Why does the first pancake turn out bad?

Why does the first pancake always come out bad? Primarily it’s because the pan or griddle needs two things before it becomes a stellar cooking surface that produces golden brown pancakes. First, it needs to heat up properly across its entire surface. Even heat is the secret of great pancakes.

Why are my pancakes so light?

You want to make sure that your pan is hot, but not too hot that it will burn your pancakes. If you see light spots on your pancakes, don’t panic. It simply means that small droplets of oil have clustered up on your pancake instead of spreading out.

How do you make pancakes not fluffy?

The milk solids are what causes butter to burn, so when you’re cooking your pancakes, use clarified butter (in which the milk solids have already been separated). Otherwise, use vegetable oil (really!) or regular butter, and wipe your pan off after every two batches or so.

Why do my pancakes always turn out bad?

Mistake: Cooking at the wrong temperature. Too high of heat, and your pancakes will end up burnt on the outside with a doughy center. Uneven cooking is one of the most common pancake mistakes, so this is a simple but important tip.

Do you cook the pancake batter before or after cooking?

Try to cook the pancakes right after you make the batter, otherwise it will lose airiness and become gummy and dense. Don’t overmix the batter. Lumps in the batter are totally fine, and in fact, preferred. Use approximately 1/3 cup of batter per pancake.

Why are my pancakes flat after baking?

A flat pancake could be the result of an overly-wet batter. Add a little extra flour and see if that makes a difference. The batter should be thick enough that it drips rather than runs off the spoon—and remember, it should have some lumps still in it. If a little flour doesn’t fix the issue, there could be an issue with your baking powder.

Why are my pancakes burnt on the outside?

Too high of heat, and your pancakes will end up burnt on the outside with a doughy center. Too low of heat, and brunch will segue into lunch as you’re waiting for the pancakes to finish cooking. How to fix it: To make sure your pancakes are cooked evenly, go with medium heat, Garcia suggests.

How do you know when a pancake is cooked?

Quick reminder on flipping here: Medium-hot pan (cast iron is best), a little oil or butter, spoonful of batter goes in, then you wait for small bubbles to appear around the pancake’s edges, signifying doneness—don’t flip before that. Let it cook a minute or two on the opposite side before removing to a plate.