Light and fluffy German Pancakes are a breakfast staple and a family favorite! Our German Pancake Recipe takes only a few minutes to prepare - and you probably have everything on hand. Just five ingredients!
German Pancakes (aka Dutch Baby pancakes)
Hey guys! It's Lauren back from Tastes Better From Scratch. I'm really excited to share one of my all time favorite breakfasts with you today. German Pancakes! You might know them by the name Dutch Baby pancakes or puffy oven pancakes!
My mom made these all the time growing up (just like her famous cinnamon rolls, her delicious blueberry pancakes, and the world's best breakfast casserole) and we all absolutely loved them! I love how they puff up in the pan when they bake and I love eating them with powdered sugar and syrup drizzled on top! YUM!
The best part about these German Pancakes is they only take about 5 seconds to prepare (you just throw everything in the blender) and the ingredients are items you typically have on hand or are cheap to purchase!
Fun Fact: German Pancakes do not actually come from Germany. They originated in America!
I would also add that these are perfect to make when you have company over, because of how quick and easy they are - and they will totally feed a crowd! You just might have to make two or three pans of them though, because they will disappear quickly! :)
German Pancake Recipe Ingredients
- Eggs
- Milk
- Flour
- Salt
- Vanilla
- Butter
How to make German Pancakes:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and add butter to a 9x13 pan. Place it in the oven to melt while your oven heats.
Add milk, eggs, flour, vanilla and a dash of salt to the blender, and blend until smooth. (Photos 1-4)
When the oven is preheated, pour the batter into the pan, and bake until puffy and golden brown.
Serve with maple syrup and powdered sugar, or top with fruit!
German Pancake Pro Tips:
- To keep German Pancakes from sticking to the pan, make sure you let the butter completely melt in the pan before pouring the batter in.
- If you want to have more peaks in your pancakes, try swirling the batter when you pour so it mixes more with the butter! If you pour directly into the middle then the butter will push to the sides and that is where you will get your raised peaks.
- I always prepare my batter in a blender! It's quicker and easier than a mixing bowl, and it combines the batter better as well.
How to serve this recipe for German Pancakes
Serve German Pancakes immediately after removing them from the oven.
Top with powdered sugar and berries, maple syrup, buttermilk syrup, whipped cream or cinnamon honey butter.
How to Store German Pancakes
How to Store German Pancakes in the Refrigerator
Store leftover German Pancakes in an airtight container or sealable plastic bag in the refrigerator. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
Keep in mind that they may lose some of their crispness and become softer when stored.
When you're ready to enjoy the leftovers, you can reheat them in the oven at around 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until they're warm and crisp again.
How to Freeze German Pancakes
Wrap the pancakes individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or on the countertop for 30-60 minutes. Reheat in the oven as directed above.
German Pancakes Recipe FAQs
-German pancakes have a thinner batter compared to American pancakes. American pancakes have a thicker, fluffier batter which after cooking become more cake-like.
-German pancakes are typically baked in the oven.
-American pancakes are cooked on a griddle or stovetop.
-German pancakes puff up while cooking and have irregular, rustic shapes. American pancakes are typically round and flat.
The baking method for German pancakes is what causes them to puff up dramatically as they cook.
German pancakes or “Dutch Babies” actually did not originate in Germany. They were introduced and popularized at a Seattle restaurant called Manca’s Cafe. They were nicknamed Dutch Babies (originally ‘Deutsch Babies) because they are inspired by thin, crepe-style pancake from Germany called ‘Pfannkuchen.’
More like this Recipe for German Pancakes
Try this Overnight Breakfast Casserole, Blueberry Pancakes with Blueberry Syrup or The Best Crepe Recipe Ever. For even more, browse our whole archive of Breakfast recipes!
Are you making this recipe? Let us know what you think! Leave us a comment and rate it!
Dutch Baby Pancake Recipe (Recipe for German Pancakes)
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. As oven preheats, place the butter in a 9x13 baking dish and put in oven for the butter to melt.
- Place the eggs, milk, flour, salt and vanilla in a blender; cover and process until smooth.
- Pour batter into the baking dish with the melted butter. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown and puffy
- Remove from oven and sprinkle generously with syrup and powdered sugar or fresh lemon juice and powdered sugar.
Notes
- To keep German Pancakes from sticking to the pan, make sure you let the butter completely melt in the pan before pouring the batter in.
- If you want to have more peaks in your pancakes, try swirling the batter when you pour so it mixes more with the butter! If you pour directly into the middle then the butter will push to the sides and that is where you will get your raised peaks!
- I always prepare my batter in a blender! It's so much quicker and easier to wash than a mixing bowl and it combines the batter better as well!
Nutrition
Recipe by Lauren Allen of Tastes Better From Scratch.
We hope you love these puffy oven pancakes as much as we do!
This post was originally published January 13th, 2014 and has been updated with better photos, a video, and more detailed information.
