Zesty Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes

$When I make Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes, I love gathering fresh ingredients. They really bring out the best flavors. Here’s what you will need: - 1 cup all-purpose flour - 2 tablespoons poppy seeds - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 cup buttermilk - 1 large egg - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted - Zest of 1 lemon - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice - Optional: Maple syrup for serving Each ingredient plays a key role. The flour forms the base, while the poppy seeds add a fun crunch. Sugar gives just the right amount of sweetness. Baking powder makes the pancakes rise and stay fluffy. Salt balances the flavors. Buttermilk makes them tender and moist. The egg provides structure. Melted butter adds richness, and lemon zest and juice bring a bright, zesty kick. Using fresh ingredients makes a big difference in taste. I always recommend organic lemons for the zest and juice. They have a better flavor and aroma. If you like, keep some maple syrup handy for serving. It pairs so well with the lemon flavor! {{ingredient_image_2}} In a large bowl, combine: - 1 cup all-purpose flour - 2 tablespoons poppy seeds - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt Whisk them together until they blend well. This mix gives your pancakes a nice rise and flavor. In a separate bowl, whisk together: - 1 cup buttermilk - 1 large egg - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted - Zest of 1 lemon - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice Mix until smooth. The buttermilk keeps pancakes soft and fluffy. Gently pour the wet mix into the dry mix. Use a spatula to fold them together. Be careful not to overmix. A few lumps are fine. This helps keep your pancakes light. First, preheat your skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease the surface with a bit of butter or cooking spray. This stops pancakes from sticking. For each pancake, pour 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot skillet. Cook until bubbles form and edges firm up, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the pancakes with a spatula and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. They should be golden brown on both sides. Adjust the heat if they cook too fast. Keep cooking until all the batter is gone. Re-grease the skillet as needed for each batch. Enjoy your delicious pancakes! To make fluffy lemon poppy seed pancakes, do not overmix the batter. When you fold the wet and dry ingredients together, mix gently. A few lumps are fine. They help keep the pancakes light. Also, maintain the right cooking temperature. Heat your skillet to medium. If it’s too hot, the pancakes will burn. If it’s too cool, they won’t cook well. For a lovely presentation, stack the pancakes high on a plate. Drizzle maple syrup on top. Add fresh lemon slices for color. Sprinkle extra poppy seeds over the stack. This makes your pancakes look inviting and delicious. Lemon poppy seed pancakes pair well with fresh fruit, like berries or bananas. You can also serve them with yogurt for creaminess. For drinks, enjoy them with fresh-squeezed orange juice or a cup of tea. These pairings enhance the bright flavors of the pancakes. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, use fresh lemon juice and zest. The brightness of fresh lemon will elevate the taste of your pancakes. Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough pancakes instead of fluffy ones. Adjust Heat as Needed: If your pancakes are browning too quickly, lower the heat slightly. This ensures they cook through without burning. Experiment with Toppings: Try adding fresh berries, whipped cream, or yogurt on top of your pancakes for added flavor and texture. {{image_4}} You can easily make these pancakes gluten-free. Just swap the all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour. Many brands work well, but check the label for a good substitute. This change keeps the pancakes fluffy and tasty. You can add fresh berries for a fruity twist. Blueberries pair nicely with the lemon. Chopped strawberries or raspberries also add a fun flavor. You can spice things up too! Try adding a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter. These spices add warmth and depth to the pancakes. If you want a lighter treat, reduce the sugar. You can also use natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup. These options make the pancakes sweet without adding refined sugar. To store leftover pancakes, let them cool first. Place them in a single layer on a plate. If you have many pancakes, use parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking. Cover the plate with plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for up to three days. For long-term storage, stack pancakes with parchment paper and place them in a zip-top bag. You can freeze them for up to two months. To reheat pancakes, use a microwave or skillet. For the microwave, place a pancake on a plate. Heat it for about 20 seconds. If frozen, heat it for about 40 seconds. For a skillet, warm a non-stick pan over low heat. Place the pancake in the pan and heat it for about one minute on each side. This method keeps the pancake soft and fluffy. Enjoy your pancakes warm, just like when you first made them! To make pancakes from scratch, follow these basic steps: - Mix Dry Ingredients: Start by whisking flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. - Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, egg, and melted butter. - Combine Both Mixtures: Pour the wet mix into the dry mix. Fold gently until just combined. - Preheat Skillet: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Grease lightly if needed. - Cook Pancakes: Pour batter onto the skillet. Cook until bubbles form, then flip and cook until golden. Yes, you can use milk instead of buttermilk. Here are some suggestions: - Add Vinegar or Lemon Juice: If you add 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk, it will mimic buttermilk. - Use Yogurt: Plain yogurt can work too. Thin it with a bit of milk to reach the right consistency. - Milk Alone: You can use milk directly, but the pancakes may be less tangy and fluffy. Here are signs that pancakes are done: - Bubbles: Look for bubbles forming on the surface of the pancake. - Firm Edges: The edges should appear set and not wet. - Color: When you flip it, the pancake should be golden brown. - Touch Test: Gently press the center; it should spring back. If it leaves an indent, it needs more time. You can now make delicious Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes using simple steps. We covered the ingredients, mixing instructions, tips for fluffiness, and storage options. Remember, less is more when mixing for best results. Feel free to try different flavors or go gluten-free. Enjoy your pancakes fresh or reheated, paired with your favorite toppings. With practice, you’ll impress everyone at the breakfast table. Happy cooking!$

Zesty Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes

Fluffy pancakes infused with zesty lemon and crunchy poppy seeds, perfect for breakfast.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
0.5 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 zest of lemon
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
optional Maple syrup for serving

Instructions

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, poppy seeds, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk them together thoroughly until they are evenly blended.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, the large egg, melted butter, lemon zest, and freshly squeezed lemon juice until the mixture is smooth and well integrated.
Gently pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Carefully fold the two together using a spatula or wooden spoon. Be cautious not to overmix; a few small lumps in the batter are perfectly fine and will help keep the pancakes fluffy.
Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly grease the cooking surface with a small amount of butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
For each pancake, pour 1/4 cup of the batter onto the hot skillet. Allow the pancakes to cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges begin to firm up, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
Carefully flip the pancakes using a spatula and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until they are golden brown on both sides. Adjust the heat if necessary to avoid burning.
Continue the process until all of the batter has been cooked, ensuring to re-grease the skillet as needed for each batch.

Notes

For an appealing presentation, stack the pancakes high and garnish with lemon slices and poppy seeds.

Keyword breakfast, lemon, pancakes, poppy seeds