A Dutch Baby Pancake is one of the easiest pancake breakfast recipes EVER! This crispy oven pancake comes together with 5 minutes of prep and bakes up into a fluffy, crispy, irresistibly good giant pancake.
What is a Dutch Baby Pancake?
A Dutch Baby Pancake is also referred to as a German Pancake or Oven Pancake, but it really is an Americanized recipe, that according to Wikipedia, was inspired by German Pfannkuchen which is a crispy egg-based pancake fried in butter.
A Dutch baby is a giant oven pancake made with eggs, flour, and melted butter. It bakes in an oven-safe skillet and puffs up to be light and fluffy in the center, yet buttery and crispy around the edges.
Reasons to Love A Dutch Baby Pancake
- Easy Pancake Recipe. The pancake batter comes together with ease using a blender. And instead of tending to flipping pancakes, you can pop this Dutch Baby into the oven and let it work its magic.
- Fun to Watch Bake. As the Dutch baby bakes, it gets super puffy in the center, looking as though it may explode. I remember sitting by the oven with the light on watching it bake, and my kids do the same today.
- Amazing Flavor & Texture. Dutch Baby Pancakes are buttery and eggy, similar to Crepes or French toast, with crispy, caramelized edges like waffles. It is a combination of the best of all three breakfasts in one giant oven pancake.
- Impressive Results. Even though it is exceptionally easy to make a Dutch Baby, it has show-stopping appeal, as it comes out puffy and grand from the oven.
Notes on Ingredients & Equipment
- Flour: Use either all-purpose flour or whole white wheat flour, which is light and fluffy and still 100% whole grain.
- Milk: Whole milk results in the richest results, but truly any variety of milk or non-dairy milk works in this recipe.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter for both the batter and to grease the skillet.
- Cinnamon: Feel free to omit the cinnamon if desired. I love the flavor it adds, but it is not traditionally added.
- Oven-Safe Skillet: It is crucial to use a 10-inch oven-safe skillet when cooking an oven pancake. As the pancake is baked at 425 degrees F, you need to ensure the skillet can handle that high heat. I recommend using either a stainless steel skillet or a cast-iron skillet, not a nonstick skillet at this high temperature.
- Blender: A blender is best to prepare the pancake batter as it helps to create a light and airy batter that will puff up beautifully and not be overly dense.
Tips for the Best Dutch Baby
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Melt and cool the butter before adding to the pancake batter. This will prevent the eggs from scrambling.
- Use a blender. It is really best to blend the batter for a Dutch Baby pancake, as it will create a light, evenly combined pancake batter.
- Add wet ingredients to the blender first. Adding the milk, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter to the blender before adding the flour and salt will help the blender evenly blend the pancake batter.
- Bake immediately before intending to serve. While Dutch Babies will still taste delicious hours after preparation, they have jaw-dropping appeal when served straight from the oven as they are super puffy.
- Don't peek! If you want to watch the Dutch Baby bake, turn the oven light on. But it is best to leave the oven closed until the baking time is complete so that the pancake can rise as it should.
Serving Suggestions
A Dutch Oven Pancake is best served immediately, as it will deflate as it sits. Don't worry, even after deflating it will still taste delicious!
Serve this Oven-Baked Pancake with a dusting of powdered sugar, maple syrup, fresh berries, and a side of Oven-Baked Bacon or Homemade Breakfast Sausage for one phenomenal breakfast.
Serving a Crowd?
You can easily double this recipe to create a large Oven Pancake. Double the ingredients and use a 9x13 baking dish instead of a 10-inch skillet. Be sure the baking dish is safe up heat up to 425 degrees F.
More Pancake Recipes
- Chocolate Chip Pancakes
- Whole Wheat Pancakes
- Banana Oat Pancakes
- Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes
- Easy Eggless Pancakes
- Sheet Pan Pancakes
If you tried this recipe for a Dutch Baby Pancake, I would love for you to leave a comment and rating below.
Dutch Baby Pancake - Easy Oven Pancake Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 3 large eggs
- ⅔ cup milk any variety
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cinnamon optional
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- ½ cup all-purpose flour see notes
- powdered sugar for serving
- fresh berries for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven 425℉.
- Melt one tablespoon of butter in a heat-safe bowl in the microwave and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes. It is best to not add really hot butter to the batter, as it may scramble the eggs.
- Place eggs, vanilla, milk, salt, cinnamon, maple syrup, and the tablespoon of melted, cooled butter, and flour into the blender (in that order) and blend until smooth. Set aside.
- Put the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into a 10-inch oven-safe skillet, and stick into the oven, just long enough for the butter to melt, about 2-3 minutes. Carefully, remove the skillet from the oven.
- Pour the pancake batter into the skillet.
- Return the skillet to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean, and the edges are crispy and browned and the center is puffed up.
- Remove the pancake from the skillet onto a serving plate or cutting board and cut into wedges for serving. Serve immediately for best results with a dusting of powdered sugar, fresh fruit, and maple syrup as desired.
Equipment Needed
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally shared in 2016 but was updated in 2021 and 2023 with new pictures and a video.
Mudita
Delicious. I omitted the cinnamon, used whole wheat and white Einkorn flour instead of pastry flour, and slightly reduced the milk. It turned out great! The only problem was, it says it serves four and I ate the entire thing (by myself)in one sitting. ðŸ¤Time to go on a long walk to burn this off!
Kristin
Delicious! I subbed whole wheat flour (the only one I had on hand) and it worked perfectly. No need to worry about how to store or reheat! My kids gobbled this up! Thank you
Kristen Chidsey
I just love hearing this, Kristin! Thank you so much for taking the time to share.
Kelly
I’ve been wanting to try this for a while now and I’m kicking myself for waiting so long! I’m thinking it will be a big hit for breakfast when my son and his family come for a weekend visit! It’s so easy and it looks fancy! A question about the ‘notes’ section about preparing without a blender - it mentions adding baking powder, but I don’t see how much should be added. I was going to write the directions on a pretty recipe card for my DIL. I didn’t use any, so maybe I’ll ask omit that ‘note’ on the card. I’m excited to share this yummy, easy breakfast!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Kelly! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed! I myself, love how easy, yet impressive this oven pancake is. And sorry about the mention of baking powder, that was mistake--fixing now.
Ronda
Hello A Mind Full Mom,
Ive been making Dutch babies for over 40 years. I couldn’t find my recipe and thought I’ll look on Pinterest. Your recipe is THE BEST Dutch babies I’ve ever tasted. More like a crepe, you are my first post. Can’t wait to tell my kids. Our daughter makes brunch Christmas morning and makes Dutch babies, this year we will sing you praises. Yum yum!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Ronda! I absolutely LOVE hearing that you feel this recipe is the best! Thank you for sharing and I hope they make your Christmas morning extra special.
Susan
Yummie!!! Will try the vegan blueberry next.
Kristen Chidsey
I am so happy you loved this Susan. I hope you enjoy the Blueberry Pancakes as well. One of my favorites.
Shelley Beck
I am NOT a pancake person, but this was delicious! Blueberries, strawberries,and mango with a touch of powered sugar on top. Phenomenal! I loved being able to make this in my cast iron skillet too. Thank you!