Air Fryer Pancakes (Cooked in Small Molds)
Pancake batter cannot go straight into the air fryer basket, because it would run through the holes. Air fryer pancakes work when you cook the batter in small molds. They come out fluffy, evenly golden and in 8 minutes a batch, without standing at the stove. This page also covers frozen pancakes and reheating.
- Temperature
- 330°F170 °C
- Total time
- 26min
- Prep time
- 10min
- Servings
- 3
- Per serving
- 295kcal
Why the air fryer works for pancakes
A skillet cooks a pancake from one side, so the pancake needs flipping at exactly the right moment. In the air fryer, hot air surrounds the mold, so the batter sets from the sides and the top while the bottom browns. The result is a pancake that is evenly golden and a little more tender than a skillet pancake. It also frees the stove, which is useful if you are cooking bacon or eggs.
The limit is the batter. Pancake batter is wet, and the basket has holes, so the batter always needs a container. That is why air fryer pancakes are cooked in small molds. Choose silicone or metal molds that sit flat, fill them halfway and leave room to rise. Cook 2–3 at a time, depending on the basket size, so each mold has space for air to move around it.
How to make pancakes in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Mix the dry ingredients Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
- Mix the batter In a second bowl, whisk the milk, egg and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Pour into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. A few small lumps are fine; overmixing makes pancakes tough.
- Prepare the molds Use three 4-inch silicone molds or small oven-safe ramekins that fit side by side in the basket. Grease them well with butter. Pour about ⅓ cup of batter into each mold, filling it about halfway.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 330 °F for . Do not preheat with empty silicone molds in the basket.
- Cook and flip Set the filled molds in the basket and cook for . After , lift each pancake out with a thin spatula, turn it over and put it back in the mold. The pancakes are done when golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Repeat Cook the second batch the same way. Serve the pancakes warm.
Times and temperatures
| Air Fryer Pancakes (Cooked in Small Molds) | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pancakes in 4-inch moldsFlip after 4 min | 330 °F (170 °C) | 8 min |
| Mini pancakes in muffin cups | 330 °F (170 °C) | 5–6 min |
| Reheat cooked pancakes | 350 °F (180 °C) | 2–3 min |
| Frozen pancakesSingle layer | 350 °F (180 °C) | 3–4 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Read also: Parchment paper and foil in the air fryer
Tips
- Fill the molds halfway. The pancakes rise by about 50 percent and need room.
- Let the batter rest. Five minutes lets the flour hydrate and the baking powder start working, which gives a fluffier result.
- Use butter, not just spray. Butter browns the outside of the pancake in the mold and gives a better flavor than oil spray.
What to serve with pancakes
Serve the pancakes with butter and maple syrup, fresh blueberries or sliced bananas. For a full diner-style breakfast, add air fryer bacon or air fryer sausage patties and a side of air fryer scrambled eggs. Pancakes also freeze well for school-day mornings.
Storing and reheating
Cool the pancakes completely, then store in the refrigerator for 3 days or freeze them between sheets of parchment paper for up to 2 months. Reheat in the air fryer at 350 °F for 2–3 minutes (3–4 minutes from frozen), in a single layer, until hot throughout. Pancakes with sausage or egg should reach 165 °F.
Variations
- Blueberry pancakes: Drop 5–6 blueberries into each mold after filling it with batter. Do not stir them in.
- Chocolate chip: Add 2 tbsp mini chocolate chips to the batter.
- Pancake bites: Fill a silicone mini-muffin tray with batter and cook at 330 °F for 5–6 minutes for easy finger food.
- French Toast: For a dedicated recipe, see air fryer french toast.
- Frozen Waffles: For a dedicated recipe, see air fryer frozen waffles.
If it does not turn out right
- The pancakes stick to the mold
- Grease the molds generously with butter, right up to the rim. Silicone molds release better after a 1-minute rest on the counter.
- The tops are brown, but the middle is raw
- Cook at 310 °F for 10 minutes. The batter is thicker in a mold than in a skillet, so it needs a gentler heat.
- The pancakes are flat and dense
- The baking powder may be old, or the batter was overmixed. Stir just until combined and let the batter rest for 5 minutes before filling the molds.
Questions and answers
Can you cook pancake batter in an air fryer?
Only in a mold or small pan. Loose batter poured into the basket runs through the holes and burns. Silicone molds, ramekins and small metal cake pans work well.
How long do pancakes take in the air fryer?
About 8 minutes at 330 °F for a 4-inch pancake in a mold, flipped halfway. Mini pancakes in small muffin cups take 5–6 minutes.
How do I reheat pancakes in the air fryer?
Heat cooked pancakes at 350 °F for 2–3 minutes in a single layer. Frozen ones need 3–4 minutes. The edges crisp slightly and the centers stay soft.
Can I use pancake mix?
Yes. Mix the batter as the package says, perhaps a little thicker, and cook it in molds at 330 °F for the same 8 minutes.
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