Air Fryer Pancakes Recipe
Fluffy, golden pancakes with crisp edges cooked to perfection in an air fryer, offering all the traditional pancake flavor with a delightful new texture.
Ingredients
<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">180g all-purpose flour</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tablespoons granulated sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tablespoon baking powder</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">½ teaspoon salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">240ml milk</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 large egg</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tablespoons vegetable oil (plus extra for spraying)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</li></ul>
Equipment
<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Air fryer</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Small round cake pans or heat-safe ramekins (that fit in your air fryer)</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Cooking spray or oil mister</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Parchment paper (optional)</li></ul>
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Directions
<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. This even distribution ensures your pancakes will rise uniformly when cooking.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: milk, egg, oil, and vanilla extract until well combined. The oil in the batter helps create moisture and prevents the pancakes from drying out in the air fryer.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk gently just until combined. Some small lumps are perfectly fine - overmixing develops gluten which can make your pancakes tough rather than fluffy. The batter should be pourable but not too thin.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Preheat your air fryer to 180°C for 3 minutes. While it's heating, prepare your cooking vessels. If using small cake pans or ramekins, lightly spray them with oil or brush with melted butter. Alternatively, you can cut parchment paper to fit the bottom of your air fryer basket if it's flat.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Pour approximately 60ml (¼ cup) of batter into each prepared pan or directly onto parchment paper in the air fryer basket, leaving space between pancakes if making multiple at once. The batter will spread slightly, so don't overfill.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Place the pans carefully in the air fryer basket and cook at 180°C for 5-6 minutes until the tops appear dry and set, and the bottoms are golden brown. Unlike traditional pancakes, you don't need to flip these! The circulating hot air cooks them evenly from all sides.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>If you'd like a deeper golden color on top, you can cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Keep a close eye on them as air fryers can vary in temperature and cooking time. The pancakes should spring back slightly when touched in the center.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Carefully remove the pancakes from the air fryer - the pans will be hot! Allow them to cool for 1 minute before gently loosening the edges with a silicone spatula and turning them out onto a plate. Repeat with remaining batter.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Serve warm with your favorite toppings such as maple syrup, fresh berries, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar. These pancakes have delightfully crisp edges with fluffy centers - a unique texture that's the signature of air fryer pancakes!</li></ol>
Chef’s Notes
A few helpful details for making this recipe.
Can I add mix-ins to my air fryer pancake batter?
Absolutely! You can add blueberries, chocolate chips, banana slices, or chopped nuts to your batter. For best results, gently fold these mix-ins in after combining the wet and dry ingredients. Heavier add-ins like chocolate chips may sink to the bottom, creating a delicious caramelized layer.
Why do air fryer pancakes have a different texture than stovetop ones?
The circulating hot air in an air fryer creates pancakes with uniquely crispy edges and evenly cooked, fluffy centres. Unlike stovetop pancakes which cook primarily from the bottom, air fryer pancakes receive heat from all directions, resulting in a more uniform rise and distinctive texture.
What's the best way to serve these no-flip breakfast treats?
Serve these golden pancakes immediately while warm with traditional toppings like maple syrup, fresh fruit, whipped cream, or yoghurt. For an indulgent breakfast, try adding a pat of butter on top while still hot or drizzling with honey, chocolate sauce, or fruit compote.
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