Air Fryer Pancakes from Scratch (Plus an Easy Pancake Mix Version!)

If you’re searching for the ultimate way to make Air Fryer Pancakes from Scratch, you’ve landed in the right kitchen! These pancakes are unbelievably fluffy on the inside, golden on the outside, and require zero flipping. I’m sharing both my favorite homemade buttermilk pancake recipe AND a shortcut pancake mix version, so whether you have 10 minutes or 3, you’ll have a stack of perfect pancakes ready to go.

I’ve been making pancakes in my air fryer since 2017, and let me tell you, this method has completely changed our weekend breakfast game. The kids love them, my husband loves them, and I love that I don’t have to stand over a hot griddle flipping pancakes one by one. Just pour, set the timer, and breakfast is served.

Looking for more easy air fryer breakfast ideas? Try my Air Fryer Homemade Biscuits, Air Fryer Perfect Scrambled Eggs, or Air Fryer Breakfast Pizza Waffles next!

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Pancakes from Scratch

• No flipping required. The air fryer cooks them evenly on both sides without you lifting a spatula.
• Perfectly fluffy texture. Thicker and taller than stovetop pancakes, with a slight golden crust.
• Two methods, one post. Make them completely from scratch OR use your favorite pancake mix when you’re short on time.
• Hands-off cooking. Pop them in, set the timer, and use those 6 minutes to pour coffee or pack lunches.
• Kid-friendly. Add chocolate chips, blueberries, or sprinkles — they come out perfectly every time.
• Freezer-friendly. Double the batch and stash extras for busy mornings.

Air Fryer Pancakes from Scratch: The Homemade Recipe

This is my go-to homemade pancake batter. It uses simple pantry ingredients and produces the fluffiest, most flavorful air fryer pancakes you’ll ever taste. The secret? A combination of baking powder AND baking soda, plus a quick 5-minute rest to let the gluten relax.

Homemade Pancake Ingredients

Here are the simple ingredients, you will need to make pancakes!

• All-purpose flour: The foundation of the batter. For gluten-free pancakes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Baking powder: This is the key to tall, fluffy pancakes in the air fryer.
• Baking soda: Works with the buttermilk to create extra lift and softness.
• Granulated sugar: Adds light sweetness and balances the overall flavor.
• Salt: Enhances every ingredient and keeps the flavor from tasting flat.
• Buttermilk: The secret to tender, classic pancakes with a slight tang. No buttermilk? Mix regular milk with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for a few minutes.
• Large egg: Helps bind the batter and adds richness to every bite.
• Unsalted butter: Adds flavor and moisture while letting you control the salt level. Let it cool slightly before mixing in.
• Vanilla extract: Optional, but adds a warm bakery-style flavor that makes pancakes taste extra special.

How to Make Homemade Air Fryer Pancakes (Step-by-Step)

Whisk the dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt until well combined. Breaking up any clumps now will save you trouble later.

Combine the wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla together until smooth.

Mix gently. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until JUST combined. A few lumps are perfectly fine — overmixing leads to tough pancakes. The batter should be thick but pourable.

Rest the batter. Let it sit for 5 minutes. This is non-negotiable! Resting allows the baking powder to activate and the flour to hydrate, resulting in much fluffier pancakes.

Preheat your air fryer. Set it to 320°F (160°C). While it heats, grease a small 6-inch aluminum cake pan or silicone mold generously with cooking spray or butter.

Pour the batter. Add about ⅓ cup of batter to the prepared pan. Don’t overfill — these will puff up significantly.

Air fry. Cook at 320°F for 6-8 minutes, until the top is set and a toothpick comes out clean. Larger air fryers may need closer to 6 minutes; smaller models around 8.

Repeat. Carefully remove the pancake, regrease the pan, and continue with the remaining batter. You can keep finished pancakes warm in a 200°F oven.

