South African Pannekoek (Pancakes) - aninas recipes (2024)

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South African Pannekoek (Pancakes)

Anina January 28, 2020 baking 8 Comments

I’m sharing the easiest foolproof South African Pannekoek recipe today! Deliciously addictive, these thin crepes, usually served with loads of cinnamon and sugar, is a firm favourite South African treat.

South African Pannekoek (Pancakes) - aninas recipes (1)

This recipe is very easy and one of our family’s best-loved recipes. I don’t think it’s possible to count how many times over we have used this recipe in the last three decades. From my early childhood I remember the fun of church bazaars and school fetes. Where the waft of cinnamon sugar literally pulls you towards the stand, for a tray of freshly baked pannekoek. This South African Pannekoek is THAT kind of recipe. Therefore, this batter is great to make in bulk when you need to feed a whole army.

With a pinch of nostalgia added for good measure…

South African Pannekoek (Pancakes) - aninas recipes (2)

What is a Pannekoek?

Isn’t Afrikaans just such a fun language?

Pannekoek (afrikaans for pancakes) is a bit different from the US pancake versions. South African Pannekoek is a thinner batter, poured and spread out in a hot pan and cooked on both sides into a thin crepe. However, it is slightly thicker than the French version. It’s easy to fill pannekoek with all sorts of delicious things, from sweet to savoury. For example, in this recipe I filled my pannekoek with Spiced Caramelized Nectarines – to die for!

The South African Pannekoek way is with plenty of cinnamon sugar, melted into the rolled up pannekoek with a dash of fresh lemon juice.

South African Pannekoek (Pancakes) - aninas recipes (3)

How To Make South African Pannekoek

First off, this is an easy one bowl pannekoek recipe that takes no effort at all.

You simply add all the wet ingredients (water, eggs, lemon juice and oil) in a bowl with an electric hand mixer at the ready.

Next you just add the flour and baking powder little by little while beating with the electric mixer until the batter is smooth.

Lastly, and I never really know how much you need, but I keep a little water on hand to thin out the batter before I scoop about a ladle full into a hot non stick pan.

Tilt the pan when you pour the batter in, to spread it out all over the pan. Once the pancake batter starts pulling away from the sides, with bubbles in the batter on top, it’s ready to flip and cook for a few more seconds.

Serve with cinnamon sugar and see how long they’ll last. NOT LONG!

South African Pannekoek (Pancakes) - aninas recipes (4)

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Print Recipe

South African Pannekoek (Pancakes)

An easy and foolproof South African Pannekoek (Pancake) recipe, a real South African treat served with cinnamon sugar and fresh lemon.

South African Pannekoek (Pancakes) - aninas recipes (13)

Votes: 19
Rating: 3.53
You:

Rate this recipe!

Course After dessert treat, dessert
Cuisine South African
Prep Time 10 min
Cook Time 30 min
Servings

pancakes

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 cup cooking oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • pinch salt
  • cinnamon sugar to serve
  • fresh lemon to serve
Course After dessert treat, dessert
Cuisine South African
Prep Time 10 min
Cook Time 30 min
Servings

pancakes

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 cup cooking oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • pinch salt
  • cinnamon sugar to serve
  • fresh lemon to serve

South African Pannekoek (Pancakes) - aninas recipes (14)

Votes: 19
Rating: 3.53
You:

Rate this recipe!

Instructions

  1. Add all the wet ingredients (water, eggs, lemon juice and oil) in a bowl with an electric hand mixer at the ready. Give it a quick beat with the mixer until all the wet ingredients are incorporated.

  2. While beating, slowly add the flour and baking powder, and mix until smooth shiny batter. Add salt and mix through.

  3. Keep a cup of water at your side once you start baking. You can add small amounts to the batter as you go. This just thins the batter out before you bake.

  4. Heat a non stick pan on medium heat. The pan should be hot, but the heat must not be otherwise you can burn the bottom of your pancake before it's cooked through.

  5. Scoop about a ladle full into a hot non stick pan.

  6. Tilt the pan when you pour the batter in, to spread it out all over the pan. Place back on medium heat. Once the pancake batter starts pulling away from the sides, with bubbles in the batter on top, it's ready to flip and cook for a few more seconds on the other side.

  7. Once cooked, transfer to a plate and generously sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Roll the pancake from one side and cover until you have a stack.

