Air fryer pancakes are so easy to make. This simple breakfast recipe is perfect for a busy weekday or a leisurely weekend.
Top your delicious pancakes in the air fryer with all your favorite pancake toppings, the options are endless.
I love to get kids get involved cooking meals in the kitchen. Over the years, I've found children are more likely to eat something when they get to help prepare it!
These pancakes in the air fryer are an easy and fun way to get the kids involved with meal preparation. They will love picking their own toppings for their homemade buttermilk pancakes.
I'm telling you, you're going to LOVE this pancake recipe as much as we do!
This was inspired by these air fryer French toast sticks and a stack of these pancakes pairs well with some twisted bacon or air fryer sausage.
Why You Will Love this Recipe
- It's so easy!
- Great for meal prep. They're easy to freeze and reheat when needed.
- Perfect pancake shape every time.
- Ready in minutes.
- Cook up delightfully crisp outside and fluffy inside.
Ingredients
These homemade air fryer pancakes require basic ingredients you might already have on hand or can pick up at the grocery store.
- Granulated sugar: Just a touch to add a bit of sweetness to the pancake batter.
- All purpose flour: This simple ingredient provides the basic structure of pancakes.
- Leavener: These pancakes are made with a combination of baking powder and baking soda so they come out light and fluffy.
- Buttermilk: This type of milk has a bit more acid that adds nice flavor to the pancakes but also activates the baking soda.
- Butter: I prefer using unsalted butter and adding the salt myself to get it just right. If you use salted butter, reduce the salt by at least half.
- Eggs: Adds moisture and flavor to the pancakes.
- Vanilla extract: Use pure vanilla extract and avoid imitation vanilla which may have an off flavor.
See the recipe card for the full list and quantities of each ingredient.
Substitutions and Variations
Don't have the correct ingredients on hand? Or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this air fryer pancake recipe.
- All Purpose Flour: Whole wheat or gluten free flour is an easy substitute. Just note that some flours, especially whole wheat may need a bit more liquid added as they absorb more.
- No buttermilk? Use regular milk and add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar or lemon juice to the milk and let it sit for about ten minutes.
- Want to make vegan pancakes? Swap the buttermilk for plant-based milk and use the same method above to turn it into vegan buttermilk. Swap the eggs for two tablespoons flax meal mixed with a half cup of water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before mixing it into the batter.
- Fruity pancakes: Add some diced apples, mashed banana, or fresh or frozen blueberries.
- Spiced: Add in desired amount of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.
- Nutty: Add in your favorite chopped nuts! I love pecans and walnuts!
- Chocolate pancakes: Add in about 2 tablespoons cocoa powder or chocolate chips.
How to Make Pancakes in an Air Fryer
Here's an overview of making air fryer buttermilk pancakes. This recipe works to make regular shaped pancakes or you can opt to make pancake bites.
Step 1: Mix the Pancake Batter
- Mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl until combined.
- Add the buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl and whisk them together.
- Add the buttermilk mixture to flour mixture and mix until just incorporated. Be careful at this point to not over mix.
Step 2: Make Pancake Bites
These are perfect for large groups or for kids! They also work great to make ahead and store for snacks!
- Fill oiled or sprayed baking cups with pancake batter. Don't fill over two-thirds of the way full.
- Place them in the air fryer basket in batches and cook for seven to eight minutes or until browned on top.
PRO TIP: To make pancake bites you will need a special pan or baking cups. We use these individual Silicone Baking Cups or a tray of them . We find the tray is much easier to work with when making this recipe.
- Serve your pancake bites up immediately with maple or flavored syrup.
Step 3: Make Regular Pancakes
- Coat a cake pan that fits in your air fryer with cooking spray. Fill the cake pans with batter just until the bottom is covered.
- Place the cake pan inside your air fryer and cook for 8-10 minutes, depending if using a 5 or 7 inch cake pan.
- Remove from pan, place on plate and serve when stack is ready.
How to Store Air Fryer Pancakes
Since these pancake muffins in air fryer make such a delicious and easy breakfast, I know that you will want to make a double batch so you have plenty for the following day, the entire week, or for an easy breakfast anytime!
- Refrigerator: Allow the pancake muffins or pancakes to cool completely to room temperature. Store them in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to five days.
- Freezer: Flash freeze or wrap them individually first and then store them in an airtight container or a large resealable bag. This prevents freezer burn and also makes them easier to pull out a few at at time. When stored this way, the pancakes or pancake muffins will last up to three months in the freezer.
How to Reheat Pancakes
There is no need to thaw your air fryer pancakes. You can reheat fully-cooked them still frozen in the microwave or air fryer.
- Preheat your air fryer to 300 degrees
- Place your frozen pancake muffins in your air fryer basket and reheat for four to five minutes
- Remember that you are not cooking your pancakes again. You are just reheating them. This should happen quickly
If you prefer to thaw or reheat in the microwave, place your frozen air fryer pancakes on a microwave-safe plate and for 30 to 60 seconds until your pancakes or pancake muffins are warm through the center.
