Are you a fan of McDonald’s fluffy pancakes, also known as hotcakes? Do you crave their soft texture and delicious taste? Look no further! You’ll find out how to make a homemade version of this delicious breakfast using simple ingredients in this copycat recipe.
What’s great about this recipe? It’s easy to make and uses ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen. Plus, it’s cheaper than buying McDonald’s pancakes every time you want to enjoy them. This pancake recipe really reminds of pancakes served at McDonald’s. Once your entire family tries it, it’ll become their favorite.
What’s the secret to making pancakes perfect?
The secret to making the perfect McDonald’s hotcakes for the best breakfast is the batter. To achieve the fluffiest pancakes, you shouldn’t make it too thick as your pancakes will turn out to be undercooked on the inside. Also, be careful not to make the batter too runny. That would make the pancakes spread out and prevent them from fluffing up.
This is the best pancake recipe that makes you delicious pancakes that are a great base for a perfect breakfast combo.
Ingredients for McDonald’s Pancakes
This McDonald’s pancake recipe is easy to make and uses simple ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen.
- All-purpose flour: This is the base of the pancake batter and provides structure. To make pancakes gluten-free, replace regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour. You can even try using half white and half whole wheat flour for a healthier twist.
- Baking powder: This is a leavening agent that helps the pancakes rise and become fluffy. Use a fresh baking powder.
- Salt: This enhances the flavor of the pancakes.
- Granulated sugar: This makes the pancakes slightly sweet. Use less sugar if you want more neutral taste. Use more if you like sweeter pancakes. Or use a sugar substitute if you want to stay sugar-free.
- Large eggs: Eggs provide structure and richness to the pancakes. If you need to make the recipe egg-free, try using flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water for each egg). Or use a commercial egg replacer.
- Milk: Milk adds moisture to the pancake batter. As an alternative, try almond milk or soy milk.
- Vegetable oil: This adds moisture and helps prevent the pancakes from sticking to the pan. You can use any oil with a neutral taste, such as canola oil or sunflower oil. Or a pat of butter if you fancy.
Equipment you’ll need to make pancakes
- Large mixing bowl: You’ll need just a single bowl to combine the dry and wet ingredients for the pancake batter.
- Wire whisk: A wire whisk is useful for gently stirring the ingredients together until just combined.
- Measuring cups and spoons: You’ll need measuring cups and spoons to accurately measure out the ingredients for the pancake batter.
- Griddle or frying pan: You’ll need a griddle or frying pan to cook the pancakes on. Electric griddle is quicker if you have one, because you can cook multiple pancakes at once.
- Non-stick cooking spray or butter: For greasing your griddle or frying pan to prevent the pancakes from sticking.
- Ladle: A ladle or measuring cup is useful for pouring the pancake batter onto the pan in equal portions.
- Spatula: You’ll need a spatula to flip the pancakes while they are cooking.
How to make McDonald’s pancakes?
There are a few ways to make the pancakes even more delicious. You can add in some optional goodies or accompany them with further additions.
This an easy breakfast recipe. The best way to cook it in a few steps:
- Put all the dry ingredients into a large bowl. Then, add the wet ingredients.
- Use a wire whisk to gently stir everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the pancake batter as this can result in tough pancakes. It’s okay if there are a few lumps left in the batter.
- Preheat a griddle. If you’re using a pan, preheat it over medium heat and grease with a non-stick spray or butter.
- Pour approximately ¼ cup of batter onto the pan for each pancake. Cook for 2-3 minutes until you start seeing small bubbles forming at the top.
- Flip the pancake and finish cooking for approximately 2 more minutes until golden brown.
- Serve warm with your favorite toppings.
Can I make McDonald’s pancakes even better?
There are a few ways to make the pancakes even more delicious. You can add in some optional goodies or accompany them with further additions.
- Vanilla extract: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract into the batter for a new flavor.
- Spices: Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for some warmth.
