Experience the taste of a classic diner breakfast without leaving the comfort of your home with this fantastic copycat Denny's pancake recipe. These golden, fluffy pancakes are crafted from scratch in your very own kitchen and deliver that delicious diner flavor, at home.
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Buttermilk pancakes are a true breakfast delight. The moment they hit the griddle, the kitchen fills with an irresistible aroma that awakens your senses. As they sizzle and take on that perfect golden hue, you can't help but anticipate the taste that's about to come.
Each bite is pure bliss, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that's soft, airy, and just a touch tangy thanks to the buttermilk. These are the best ever buttermilk pancakes and are the embodiment of comfort, like a warm hug on a cozy morning.
Whether you're savoring them on a lazy weekend morning or whipping them up for a special occasion, these pancakes are a cherished part of breakfast traditions everywhere.
Denny's pancakes are a breakfast classic that never goes out of style. If you love buttermilk pancakes make sure to check out my Birthday Cake Pancakes and Salted Caramel Banana Pancakes.
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Buzz From Readers
"These are so good. I've made them several times now. It's my go to for pancakes with my family."
- Andrea
💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's more economical. We love Denny's so much but now that we live a good 40 minute drive from the nearest one, it's hard to justify the drive and costs. Making this Denny's pancake recipe at home has been a huge budget saver.
- You can eat as many as you want. One pancake, three pancakes, or even all of them. Have your own "endless pancake breakfast" in your own dining room.
- They taste great reheated too. Don't worry about the leftovers because these copycat Denny's pancakes are just as good the next day!
🛒 Ingredients
Buttermilk- You can make your own buttermilk with the instructions below, or you can use storebought. The results are still pretty tasty!
Leavening agents- To help the pancakes rise as they cook, you'll need both baking powder and baking soda.
Egg- This is a binding agent to help the pancakes texture. The yolk also adds a richer taste.
Granulated sugar- This will help to create a fluffier structure within the pancake. If you want a sugar-free recipe then you should check out our Sugar Free Pancakes.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
Quick DIY Buttermilk: If you run out, make your own with pantry staples. Measure 1 cup milk, remove 1 tablespoon, then add 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes before using.
Add-Ins for Flavor: Stir in chocolate chips, blueberries, diced strawberries, or a dash of cinnamon for a flavor boost.
Egg-Free Option: Omitting the eggs will still give you pancakes. They will be a little flatter and have less flavor, but they'll still taste great at breakfast. Perfect for when you miscount how many are in the fridge or need something egg-free.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Make DIY Buttermilk: If you don't have buttermilk, mix 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar and rest 5 minutes to save money and avoid extra trips to the store.
Buy in Bulk: Larger bags of flour and sugar cost less per cup and stretch across multiple recipes.
Swap the Oil: Vegetable oil is usually cheaper than butter and works perfectly in this recipe.
Cook Once, Eat Twice: Make extra pancakes, cool, and freeze for quick breakfasts later instead of buying frozen pancakes.
🥄 Instructions for Denny's Pancake Recipe
Step 1: Add flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda to a large mixing bowl. (Image 1). Combine until well mixed. (Image 2).
Step 2: In another bowl, add your egg. (Image 3). Whisk until lightly beaten. (Image 4).
Step 3: Add in the oil, and buttermilk until blended. (Image 5).
Step 4: Add the egg mixture to the dry mixture and whisk until combined and no flour streaks remain. (Image 6). Do not overmix. The batter will be lumpy.
Step 5: Scoop the batter by the ¼ cup measure onto a preheated, greased skillet over medium heat. (Image 7).
Step 6: Cook for about 1-2 minutes per side or until both sides are golden in color. (Image 8).
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Mix Gently: Stir just until the flour disappears. A few lumps are normal and help keep pancakes fluffy.
- Flip at the Right Time: Watch for set edges and bubbles in the center before flipping. Adjust heat as needed, and use a test pancake to find the right temperature.
- Handle Carefully: Flip gently and avoid pressing down. Squishing removes air and makes pancakes rubbery. Let them rise naturally for tall, fluffy pancakes. These tips apply to all pancake recipes, including Hot Chocolate Pancakes, Muffin Mix Pancakes, and Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes.
❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead
Storage: Keep Denny's Pancakes in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheating: Warm in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, or reheat in a lightly buttered skillet for the best texture.
