The Fluffiest Pumpkin Pancakes Recipe

These are, without a doubt, the fluffiest pumpkin pancakes you will ever make. Perfectly spiced with autumn warmth, each bite is pillow-soft, tender, and packed with real pumpkin flavor. Topped with sliced bananas and a generous pour of maple syrup, this breakfast stack is the ultimate cozy treat for crisp fall mornings.
This recipe uses buttermilk and a touch of vinegar to create a powerful reaction with the baking soda, ensuring maximum lift and an incredibly light texture. The pumpkin purée adds moisture and a beautiful color, while a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves makes your kitchen smell divine as they cook.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Incredibly Fluffy: The combination of buttermilk and baking soda creates a mile-high stack that is light as air.
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Rich Pumpkin Flavor: We use real pumpkin purée, not just pumpkin pie spice, for deep flavor and moist texture.
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Perfectly Spiced: A custom blend of warm autumn spices complements the pumpkin without overpowering it.
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Quick and Easy: The batter comes together in minutes, making it a great weekend breakfast.
Equipment Needed
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Large mixing bowl
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Medium mixing bowl
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Whisk
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Spatula
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Non-stick griddle or large skillet
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Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
For the Dry Mix:
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1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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3 tablespoons granulated sugar
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2 teaspoons baking powder
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or a mix of ½ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp ginger, ¼ tsp nutmeg, and a pinch of cloves)
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½ teaspoon salt
For the Wet Mix:
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1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup whole milk mixed with 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice, let sit for 5 mins)
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¾ cup pumpkin purée (make sure it’s 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling)
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1 large egg, lightly beaten
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2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Serving:
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Sliced bananas (as shown in the image)
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Pure maple syrup
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Whipped cream (optional)
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Pecans or walnuts, toasted (optional)
Instructions
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Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until well combined.
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Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, pumpkin purée, beaten egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
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Mix the Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Use a spatula to gently fold the mixtures together just until the flour disappears. Crucial Step: Do not overmix! A few lumps are perfectly fine. Overmixing will lead to dense, tough pancakes instead of fluffy ones.
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Heat the Griddle: Preheat your griddle or large skillet over medium-low heat. Brush it lightly with oil, butter, or cooking spray. Test the heat by sprinkling a few drops of water; if they sizzle and evaporate immediately, it’s ready.
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Cook the Pancakes: Pour the batter onto the griddle using a ¼-cup measuring cup for each pancake. Do not crowd the pan. Cook for 2-4 minutes, or until bubbles form and pop on the surface of the pancake and the edges look set and dry.
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Flip and Finish: Carefully flip the pancakes with a spatula and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until they are golden brown on the underside and cooked through.
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Serve: Transfer the pancakes to a plate and repeat with the remaining batter. Serve immediately, stacking them high as shown in the image.
Tips for the Fluffiest Pancakes
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Don’t Overmix: This is the #1 secret to fluffy pancakes. Gently folding the wet and dry ingredients preserves the air bubbles that make them light. Stop mixing the moment the flour is just moistened.
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Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Let your egg and buttermilk come to room temperature before mixing. This helps the ingredients incorporate smoothly without overmixing.
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Check Your Leaveners: Ensure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh. Old leaveners will not create a good rise.
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Let the Batter Rest: After mixing, let the batter rest on the counter for 10-15 minutes. This allows the flour to hydrate and the baking powder/soda to activate, creating an even fluffier result.
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Cook on Medium-Low: If your griddle is too hot, the outside will burn before the inside is cooked. Patience is key to a golden, fluffy pancake.
Serving Suggestions
Get creative with your toppings!
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As Pictured: A generous fan of fresh sliced banana, topped with a slow, decadent drizzle of pure maple syrup.
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Other Ideas:
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