If you're thinking, "What IS a Dutch baby?" Don't worry, you're not the only one who's ever asked me that. Whether you call it a puff pancake, German pancake, a Bismarck, or a Dutch puff, it means the same thing: a big, delicious puffy pancake that you bake in the oven! And I'm about to share with you my family-favorite recipe that I think you'll love too.
I've got lots of good news to share with you.
For starters, Dutch baby pancakes taste SO good.
They're sweet, buttery, and almost melt in your mouth. On top of that, they are sooo easy to make! They only require a few ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your kitchen. Win, win, win!
Jump to Recipe
Dare I say, I think they're even easier than traditional pancakes, because you don't have to stand there worrying about flipping times, etc.
Not to say classic pancakes aren't AWESOME, too (I have my best classic pancake recipe here).
But Dutch baby pancakes are their own, delightful thing and you NEED to try them!
What to Put on Your Dutch Baby Puffed Pancake
You can put pretty much whatever you'd like on your puff pancakes.
Start with what you'd put on regular pancakes, and go from there. I really like to top mine just with a bit of powdered sugar and syrup. But some days, jam on top is all I want!
They're also great with a drizzle of Nutella, or berries, or lemon juice...mmm! (Speaking of lemon juice, in 2021 I added a lemon Dutch baby recipe to my site! Find it here: Vanilla and Lemon Dutch Baby Pancake)
How to Make a Puff Pancake
📖 Recipe
My Favorite Dutch Baby Puff Pancake Recipe
Dutch baby puff pancakes are so easy to make and only require a few ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen!
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 14 minutes mins
Servings 4 pieces
Calories 207 kcal
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 2.5 tablespoon butter melted, 0.5 tablespoon used to grease the skillet
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or more, to taste
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Notes
*If you have time, let the batter rest in the blender or mixing bowl for about 20 minutes and you'll get an even better result! But if you're tight on time, it'll still turn out great.
**It will deflate pretty quickly — this is normal!
Nutrition
Calories: 207kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 7gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 162mgSodium: 213mgPotassium: 109mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 474IUCalcium: 55mgIron: 1mg
Keyword dutch baby, puff pancake
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Oila!
By the way, I usually cut this into four pieces, so technically it could be four servings. That being said, I usually eat two of the pieces at a time! Especially if I'm not combining it with veggie sausage or some other tasty breakfast food.
And that's that! I hope you love it! Please let me know how it turns out if you decide to make it and which toppings you choose.
If you're hopping on the puff pancake/Dutch baby bandwagon, you HAVE to give my Caramelized Pear Dutch Baby a try too! Find the recipe right here.
Vegetarian Brunch Recipe Ideas
For other vegetarian breakfast recipes, try these out!
- CHEESY GARDEN VEGETABLE EGG BAKE
- BROCCOLI CHEDDAR EGG AND HASH BROWN CASSEROLE
Happy eating!
xo - Chelsea
By the way, I have anew page on my site with a bunch of helpful links. It has links to my social profiles, LTK, Amazon Storefront, etc. There's NO pressure to shop from any of these links, but if you're curious about the products I use, etc., that's where you'll find them. As always, your support is SO appreciated!
FAQs
There are two main culprits to flat, sad Dutch baby pancakes: Your oven wasn't hot enough. The hotter your oven, the more puffed your Dutch baby pancake will be. Make sure to preheat the oven for at least 10 minutes before baking the batter.
Why is my Dutch baby so flat? ›
If the pancake was a little flat it is most likely that either the oven or the skillet (or other pan) was not hot enough. If the pan isn't hot enough then the liquid does not heat up and create the steam quickly enough and so the flour will cook through and set before the pancake can rise.
What is another name for a Dutch baby pancake? ›
A Dutch baby pancake, sometimes called a German pancake, a Bismarck, a Dutch puff, Hooligan, or a Hootenanny, is a dish that is similar to a large Yorkshire pudding.
