The classic American breakfast table has but a few key ingredients…
- A cup of coffee,
- A glass of orange juice,
- A few strips of perfectly crispy bacon,
- And a tower of buttery, syrupy pancakes, fresh from the griddle.
One of the great things about pancakes is they are shockingly easy to make. Just a few ingredients turn your breakfast table into something worth fighting over. But while the mix is in, the key to a truly fluffy stack is a mastery of your griddle.
The good news is cooking pancakes on a griddle is easy and fun. This is a process the whole family can take part in.
Griddle-cooked pancakes are a thing of wonder. Follow our step-by-step recipe to learn how long to cook pancakes on a griddle. When followed to the T, we’re sure your family will love your next pancake breakfast.
Step 1 – Preheat Your Griddle
Preheating is a step many of us hungry breakfasters skip as we rush to get the goods. But this is a huge mistake, as, just like any griddle cooking, a properly hot surface is the key to success.
So, what temp to cook pancakes on a griddle? We’ve found that heating your griddle temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit does the trick. So crank that knob and practice your patience.
Step 2 – Prep Your Batter
While your griddle is preheating, it’s time to get your pancake batter ready. Sure, you can use pancake mix. But let’s be honest, pancake recipes are just a mix of a few wet ingredients and dry ingredients. Nealry anyone can make a great mix.
There are dozens of recipes for batter out there and you can go with whichever is your favorite. If you’re looking for a bit of inspiration, we have a pancake recipe here you can try.
Whichever you choose, go with a reliable recipe and you’ll probably be fine.
Step 3 – Lower the Heat and Grease
Once your griddle is properly preheated, turn the temperature down a few degrees. Why? Because we’ve found what temp to cook pancakes on a griddle depends on an assumption of heat loss. If your griddle is too consistently high you risk burning your pancakes.
After you’ve lowered the temperature a few degrees, grease your griddle. You can use anything you like: butter, oil, etc. Just remember: you can’t cook pancakes on a dry griddle!
Step 4 – Pour
The key to a good batter pour is the right utensils. Don’t just pour directly from the bowl to your griddle. This will not only make a mess. It will also risk irregularly sized pancakes.
You’re looking for consistency, after all. When every pancake is the same size, they all cook at the same length of time.
We’ve found that a simple soup ladle is a great option during this step. Simply fill it about halfway and pour it into little circles that are about four inches across.
Step 5 – Wait for the Bubble
Don’t futz with your pancakes as they cook. Patience is everything. Simply keep your eye on them.
The ideal pancake size is fairly small, so it should only take a couple of minutes to fully cook on one side. However, how long to cook pancakes on a griddle depends entirely on how large you pour.
The telltale sign that they are ready to flip is the edges should bubble against the hot griddle. Once you see those little bubbles, it’s time to flip.
Step 6 – Cook the Other Side
Now it’s just a matter of minutes until you are in pancake town. Since you don’t have the bubbles to tell you when the other side is done, you’ll need your instincts. Again, it only takes a minute or two. So stay frosty and keep your spatula ready to save your cakes from burning on the cooking surface.
Ultimately, you should have golden brown pancakes on both sides. If they look a bit pale to you, give them another 30 seconds or so. But if they are beautifully tanned with crispy edges, you’re good to move on to the final step.
Step 7 – Eat
There’s no resting time for pancakes. Once cooked, you’re good to go. Simply drizzle your fresh and fluffy pancakes with maple syrup and slather in butter for a perfect morning pick-me-up.
Bonus Step – Get a Griddle You Can Trust
Before you even begin step one, consider this our chef’s secret. The key to a great cook is a well-made griddle that delivers consistent heat. And the Elite series of griddles from HALO are just that.