Make Ahead: Cook pancakes, cool completely, then freeze in a single layer before bagging to prevent sticking. Reheat from frozen, no thawing needed.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Serve copycat Denny's pancake recipe with scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, fresh fruit, or yogurt for a simple breakfast. Add hashbrowns or breakfast potatoes for a heartier plate, or pair with coffee and maple syrup for a quick morning meal.
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- Canned Breakfast Potatoes RecipeRecipe $2.96 / Serving $0.59
- How to Make Frozen HashbrownsRecipe $2.23 / Serving $0.56
❓ Recipe FAQs
To make the fluffiest buttermilk pancakes, avoid overmixing the batter, and let it rest for a few minutes before cooking. This allows the leavening agents to work their magic.
Buttermilk adds a pleasant tanginess to pancakes and helps create a light and fluffy texture. It also reacts with leavening agents like baking soda to give the pancakes a good rise.
Yes, you can substitute regular milk for buttermilk in pancake recipes, but the texture and flavor of the pancakes may be slightly different. To mimic the acidity of buttermilk, you can add a small amount of lemon juice or vinegar to the milk.
🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
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- Strawberry Cheesecake PancakesRecipe $7.26 / Serving $1.22
🐝 If you tried this (Copycat) Denny's Pancake Recipe, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
(Copycat) Denny's Pancake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour - ($0.23)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar - ($0.05)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder - ($0.10)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda - ($0.01)
- ¼ teaspoon salt - ($0.01)
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten - ($0.15)
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil - ($0.13)
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk - ($1.10)
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
- Mix wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, vegetable oil, and buttermilk until blended.
- Combine batter. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk just until no dry flour remains. The batter should be thick and slightly lumpy. Do not overmix.
- Rest batter. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes while heating a skillet or griddle over medium heat, about 350°F.
- Cook pancakes. Scoop batter in ¼-cup portions onto the hot skillet. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, flipping when bubbles form and the edges look set, until golden brown.
Notes
- Mixing. Stir only until the flour is incorporated. Overmixing leads to dense, rubbery pancakes.
- Flipping. Flip when bubbles appear on top and edges are set. Do not press or squish pancakes.
- Heat control. If pancakes brown too quickly, lower the heat slightly to allow centers to cook through.
- Storage. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Reheat before serving.
Nutritional Information
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Wylie Bryant says
I have this recipe open on my phone 24/7 so I can refer back to it if I decide to spontaneously make the best pancakes. Thank you for this recipe though, seriously!!
Nicole Durham says
That is such a smart plan!
Andrea says
These are so good. I've made them several times now. It's my go to for pancakes with my family.
Nicole Durham says
Thank you so much! I’m so happy to hear they’ve become your go to pancakes. It means a lot that your family enjoys them, and I really appreciate you coming back to share! 🥞💛
Melissa says
Best recipe I’ve found , sooo good!
Nicole Durham says
Thanks so much! 🙂
Janice says
when I have eaten
Denny's pancakes they seem to have a special smell, that I Iove. By any chance is it vanilla?
Jeannie says
My pancakes were gummy ~ any advice?
Nicole Durham says
Gummy pancakes occur when the batter is over mixed. By mixing flour and liquids, stirring or whisking will help the glutens to develop in the flour. When making pancakes you want to develop them as little as possible which is why it's okay to leave some lumps in the batter and why the recipes say to just mix until combined. Your goal is to stir just enough that no flour streaks remain and then stop. So my advice is to simply stir less the next time you make pancakes. 🙂
Jeanne says
I had extra buttermilk on hand after making ranch, and spur of the moment decided to google a new recipe and make pancakes. I have tried A LOT of pancake recipes trying to find one that meets pancake house standards, and so far this has been the only one that I’ve tried that hit the mark. So fluffy, so perfect! My batter was super thick but I found that that made the perfect medium sized pancake (I weighed the flour for exact measurement and only added a small extra splash of buttermilk).I will only be using this recipe from now on!
Nicole Durham says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Jen Talley says
Every time we pass Denny's my 10 year old daughter asks if we can go. It has become a joke in the family. She has never been to Denny's, but I think it would be fun to try these pancakes as home!
Nicole says
Ha gotta love kids. The good news is you can save a drive by making these at home 😉