Puffy German Pancakes (Easy 5-Ingredient Recipe!) (2024)

Whether you call them German pancakes or Dutch babies, you’ll love this puffy pancake recipe for an easy weekend breakfast. Just add your favorite toppings and dig in!

You will love this Dutch Baby Recipe

German pancakes are a family favorite recipe around here, right up there with our favoritecrepe recipeandmake-ahead breakfast sandwiches. They are incredibly easy to make and even more delicious to eat! These puffy pancakes only take about 5 minutes to throw together in a blender, and kids love them because they can be topped with just about anything!

The butter is melted in a hot oven in a 9x13-inch baking dish; when the simple batter gets poured into the pan, it puffs up, much like a popover. It's so fun to see how tall the German pancakes can grow, although they deflate rapidly after removing from the oven.

Technically, one batch of German pancakes will give you 8 servings in a 9x13-inch pan. If you’re making these for adults, though, most people will want more than one helping, so you might want to consider doubling the batch and making two pans! Our family of four usually doesn't finish the entire batch, but we're usually pretty close, with only a slice or two leftover.

We also make a smaller batchGerman apple pancakeversion with sautéed apples, but this classic German pancake recipe is the one we enjoy most often at our house. We usually top our German pancakes with sliced bananas or peaches when they are in season, along withbuttermilk caramel syrup.

(We love pancakes from other parts of the world! Some of our other favorites areFluffy Japanese Pancakes,Aebleskiver Danish Pancakes, andHotteok Korean Sweet Pancakes!)

What is a Dutch Baby?

A Dutch baby, also known as a German pancake, is a type of baked pancake or popover that is typically made in a cast-iron skillet or ovenproof pan. It is characterized by its puffy and custard-like texture. Dutch babies are usually served for breakfast or brunch and are often sweet, although savory variations exist.

German Pancake Recipe ingredients

Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

• Large eggs
• Milk – Whole milk is best for German pancakes.
• Flour – Regular all-purpose flour will do.
• Salt
• Butter – I recommend unsalted butter, but if you have salted on hand, you can cut back on the amount of salt you add to the batter.

How to Make German Pancakes

Here’s what you’ll need to do to make classic German pancakes at home:

1. Prepare. Place the butter in a 9x13-inch baking dish and set the dish in the oven. Preheat the oven to 475ºF, taking a peek at the butter occasionally to make sure it doesn’t burn.
2. Make the pancake batter. Add the eggs, milk, flour, and salt to a blender and blend for 10 to 20 seconds, or until the mixture is smooth.
3. Bake the pancake. Carefully slide the pan out of the oven and pour the batter mixture over the butter. Return the pan to the oven, close the door, and bake for 14 to 15 minutes, or until the German pancake is puffy and the edges are golden brown.
4. Serve. Slice and serve immediately with your desired toppings.

German Pancakes Recipe tips for success

Here are some pointers for perfect German pancakes:

• Be careful with the hot pan and oven. It’s easiest to slide out the oven rack and pour the batter into the pan; that way you don’t have to hold the hot baking dish with one hand while pouring batter with the other.
• Getting the perfect puffy pancake. I have found that if I pour in a swirled figure-eight pattern rather than just one stream of batter into the center of the pan, I get a more craggy, puffy German pancake as a result.
• Don’t open the oven door while the German pancake is baking. The rush of air into the oven will make your pancake deflate!
• Serve immediately. German pancakes are best when served immediately after baking. As they sit, not only will they deflate, but they’ll also lose moisture.

How to serve this German Pancake Recipe

Sprinkle your German pancakes with a dusting of powdered sugar and add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a burst of flavor. You can also garnish with fresh berries, whipped cream, or a drizzle of maple syrup for added sweetness. Or serve with our famousbuttermilk syrup! Slice the pancake into wedges or squares and serve immediately while it's still warm.

German Pancake topping ideas

Here are some ideas for serving your German pancakes:

• Make it traditional. Dust the pancake with powdered sugar, then squeeze lemon juice over the top.
• Make it fruity. Sliced bananas, fresh berries, peaches, and sautéed apples are all delicious on a German pancake.
• Make it decadent. Scatter chocolate chips over the top, drizzle it with hot fudge or caramel sauce, or serve with a dollop of whipped cream.

German Pancake storage

If you have leftover German pancakes, you can keep them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days, then reheat in a 350ºF oven or microwave for 30-60 seconds until hot.

Do pancakes need to be refrigerated?

Yes, you should store any uneaten German pancakes in an airtight container in the fridge. They will be good for 3-4 days and can be reheated in the microwave before eating. You can also freeze leftover German pancakes for 2-3 months

Can German Pancakes Be Frozen?

Yes, German pancakes can be frozen, but they won’t be puffy when reheated! Store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months, then thaw them in the refrigerator and reheat them according to the instructions above.

How to make German Pancakes FAQs

More Great Breakfast Recipes

• Easy Blackberry Turnovers
• Biscuits and Gravy Casserole
• Southern Biscuits and Chocolate Gravy
• Green Chili Egg Casserole
• Cinnamon French Toast Sticks