Copycat McDonalds Pancake Recipe (Quick and Easy)

Name: Copycat McDonalds Pancake Recipe (Quick and Easy)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ¼ cup white sugar; ⅛ teaspoon salt; ¾ cup milk; 1 ½ tablespoon oil ((or melted butter)); 1 egg; ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

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Copycat McDonalds Pancake Recipe (quick and easy): Thick, fluffy pancakes make the ultimate breakfast. This McDonald's copycat pancakes will definitely fit the bill. With just a few simple ingredients and 20 minutes, you can easily make this classic fast-food favorite right at your own kitchen.

Image showing golden fluffy pancakes stack on a white plate.

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Ingredients You'll Need
Instructions Step By Step
Variations
More Copycat Recipes
Cooking Tips
What to serve with McDonald's pancakes
Leftovers and Storing Suggestions
FAQs
Recipe
Comments

If you are looking for the best pancake recipe, look no further! This pancake batter makes up the best breakfast and is most likely a little healthier. Not to mention cheaper than trekking to McDonalds. These homemade McDonalds pancakes are also much better than those you make from a pancake mix.

Feel free to top these with your favorite toppings. You can cook up these pancakes a few days ahead of time so you can devour them on a lazy Sunday without much effort.

This McDonald’s hotcakes recipe is an excellent make-ahead breakfast the entire family will enjoy. Or better yet, they are ideal for a fun weeknight breakfast-for-dinner dish when you need to get something on the dinner table fast.

Any way you eat these pancakes I am sure you will agree they are the fluffiest pancakes out there and definitely make the best breakfast.

Ingredients You'll Need

Image showing ingredients for making pancakes placed on a earthy background.

All-purpose flour: the base for the pancake recipe.

Baking powder: it helps the pancake to rise and become fluffy.

Egg: eggs provide texture and richness to the batter. You'll need one whole egg for this recipe.

Milk: I used whole dairy milk, but skimmed milk, 2% also works. For a dairy-free option, you can also use plant-based milk like almond or coconut milk.

Sugar: white sugar adds some sweetness to the hotcake batter.

Salt: a touch of salt to enhance the overall flavor.

Oil: I used vegetable oil. But canola, or grapeseed are all excellent options. You can even use melted butter if you wish.

Vanilla extract: adds a pleasant aroma and flavor. Use a good quality vanilla extract. Vanilla essence also works.

Instructions Step By Step

Preparing the batter

Shift the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt together in a large mixing bowl.
Whisk together milk, egg, sugar, oil, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until blended.
Gently pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients bowl.
Use a spatula to fold and mix the batter until just combined. Do not overmix; a few lumps are okay.

3 images showing preparing batter by shifting dry ingredients, whisking wet ingredients, and combining both.

Cooking the pancakes

Preheat a non-stick skillet, electric or stovetop griddle over medium flame.
Grease the skillet lightly with oil or butter.
Pour a ladleful ( or use ¼ cup measuring cup) of batter into the skillet and cook until bubbles form on the pancake's surface and the edges appear slightly set.
Carefully flip the pancake and cook for another minute or until golden brown.
Repeat with the remaining batter.

3 images showing cooking, flipping the pancake on a non stick skillet.

Serving

Stack the pancakes on a plate and serve warm with butter, maple syrup, whipped cream, and any desired toppings.

Image showing golden, fluffy pancakes served on a white plate.

Variations

Stir in fresh blueberries for a pop of color and a burst of flavor.
If you are a chocolate fan, add chocolate chips or use peanut butter chips if you like peanut butter.
Stir in a touch of cinnamon, nutmeg powder, or pumpkin pie spice for more flavor.

More Copycat Recipes

Subway Sweet Onion Sauce
Asian Zing Sauce
Black Pepper Chicken (A Panda Express Inspired Recipe)

Cooking Tips

Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature.
Don't overmix the batter. A few lumps are fine. Overmixing can lead to chewy pancakes.
Let the batter rest for a few minutes to allow the baking powder to activate.
Ensure your baking powder is still active by mixing ½ teaspoon with ¼ cup boiling water. If the mixture begins to bubble, your baking powder is good to use.
Use a non-stick skillet or well-seasoned griddle, and make sure the skillet is hot enough.
Lightly grease the cooking surface with oil, cooking spray, or butter and use a paper towel to spread it uniformly.
Use a ladle or cup to pour the batter onto the cooking surface. This helps to keep the pancake sizes consistent.
Don’t flip the pancakes until they are almost cooked through so they don’t fall apart.
Don’t overcook the pancakes, or they will be dry!
Allow the pancakes to come to room temperature before placing them in the fridge or freezer.

What to serve with McDonald's pancakes

This is a great base pancake recipe, and there really are no rules when it comes to what to serve with pancakes. You can serve these delicious pancakes with your favorite freshly cut fruits, a scoop of peanut butter, a drizzle of maple syrup, honey, jam, jelly, whipped cream or powdered sugar.

A side of eggs, bacon, sausage patties, or even home fries would make a nice hearty breakfast.

Leftovers and Storing Suggestions

Once the pancakes have cooled to room temperature, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag and put them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

If freezing the pancakes, the best way is to place a piece of parchment paper in between them so you can easily grab one pancake at a time.

Thaw pancakes in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave, toaster oven, or stovetop.

FAQs

Are McDonald's pancakes healthy?

Fast food is not always the healthiest option; however, a treat once in a while is definitely okay. This homemade version is most likely a healthier option.

Can I make these without eggs?

Yes, you can make these without an egg. Substitute one tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with three tablespoons of water. Let the mixture sit until it gets thick.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

You can use whole wheat flour to make these, but it may result in slightly denser pancakes. Instead, I suggest using a mix of whole wheat and all-purpose flour.

How can I make the pancakes gluten-free?

To make these pancakes gluten-free choose a gluten-free flour that can be substituted on a one-to-one basis. Bob’s Red Mill makes a good one.

What can I do with leftover pancake batter?

Leftover pancake batter can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Later on, you can stir up the batter and make pancakes. Or, get creative and make the batter a bit thinner to whip up some crepes or waffles.

If you try the recipe, please take a moment to leave a comment and rating. I love hearing from you and it also helps other readers who are thinking of making the recipe.

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