What to Serve with Pancakes
Need some pancake side dish inspiration? Check out our list of the best sides to serve with pancakes for some tasty suggestions. Here's just a few ideas for serving pancakes.
- Breakfast meat: Choose from air fryer sausage patties, bacon wrapped sausage, or smoked maple bacon.
- Syrup: Use traditional maple syrup or try my butter pecan syrup.
- Top with butter or some honey or maple pecan butter.
- Extra special toppings: The sky is the limit but we love whipped cream, powdered sugar, sprinkles, and chocolate chips.
- Fresh fruit: Diced apples, sliced bananas, and fresh berries are just a few that work great!
- Nut butter: Skip the butter for a healthier spread such as peanut, hazelnut or almond butter.
For more ideas have a look at the best pancake toppings.
Tips
- Do not overcrowd your air fryer. Your air fried pancakes will not cook well if there isn't any space around them.
- Make sure that your ingredients are room temperature before starting to make your pancakes.
- Cook times can vary based on the brands of air fryers. Your pancake muffins may need a little more cooking time or a little less. Keep an eye on your pancake muffins for the last two or three minutes of your cook time.
FAQ
I used a basket-style air fryer to make these delicious pancakes in air fryer. You can use any type of air fryer, even the oven-style air fryer, that you have on hand at your home. I just prefer a basket-style like this one on Amazon.
To create amazing, flat pancakes inside your air fryer use a five or five-and-a-half inch baking pan with a little cooking spray and you're ready to go!
No, you do not. They cook beautifully without needing it.
How to Make Video
More Air Fryer Breakfast or Brunch Recipes
Do you like using your air fryer for breakfast? Here some recipes you may also like to try.
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Air Fryer Pancakes and Pancake Bites
Equipment
- 5 or 5 ½ inch cake pan that will fit in your air fryer for flat pancakes
- 7 inch cake pan if it will fit inside your air fryer
- individual silicone cups for easy removal I suggest using a tray
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 ½ cups buttermilk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Get out and measure your ingredients.
- Preheat air fryer to 325 degrees F.
- Add flour, sugar, baking powder and sugar, and salt to a mixing bowl.
- Add buttermilk, butter, eggs and vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl.
- Whisk both bowls together.
- Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture.
- Mix until just incorporated.
Pancake Bites
- Grease silicone baking cups.
- Fill baking cups just over ⅔ of the way full. Place in air fryer basket in batches (I did 4 at a time).
- Cook for 7-8 minutes or until browned on top.
- Remove your pancake muffins from the air fryer.
- Place your air fryer pancake muffins on a plate and top with your favorite toppings.
- Serve and Enjoy every bite.
Flat Pancakes
- Prepare your 5 to 7 inch cake cake pan with cooking spray.
- Add spoonful's of batter to your prepared cake pan until batter is half way full.
- Place inside your air fryer.
- Set your air fryer temperature to 325 degrees and preheat your air fryer.
- Set your timer for 5 to 6 minutes, with 5 inch pan, around 8 minutes for each 6 inch pan, or if using a 7 inch cake pan set timer for 10 minutes, removing after each is cooked.
- Place on serving plate and serve or set aside.
- Make a stack, if desired.
- Add berries, bananas, chocolate chips, butter, peanut butter, nutella, powdered sugar or anything your heart desires from our pancake topping ideas list.
- Add maple syrup.
- OR Serve with our homemade pecan butter and butter pecan syrup. Don't forget to check out our best sides for pancakes post if you really want to make breakfast that special meal!
- Enjoy every bite!
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published June 2021. It has been updated with new content and images.
Kate McMurry
I am mainly interested in making pancakes in my air fryer, and possibly crepes if I can get pancakes to work. How much batter do you use per pancake, 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup? What do you use to shape your pancakes? Do you use a metal cooking ring set on top of parchment paper? Or do you use a 7-inch cake pan? Or nothing? Your pancakes seem perfectly round. Why do the edges seem to stick up more than the center? Thank you.
Karin and Ken
We use a round pan like this 7 inch pizza pan or this 8 inch, depending on how big your air fryer is. This is a set of two 7 inch pans that work great too. The edges seem to always be raised a little. Add enough pancake batter to reach to edges of each round pan and the recipe works beautifully. Usually about 1/3 of a cup. As for crepes, we have tried to make them in the air fryer and the problem we always have is thinning the crepe without it burning. it's difficult to do because the air fryer is so hot. My husband preheated the pan inside the air fryer to 375 degrees and then removed the hot pan, added the crepe batter, smeared it all over the pan and returned it to the hot air fryer for a minute with the lid closed(unit off) and the crepes worked well. Just be careful because the pan is hot! Please let me know how you make out. I would love to hear. I hope I've helped you at least a little. Take care and all the best. Karin