Best Ever German Oven Pancakes (2024)

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German Pancakes are a hot and puffy golden pancake that only requires 5 minutes of prep! This classic breakfast is always a huge hit at our house!

We love a good classic breakfast at our house. Try this Breakfast Casserole, these delicious Quick 45 Minute Cinnamon Rolls, or my Grandma’s Perfect Fluffy Pancakes for a breakfast the family won’t be able to get enough of!

Best Ever German Oven Pancakes (1)

German Pancakes Recipe

Breakfast is always a struggle at our house because mornings are always so busy! I love to surprise the kiddos with a delicious and hot breakfast at least once a week before school. That is why we love German pancakes at our house. They only take 5 minutes of prep with ingredients that you have on hand. This breakfast is totally doable, even for the busiest families!

My kids love to watch things baking in the oven and this recipe is the best to watch! As the german pancakes bake in the oven, they get puffy and golden. Once we take them out, I love sprinkling them with some powdered sugar and topping them with some syrup and berries. But the best part about pancakes is that you can make them however you like!

Are German Pancakes really from Germany?

German Pancakes or Dutch Baby Pancakes are not German Pancakes the way they are prepared in Germany. The American “German Pancakes” are more like a popover, either entirely baked in the oven or started in a pan and finished in the oven.

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German Puff Pancakes Ingredients

If you haven’t tried this classic breakfast, you need to make it. We absolutely love it at our house, and it is so fun and easy to make! It is sure to be a huge hit with family or guests!

  • Flour: All-purpose flour is best for it to thicken.
  • Eggs: This helps with the form and taste of the pancake.
  • Milk: This helps make the batter creamy and smooth.
  • Butter: Melt the butter before adding it to the batter.
  • Sugar:The sugar sweetens the pancakes up!
  • Salt: Just a pinch will help it rise.

How to Make German Pancakes from Scratch?

Make this German pancake recipe even easier by adding the batter to a blender for about 30 seconds. Start with blending the wet ingredients together first and then add the dry ingredients until they are smooth. Once the lumps are out, place the batter in the cast iron skillet.

  1. Whisk Together:Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, melted butter, salt, and sugar. Add the flour and stir until incorporated, being careful not to overmix.
  2. Bake in a Skillet:Add one tablespoon of melted butter to the bottom of a 9 or 11-inch cast iron skillet. Pour the batter into a skillet and bake for 12-18 minutes or just until the edges start to brown. Top with desired toppings.
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Tips and Tricks

The best thing about baking German pancakes is watching them rise up and over the pan while baking in the oven. Getting that nice fluffy texture and high rise takes a few tips and tricks to make the perfect German pancakes.

  • Eggs: Fresh eggs are best! Taking the time to whisk each egg individually will also help fluff up the pancake. This does take extra time but can be so worth it!
  • Flour:For best results, use all-purpose flour to help with the rise and thickness of each pancake.
  • Preheating the pan:Before adding the batter to the pan, it helps to melt butter ahead of time to help the pancake rise. The butter will help as a non-stick agent, which creates a taller rise and also keeps the pancake from sticking to the pan.
  • Golden Brown Color: German pancakes are a little tricky to know whether they are done. As it is baking in the oven, the sides of the pancake will rise about 1 to 2 inches and even creep over the top of the skillet. Once the edges and top of the German pancake is nice and golden brown, you know to remove the pancake from the oven. The middle of the pancake will be a yellow egg color. Once the pancake is removed from the oven, in a short amount of time, the German oven pancake will fall a bit. This happens as it is cooling.
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Optional Toppings to Try

Traditionally adding syrup or sprinkling powdered sugar are always popular choices. Once the German pancake is baked and ready to serve, add your favorite toppings and create a delicious breakfast everyone will love.

  • Syrup:Buttermilksyrupor any berry syrup.
  • Jam:Strawberry jamis my favorite!
  • Fresh Berries:Raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries go together so well and balance out the sweet flavor of German pancakes.
  • Powdered Sugar:Sprinkle some powdered sugar over the top!
  • Chocolate Chips:Add the chocolate chips right on top of the pancake while it is warm.
  • Cinnamon Sugar:A little more sweetness!
  • Nutella:This adds a delicious, chocolatey taste!
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More Delicious Breakfast Ideas

Breakfast might just be the best meal of the day! It can be sweet, savory or anything in between! I’ve gathered up a few more of my very favorite breakfast recipes that you must try. You’re entire family will love them!

