How to Make Grandma’s Old Fashioned Buttermilk Pancakes

My grandma makes the best pancakes! You are going to love this recipe for grandma’s old fashioned buttermilk pancakes. They are easy to put together, made from scratch, and delicious.

You know those mornings when you want something cozy and nostalgic? This is it. These grandma’s old-fashioned buttermilk pancakes are the kind of breakfast that makes the whole house smell like love. No box mix needed. Just simple ingredients, a hot griddle, and maybe a few little helpers in the kitchen.

This recipe has been a family favorite for years. And the best part? It’s super easy, even if it’s your first time making homemade pancakes.

Wait! Pancakes aren’t just in a box???

If you are like me, you may find yourself in a situation where you are out of pancake mix and are wondering, “What do I do if I run out of pancake mix?”.

Don’t worry, you can make delicious homemade pancakes from scratch with just a few ingredients. You may even consider a permanent change because these homemade pancakes are quick, easy, and so yummy.

I promise, you can do it and they aren’t too difficult to make.  

What type of pancakes are these?

They are fluffy, buttery, and have a delicious flavor that will leave you wanting more. The homemade goodness is easy and quick to accomplish with this recipe.   

Ingredients for the Best Pancakes

You will most likely have all of these ingredients on hand. Baking powder is one of those ingredients that seem to be hit or miss. You can use self-rising flour in place of the flour and baking powder if you don’t have any baking powder in the cabinets.  

This buttermilk pancake batter comes together in minutes. I always start by gathering everything I need.

Dry Ingredients for Buttermilk Pancakes

• 1 ½ cups all purpose flour (Or do half whole wheat + half all-purpose for a heartier texture)
• 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (you can substitute honey)
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients for Buttermilk Pancakes

• 1 ½ cups buttermilk (No buttermilk? Stir 1¼ teaspoons vinegar into 1½ cups of regular milk in a separate bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Works perfectly!)
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup sourdough discard (optional..adds a subtle tang, but totally up to you!))

How to Make Homemade Buttermilk Pancakes from Scratch

You don’t need anything fancy here. Just a big spoon, a large bowl, and a whisk. You probably have all the ingredients in your pantry staples. 

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. These are your dry ingredients.

Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients

Pour in your buttermilk, melted butter, egg, and the optional sourdough discard. These are your wet ingredients.

Stir gently. Don’t overmix. A few lumps are totally fine. If you want thinner pancakes, add a splash more milk until it’s just right.

Time to Cook: Hot Griddle + Bubbles = Perfect Pancakes

Preheat your electric griddle to about 300°F, or set a non-stick or cast iron pan over medium heat. Grease it with butter or cooking spray.

Use about ¼ to ½ cup of batter per pancake, depending on how big you want them.

Let them cook until you see little bubbles on the surface. That’s how you know they’re ready to flip! You want them golden brown on the bottom.

Flip, cook for 30 more seconds, then move them to a plate and cover loosely to keep warm.

Supplies Needed for Homemade Buttermilk Pancakes From Scratch

You will need the ingredients listed above and something to heat the batter on.

I prefer my griddle, because I can make multiple pancakes at one time and it cooks them all evenly and quickly.

You could also use a well buttered and heated cast iron skillet, or a regular skillet.  

What if I want sourdough pancakes instead?

If you are wanting to turn these pancakes into sourdough pancakes, just add ½ cup of sourdough discard to the mix when you are mixing in the wet ingredients. You don’t have to make them the night before.

Sourdough discard is leftover sourdough that you have from sourdough feedings that you have been collecting in a jar and storing in the refrigerator. Discard makes a great addition to a lot of baked goods.    

What can I serve them with?

You can serve them with bacon, fresh fruit, or scrambled eggs. We like to pair them with some sort of protein. Sausage patties or links would be good as well.  

Favorite Toppings for Your Fluffy Pancakes

Everyone has their favorites. Around here, we top ours with:

• Maple syrup
  
• Fresh berries
  
• A pat of butter
  
• Powdered sugar
  
• A drizzle of honey
  
• Even chocolate chips for the kids (who are we kidding, us too!)
  

These old fashioned buttermilk pancakes are seriously the perfect pancakes for a Saturday morning or a cozy lazy Sunday morning. 

How much batter should I pour for each pancake? 

My griddle makes six pancakes at a time. I like to size them based on how many will fit on my griddle since I am feeding several people at a time. It is about 1/4-1/2 cup of batter per pancake.

Do they make a good snack?

These pancakes make a delicious snack. You can spread some peanut butter on them later on in the day and chow down. If you have left over sausage or bacon, you can use the pancake as a wrap and turn that into a quick to go snack.  

Storing Leftover Pancakes

You can let them cool and then put them in a gallon sized bag or in an airtight container in the fridge. They can sit out for the day in the bag, but I would refrigerate them after that.

We usually only have one or two left over at the most. They go pretty quickly around here. 

Reheat them in the toaster or microwave. You can even freeze them on a baking sheet and then transfer to a bag for quick breakfasts.
  

Time to be a Doer & Make Grandma’s Buttermilk Pancakes Recipe

There’s something so comforting about making pancakes from scratch. No weird ingredients. No shortcuts. Just good food and sweet moments shared around the table. Jot this recipe down on a recipe card and use it over and over again. 

This is the kind of recipe you pass down. The kind that reminds you of home. It really is the best pancake recipe—and I hope it becomes a family favorite in your house too.

So grab your griddle, your whisk, and let’s make grandma’s buttermilk pancakes recipe the new weekend tradition.

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