German Pancakes AKA Fluffy Pancakes – A family favorite that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch or breakfast-for-dinner. My kids always get so excited when we make this German pancake recipe!
We love to make these German pancakes together as a family. They are so simple and my kids love to help. They also like to help me make blender crepes, ricotta pancakes and biscuits and gravy.
German Pancakes
This German pancake recipe is one of our family’s favorites! My mom would always make these German pancakes growing up and we all loved them. Now I make them with my kids and they always get so excited when we have them.
These German pancakes are so light, fluffy and are baked to perfection. They taste extremely delicious topped with candy syrup, maple syrup, jam or cinnamon sugar. It really doesn’t get any better than this German pancake recipe. Yummy!
What is a German pancake?
German pancakes (also known as fluffy pancakes or Dutch baby pancakes) are pancakes that are baked in the oven until they puff up. The batter is typically made with flour, eggs, sugar, and milk. A German pancake has a thicker and fluffier consistency than a regular pancake, however they do fall a little as they cool. Common toppings for German pancakes are syrup, fruit or powdered sugar.
How to make German pancakes
This German pancake recipe is SO easy to make! I personally think baking the German pancakes in the oven is a lot easier then cooking regular pancakes on the stove. If cooking for a larger crowd, you don’t have to stand in front of the stove and flip each individual pancake. You can simply pour the German pancake batter into your pan, bake and you’ll have pancakes for a crowd ready in no time.
- Preheat oven. Slice butter and add to 9×13″ pan. Then place pan into oven or about 2 minutes, until melted.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, sugar and salt. Next add milk and vanilla. Then beat in ONE egg at a time until smooth.
- Pour batter over melted butter and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Slice and serve warm with toppings of choice.
Scroll down for the printable German pancakes recipe.
What makes German pancakes rise?
The fun thing about German pancakes is watching them rise in the oven. They typically will rise a couple of inches and get nice and fluffy. Personally, I think one of the main keys is the type of flour you use. I prefer to use white flour, as I’ve found the best results when using that specific kind. I also think that heating the buttery pan up in the oven prior to adding the batter helps the German pancakes to rise. The butter acts as a non-stick agent, allowing the pancakes to rise taller and not get stuck to the pan.
How to know when German pancakes are done
I’ve found that this German pancake recipe typically takes about 18 to 20 minutes to bake up perfectly in the oven. You’ll be able to tell when they are ready because the edges and top of the German pancake will be nice and golden brown. They will have risen a couple of inches and will be light and fluffy. Just double check that the middle has set and cooked all the way through. The German pancakes should easily pop out of the pan when ready to serve. Don’t be alarmed if the pancakes fall (deflate) a little. This typically happens as they cool.
Optional toppings for German pancake recipe
- Syrup
- Jam
- Fresh berries
- Powdered sugar
- Chocolate chips
- Cinnamon
- Sugar
- Nutella
German Pancakes
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup flour
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 large eggs
Optional toppings: Syrup, jam, powdered sugar, fresh berries, cinnamon sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Slice the butter and add to a 9x13" pan. Then place into the oven until melted (about 2 minutes).
- Whisk together the flour, sugar and salt in medium-sized bowl. Add milk and vanilla. Then beat in ONE egg at a time until smooth.
- Pour mixture over melted butter and bake 18-20 mins., or until golden brown. Slice and serve warm with your favorite toppings.
Nutrition
Have you tried German pancakes? If not … what are you waiting for?! YUM!! Enjoy!
Love these! we’ve had these since i was a child too. i’ve only ever made them using 4 ingredients. flour, milk, eggs, butter. i think i might give your additional ingerdients a try. i am so craving these now!
how fun! vanilla and sugar can’t hurt ;)
These look so yummy!!…they would most def send my blood sugar through the roof (type 1 diabetic)…but nothing a little extra insulin can’t cover lol!!
