Pancakes (African Style)
Pancakes, African style, are comforting, tender, and tasty pancakes that are a cross between a crepe and an American pancake. A great make-ahead breakfast topped with either butter, syrup, or cinnamon sugar!
Not a week goes by in my household without making these tender pancakes. They’re my son’s favorite breakfast. Who am I kidding? They’re mine too, for several reasons—childhood memories, comforting rich taste, and, of course, simplicity.
I started making these pancakes when I was about 10 years old, with no precise measurements. They tasted different each time because, in my culture, all you need to know how to cook is knowing what ingredients you need. So armed with flour, eggs, milk, and oil, I embarked on my pancake-making venture with pride and dedication. At the time, I loved them, and I knew my pancakes were good.
However, whenever I had an opportunity to sample pancakes sold at my neighborhood patisserie (French pastry shop), I grabbed it with both hands. They were always spot-on tender and tasty. One day, I was bold enough to politely ask the lady for the recipe. She looked at me as if something was wrong with me. She didn’t say a word, which meant I was going to have to figure out how to make them better on my own.
Fast forward to the present day. After making a gazillion pancakes, I now have a recipe that I’m proud of, along with some lessons learned.
Making the Best African-Style Pancakes
Whisking the eggs separately and letting the batter rest for at least an hour to relax the gluten makes for really light and tender pancakes. Also, nutmeg and melted butter add flavor and texture.
These tender pancakes are a little thicker than crepes but thinner than American pancakes. They’re comparable to South African or Swedish pancakes. I call them African pancakes because, in Cameroon, we just call them pancakes.
The beauty of this recipe is how versatile it is. I haven’t found anything quite like them in restaurants in the States. But my expectations may be too high.
How to Make African-Style Pancakes
- Sift the flour, sugar, nutmeg, and salt together.
- Beat the eggs and milk in a large bowl.
- Mix the flour mixture into the eggs and milk until combined. Then stir in melted butter. (I took a shortcut and blitzed the eggs and milk on low, then added the rest of the ingredients.) (Photos 1-2)
- Wait – Let the batter rest for about an hour in the refrigerator or overnight.
- Heat a pan, then lightly coat it with oil.
- Pour about a ½ cup of batter, depending on the size of your fry pan or skillet. Tilt the pan so the batter spreads across the bottom of the pan. Cook the pancake for about 2 minutes, flip, and cook the other side. (Photos 3-4)
- Serve hot, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, or syrup. You could also fill it with nut butter, jam, or cream cheese. Enjoy!!!
Recipe Notes and Tips
- For lighter pancakes, use 1 cup milk and ½ cup water instead of 1½ cups of milk.
- Omit the sugar and vanilla for a savory version that goes great with meat and vegetables.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
They create a great make-ahead breakfast. Make the batter the night before and cook them up quickly in the morning.
Store cooked pancakes between layers of parchment or waxed paper, then seal them in a ziplock bag. They’ll last 2-3 days in the fridge or 4-3 months in the freezer.
What to Serve With African Pancakes
Deck it up however you like: clotted cream, cream cheese dip, or cinnamon sugar. My preference is fresh fruit on the side and a cup of tea.
To turn this recipe into a decadent dessert, try caramel sauce, whipped cream, or ice cream.
More African Comfort Food Recipes
By Imma
Watch How to Make It
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”Og7KUoMo” upload-date=”Mon Aug 06 2018 19:45:03 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)” name=”African Pancakes” description=”African Pancakes — a comforting, rich, tender and tasty pancakes that are a cross between crepe and American pancakes. A great make ahead breakfast topped with either butter, syrup or cinnamon sugar!”]
This blog post was originally published in August 2013 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video.
African Pancakes
Ingredients
- 2 cups (240g) flour
- ½-⅔ cup (100-130g) sugar
- ¼-½ teaspoon (1g) nutmeg
- ¾ teaspoon (4-5g) salt
- 6 eggs
- 1½ cups (354ml) milk
- ¼ cup (60g) melted butter
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) oil, optional (as needed to grease the pan)
Instructions
- Sift together the flour, sugar, nutmeg, and salt, and set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs and milk together with a mixer or by hand.
- Mix in the flour mixture until everything has been incorporated. Then stir in melted butter and vanilla extract.
- Let the batter rest for about an hour in the refrigerator or overnight.
- Heat a skillet or a non-stick frying pan, then lightly coat it with vegetable oil, cooking spray, or clarified butter.
- Pour about a ½ cup of batter, depending on the size of your fry pan or skillet. Tilt the pan so the batter spreads across the bottom of the pan. Cook the pancake for about 2 minutes, or until the bottom is lightly browned. Lift it with a spatula, turn, and cook the other side.
- Serve hot, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, or syrup. You could also fill them with nut butter, jam, or cream cheese.
Tips & Notes:
- Oil the pan for the first pancake so it doesn’t stick, but you probably won’t have to do it for the rest. I have an oiled paper towel on hand just in case.