Do you have to use a cast iron skillet for a Dutch baby? ›
The pan doesn't have to be cast iron; you can use any oven-safe pan or baking dish of a similar size. I've even done them in a pie dish!
How do I get my Dutch baby to rise? ›
Like popovers and Yorkshire pudding, the thing that gives Dutch babies their signature puff is steam. In order for that steam to work the pancake into its signature peaks and valleys, you need two things: enough air in a well-developed batter and a piping-hot pan and oven.
What makes pancakes fluffy and helps them rise? ›
Pancakes and waffles typically both contain baking soda, which causes them to rise. As soon as the baking soda is combined with the wet ingredients (which contain an acidic ingredient, like often buttermilk), it starts producing carbon dioxide gas bubbles that cause the batter to rise.
How do I stop my Dutch baby from deflating? ›
Assuring doneness will also prevent it from deflating too quickly. The longer you let it bake 20-22 minutes the puffier and more stable the Dutch baby will be.
Why does my Dutch baby taste eggy? ›
This texture is a result of a thinner, more liquid batter that's poured into a hot skillet and baked in a high-temperature oven. The result? A puffy, golden delight that's a visual and textural delight. Flavour-wise, Dutch babies offer a more eggy and buttery taste compared to pancakes.
What do Southerners call pancakes? ›
Pancakes are sometimes called hoecakes in the South. Most Southerners are familiar with lacy cornbread, aka hot water cornbread. A hoecake is a rustic fried version of a pancake made with ground cornmeal.
What is the difference between Yorkshire pudding and Dutch baby pancake? ›
To those in the know, a Dutch baby really is just a large, puffy pancake, while Yorkshire pudding is a savory side dish that has graced meat-heavy meals in England for centuries. Yet, some people tend to confuse the two as being the same, owing to a similarity of ingredients and appearance.
In the UK, the word pancakes refers to the same thing, but the word flapjacks refers to something entirely different: a baked good made from oats, resembling what elsewhere may be called a granola bar or oat bar. The word flapjack is traced back to the late 1500s.
How do you eat Dutch baby pancakes? ›
Remove pancake from oven, cut into wedges and serve at once topped with syrup, preserves, confectioners' sugar or cinnamon sugar.
Why does my Dutch baby stick to the pan? ›
You need something nonstick and ovenproof, because this dutch baby recipe is so egg-heavy and otherwise risks sticking to the bottom of the pan. Also make sure you're using a hot pan here, as it's essential for your puffy pancake to get that head start on the heat with a preheated skillet.
Why is a Dutch baby called a Dutch baby? ›
A German Pancake or a Dutch Baby? German pancakes and Dutch babies are essentially the same thing, but the dish is said to have originated in Germany, not the Netherlands. The term “Dutch baby” was coined by an American restaurateur whose use of “Dutch” was a corruption of the word “Deutsch” (“German” in German).
What makes pancakes not rise? ›
TIP: Make sure your baking powder is not out of date, or your pancakes won't rise as well. Combine wet ingredients together in a separate jug – this step is more important than you might think. The less you mix the batter, the fluffier your pancakes will be.
Why wont my pancakes bubble up? ›
You may not have turned up the heat on your burner or griddle high enough, or maybe you did not wait long enough for the cooking surface to heat up. You should be using medium heat for pancakes. Don't flip the pancake until bubbles in the center rise and pop without reforming new bubbles.
What causes pancakes not to be fluffy? ›
The first is that the batter is a bit runny. Add a little more flour (or mix) to make a thicker batter, and see if that fluffs up the pancakes. The other reason I can think of is that the leavening is either past its prime, or not getting enough time to work before cooking.
Why is my pancake not fluffy? ›
How you handle the batter makes a difference. If you beat it until it is smooth, your pancakes won't be as fluffy. Pancake batter should be mixed until it still has a few lumps in it. Then it needs to stand for about 15 minutes, to ensure that the flour is fully hydrated.