Pancakes without Milk? (2024)

By Laura Fuentes on Updated

4.94 from 317 votes

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No milk? No problem! This recipe for pancakes without milk uses water instead and still yields a fluffy and delicious stack.

Whether you ran out of milk or just want a recipe for pancakes without milk that uses water, today’s recipe and tips will show you how to make fluffy no milk pancakes every time!

This recipe has saved pancake morning at my house on more than one occasion and I’m so happy to be able to share it with you today.

Pancakes without Milk? (1)

My family loves it. My “food critic” (15-year-old) says it’s the best she’s ever tasted. Used water, no milk. – JC

Can You Make Pancakes Without Milk?

Of course, you can make no milk pancakes, that’s why we’re here today!

Flavor aside, the purpose of milk in a pancake recipe is to dissolve the flour and other ingredients and to provide the liquid structure. This means that any liquid will do the trick.

If you’re still weighing your breakfast options for today, you can also make French toast without milk!

Making Pancakes with Water

Making pancakes with water is as simple as making regular pancakes. The main difference with a water-based pancake recipe and a milk-based recipe will be the flavor of the cooked pancakes.

Whether you use dairy milk or non-dairy milk in a recipe, using “milk” adds a creamy flavor to pancakes. Even pancake mixes that say “just add water” have powdered milk in the ingredients.

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If you want great tasting pancakes with water, make sure to not skimp on the melted butter, vanilla, and the little bit of sugar that’s added to the recipe.

If you try a pancake or two and find them a little bland, add one of the “flavor add-ins” listed below.

No Milk Pancakes Ingredients

To make no milk pancakes by using water as the liquid, you’ll need the ingredients below.You’ll find the amounts in the printable recipe card at the bottom but read why you need each for the best results:

  • All-Purpose Flour:the foundation of this pancake recipe.
  • Baking Powder:helps your pancakes rise when exposed to heat. It’s what makes your pancakes fluffy although it’s possible to makepancakes without baking powder with this recipe.
  • Salt:to enhance the flavor of the other ingredients.
  • Sugar:this sweetens the pancake batter slightly and gives it some flavor. I use granulated white sugar, although brown sugar works, too.
  • Water: the liquid used in this pancake batter. If you have a dairy-free milk alternative, use it instead (more on this below).
  • Egg:to bind the ingredients and help the pancakes hold together.
  • Butter:adds delicious, buttery flavor, which also helps flavor the batter.
  • Vanilla extract:this will add flavor to the batter; otherwise, it’s pretty bland (it is flour + water after all!). You can also use almond extract instead oradd ½ teaspoon of cinnamon to the batter.

If you have those ingredients, let’s keep going!

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Pancake Batter Consistency without Milk

The consistency of pancake batter without milk is the same as my milk-based pancake recipe.

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Check out this video so you can learn the consistency of good pancake batter. Granted, I add milk to the bowl, but the consistency is the same.

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Other Milk Substitutes for Pancakes

Milk adds both flavor and the “liquid” to a pancake recipe. There are other milk substitutes for pancakes and below I share both options: for flavor and liquid texture.

Liquid Milk Substitutes for Pancakes

As a liquid substitute for milk, use equal parts of:

  • Almond milk:this works great for pancakes. Use regular, vanilla, or unsweetened, your choice.
  • Oat milk:its richer texture works great for makingoat milk pancakes.
  • Soy milk:another great substitute that yields a terrific pancake batter. Same amounts.
  • Hemp milk:you can’t go wrong with it; plus, it’s an extra source of healthy omegas.
  • Half & Half:if you use half and half, which is thicker than milk, mix it with water at a 50/50 ratio for great results.
  • Heavy cream:just like using half and half, mix it with water to thin it out; otherwise, you’ll have a very thick batter.
  • Cashew milk:a delicious and texture-rich alternative that works great.
  • Rice milk:a little thin but it’s no different than using skim milk.
  • Coconut milk:canned coconut milk is too thick to use on its own, I recommend diluting it with water to thin it out also at 50/50.
  • Eggnog:a great and delicious liquid to make holiday pancakes! Check out thiseggnog pancake recipe.
  • Water:the liquid of last resort; and since it’s flavor-less, make sure to add vanilla, sugar, and egg to the recipe.

Milk Substitutes for Pancakes to add flavor

If you’re using water to make a pancake recipe, you’ll need to add a little more “flavor.” Here are some add-in options:

  • 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ teaspoons almond extract
  • 1 ½ teaspoons maple extract
  • 1 extra tablespoon melted butter
  • 1 cup blueberries, chopped berries
  • ¼ cup jam or jelly
  • Zest of 1 orange

After you make your traditional pancakes or fluffy gluten-free pancakes be sure to try one of these pancake toppings and serve with some delicious pancake sides to make your breakfast complete.

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Fluffy Pancakes without Milk

Laura Fuentes

No milk? No problem! This recipe for pancakes without milk uses water instead and still yields a fluffy and delicious stack.