- Fruit: You can fold in some fresh or frozen berries or diced fruit into the batter before cooking for fruity pancakes. Try chopped strawberries or chocolate chips to change up the flavor.
- Sugar: You can replace the sugar in the recipe for any other sweetener if you want to make the pancakes sugar-free.
- Mix-ins: Try adding some mix-ins to the batter. Chopped strawberries or chocolate chips give the flavor a new dimension.
- Toppings: Experiment with different toppings to add variation to the cooked pancakes.
How to get the perfect pancake every time
Test the consistency of the batter by lifting a spoon or ladle above the bowl rim. It should be thick but run slowly off of the spoon.
Allow the prepared batter to rest for up to ten minutes so that the flour can properly hydrate and the baking powder has time to activate.
To make beautifully round pancakes, pour the batter in circular motion. Start from the center and work your way outwards.
Make sure it is well-greased with non-stick cooking spray or butter before pouring on the batter. Otherwise they will stick.
Once done, place pancakes on a baking sheet cover with a paper towel. Keep them in a warm oven until ready to serve. If you need to stack them into more layers, use paper towel as a separator. That way they will be nicely warm during serving.
How to Serve McDonald’s Pancakes?
Serve your McDonald’s pancakes warm with your favorite toppings. Some classic options include a pat of butter and a drizzle of maple syrup.
If you want to be more creative, serve your pancakes with peanut butter, chocolate chips, whipped cream, jams and jellies, or freshly-cut fruit.
You can also experiment with various syrups such as strawberry or blueberry syrup, or even honey.
A great breakfast combo is to serve them with bacon or sausage patties on the side. You can also add some scrambled or fried eggs for a complete breakfast.
How do I store McDonald’s Pancakes?
Allow the McDonald’s Pancakes to cool down to room temperature after cooking. Then put them in a single layer on a baking sheet, and use paper towels to separate them if stacking is necessary. Store the pancakes in an airtight container.
Refrigerate the pancakes for up to 5-7 days. Or freeze them for up to 3 months.
Reheat the pancakes by microwaving them.
McDonald’s pancakes
Equipment
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Frying pan
- 1 Ladle
- 1 Spatula
- 1 Measuring cup
- 1 Non-stick spray
- 1 Griddle (optional)
Ingredients
- 2.5 cup flour all-purpose
- 2 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 4 tbsp granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2 cup milk
- 4 tbsp vegetable oil (any oil with a neutral taste, such as canola oil or sunflower oil)
Instructions
- Put all the dry ingredients into a large bowl. Then, add the wet ingredients.
- Use a wire whisk to gently stir everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the pancake batter as this can result in tough pancakes. It’s okay if there are a few lumps left in the batter.
- Preheat a griddle. If you're using a pan, preheat it over medium heat and grease with a non-stick spray or butter.
- Pour approximately ¼ cup of batter onto the pan for each pancake. Cook for 2-3 minutes until you start seeing small bubbles forming at the top.
- Flip the pancake and finish cooking for approximately 2 more minutes until golden brown.
- Serve warm with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- It’s essential to achieve the right consistency for the batter. Test this by lifting a spoon or ladle above the bowl rim – it should be thick but run slowly off the spoon.
- Let the batter rest for up to ten minutes before cooking so that the flour can properly hydrate, and the baking powder has time to activate.
- Remember to grease your cooking surface well before pouring on the batter to prevent sticking.
- Keep cooked pancakes warm on a baking sheet in a warm oven until ready to serve. Use paper towel as a separator if you’re stacking them.
- Experiment with additions to the batter like vanilla extract, spices, fruits, or even sugar substitutes.
- Try different toppings for variation, from classic butter and syrup to peanut butter, whipped cream, jams, jellies, or fresh fruit.
- Allow the pancakes to cool down to room temperature after cooking. If necessary, separate them with paper towels when stacking and store them in an airtight container. You can refrigerate the pancakes for up to 5-7 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months. Reheat the pancakes in the microwave when ready to serve.