Breakfast

Grandma’s Perfect Fluffy Pancakes

20 mins

Breakfast

Baked French Toast Casserole

3 hrs 30 mins

Breakfast

Sticky Buns- A Family Favorite Recipe!

1 d 30 mins

Breakfast

The Best Breakfast Casserole

1 hr 35 mins

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German Oven Pancake

4.94 from 73 votes

By: Alyssa Rivers

A hot and puffy golden pancake that only requires 5 minutes of prep! This classic breakfast is always a huge hit at our house!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes

Total Time: 17 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 People

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a medium sized bowl whisk the eggs, milk, 2 Tablespoons melted butter, salt and sugar. Add the flour and stir until incorporated being careful not to overmix.

  • Add 1 tablespoon melted butter to the bottom of a 9 or 11 inch cast iron skillet. Pour the batter into a skillet and bake for 12-18 minutes or just until the edges start to brown. Top with desired toppings.

Video

Notes

Updated on December 22, 2022

Originally Posted on March 21, 2019

Nutrition

Calories: 212kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 7gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 149mgSodium: 138mgPotassium: 103mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 490IUCalcium: 55mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: German

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

Read More About Me

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Best Ever German Oven Pancakes (2024)

FAQs

Why don't my German pancakes puff up? ›

There are two main culprits to flat, sad Dutch baby pancakes: Your oven wasn't hot enough. The hotter your oven, the more puffed your Dutch baby pancake will be. Make sure to preheat the oven for at least 10 minutes before baking the batter.

What is the secret of amazing pancakes? ›

Don't use cooking fat - This is the real secret to the technique. If you want those perfect edge to edge golden brown tops and bottoms on your pancakes leave the pan totally dry. No butter, no cooking oil, no nothing.

What is the difference between German and Dutch pancakes? ›

A dutch baby pancake is sometimes referred to as a puff pancake, a dutch puff, or a German pancake. It is essentially a large popover or Yorkshire pudding with a custardy base and crisp tall edges. It is typically served for breakfast.

What's the difference between German and American pancakes? ›

The difference between German and American pancakes is that German pancakes use more eggs than American pancakes and no leavening agent. German pancakes are also baked in a shallow dish (like a roasting pan or cast-iron skillet) while American pancakes are cooked on a griddle.

How do you make pancakes more fluffy? ›

Milk helps make pancakes fluffier than water. Since milk is thicker than water, it creates a thicker batter. Further, if you use whole milk or low fat milk, the fat content helps yield tender, fluffy results.

What makes pancakes fluffy and helps them rise? ›

Pancakes and waffles typically both contain baking soda, which causes them to rise. As soon as the baking soda is combined with the wet ingredients (which contain an acidic ingredient, like often buttermilk), it starts producing carbon dioxide gas bubbles that cause the batter to rise.

What country has the best pancakes? ›

World's most delicious pancakes
  • Socca, France and Italy: Made with chickpea flour, socca, also known as farinata, is a a street food favorite in cities like Nice. ...
  • Blinis, Russia: These traditional Russian pancakes usually made from wheat or buckwheat flour are perfect for breakfast.

Why is my German pancake dense? ›

Overmixing the batter can cause the gluten in the flour to overdevelop, leading to a dense pancake. Batter Not At Room Temperature: Ingredients that are not at room temperature can cause the batter to be too dense. Make sure all ingredients, including the eggs and milk, are at room temperature before making the batter.

Why are they called dollar pancakes? ›

These bite-sized pancakes are similar to the small Scottish pancakes, sometimes known as drop scones, since the batter is dropped directly into the skillet. In the U.S., we refer to them as "silver dollar" pancakes, as they are roughly the size of the old-school coin.

Which US state is known for pancakes? ›

Tastes vary from state to state. Since Hawaii is known around the world for its macadamia nut pancakes, it's no surprise that it tops the list.

What is another name for German pancakes? ›

A Dutch baby pancake, sometimes called a German pancake, a Bismarck, a Dutch puff, Hooligan, or a Hootenanny, is a dish that is similar to a large Yorkshire pudding.

Why wont my pancakes bubble up? ›

Flat pancakes are nearly always because of expired baking powder, too little baking powder for the recipe size, or too thin of a batter.

What causes pancakes not to rise? ›

TIP: Make sure your baking powder is not out of date, or your pancakes won't rise as well. Combine wet ingredients together in a separate jug – this step is more important than you might think. The less you mix the batter, the fluffier your pancakes will be.

Why don't my pancakes come out round? ›

pancakes is mixing the batter to the right amount. The batter is under mixed. when there are still visible clumps of dry flour. In this case, the pancakes come out misshapen.

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