Last Updated on May 5, 2025 by Toya
These fluffy pancakes without butter are so good and make the perfect breakfast or bunch. If you want to make pancakes with no butter, then you need to check out this recipe.
You don’t need butter to make amazing pancakes and this recipe shows you just how to make pancakes without butter that actually taste good! Pancakes are a staple in my home, and I stumbled upon this recipe one day when I was out of butter. It is not a dairy free or vegan recipe, as the recipe uses milk, but you can easily make it so by using a dairy free milk like almond or oat milk instead of whole milk.
Ingredients Needed
To make pancakes without butter, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1–2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup of milk (or a dairy-free milk substitute)
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or another oil of your choice)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
What I Used to Make These Pancakes
- Mixing Bowls – These are my new favorite set of lightweight mixing bowls. I use them for just about everything. You can grab it at an affordable price right on Amazon.
- Whisk – Use a whisk to make your batter, but be careful not to break up all the lumps. You need some for fluffiness!
- Measuring Cups and Spoons – I’ve been using this set of sturdy stainless steel measuring cups and spoons to make everything. I found these measuring cups and spoons on Amazon, and I love how durable and accurate they are compared to the cheap plastic ones I used to have before.
- Non-Stick Frying Pan – This is my go-to pan for pancakes. Nothing sticks, and cleanup is super easy. It heats evenly too, which means I get the perfect golden brown pancakes every single time. You can grab this one or find a ton of other great non-stick options on Amazon if you’re looking for a new one.
- Spatula – I use a flexible, wide spatula that makes flipping pancakes a breeze.
- Ladle or Batter Dispenser – If you want perfect looking, mess free pancakes, then this batter dispenser is such a game changer! You can find it for a pretty affordable price on Amazon, and it’s been so handy for the mornings when I make pancakes.
How to Make Pancakes Without Butter
Start by gathering all the ingredients in one place and measure each out with accurate measuring cups and spoons or a food scale.
Then, in a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
In another bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract (if using).
Then pour the wet ingredient mix into the dry ingredient mix and stir to combine. There is no need to stir until the batter is completely smooth. In fact, a few lumps are perfect as they help your pancakes becomes fluffier.
Once the batter is all mixed up, you need to let it sit for a few minutes before you start to cook the pancakes.
In the meantime, lightly grease a non-stick pancake pan or griddle with oil spray or some cooking spray (this is the best non stick pancake pan I’ve used) then heat over medium-high heat for a few minutes.
I use this every week to make golden pancakes. I've tried several pans, but this non-stick pan ensures my pancakes cook evenly and slide off effortlessly every time!
Quick Idea: The Batter Dot Test
If you’re not sure if your pancake pan is hot enough, try dropping a small teaspoon of pancake batter onto the pan before you start cooking. If bubbles start forming on top within 30–60 seconds, your pan is perfectly preheated and ready for the full batch.
Then pour 1/4 cup portions of the pancake batter onto the hot pancake pan. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set, then flip and cook the other side until golden brown.
Continue until all the batter is used up. Serve the pancakes warm with your favorite toppings.
Topping Ideas
These are some amazing pancake topping ideas that work well for these pancakes:
- Maple Syrup
- Fresh Berries
- Greek Yogurt
- Nut Butter
- Honey
- Chopped Nuts: Sprinkle some chopped nuts, like almonds or walnuts for a nice crunch.
How to Store No Butter Pancakes
Refrigerate for short-term storage:
To store your butter-less pancakes, first let them cool completely, then place the cooled pancakes in an air tight container or resealable bag, in a single layer, separated by parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking. Seal tightly and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
Freeze for longer storage:
Freeze the pancakes in a freezer-safe bag (with layers separated by wax paper of parchment paper) for up to 2 months.
This set has everything: 5 sandwich bags, 5 snack bags, and 2 gallon-sized bags—all extra thick, leakproof, freezer-safe and dishwasher-safe. I love using these to store leftover pancakes, snacks, or even prepped ingredients. They're BPA-free and plastic-free, so it's an easy switch if you're trying to cut down on waste in the kitchen!
To reheat, simply warm them in a toaster or microwave.
If you want to make these, then you should check out the full recipe below.
- Mixing Bowls – These are my new favorite set of lightweight mixing bowls. I use them for just about everything. You can grab it at an affordable price right on Amazon.
- Whisk – Use a whisk to make your batter, but be careful not to break up all the lumps. You need some for fluffiness!
- Measuring Cups and Spoons – I’ve been using this set of sturdy stainless steel measuring cups and spoons to make everything. I found these measuring cups and spoons on Amazon, and I love how durable and accurate they are compared to the cheap plastic ones I used to have before.
- Non-Stick Frying Pan – This is my go-to pan for pancakes. Nothing sticks, and cleanup is super easy. It heats evenly too, which means I get the perfect golden brown pancakes every single time. You can grab this one or find a ton of other great non-stick options on Amazon if you’re looking for a new one.
- Spatula – I use a flexible, wide spatula that makes flipping pancakes a breeze.
- Ladle or Batter Dispenser – If you want perfect looking, mess-free pancakes, then this batter dispenser is such a game changer! You can find it for a pretty affordable price on Amazon, and it’s been so handy for the mornings when I make pancakes.
Pancakes Without Butter
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1–2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup milk (or a dairy-free milk substitute)
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or another oil of your choice)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Start by gathering all the ingredients in one place and measure each out with accurate measuring cups and spoons or a food scale.
- Then, in a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract (if using).
- Then pour the wet ingredient mix into the dry ingredient mix and stir to combine. There is no need to stir until the batter is completely smooth. In fact, a few lumps are perfect as they help your pancakes becomes fluffier.
- Once the batter is all mixed up, you need to let it sit for a few minutes before you start to cook the pancakes.
- In the meantime, lightly grease a non-stick pancake pan or griddle with oil spray or some cooking spray (this is the best non stick pancake pan I’ve used) then heat over medium-high heat for a few minutes.
- Then pour 1/4 cup portions of the pancake batter onto the hot pancake pan. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set, then flip and cook the other side until golden brown.
- Continue until all the batter is used up. Serve the pancakes warm with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Pro Tip: Start with ¾ cup of milk, mix, and then gradually add more if the batter feels too thick.
Quick Idea: The Batter Dot Test
If you’re not sure if your pancake pan is hot enough, try dropping a small teaspoon of pancake batter onto the pan before you start cooking. If bubbles start forming on top within 30–60 seconds, your pan is perfectly preheated and ready for the full batch.