Skip to Content

Buttery “Buttermilk” Pancakes | A Kitchen Hack

This is a quick recipe that you should keep on hand for those days you want buttery, buttermilk pancakes — but don’t have real buttermilk. Oh noes!! Don’t worry, adding a little acid to whole milk will pretty much give you the same result. I love my pancakes all kinds of ways, fluffy diner-style, griddle-style with the crispy-buttery edges, you name it, I’ll eat it. These particular pancakes are for those of you who’ve asked me over and over “Resha, how on earth do you get the crispy buttery edges??” Well, here you go. This is my method and it never fails.

When you add the vinegar to the milk, it will start to curdle almost immediately. Let it do it’s thing for 5-10 minutes before using. The pancake batter should be free of super large lumps, but smaller ones should still remain — they will cook out. Allowing the batter to rest 10-20 minutes will allow the flour to fully hydrate. This batter can be made a day ahead, but don’t let it sit in your fridge longer than 24 hours. Please use real butter for this recipe, if it’s in a tub, it’s probably not real butter. As a matter of fact, if it doesn’t SAY butter (salted, or unsalted) on the label, it’s definitely not real butter. The only time you should ever use fake butter is if you’re trying to watch your cholesterol or your doctor told you to do so, otherwise, don’t cheat yourself of fantastic flavor and results.

A few things:

  • Use just 1 tablespoon of vinegar per cup of milk. I made an error on the video, so ignore that.
  • You can use milk for this recipe without the vinegar — they’re still delicious
  • You can use real buttermilk (without the vinegar of course) — they’re even better
  • You can use a different acid, such as lemon juice, in place of the vinegar added to your milk — they’re still bomb
  • This recipe is extremely basic and flexible. Try adding different extracts, spices, citrus zests, and more.

Screen Shot 2015-09-27 at 6

Enjoy

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Buttery “Buttermilk” Pancakes | A Kitchen Hack


Description

How to make buttermilk pancakes without real buttermilk


Ingredients

Units
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp aluminum-free baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup whole milk + 1 tbsp white distilled vinegar (SEE NOTE BELOW)
  • 1 1/2 tbsp melted real butter, cooled
  • 1/2 tsp real vanilla extract
  • zest of 1 lemon (optional)
  • Butter & real maple syrup for topping

Instructions

  1. **Please see video for cooking instructions.

Notes

If you don’t have white distilled vinegar, you can use real lemon juice in it’s place.
1 cup of real buttermilk can be used instead of whole milk- minus the vinegar. The vinegar can be omitted entirely too, the pancakes will still come out delicious. Real buttermilk will also give the pancakes a puffier finish.
If you don’t have an electric griddle or just don’t want to use one, you can cook your pancakes in a non-stick skillet or griddle-pan over medium-low heat.
Recipe can be doubled, except for the egg. You’ll still use just one egg if you double the other ingredients.

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 6 mins
Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes
Disclosure: This site uses various affiliate links. If a purchase is made using one of our affiliate links, we receive a small commission which helps support our efforts. Please read our Privacy Policy for more information.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating

  1. Diana S. says:

    Move over boxed pancake mix. This is my go-to pancake recipe. Really delicious. Please try, you won’t be disappointed.

  2. Diana says:

    No need to look for any other pancake recipe. This is it! The only thing that I’d like to clarify is that I used cold, whole organic milk and it never curdled even after 10 min. I started over by warming the milk until I saw a light steam and then add the tablespoon of acid (vinegar or lemon juice). Curdled immediately. Perfect texture and so easy! Thanks!

  3. Trina says:

    A solid pancake recipe!!! Goodbye hungry jack.

  4. Claudia says:

    I will never buy pancake mix again. These pancakes are absolutely delicious!!!

  5. Veronica Baughman says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    Are these pancakes similar to cracker barrel style ones? I love those pancakes and have been searching for a recipe that makes them as close to them as possible. They look really good.
  6. Bella says:

    Delicious recipe, my family inhaled them. Definitely going in the recipe book. Thanks.

  7. Ras says:

    Great recipe! My fam went crazy for these
    Thanks!

  8. Rmoni says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    Can i do this with a pancake mix instead?
  9. Paige Woodward says:

    Hi! Those look yummy and I plan to try them. I wanted to mention though, did you know that in Maple syrup, grade B is actually superior to grade A? I was shocked when I found that out, but it’s true! Just an FYI….

  10. Jennifer says:
    Your comment is awaiting moderation. This is a preview; your comment will be visible after it has been approved.
    But how do you get the edges so crispy? No matter what recipe I try, I never get the edges like that.
  11. Liz says:

    Will regular baking powder affect this recipe any? I don’t have aluminum-free at the moment.

  12. Esra says:

    Yummy!!! I love pancakes and never made them myself directions where so clear i made them perfect 1st time. I ate them with turkey bacon and egg (no syrup) my son thad them with chocolate sauce. Went down a treat. Will definately be making again.
    Thanks

  13. chantel says:

    is there anything i can replace the vanilla extract with i have none

  14. Kiyonna says:

    This pancake recipe…you win!!!!!! All the trophies. All the ribbons. All the votes.

  15. Kristyn says:

    Okay thank you!

  16. Kristyn says:

    I know this says 4 servings but how many pancakes per serving… Or is this saying it makes 4 pancakes…

  17. Jaz says:

    Hi – I’m lactose intolerant so can I replace whole milk with almond milk? I assume I won’t get the same texture but just want to make sure it won’t taste horrible….