Delighted Momma
lol yes definitely with the candy syrup… you could use a different syrup.
they are even good just plain. YUM!
they look FANTASTIC!!!!!
ohh they are a yummy treat! Try them some time.
We calls these Egg Ocean. The first time I made it (it’s one of my husband’s favorite), I freaked out when I opened the oven door. No one told me what it was going to look like!!! I took pictures and everything. I even made my husband come in and see, and he just said, “Didn’t I tell you it did that?” It was so awesome!! And now I love it too!!
ha ha I love that.. Egg Ocean. I never thought of that but it totally looks like an ocean!
Oh nommy! I made these a long time ago and had forgotten about them. Must make again!
Yes you must make them! :)
You had me at pancake……I’ll be making these in the morning.
haha! Let me know how they go!
Mmmm, I’ve been making German pancakes forever, but what is candy syrup?!? Sounds delish!
It’s like buttermilk syrup… you will NEVER go back…. trust me! https://www.iheartnaptime.net/2010/08/tasty-tuesday-french-toast-w-candy.html
I am agree with Tanya. I grew up having german pancakes only we called it by a different name. I want to know what candy syrup is?
It’s like buttermilk syrup… here’s the recipe https://www.iheartnaptime.net/2010/08/tasty-tuesday-french-toast-w-candy.html… SO GOOD!!
German pancakes is one of my favorites foods. My grandma used tomake them for us at lunch on saturday. We’d eat applesauce with it. I still do, and I also like to smear Nutella over them! Cheers
How fun! AND YUM… nutella! I’ve never tried that.. but I’m definitely going to!
These look awesome!! I love German pancakes big time! I’d love for you to link it up to my Sweet Treats party today– http://www.somethingswanky.com Hope to see you there!!
Totally made these on Conference. One of my favorite breakfasts growing up! PS I am in love with your plates!!! Did you make them like that or did you buy them??
SO fun! There one of our family’s fave traditions too! I got the plate from Home Goods… 3.99!
Those look insanely amazing!!!!! I am visiting today because Mandi told us we could schmooze the judges if we wanted to, and I’m all for it;) jk! I am in the top 15 and hopefully will make it to the top 5!! But really, have been following your blog for awhile now and just love it!
<3,
adri
http://Www.dreambookdesign.com
haha I’m all for it! GOOD LUCK!! Your blog is so cute, that would be so fun if you win!
We love German Pancakes! My kids call them Fluffy Eggs – I just did a post about it – LOL. We love ours with Butter Syrup, but I think it’s similar to your Candy Syrup – love that name.
haha yeah they are kind of like fluffy eggs! Love that. And yes candy syrup is like buttermilk syrup… I just named it that because it is SOO good! :)
We love us some German Pancakes around here. I’m from Utah and a lot of people here know them as puffy or oven pancakes. SO yummy. Our recipe uses more butter, but I’ll have to try cutting it back. Also, the recipe that was handed down to me combines everything in a blender – it’s SO much faster and never any lumps to work out. My 5-year-old likes them with syrup, but the adults go for a more traditional topping – a dusting of powdered sugar and lemon juice. It’s amazing!
I’m going to have to try it in a blender… that does seem easy!! And yum.. fresh lemon and powdered sugar would be amazing!
We love them, too. I just did a post on mine not long ago..strawberries and creme…yummy.
xo bj
Mmmm. ..will be trying it soon!
Drooling over your stunning photo. If I got this breakfast on Mother’s Day, I might stay in bed forever!
We love your darling idea and will be linking back to you in our Saturday Snaps post tomorrow on the SNAP! blog.
Thanks Tauni! haha I know seriously.. who doesn’t love breakfast in bed? YUM!!
Made these this morning with the candy syrup and WOW what a response I got from my in-laws! My very picky father in law ate three pieces! I have a few ideas springing in my head about how I will tweak the syrup for a desert my Husband loves at a local restaurant. The flavor is so close to what we have been trying to figure out I will let you know how it turns out!