  8. Serve with fresh lemon juice.

Recipe Notes

Top tip: Put a few plain pancakes aside and keep in the fridge to use for a lunch with a delicious savoury filling.

If you have smallish eggs, add one more egg to the batter to help settle in the pan and to reduce cracking.

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About The Author

South African Pannekoek (Pancakes) - aninas recipes (18)

anina

Food blogger, Recipe Developer, Food Stylist and Photographer currently living the slow life in Cape Town, South Africa. I love to share easy and delicious recipes the whole family would enjoy.

South African Pannekoek (Pancakes) - aninas recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret of amazing pancakes? ›

Tips for the Perfect Pancakes

Baking soda should be no more than six months old. Stir the batter only until the wet and dry ingredients are incorporated; overbeating will make pancakes tough and chewy instead of fluffy. No Buttermilk, No Problem!

What ingredient keeps pancakes from falling apart? ›

I can barely flip a pancake without it falling apart on me.

Your batter could be too loose—add a little flour.

What's the difference between milk pancakes and water pancakes? ›

Can I Use Water Instead of Milk in Pancakes? Milk adds both flavor and texture to pancake batter, so if you are looking to make pancakes without milk, a simple swap to water doesn't always do the trick. For pancakes made without milk, you'll want to add some flavor through melted butter and vanilla extract.

How to make Queen Elizabeth pancakes? ›

Beat two eggs with 4 tablespoons of sugar and about one teacup (or 3/4 of a cup) of milk. Add 4 teacups of flour and mix in another teacup of milk "as required" Mix in 3 teaspoons of cream of tartar and 2 tablespoons of bicarbonate soda (baking soda) Fold in 2 tablespoons of melted butter.

Why do restaurant pancakes taste better than homemade? ›

Restaurants use better quality ingredients

Restaurants tend to use real, farm-fresh eggs and real milk when making their pancakes, which as you might guess, adds to a richer, higher-quality eating experience.

Which country makes the best pancakes? ›

France – Crêpes

You can't possibly make a list of the world's best pancakes and not include France. Crêpes are unavoidable throughout the country. There are two main types of French crêpes – sweet ones (crêpes sucrées) and savoury ones (crêpes salées). Savoury crêpes are commonly known as 'galettes'.

What happens if you add extra eggs to pancake batter? ›

Eggs also give the batter additional, richer flavor from the yolk fat. If you add too many eggs, you'll have “pancakes” that look more like custard or crepes. When you don't add enough eggs, the cakes will be drier and tougher.

Why do you put cold water in pancakes? ›

First thing's first: whisk up your batter with cold water. Warm water prematurely heats up the batter's gluten, which can deflate fluffy pancakes before they even hit the frying pan. Be sure not to overmix, which can turn pancakes tough and chewy.

Why are restaurant pancakes so fluffy? ›

The secret to fluffy restaurant style pancakes? Buttermilk! The acid in the buttermilk reacts to the leavening agents in the pancake batter, creating air bubbles that make the pancakes tall and fluffy. It's a simple switch that makes all the difference.

What happens if I use water instead of milk in my pancakes? ›

Pancake lovers' biggest complaint when adding water instead of milk is that the flavor seems to change. Pancakes aren't as richly flavored with water. There are a few ways to improve your batter when you've used water, including: Add extra butter.

How does Gordon Ramsay make perfect pancakes? ›

Gordon Ramsay's recipe

Whisk the egg whites “*ntil foamy”. MiX all the other ingredients in a second bowl, then fold in the egg whites. Grease a pan with butter and use a medium heat, ladle in the batter to cook until bubbles form (around 5-6 minutes) and then flip and cook for around 2 minutes.

What are purple pancakes made of? ›

These vibrant purple pancakes get their color from a natural source: ube, also known as purple yam. This ingredient is common in Filipino desserts, but can be difficult to find in the United States.

What are British pancakes made of? ›

Method. Put 100g plain flour, 2 large eggs, 300ml milk, 1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil and a pinch of salt into a bowl or large jug, then whisk to a smooth batter. This should be similar in consistency to single cream. Set aside for 30 mins to rest if you have time, or start cooking straight away.

Why are IHOP pancakes so delicious? ›

Marie Grimm, IHOP's vice president of culinary innovation, revealed to Delish that to make a killer batter, the wet ingredients should be "ice cold." Using cold eggs, milk, butter, oil, and water prevents the ingredients from prematurely heating the gluten in the flour, explains Grimm, which is responsible for creating ...

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