Denny’s pancakes are an American classic for a reason. They’re soft, fluffy, and have a rich buttermilk flavor. This recipe shows how to make Denny’s-style pancakes at home.
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The Best Denny’s Pancake Recipe
This recipe recreates the diner-style buttermilk pancakes you’d expect at Denny’s. The result is tender, fluffy pancakes with that familiar flavor you can serve at home for breakfast or brunch.
These pancakes are rich and light at the same time. They pair perfectly with butter, maple syrup, and classic breakfast sides like bacon, sausage, or eggs. The recipe yields about a dozen medium pancakes and is easy enough for any cook to prepare.
Ingredients
Most ingredients are pantry staples. The one item worth seeking out is buttermilk, which adds the signature tang and tenderness to the pancakes.
Everything you’ll need for the batter:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg, slightly beaten
- 3 tablespoons canola oil (or vegetable oil)
- About 1½ cups buttermilk
- Maple syrup and butter for serving
If you need to adapt the recipe—for example, to use non-dairy milk or a baking-powder-free method—there are other variations you can try, but for authentic diner-style results stick with buttermilk.
How to Make Denny’s Pancakes
The method is straightforward: mix dry ingredients, whisk the wet ingredients, combine gently, let the batter rest, then cook on a hot griddle. Read through the steps before starting, and have your skillet or griddle preheating while the batter rests.
Step 1: Mixing The Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda until evenly combined. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg with the vanilla, oil, and buttermilk until blended. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. The batter should be lumpy and thick—do not overmix.
Let the batter rest for about 5 minutes. This short rest helps the texture and ensures fluffier pancakes.
Step 2: Cooking The Buttermilk Pancakes
Preheat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat (about 350°F if your griddle has a thermometer). Lightly grease with cooking spray or a touch of oil. Scoop roughly ¼ cup of batter per pancake onto the hot surface; this recipe makes about 12 pancakes, so cook in batches as needed.
Cook for about 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown. Flip when bubbles form and begin to pop on the surface. Keep cooked pancakes warm in a low oven while you finish the rest. Serve with a pat of butter and a generous drizzle of maple syrup.
How To Store and Reheat Pancakes
These pancakes store well. Cool them completely, then stack and wrap in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. Refrigerated pancakes will keep for up to 3 days. For longer storage, flash-freeze the pancakes in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag; they keep about 3 months.
Reheat gently in the microwave, oven, toaster oven, or on a skillet until warmed through. If frozen, reheat from frozen in a toaster oven or oven for best texture.
Wrapping It All Up
Making Denny’s-style pancakes at home is simple and rewarding. With common ingredients and minimal steps you’ll get pancakes that are tender, fluffy, and full of buttermilk flavor—perfect for family breakfasts and weekend brunches.
If you try the recipe, enjoy them hot with butter and maple syrup, and feel free to serve alongside bacon, sausage, or eggs for a complete diner-style meal.
More Copycat Recipes
If you enjoy recreating restaurant favorites, try other copycat breakfast recipes next. They capture the flavors of popular diners and fast-food breakfasts and are fun to make at home.
Here are a few ideas to explore:
- IHOP pancakes
- Waffle House hash browns
- Waffle House waffles
- McDonald’s Egg McMuffin
- Cracker Barrel pancakes
- Olive Garden Lasagna Fritta
- Little Caesar’s cheese bread
- Chick-fil-A chocolate chip cookies
The Famous Denny’s Pancake Recipe
Denny’s pancakes are soft and fluffy with a delicious buttermilk flavor. This recipe lets you make them at home.
5 minutes
5 minutes
10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg, slightly beaten
- 3 tablespoons canola oil (vegetable oil works too)
- About 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- Maple Syrup to serve
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda until well mixed.
- In another bowl whisk together the egg, vanilla extract, oil, and buttermilk until blended.
- Add the egg mixture to the dry mixture and whisk until combined and no flour streaks remain. Do not over mix. The batter will be lumpy and thick.
- Let the batter rest for about 5 minutes while you preheat a skillet to medium heat (about 350 degrees F).
- Scoop the batter (about a ¼ cup) and pour onto the skillet. Cook for about 1-2 minutes per side or until both sides are golden in color.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1 Pancake
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 113
Total Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 14g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 0g
Protein: 3g