With pancake day right around the corner, home cooks up and down the country will look for ways to perfect this year’s batch of pancakes.
But pancakes are one dish that, while they might sound easy, can often cause disaster in the kitchen, with common mistakes leading to disappointed children who were hoping for a yummy dessert.
With this in mind, Gousto’s lead recipe developer, Sophie Nahmad, has shared her tips and tricks for ensuring that this year’s pancakes come out perfect.
Ahead of Shrove Tuesday, Gousto surveyed 2,000 people and found that people are most likely to struggle with flipping pancakes (45%), pancakes sticking to the pan (37%), and rubbery pancakes (18%).
As a result, 33% of people in the UK don’t attempt to make their own pancakes for Pancake Day, something that could easily change thanks to Sophie’s tips.
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Pancakes breaking or landing unevenly when flipping
Sophie said: “A perfect flip starts with the right batter – too thick, and it won’t spread; too thin, and it falls apart. When flipping, confidence is key.
“Loosen the edges with a spatula, then use a smooth, controlled push – not a wild toss. A steady wrist and well-prepped pancake mean the difference between a flawless flip and a folded flop.”
She also suggests using a flat-based, non-stick pan with a low side when making pancakes, as this avoids problems when flipping, alongside a number of other common pancake mistakes.
Pancakes sticking to the pan
One common problem when making pancakes is them sticking to the pan and tearing. To avoid this, Sophie again suggests using a non-stick pan with a flat base.
She added: “Lightly grease it – too much butter or oil causes uneven browning. And don’t rush! Preheat the pan on low-medium heat before pouring batter for a golden, crisp flip instead of a torn mess.”
Pancakes ending up rubbery not fluffy
“Rubbery pancakes? Blame overmixing. Stir just until combined – lumps are fine,” says Sophie, highlighting that overmixing can lead to the development of gluten which will make pancakes rather dense. Instead recommends letting the batter rest for ten minutes in order to absorb moisture, leading to a softer bite.
Her final tip is to keep cook at a medium-low temperature, as a high heat will cause you to end up with tough pancakes.