- Feel free to reduce the sugar by half. Several who have tried this recipe say it’s excellent but a little too sweet.
- For lighter pancakes, use 1 cup milk and ½ cup water instead of 1½ cups milk.
- Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
My wifey shown me your website before dashing for hols. Now I know the truth. Just tried the pancakes (african style). Delicioussssssssssss. Don’t stop Imma. Keep it up.
YESS! Say thank you to Wifey on my behalf. Thanks for taking the time to let me know.
Please I would like to know what is the ingredient called nutmeg as mentioned above. Thanks
It’s a nutty spice that’s use in cooking, often available whole or ground in super markets, depending on location. You can leave it out and just use vanilla flavoring.
Imma I’m so glad i found your website! I made this pancake last night and the hubby love it so much and ask who taught me lol…Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
My pleasure ! So glad to hear this! And thank you for taking the time to let me know.
These pancakes are exactly the same as what we have been making forever. We call them palaćinke. We fill them with jam, preserves or cheese filling. (sweet)
Thanks for sharing !! It’s good to know it’s enjoyed in different parts of the world.
Hi imma am very impressed with your recipes but this caught my eye weeks before .Ijust took sceernshots never knew i coul print happy now its in my documents .This recipe was what inspired my tasty pancakes board on pinterest.All the love from your Kenyan number one fan.
AWESOME! Sending you some love too!
its actually south African pannekoek. (pancakes)
you get them outside super market like in SA, chekkars PicknPay so on.
they aren’t African maybe , more Dutch. hence the Afrikaners.
Make God bless you my sister. Woke up craving for this this morning.
Aww thank you Bamenda Boy
Just made this for breakfast. I do not comment often but im here atleast 3x/week.
Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Hi Fidele! Super excited that you are regular reader and more important that you took the time to share your thoughts with us. Really appreciate it.
I just made the pancakes this morning there are simply extraordinary. I couldn’t stop eating and my kids loved it. I am from Cameroon and have made our pancakes several times but it looks nor taste nothing like this. Thanks for your research and efforts that came up with such great receipe. Thumbs up
28 year old single man here, and your site is my Bible.
I recently discovered it and it’s made my weekends fun.
Now my kitchen isn’t just another room to fill up with books and old screw drivers
Hi William! That is such a sweet thing to say-thanks for taking the time to let me know.AND no more gadgets in the kitchen! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
firsr attempt and nailed them – wonderful recipe! I didn’t add the oil (forgot) and they were fine. I’m not sure what the added oil would do in the recipe. A touch less sugar would also be fine, especially if you wanted to add savory ingredients after they’re finished. They were a bit heavy tasting – I’m also wondering if a little more milk or touch of water would have thinned them out (or perhaps that’s what the oil would have done). All in all, excellent recipe and makes me think of being back in South Africa!
Amy, oil helps to thin it out. You may sub oil with water or milk. Thanks for the feedback! Happy New Year!
I love crepes and these look wonderful. Thanks for the recipe. My next to try. I found it on Pinterest : )
Gail, Let me know how it works for you.Thanks for taking the time to comment.
These are amazing! I’ve been making them every weekend for my husband and I. Sometimes I add cinnamon for a different taste. Still very good and very moist. I’ll continue the tradition even after we’ve had kids.
They are amazing !!!!!!!!!! The best I’ve ever done. Sweet, soft and beautiful smelling. Thank you for this recipe 🙂
Aww, thank you for such a sweet comment!
I wanted to try breakfast a tad bit different today so I looked no further than africanbites. The pancakes turned out perfectly delicious. I used very little syrup which A bit sweet so I’m just going to use a little jam. Either way I can eat it alone with nothing else. Thank you!
Thanks for the feedback Nene.
Hi, am about to try this, never done it before. Just wanna surprise wifey. Hope it goes well. Lol
Eric
Eric, how sweet of you to surprise wifey, let me know how she likes it.
PLS can u teach queens cake tanx
Your pancakes are amazing and very similar to the ones that are made in Austria – we like to eat it rolled up with jam 🙂 I’ll definitely try the trick with the butter..
thanks for sharing
Leni
Leni, the butter makes the pancakes more flavorful . Thanks for commenting.
How many tsp of salt for the pancake?
1/2 teaspoon salt.
Nice! I went to Africa this summer and these look just like the pancakes I had there. Kind of like crepes!
Fawn, they are just like crepes only a little thicker.
We loved these pancakes. We usually make American pancakes, but discovered this recipe as it was part of a homeschooling project. The kids loved it, they enjoyed being able to roll the pancakes but they are thicker than crepes and have more bite. I added a little baking powder. We will definitely make again. Thank you.
Glad to hear this. Thanks for the feedback.
Beautiful!! I have never tried african pancakes. Now I will.
Purabi, Let me know how you like it. Thanks for leaving a comment.