Serve warm. Stack them up with butter, maple syrup, fresh berries, or whatever your family loves!

Quick Method: Air Fryer Pancakes with Pancake Mix

Some mornings, scratch just isn’t happening — and that’s okay! This shortcut method uses your favorite boxed pancake mix and still delivers fluffy, golden air fryer pancakes in a fraction of the time. I keep a box of mix in the pantry for exactly these mornings.

Pancake Mix Ingredients

• Pancake mix: Use whatever you love — Krusteaz, Bisquick, Kodiak Cakes (for protein!), or any complete or just-add-water mix.
• Milk or water: Whatever your mix calls for. I prefer milk for a richer flavor, even when the box says water.
• Egg (if your mix requires it): Check the box.
• Optional: Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or a pinch of cinnamon to give boxed mix a homemade taste.

How to Make Pancake Mix Air Fryer Pancakes

Prepare the batter. Follow the package directions to mix your batter. Add vanilla or cinnamon if desired.

Let it rest. Even with boxed mix, a 3-5 minute rest makes a noticeable difference in fluffiness.

Preheat the air fryer. 320°F (160°C), same as the scratch method.

Grease and fill. Spray your pan or silicone mold, then add about ⅓ cup of batter.

Cook. Air fry at 320°F for 6-7 minutes. Boxed mix often cooks slightly faster than scratch batter. Top and devour.

From Scratch vs. Pancake Mix: Which Should You Make?

Both methods produce delicious air fryer pancakes — it really comes down to time, taste, and what you have on hand. Here’s a quick side-by-side:

Feature	From Scratch	With Pancake Mix
Prep Time	10 minutes	3 minutes
Ingredients	8 pantry staples	3 (mix, milk, egg)
Flavor	Rich, buttery, fresh	Consistent, mild
Texture	Thick & fluffy	Light & airy
Cost per batch	~$1.50	~$2.50
Best for	Weekend mornings	Busy weekdays

My honest take: Make the scratch version when you have the time — the flavor is genuinely better and you control every ingredient. Keep a box of mix on hand for busy weekday mornings when you need pancakes in 10 minutes flat.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Air fryer: Any model works — basket-style, oven-style, or Ninja Foodi. I use a Cosori 5.8-quart basket air fryer.
• Small aluminum cake pans (6-inch) OR silicone pancake molds: This is the key to getting actual pancake shapes! Parchment paper alone won’t hold the batter.
• Mixing bowls: One large for dry, one medium for wet.
• Whisk: For combining ingredients without overmixing.
• Cookie scoop or ⅓ cup measure: For even portioning.
• Cooking spray: Essential for easy release.

Pro Tips for the Best Air Fryer Pancakes

• Don’t skip the rest. Whether scratch or mix, that 3-5 minute rest is what separates flat pancakes from fluffy ones.
• Use a silicone mold. Aluminum pans work, but silicone makes release effortless and gives you perfectly round pancakes.
• Don’t overfill. Air fryer pancakes puff dramatically. Fill molds no more than halfway.
• Preheat the air fryer. Cold air fryers produce uneven pancakes. Give it 3 minutes at 400°F before lowering the temp.
• Adjust to your model. Every air fryer is different. The first batch is your test batch — check at 5 minutes and adjust accordingly.
• Keep them warm. Hold finished pancakes on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven while you finish the batch.

Troubleshooting Air Fryer Pancakes

My pancakes are gummy or undercooked in the middle Your batter is likely too thick or the pancakes are too thick in the pan. Either thin the batter slightly with 1-2 tablespoons of milk, or spread the batter thinner. You can also add 1-2 minutes of cook time.

They’re flat, not fluffy This almost always means the batter wasn’t rested, or your baking powder/soda is old. Baking powder loses potency after about 6 months — test it by stirring a teaspoon into hot water; it should fizz vigorously.

The bottoms are burning before the tops cook Lower your temperature to 300°F and cook longer. Some air fryers run hot. You can also place a piece of foil loosely over the top for the last few minutes.