So glad you like it!! Your going to have to tell me how the blondie turns out. Sounds yummy!!
My sister is famous for these! This is a great post for Mothers Day because they are so easy that kids can make them… hint hint!
Oh my god! I made these right after I read your post! Thank you sooooo much they are delicious!!!
Oh so glad you liked them!! They are so yummy!
yummers!!
thumbs up!
happy crafting!
Linda
This looks delish!
YUM!! My mouth is watering!
How funny I ran across your post today, I’ve been craving these for days. I learned how to make these in my cooking class in middle school and have loved to make them ever since. I usually squeeze a little bit of fresh lemon juice over the top for a little bit of tang.
Thanks for sharing your version! I need to make these tomorrow morning.
I’m going to have to try the lemon juice next time! Sounds amazing!
Ahhh I have been craving and eating waffles all week long! I am so excited to try these out. They look delicious.
haha I’m always craving breakfast foods too! Let me know how you like them! Have a great weekend.
YUM! These look delish. I’ve never even heard of German Pancakes before. I’ll definitely be trying these over the weekend. Thanks for sharing :)
They’re so good! You’ll have to let me know how you like them. :)
From the addition that you can just melt the butter in the pan while the oven is heating, I am assuming it is 3 tablespoons of butter, melted. Not 3 tablespoons of melted butter? Right?
Hi Jennifer! Yes, correct. Just 3 TB of butter.
Looks yummy!
I haven’t heard of these before. It “seems” like it must be healthier than traditional American buttermilk pancakes. Right? Lol
I have heard of, but never made, Dutch Babies. Are these similar??
I don’t know about healthier with all the butter…but they are sure delicious! :) I haven’t heard of dutch babies before, but they may be similar.
Those German pancakes look really yummy!
Easy to make also!
Thanks for sharing.
My daughter will love this recipe.
Hugs!
We used to make german pancakes all the time, but we haven’t made them in months! We’re going to have to make them one night this week!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
HI,
Looks Yummy. I’m sure my toddler is gonna love it.Since we dont eat eggs, is there any substitute or even with any eggs the pancakes will taste the same.
One of my sons has an egg allergy and it’s quite difficult to do egg substitutes. There’s a few different things on the market, but the best luck I’ve found is cooking equal amounts tapioca flour with water until thick and gooey, let cool for 10 minutes then substitute 1/4 cup of the mixture for each egg – but I’ll warn you, it’s still not at all the same as using eggs in an recipe. Best of luck!
Love making these types of pancakes. Such a fun presentation besides being delicious.
We always try to get together as a family for a big breakfast over the weekend. We love to try new things. This recipe is perfect!
We make these as well and top with seasonal fruit but our fav is apples (pears, too): while the pancake is in the oven (I put it in a pie dish), I saute up apple slices in a little bit of butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, pecans (or walnuts) and freshly ground nutmeg till the apples are lightly cooked. It usually makes a bit of “syrup” with it which drizzles on the pancake nicely with the fruit. Great breakfast on a fall morning!
We love topping ours with apples in the fall too! Such a delicious breakfast!
Love this idea! I have to try it! Thanks for sharing!
Hope you enjoy! It has been a favorite of mine since I was a little girl!
They sound a little like our Yorkshire puddings except the vanilla. Giving these a try as I’m sure the kids will love them
Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
I love pancakes, and these look amazing! Definitely making some ASAP
These sound delicious right about now! These are on my must-make list!
This is a great breakfast option to have when the family is over for the Holidays!
These pancakes make a great day starter!
Help! My pancakes came out really firm and eggy. What did I do wrong?
Thanks!
They are definitely different than normal fluffy pancakes, but they should have a fluffy texture. Did you beat the eggs in one at a time?
Hi Jamielyn, Yes, I did for about 10 seconds each, but the batter was kind of lumpy rather than smooth as you noted above (I was following your recipe book). Would that have caused the firm and eggy texture/taste?