Jeffrey Roecker
i just did 3 eggs and 3/4 cups each, in the cast iron, haven't tried it in this style pan yet, and I have melted the butter and pour it in the batter and it works that way as well.
In Good Flavor
This looks terrific and I love how easy it is to make! I don't make breakfast much, but I'll have to make this!
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
You will love it! We just had them Sunday (a regular in our house) and they were so yummy!
SweetNdLow26
I make these but I carmelize some apples with brown sugar and cinnamon and throw those on top of the batter befor baking. I also add a bit more cinnamon on top. Soooo delicious!
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
Mmm! That sounds great! I can't wait to try it!!
Nina
We had those "pancakes" this morning but it wasn't good at all. My 3 year old ate a quarter of the 9x13 pancake (probably because of the sugar on top) but I couldn't eat it. It just tasted like a weird omelet... maybe the normal 3 eggs, 1 cup flour, 1.5 cup milk would work in the oven as well?! I'll try that next time or go back to pan frying them.
Erin
Although this is an old post, just wanted to mention that I was taught to serve this with sour cream (plain yogurt works too) spread on top and brown sugar sprinkled over it. This addition definitely takes It of the Weird Omelette realm and into Sweet Treat realm, if the original way doesn't work for you. :) i use 7-8 eggs and 1.5 cps of milk, 1.5 cps of flour and 1 tsp vanilla for mine. Everyone's different, that's just the way my family recipe has evolved! Also, someone asked if you can use almond milk and yes you can use alternative milks. You can also use coconut flour but I'd Google a specific recipe for that. You can also substitute melted coconut oil for the butter to make it totally dairy free. It is not as delicious though :)
Sarah + Jessica
oh that sounds delicious! thank you for sharing!
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Jen
My kids love these. I add a bit of salt and a sprinkle of sugar when preparing. I also don't use the BLENDER but mix only til mixed well but not overly.
Pour into a hot buttered pan and bake 10-12min. Serve the same.
Tiffany
This has become a family favorite. It is so easy and I always have the ingredients on hand since they are staples. I've made this probably 20 times now and it has turned out perfectly every time. My kids love to watch it come out of the oven. Thank you.
Elli Friesen
I actually serve these with fresh strawberries or raspberries and whipped cream!
Theresa
Made these this morning. They're soooo good. Thanks for the great recipe. Now I have a new go to holiday breakfast recipe for the family.
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
Hooray!! So glad you love them as much as we do!
Cathy Waldien Schmidt
Whatever country they originated in... YUM! I used to watch our cooks at a breakfast house (Village Inn) i managed and they wouldn't tell me the recipe!
Bad Boys! So now I Know how to do it 40 yrs later! Thanks so much!!!
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
Haha yay!!!! So glad you finally know it! Made my night!
Leila
Is the batter poured over bread slices? It looks like that in the picture, but I don't see anything but the batter in the recipe?
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
Nope! It's just the egg mixture in the pan!
Sami
How many does this serve??
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
It makes a 9x13 pan!
EmilyG
All purpose flour or self rising?
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
All purpose!
Reilly & Denny Cowspotdogs
this looks like a sweet version of Yorkshire Pudding :)
Carol
Can you use almond milk?
Jacqueline
OMG I just saw u said 9x13. Sorry!! Thanks for recipe!!
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
No problem at all, you are so cute! Haha!
Jacqueline
Look so great, I can't wait to try! What size pan should I use?
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
9x13!! Good luck!
Anneke
Wow! These look great. And I am sure they taste great, too. But "honor to whom honor is due": These are rather Dutch pancakes or pannekoeken.
In Germany you would use about 2-3 eggs per 1 cup of flour and milk each (roughly) and then fry them in a pan, just like American pancakes. German pancakes are more like thick crepes.
This here seems like a good recipe: http://itsybitsyfoodies.com/pfannkuchen-german-pancakes/
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
No way! That is so crazy my whole life I have thought these were German! Haha. Thanks for sharing!
Jana
They are actually called Dutch Babies!! Love them!
Mimi
yup ,thats how i make them, born and raised in germany.
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
Really! Aw that's so awesome! Thanks for sharing!
John Hill
This recipe is really what is referred to as a Dutch Baby.
Shan
I made these today and I am already texting my friends to rave about it!!!! Thanks for posting!!
Jessica @ Pretty Providence
Yay!!! Oh my gosh you just made our day! Thanks for commenting, were glad you love them!
Christy
I am so making this for breakfast tomorrow...thanks for sharing ladies! :)
Lauren Allen
I hope you enjoy them!! Thanks for stopping by!
Aleisha
I WANT TO EAT IT ALL!!!! The German pancakes look heavenly! Thank you for sharing this recipe. Can't wait to give it a try!
Lauren Allen
Thanks so much! I hope you love them as much as I do!
Sarah @ Pretty Providence
Oh yum! My husband makes these but he doesn't put vanilla in them, and I've never put powdered sugar on top, but I am for sure going to add those things next time!