Orange Breakfast Pancakes: The Ultimate Recipe Guide
Fluffy and bright orange pancakes, bursting with citrus flavor. Perfect for a weekend brunch!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 pancakes 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: Orange segments, maple syrup, powdered sugar for serving
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, orange juice, melted butter, orange zest, and vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold the mixture together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! A few lumps are perfectly fine.
- Let Batter Rest: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the batter rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Prepare Griddle/Pan: Heat a lightly oiled griddle or non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
- Pour Batter: Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot griddle for each pancake.
- Cook First Side: Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until bubbles start to form on the surface and the edges look set.
- Flip and Cook Second Side: Carefully flip the pancakes with a spatula and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Keep Warm (Optional): If you’re making a large batch of pancakes, you can keep them warm in a preheated oven (200°F or 93°C) until ready to serve. Place the cooked pancakes on a baking sheet in a single layer to prevent them from getting soggy.
- Serve: Serve with your favorite toppings like maple syrup, butter, powdered sugar, orange segments, whipped cream, or berry compote.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the batter! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can result in tough pancakes.
- Letting the batter rest is crucial for light and fluffy pancakes.
- Adjust the heat of your griddle or pan as needed to prevent burning.
- Use fresh ingredients, especially baking powder, for best results.
- Orange zest is key to amplifying the orange flavor.
- Experiment with different toppings and variations to customize your pancakes.