They’re sticking to the pan Be generous with cooking spray, or switch to silicone molds. A light brush of melted butter inside the pan also works beautifully and adds flavor.

Recipe Variations and Mix-Ins

• Blueberry pancakes: Sprinkle ¼ cup of fresh or frozen blueberries onto the batter after pouring it into the pan.
• Chocolate chip pancakes: Add 2 tablespoons of mini chocolate chips per pancake.
• Banana pancakes: Mash one ripe banana into the wet ingredients. Reduce milk by 2 tablespoons.
• Cinnamon roll pancakes: Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the batter and swirl in a tablespoon of brown sugar.
• Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend (Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur work great).
• Dairy-free: Substitute almond, oat, or soy milk and use melted coconut oil instead of butter.
• Protein-packed: Use Kodiak Cakes mix or add 2 tablespoons of vanilla protein powder to scratch batter (add an extra splash of milk).

Best Toppings for Air Fryer Pancakes

• Classic: Pure maple syrup and a pat of butter
• Fresh: Sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and whipped cream
• Indulgent: Nutella, chocolate sauce, or salted caramel
• Crunchy: Toasted pecans, candied walnuts, or granola
• Tropical: Sliced banana, toasted coconut, and a drizzle of honey
• Savory-sweet: Crumbled bacon and maple syrup

Storage and Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Place a piece of parchment between each pancake to prevent sticking.
• Freezer: Let pancakes cool completely, then arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour. Transfer to a freezer bag — they’ll keep for up to 3 months. This flash-freezing method prevents them from sticking together.
• Reheating: My favorite way to reheat is right back in the air fryer! Cook frozen pancakes at 330°F for 3-4 minutes, or refrigerated ones for 2 minutes. You can also use a microwave (30-45 seconds) or toaster for a crispier edge.

Air Fryer Pancakes FAQ

Can you make pancakes in an air fryer without a pan? Not really. You need something to contain the batter, or it’ll run through the basket. A small aluminum pan, silicone mold, or a thick parchment cup designed for air fryers all work. I don’t recommend plain parchment paper — the batter spreads too thin and cooks unevenly.

What temperature do you cook pancakes in an air fryer? 320°F (160°C) is the sweet spot for me. It’s hot enough to cook the pancakes through and give them a golden top, but gentle enough that the outside doesn’t burn before the inside sets. Some recipes call for 350°F, but I’ve had better results at 320°F.

How long do you cook pancakes in an air fryer? 6-8 minutes, depending on your air fryer and the thickness of the pancake. Always check at 5 minutes — a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.

Can I use frozen pancake batter? Yes! Pancake batter freezes well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, stir well, and use as directed. The texture is slightly different but still delicious.

Do I need to flip air fryer pancakes? Nope! That’s the magic of this method. The circulating hot air cooks both sides simultaneously.

Can I make pancakes in an air fryer for a crowd? Absolutely. Make the batter ahead, cook pancakes in batches, and keep them warm on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven. You can fit 2-3 small pancake molds in most air fryers at once.

Are air fryer pancakes healthier than stovetop? Slightly! You use less butter or oil to grease the pan versus a griddle, which cuts a bit of fat. The recipe itself is the same, so go for whichever method fits your morning.

What’s the best pancake mix for air fryer pancakes? Krusteaz Buttermilk Complete is my go-to for ease (just add water). Kodiak Cakes Power Cakes are great for extra protein. Bisquick produces a slightly denser pancake. All work beautifully in the air fryer.

More Easy Air Fryer Breakfast Recipes

• AIR FRYER SHRIMP DEVILED EGGS
• AIR FRYER SCRAMBLED EGGS
• EASY AIR FRYER HARD BOILED EGGS
• LOW-CARB AIR FRYER SCOTCH EGGS
• AIR FRYER POACHED EGGS

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