Air Fryer Pancakes: Parchment Paper Perfection

Making pancakes in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get perfect pancakes every time. While some people claim that you can make them directly on parchment paper in the air fryer, this method is generally dismissed as a scam that will leave you with a mess. A better way to make pancakes in an air fryer is to use small, oven-safe dishes or pans, such as 6-inch cake pans or 4-inch springform tins. You can also use aluminium foil or parchment paper to line these pans.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in making pancakes and should be done while you prepare the pancake batter. Different recipes recommend different temperatures, ranging from 320 to 400 °F. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, you can turn it on to your desired temperature and give it some time to heat up. For example, if you're aiming for 400 °F, let it heat up for about 3-5 minutes.

While your air fryer is heating up, you can prepare your pancake batter. Different recipes will have different ingredients, but generally, you'll want to combine dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in one bowl, and wet ingredients like eggs, milk, butter, and vanilla extract in another bowl. Then, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and gently stir the mixture. It's okay if there are still a few lumps. You can then let the batter rest for a few minutes.

Some recipes also recommend spraying your cake pan, pie tins, or springform pans with cooking spray before pouring in the batter. This will help ensure that your pancakes don't stick to the pan.

Combine wet and dry ingredients

To combine the wet and dry ingredients for pancakes in an air fryer, you will need two bowls. In the first bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. In the second bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: egg, milk, vanilla, and melted butter.

Once you have whisked the wet ingredients together, pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently stir the mixture until it is just combined. It is okay if there are still a few lumps.

Let the batter rest for about 5 minutes before making your pancakes. This allows the flour to absorb the liquid fully and stabilizes the air bubbles, resulting in lighter and fluffier pancakes.

Prepare the air fryer basket

To prepare the air fryer basket, first, take out the drawer of the air fryer. Then, line it with a piece of parchment paper. You can spray the paper with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place a dollop of pancake mix on the paper, and if you are making multiple pancakes, place another piece of parchment paper on top and repeat the process.

Note that some sources do not recommend using the parchment paper method, as it can be messy, and the pancakes may not cook evenly or have a nice shape. Instead, they suggest using small, oven-safe pans, such as aluminium, cake, or pie pans, within the air fryer basket.

Cook the pancakes

Now that your air fryer basket is lined with parchment paper and sprayed with cooking spray, it's time to cook the pancakes. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Place about 3 tablespoons of batter for each pancake on the parchment paper in the air fryer basket, leaving about 1/2 inch of space between each one. You can use a measuring cup or an ice cream scoop to drop the batter onto the parchment paper.

Step 2: Place the basket in the air fryer and set the temperature. If you're using a preheated air fryer, set the temperature to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius). If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, set the temperature to 330 degrees Fahrenheit (170 degrees Celsius).

Step 3: Cook the pancakes without flipping them. The cooking time will depend on the desired level of doneness and the thickness of your pancakes. For thinner pancakes, cook for 7-8 minutes. For thicker pancakes, cook for 10-12 minutes or until the bottom side is fully cooked. Keep an eye on the pancakes to ensure they don't burn.

Step 4: Repeat the process with the remaining batter. Work in batches if necessary.

Step 5: Once the pancakes are cooked, let them cool for a few minutes before removing them from the air fryer. Place them on a cooling rack or a baking sheet to cool completely.

Note: The cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer model. Always monitor the pancakes during the cooking process to prevent burning or undercooking.

Serve with toppings

There are many different toppings you can add to your air-fried pancakes to make them even more delicious. Here are some ideas:

Syrups

• Maple syrup
• Strawberry simple syrup
• Peach simple syrup
• Blackberry simple syrup
• Vegan honey or agave

Spreads

• Peanut butter
• Almond butter
• Pumpkin seed butter
• White chocolate hazelnut spread
• Vegan Nutella
• Lemon curd
• Apple curd

Fruits

• Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries)
• Sliced banana, mango, pineapple, and shredded coconut
• Pear compote
• Strawberry chia seed jam

Creamy

• Whipped cream
• Ice cream
• Greek yogurt
• Creamed cottage cheese

Crunchy

• Granola
• Chopped nuts, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds
• Strawberry crunch topping

Vegan

To make your pancakes vegan, replace the milk with plant milk, the butter with vegan butter, and the egg with a chia or flax egg.

Gluten-Free

To make your pancakes gluten-free, replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum.

Healthier Options

Use oat flour or whole wheat flour and reduce the sugar to ⅛ cup.

Variations

• Blueberry pancakes: Stir fresh blueberries into the pancake batter. You can also add a teaspoon of lemon zest and a tablespoon of lemon juice for lemon blueberry pancakes.
• Chocolate chip pancakes: Sprinkle chocolate chips on top of the thick batter after pouring it into the tins. Then carefully press the chips into the batter.
• Pumpkin spice pancakes: Add pumpkin spice to the batter for a festive, fall-inspired flavor. You can also mix in other warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.

Frequently asked questions