4.94 from 317 votes

Servings 10 pancakes

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons sugar
  • 1 ¼ cups water
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.

  • Make a well in the middle and pour in the water, egg, butter, and vanilla extract. Mix with a whisk or fork until smooth.

  • Heat a non-stick griddle or large pan over medium-high heat, I set my griddle at 300-350 F.

  • Pour or scoop ¼ cup of batter for each pancake. Wait until bubbles form to flip. Continue cooking for an additional minute to cook through, and brown on the other side. Remove from the pan or griddle and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 pancakeCalories: 113kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 3gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 277mgPotassium: 28mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 129IUCalcium: 77mgIron: 1mg

Love this Recipe?

Pancakes without Milk? (2024)

FAQs

Can I use water instead of milk in pancakes? ›

Lauren Habermehl. If you're out of milk, or need a dairy-free option for making pancakes, you can replace the milk with an equal amount of just about any other liquid. In a pinch, water is the easiest swap, but we find pancakes made with water lack flavor and richness.

What can I use instead of milk to make pancakes? ›

Dairy Substitutes for Milk
  • Cream or Half-and-Half. Cream is richer than milk, so to avoid heavier dough or batter use a ratio of about 60 percent cream to 40 percent water. ...
  • Evaporated or Powdered Milk. ...
  • Sour Cream or Plain Yogurt. ...
  • Water (or Water and Butter) ...
  • Nut Milk. ...
  • Soy Milk. ...
  • Oat Milk. ...
  • Rice Milk.
Apr 3, 2023

Does all pancake mix have milk? ›

It varies according to brand, but some just-add water pancake mixes contain dehydrated fats like powdered butter, powdered milk or buttermilk, and egg powder. Others rely on additives like chemical emulsifiers and proteins.

What can I use water instead of milk? ›

Mix one cup of water with 1 ½ teaspoons melted butter. Water can be used in most recipes that call for milk. According to the USDA, 88 percent of the volume of milk is water.

What can you use as a substitute for milk? ›

Milk in most recipes hydrates the dry ingredients and adds flavor, and there are plenty of substitutes that can do just that without compromising the final result.
  • Half and half. ...
  • Heavy cream. ...
  • Nondairy milks, like soy and almond. ...
  • Sour cream. ...
  • Yogurt. ...
  • Evaporated milk. ...
  • Canned coconut milk. ...
  • Water.
Dec 3, 2021

Can you substitute oil for milk in pancakes? ›

Oil or butter – the flavor is better with butter, but you can use a neutral-tasting oil. If using coconut oil, be sure to melt it first. And I would recommend refined coconut oil unless you'd like some coconut taste to your pancakes. To make dairy-free pancakes, make sure to use oil or vegan butter.

Can I use water instead of milk for Aunt Jemima pancakes? ›

While the Original Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix has great dry ingredient ratios that yield fluffy pancakes, you should not make them without milk. Using water is only recommended if you're using the “complete” mix, which includes powdered milk.

Can I add water to pancake mix? ›

For every 1 cup of pancake mix, whisk with 3/4 cup water. 1 cup of mix makes 4 to 5 pancakes. Scoop 1/4 cup of pancake batter onto griddle. Let pancakes cook until bubbles form before flipping.

Does IHOP use milk in their pancakes? ›

Heads Up! At this time, all of the pancakes and waffles at IHOP contain milk, including the “gluten-friendly” options.

Are eggs dairy-free? ›

Eggs are often mistakenly categorized as dairy, but eggs are not dairy products. Eggs are laid by birds, which do not have mammary glands. Dairy products are items like yogurt, cheese and milk. You can eat eggs if you follow a dairy-free diet or if you have lactose intolerance.

Does all pancake mix have eggs? ›

Regular pancake mixes often require eggs, milk, or other animal products. If you're vegan or trying to go vegan, these products go against the vegan diet. Thankfully, there are now many alternatives to pancake mixes.

What makes pancakes fluffier? ›

A Little Bit of Science. To dive into a little bit of pancake science, fluffier pancakes are caused by bubbles that form in the batter followed by the solidification of those beautiful bubbles! When you add baking powder to your pancake batter, you're encouraging the release of gas, which forms bubbles in the batter.

Are McDonald's pancakes made with milk? ›

Contains: Wheat, Egg, Milk, Soy.

What to substitute for milk in baking? ›

Heavy cream is a great substitute for milk in a baking recipe, but it does need to be diluted slightly. Because heavy cream boasts a fat content of 36% to 40%, using a half cup of heavy cream mixed with a half cup of water will be your best bet for replacing one cup of milk.

Can I use water instead of milk for bisquick pancakes? ›

To make Bisquick pancakes without milk (or Bisquick biscuits without milk), substitute an equal amount water or non-dairy milk for the milk called for on the recipe on the package. Add any other ingredients, such as oil and eggs, as instructed.

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