Name: Air Fryer Pancakes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 36 min
Total time: 41 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder; 2-3 teaspoons granulated sugar; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; 1 large egg; 1 ½ cups buttermilk (or regular milk); 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled)

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Breakfast just got even better thanks to these air fryer pancakes! No flipping necessary — just cook, add your favorite toppings, and dig in!

syrup pouring over stack of air fryer pancakes

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Fluffy Pancakes in the Air Fryer

To me, pancakes are the ultimate weekend food. Something about them just seems so leisurely and indulgent. But with this recipe for air fryer pancakes, you can enjoy those weekend vibes no matter what day it is!

These fool-proof buttermilk hotcakes cook inside a 6-inch cake pan for fluffy, golden pancakes every time. You don’t even have to flip them! Oh, and did I mention there are only six ingredients in the homemade batter?

Pair these with hash browns, egg bites, breakfast potatoes, and sausage for a full breakfast!

Ingredients for Air Fryer Pancakes

All purpose flour
Baking powder
Sugar — granulated
Kosher salt
Egg
Buttermilk — can use regular milk instead
Unsalted butter — can use salted with a little less salt in the recipe

How to Make Pancakes in the Air Fryer

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Whisk to combine, then create a well in the center of the dry ingredients.

STEP TWO: In a separate bowl, beat the egg, whisk in the milk, then pour in the melted butter.

STEP THREE: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, then gently stir the mixture until just combined. It’s okay if there are still a few lumps. Allow the batter to rest for 5 minutes.

STEP FOUR: Meanwhile, place a 6-inch cake pan inside the basket of your air fryer. Close it, then preheat to a temperature of 360 degrees F.

STEP FIVE: Open the air fryer and spray the cake pan with a generous amount of cooking spray.

STEP SIX: Use an ice cream scoop to drop a ½ cup of batter into the cake pan, gently spreading the batter to the edges of the pan with a rubber spatula.

pour batter into 6-inch cake pan inside air fryer

STEP SEVEN: Air fry for 6 to 8 minutes until pancakes are golden brown on top. Transfer the cooked pancakes to a baking sheet and set them in an oven at 200 degrees F to keep warm until ready to serve.

cook until the top of pancake is golden brown

STEP EIGHT: Repeat cooking in batches until you’ve used all the remaining batter.

Pancake Topping Ideas (and Add Ins!)

Maple syrup
Butter
Honey
Fresh fruit
Whipped cream
Chocolate chips
Peanut butter or nut butter
Sprinkles (great for a birthday breakfast!)

Tips to Make Fluffy Air Fryer Pancakes

Use a rubber spatula to spread the batter in the cake pan. This will ensure the pancakes cook evenly.
Add chocolate chips, sliced bananas, small berries, or even sprinkles to the batter before air frying for pancake bites that are bursting with flavor and fun!
Check on each pancake around the 6-minute mark. Don’t take them out of the air fryer until the top is nice and golden.
Make more pancakes at once with a different baking dish — you can use 4-inch silicone dishes or 4 to 6-inch small tin foil pie dishes to cook 4 pancakes at a time in a basket air fryer or air fryer oven.

fork grabbing slices of air fryer pancakes

Cooking Pancakes in the Air Fryer FAQs

Can You Make Pancakes in an Air Fryer?

Absolutely! The secret is to use a cake pan, which will prevent the batter from spreading too much or dripping through the basket.

This recipe is for a homemade buttermilk pancake batter. But if you prefer to use this air fryer method with pancake mix, go right ahead! They will still turn out fluffy and amazing.

Can You Air Fry Pancakes with Parchment Paper Stacks?

No! If you saw the viral video on TikTok claiming you can stack pancakes with parchment paper, please know that it’s completely fake. They replaced the pancakes with cooked ones and made it look like they cooked like that in the air fryer. I can promise that if you try this method, you will end up with a goopy mess.

What Kind of Pans Can be Used in the Air Fryer?

Any pans that are oven-safe can also be used in the air fryer. I love using this 6-inch cake pan for pancakes while smaller 3- or 4-inch cake pans are great for making smaller pancakes in fewer batches.

Can You Warm Up Pancakes in the Air Fryer?

Absolutely! It’s the best way to get them crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside so they taste just as good as when they were fresh. Plus, it’s so easy!

Preheat the air fryer to 320 degrees F.
Place your leftover pancakes in the air fryer in one layer as best as possible.
Cook for 2 minutes until heated all the way through.
Repeat until all the pancakes have been reheated.

Can You Freeze These Pancakes?

Yes, these pancakes are freezer-friendly!

I recommend laying them on a sheet pan and placing them in the freezer for 30 minutes. Once they’re frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freezing them individually will prevent them from sticking to one another.

stack of air fryer pancakes with syrup drizzled on top

How to Cook Frozen Pancakes in the Air Fryer

Whether you have frozen leftovers of your homemade pancakes or have a box of frozen pancakes sitting in your freezer, the air fryer is an easy way to cook either one! Just keep in mind that bigger and thicker pancakes will take longer to cook.

Preheat the air fryer to 320 degrees F.
Place the frozen pancakes in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until heated through.
Repeat until all the pancakes have been cooked.

More Air Fryer Breakfast Recipes

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