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How to Make Pancakes in Cast Iron

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Ahh, the call of a beautiful weekend morning flipping pancakes in cast iron for hungry kids gathered around the breakfast table.

Stack of pancakes cooked in cast iron with a slab of melted butter and  maple syrup drizzled over the top.

Saturday morning breakfasts for us come down to pancakes or chocolate chip french toast.

As you can see today, pancakes won! I love making pancakes in cast iron. They are buttery and crispy on the outside from the excellent steady heat that the pan provides.ย 

Plus, making pancakes from scratch rather than a pre-mixed batter will always make a better dish. There are no additives that take away from the simple ingredients here.

Drizzling fluffy pancakes with maple syrup.

Best skillet for pancakes

A larger 12โ€ cast iron skillet will give you more room for flipping pancakes, so opt for space in the name of efficiency.

That way, your hungry family can get them while theyโ€™re hot.  

A large cast iron skillet with a crispy pancake just flipped.

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Itโ€™s important that the skillet is well-seasoned. Check out our tips for cast iron care to ensure yours is up for the task. 

You could also use a skillet that is enameled to make it a little easier on the care end. This is a great option for enameled cast iron skillets to cook pancakes in.

Plus, a lot of butter goes a long way when making pancakes in cast iron.  

Cast iron skillet pancakes from scratch

Pre-mixed pancake batter can be quick and easy in a pinch, donโ€™t get me wrong. 

But it should put your mind at ease to know that the ingredients to make pancakes are very simple pantry staples. And you wonโ€™t have to worry about nasty preservatives and fillers when making them from scratch. 

Ingredients youโ€™d have on hand for most staple baked goods will do the trick here. 

A little flour, baking powder and soda, salt, egg, butter and milk and thatโ€™s it. 

Itโ€™s fun to remember that this is how pancakes became such a common breakfast dish in America. 

Pioneers and early American settlers brought recipes over from their ancestry and home nations. Then, using the simple ingredients and tools on hand (like cast iron skillets), theyโ€™d whip up breakfast for a crowd. 

Itโ€™s rumored that Thomas Jefferson loved pancakes!

Stack of pancakes cooked in cast iron with a slab of melted butter and  maple syrup drizzled over the top.

How to cook pancakes on cast iron

Simple pantry staples, a well-seasoned cast iron skillet, and a quick hand are all you need to make these delicious pancakes on cast iron. 

What youโ€™ll need:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Egg
  • Butter, melted
  • Whole milk

Step 1: Start by preheating the cast iron skillet over medium heat. All dry ingredients will first mix together in a separate bowl.ย 

Step 2: Once those dry ingredients are well combined, add the wet ingredients and mix with a hand mixer (or with a wooden spoon and some elbow grease) until just combined.ย 

Pouring the pancake batter into the cast iron skillet.

Step 3: Melt a little butter or oil in the skillet, and using a ยผ cup measure, portion out some batter for pancakes in your heated cast iron skillet.ย 

Pancake in a cast iron pan about to be flipped with a spatula.

Step 4: Cook them until the bottom is golden brown; usually, the batter on the top bubbles a bit as well. Flip and cook the other side until lightly browned.ย 

A large cast iron skillet with a crispy pancake just flipped.

Step 5: Easy. That was the first batch. Work through the batter until all bellies are full.ย 

Stack of pancakes cooked in cast iron with a slab of melted butter and  maple syrup drizzled over the top.

What to serve with pancakes

We love to serve ours with high-quality butter and an organic maple syrup. 

Of course, many folks love to use diced berries coated in sugar with whipped cream. Nutella or peanut butter are also crowd favorites. 

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Bacon or sausage patties on the side really make the dish complete and helps to make it feel like a special weekend brunch. 

I hope you find the time to make these simple pancakes from scratch in cast iron this weekend. Time spent together as a family over the weekend is what itโ€™s all about, friends! Enjoy. 

More cast iron breakfast ideas

Drizzling fluffy pancakes with maple syrup.

Pancakes in Cast Iron

Laura Ascher
If you've struggled making pancakes in cast iron, this recipe will answer all of your questions.
4.89 from 17 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 10 -12 pancakes
Calories 271 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tbsp butter melted, plus some for oiling the skillet
  • 2 1/4 cups whole milk

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the skillet over medium heat.
  • Whisk dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
  • Add the wet ingredients and mix with a hand mixer until justย combined. (You can also mix by hand with the same results)
  • Melt a little butter (or oil) in the skillet and pour about a 1/4 cup of batter in at a time.
  • Cook until the bottom side is golden brown, then flip and cook the other side until lightly browned.

Notes

Bubbles on the top of the pancakes are also a good sign that your pancakes are ready to flip.
Visit our cast iron care page for tips on seasoning your cast iron.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ozCalories: 271kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 8gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 671mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5g
Tried this recipe?Mention @castironskilletcooking on Instagram
This website provides approximate nutrition information based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands, measuring methods and portion sizes per household. We recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer.

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