Making pancakes from scratch can be a fun and delicious way to start your day. But what if you don’t have any all-purpose flour on hand? Can you use bread flour instead? This comprehensive guide will answer that question and explore other pancake-making tips and tricks. So whether you’re looking for a gluten-free option or just want to switch things up, read on for the best ways to make pancakes at home!
Can I use bread flour for pancakes?
Bread flour contains a high level of gluten, which gives baked goods their structure and chewiness. Pancakes are best made with flour that doesn’t have gluten, such as all-purpose flour or cake flour. If you decide to use bread flour, you may add more liquid to your batter to get the desired consistency.
The Difference Between Bread Flour And All-Purpose Flour
Bread Flour
- contains higher protein per serving, making it suitable for things like baguettes and other artisan pieces of bread because of the chewiness it adds
- contains less starch which makes it better suited to denser doughs like bagels or ciabatta
- used for specific types of recipes (e.g., no yeast cakes made with flour, yeast & water)
All-Purpose Flour
- more versatile than bread flour can be used in recipes calling for either type of flour as long as you correct the quantity, so that equals what the recipe originally called for (ex: use 1 cup AP and 1 Tbsp vital wheat gluten if a recipe calls for 2 cups AP)
- can also be used to make yeast pieces of bread
- used for specific types of recipes (e.g., no yeast cakes made with flour, yeast & water)
How Do You Make Pancakes If You Only Have Bread Flour On Hand?
Ingredients:
- 2 cup bread flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup milk
- Vegetable oil or shortening for frying
- Maple syrup, butter, and berries for topping
Directions:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the bread flour, baking powder, and salt
- In another bowl, beat together the egg and milk until smooth
- Pour in the melted butter while stirring with a fork, then add into the dry ingredients
- Lightly grease a small skillet or griddle over medium heat
- Pour about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake and cook until the sides are browned, and bubbles form on top
- Flip your pancake with a spatula
- Cook on the other side for about 2 minutes
- Transfer cooked pancakes to a paper towel lined plate so the excess oil can be absorbed
- Serve immediately with butter, syrup, berries, and enjoy!
Suggestions:
- To make these pancakes gluten-free use all-purpose gluten-free flour instead of wheat flour
- You can substitute buttermilk or yogurt in place of milk if desired
- Add fruit such as blueberries or bananas to switch up flavors from time to time
- Try baking this batter as a loaf of bread for a different type of bread recipe instead of pancakes
- For an added protein boost, try adding Greek yogurt or plant-based protein powder to your batter
Tips For Making Fluffy Pancakes Every Time
Have you ever made pancakes, but they came out flat? Here are 7 tips to help you make fluffy pancakes every time! Then this article is for you.
1. Use the right mix
Pancake mixes (and recipes) say not to over mix them once all of the ingredients are added together because doing so will cause the pancake batter to become too dense and flatter than it would be if it weren’t overmixed. I usually do about 5 stirs after everything’s combined to get an even mix without over mixing (you can use a hand mixer for this and do it in 2 or 3 bursts to avoid over mixing).
2. Add the ingredients in the correct order
Another thing that will make pancakes fluffier is adding your wet ingredients first (eggs, milk, water, etc.), followed by your dry ingredients (flour, sugar, etc.), and lastly, don’t forget the baking powder! So many people have problems with runny batter because they add their dry ingredients first and then add no more than a tablespoon of liquid before stirring everything together, so the chemical reaction doesn’t occur.
3. Use an electric mixer
Because we’re not baking and want to save time, you can use an electric hand mixer instead of doing it by hand.
4. Cook on high heat
While cooking your pancakes, make sure you set the stove to high heat (450-500 degrees Fahrenheit). This will cause the batter to cook faster, allowing more of those delicious air bubbles to form inside them and make them fluffier!
5. Not flipping too early
After pouring your pancake mixture onto the griddle or skillet, wait until you see all of those giant bubbles start popping (you should be able to count about 10 before flipping them). If you flip them too soon, they won’t have time to form all of their little tiny bubbles, which also causes the pancakes not to be as fluffy. When using an electric grill, I usually wait until the little green light comes on (indicating that it’s ready).
6. Cook longer
Last, make sure to cook your pancakes for about 3 minutes before flipping them and cooking them for another 2-3 minutes on the other side. This will make them even fluffier! If you like your pancakes a little browner in color, then you can add another 1 or 2 minutes onto each side. It entirely depends on how dark and fluffy you want your pancake to be 🙂
7. Use melted butter instead of oil
Lastly, melt some butter in between each batch when using an electric griddle or skillet. You don’t need much because you’re only using it to lubricate the cooking surface so that the pancakes won’t stick to it. The butter will cause those delicious tiny bubbles to form even better, and trust me, you’ll never want to use the oil again because the difference is just that amazing! In conclusion, if you follow these 7 tips, then your pancakes will come out light and fluffy every time.
How To Serve Pancakes For Breakfast Or Brunch?
Pancakes are ideal for children, particularly on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Making pancakes can be both fun and nutritious. They are deliciously eaten either cold or hot with jam, honey, syrup, butter, or cheese. But if you wish to serve them for breakfast, following these five simple tips will help you…
- Serve small portions of pancakes in two ways: 1) by turning the pancake over so that each child gets one cooked side; 2) cut the pancakes into eighths so that everyone has at least two pieces – but no more than three as this is calorically dense!
- Pancakes should always be served warm as they taste best this way.
- Pancakes can be served with fresh fruit, including berries and bananas which are rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, and potassium. Add a few chocolate chips to your batter or sprinkle on some sugar for an extra sweet treat!
- For added nutrients, serve pancakes with a glass of milk or orange juice. If you have time, consider making ‘silver dollar’ sized pancakes so that each child has the opportunity to eat four small pancakes at once!
- Finally, all children love crisps! They can either be served alongside the pancakes or as an alternative snack.
Final Word
So there you have it, everything you need to know about using bread flour for pancakes. While we don’t recommend using all-purpose flour instead of bread flour (it just won’t taste as good), if that’s all you have on hand, go ahead and give it a try. Experiment with different types of flours, liquids, and toppings to find the perfect pancake recipe for you. And most importantly, have fun! Pancakes are a delicious and versatile breakfast food that can be enjoyed any time of day. What will you make your next batch of pancakes out of? Let us know in the comments below.
