

Now that you have your batter ready, it's time to move on to the next step of cooking your perfect air fryer pancakes!

Filling the pans

Once you have your pans ready, it's time to fill them with batter. If you are using a store-bought mix, simply follow the package directions. If you are making your own batter, combine the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt) in one bowl, and the wet ingredients (buttermilk, eggs, and oil) in another. Then, add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until most lumps are gone, but be careful not to overmix. You can also add in any extras, such as blueberries, chocolate chips, or sprinkles, at this point.

Now you are ready to fill your pans. Spray your chosen pans with cooking spray, then add the batter. For smaller pans, use a 1/4 cup of batter, and for larger pans, use a 1/2 cup. Use a rubber spatula to spread the batter evenly to the edges of the pan. This step is important to ensure your pancakes cook evenly.

Air-frying the pancakes

Air-frying pancakes is a quick and easy way to make this breakfast classic. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving fluffy, golden pancakes in your air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Pancake Batter

You can use a store-bought pancake mix or make your own batter from scratch. If you're making your own, simply combine the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt) and wet ingredients (buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract) in separate bowls. Then, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and gently mix until you have a smooth batter. It's okay to have a few lumps. Let the batter rest for about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F–400°F. The ideal temperature may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model.

Step 3: Prepare the Pans

Spray your chosen pans with cooking spray or melted butter. You can use aluminium pans, foil baking pans, or silicone molds. If using aluminium or foil pans, ensure they do not have a non-stick coating, as this will cause the pancakes to dome in the centre. For smaller air fryers, use 4-inch pans to make 3-4 pancakes at a time. For larger air fryers, you can use a 6-inch pan for one large pancake.

Step 4: Fill the Pans with Batter

Pour the batter into the prepared pans. For smaller pans, use 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.

Step 5: Air Fry the Pancakes

Place the filled pans into the air fryer and cook at the desired temperature for 6–10 minutes, or until the tops of the pancakes are golden brown and crispy. There is no need to flip the pancakes during cooking.

Step 6: Remove and Serve the Pancakes

Carefully remove the pans from the air fryer using oven mitts. The pancakes should easily fall out of the pans when flipped over. Serve the pancakes immediately, or keep them warm in an oven set to 200°F until ready to serve. Top with your favourite toppings, such as maple syrup, peanut butter, fresh fruit, or chocolate chips.

Tips for Success:

• Always grease the pans generously before adding the batter to prevent sticking.
• For fluffier pancakes, use buttermilk in your batter. The acid in buttermilk reacts with baking soda to create a lighter, fluffier texture.
• If desired, add mix-ins such as blueberries or chocolate chips to your batter.
• Check on your pancakes regularly to avoid overcooking. Air fryer temperatures can vary, so adjust the cooking time as needed.

Removing the pancakes from the pans

Once your pancakes are cooked, it's time to remove them from the pans. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have used a large pan to make one pancake at a time, or smaller pans to make multiple pancakes.

If you've used a larger pan, carefully remove the pan from the air fryer using oven mitts. Flip the pan over and the pancake should fall right out. If you've used smaller pans, you can tip the pancakes out onto a cooling rack.

If your pancakes are a little stubborn, you can use a spatula to help remove them from the pans. It's important to let the pancakes cool for a minute or two before attempting to remove them, as this will make the process easier and reduce the risk of burning yourself.

If you're making another batch, be sure to respray the pans with cooking spray before adding more batter.

Frequently asked questions