Sheet Pan Pancakes on a table in a Studio
(Scott Suchman for The Washington Post/food styling by Lisa Cherkasky for The Washington Post)
The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Sheet Pan Pancakes

3.6 (89)

If you want pancakes but don’t want to stand over the stove flipping individual rounds, this family-friendly recipe is for you. Baking a large slab of pancake batter gives you the same fluffiness and crisp edges as a skillet version (plus extra crispness on top!) and guarantees everyone gets served a hot breakfast at the same time.

Everyone can top their own section with whatever they like: fresh blueberries, chopped bananas or strawberries, mini chocolate chips, chopped pecans and toasted shredded or flaked coconut. Serve with butter, maple syrup and/or confectioners’ sugar at the table.

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months, rewarming in the microwave.

Adapted from “Sheet Pan Sweets,” by Molly Gilbert (Union Square & Co., 2022).

Ingredients

measuring cup
Servings: 6-8 (makes one 12-by-17-inch slab)
  • 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks/140 grams) unsalted butter, plus more for serving
  • 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • Finely grated zest of 1 lemon (about 1 teaspoon)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) whole or low-fat buttermilk
  • 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) whole or reduced-fat milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • Fresh blueberries, chopped strawberries, chopped bananas, toasted flaked or shredded coconut, chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips, for topping (optional)
  • Maple syrup, for serving (optional)
  • Confectioners' sugar, for serving (optional)

Directions

Time Icon Active: 25 mins| Total: 40 mins
  1. Step 1

    Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees.

  2. Step 2

    Place the butter on a 13-by-18-inch rimmed baking sheet and place in the oven for 3 to 5 minutes, until the butter is melted and just starting to brown.

  3. Step 3

    Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, lemon zest, baking soda and salt. In a medium bowl or 4-cup spouted measuring cup, whisk together the buttermilk, milk and vanilla.

  4. Step 4

    Remove the baking sheet from the oven and tilt it so the butter coats the pan evenly. Then pour the hot butter into the buttermilk mixture, whisking to combine. (Be sure to leave at least a thin coating of butter behind on the pan to help prevent sticking.) Whisk in the eggs. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and use a flexible spatula to mix gently until a slightly lumpy batter comes together

  5. Step 5

    Pour the batter into the still-hot baking sheet (if the pan has become cold, warm it for a few minutes in the oven first) and top with your desired toppings, either scattering them evenly all over the pan or creating separate sections for each one. Bake the pancakes for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown and pulling away from the edges of the pan. Let cool for 3 minutes.

  6. Step 6

    Slice the pancakes into large squares and serve hot, with butter and/or maple syrup, or a dusting of confectioners’ sugar, if you’d like.

Nutritional Facts

Per serving (4 1/4-by-6-inch slab, using blueberries), based on 8

  • Calories

    414

  • Fat

    17 g

  • Saturated Fat

    10 g

  • Carbohydrates

    55 g

  • Sodium

    549 mg

  • Cholesterol

    90 mg

  • Protein

    10 g

  • Fiber

    3 g

  • Sugar

    14 g

This analysis is an estimate based on available ingredients and this preparation. It should not substitute for a dietitian’s or nutritionist’s advice.

Adapted from “Sheet Pan Sweets,” by Molly Gilbert (Union Square & Co., 2022).

Tested by Becky Krystal.

Published December 9, 2022