Banana Pancakes Recipe

Mix dry ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.

Combine wet ingredients

In a separate bowl or large measuring cup, whisk the buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and homogenous.

Combine wet and dry

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Gently stir with a spatula or wooden spoon just until the mixture comes together. Small lumps are fine; do not overmix or the pancakes will be tough. The batter should be thick but pourable. If it seems very thick, add 1–2 tablespoons of buttermilk.

Prepare banana

Peel and dice the ripe banana into small (~1/4 inch) pieces. Set aside. Reserve a few slightly larger pieces for an optional garnish.

Preheat skillet

Place a heavy skillet or nonstick griddle over medium heat and let it warm for 3–4 minutes. Lightly grease the surface with the butter or neutral oil, spreading it with a paper towel or brush so there is a thin, even film.

Cook pancakes

For each pancake, pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto the preheated skillet (this yields four pancakes from the batch). Immediately sprinkle 6–8 pieces of the diced banana onto the batter circle so they become embedded in the pancake. Cook until small bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set, about 2–3 minutes. Carefully flip with a spatula and cook the second side until golden brown and cooked through, about 1–2 minutes more. Adjust heat as needed so the pancakes cook through without burning. Repeat with remaining batter, greasing the skillet between batches if necessary.

Keep warm

If cooking in batches, keep finished pancakes on a baking sheet in a single layer in a 200°F (95°C) oven to stay warm and maintain texture while you finish the rest.

Finish and serve

Stack the four pancakes on plates. Lightly dust the tops with the powdered sugar using a small fine-mesh sieve or sifter. Serve immediately with maple syrup on the side and any reserved banana pieces for garnish.