Why Do You Put Buttermilk in Pancakes? (Also included are simple alternatives to try instead.)

Pancakes could be one of your favorite morning foods. You may not have pancakes for breakfast every day, but it is a pleasure when you do.

If you’ve just begun cooking your own pancakes, you’ve probably noticed that the majority of recipes call for buttermilk. Why is buttermilk included in practically every pancake recipe available?

Continue reading to discover more about pancakes and why buttermilk makes such a great addition. It will help you appreciate what buttermilk does and how it helps you make the best pancakes.

You’ll also learn about several buttermilk alternatives. This will allow you to make pancakes even if you do not want to use buttermilk for any reason.

The Appeal of Buttermilk

To appreciate the allure of buttermilk, first study what it does to pancakes. This is used as an ingredient because it adds height to the pancakes.

This is because buttermilk might react with baking soda. Taller and fluffier pancake stacks will be highly tempting.

It also contributes to the tenderness of the pancakes. If you use buttermilk to prepare them, they will be really moist and delectable.

Buttermilk pancakes are described as having a particularly rich flavor by some. It also has a somewhat sour flavor.

There may be some persons who dislike the flavor of buttermilk pancakes. If the flavor of buttermilk isn’t to your liking, you may swap it with other components.

Yogurt That Has Been Watered Down

As strange as it may seem, yogurt may be used as a replacement for buttermilk. Some individuals like the flavor of pancakes cooked with yogurt.

Of course, you can’t simply use the yogurt without first preparing it. It has to be diluted down with milk or water before you can use it.

This is simple enough to do, and the results should be satisfactory. It’s recommended to use plain, unsweetened yogurt for this.

You’ll need one-fourth cup of milk or water and three-fourths cup of yogurt. This is the right ratio, and you can calculate how much buttermilk is required in the pancake recipe you’re using.

Milk with Acid

If you add some acid to regular milk, it will work perfectly as well. You’ll want to add something acidifying to the milk, such as lemon juice.

You may use one tablespoon of lemon juice and the rest of the milk to fill a cup. It is important to let the milk remain for five minutes before using it.

Just be patient and wait for it to pass. The milk need time to react to the acidic substance introduced to it.

When you don’t like the sour flavor of buttermilk, this will be a better solution for many. It’s an excellent choice that’s simple to execute.

Milk and Cream of Tartar

What if you don’t have any lemon juice on hand? If you still have milk, mix it with cream of tartar to make a delicious buttermilk alternative.

Simply mix three tablespoons of cream of tartar into one cup of milk. Whisk everything together and you’ll have a reliable buttermilk alternative.

Because you may have cream of tartar on hand, it’s a good idea to have this substitution alternative in mind. It could come in helpful if you’re in a rush and really want to prepare some pancakes.

Kefir

You may not be acquainted with the ingredient kefir. It’s a fermented milk with the consistency of thin yogurt.

This may be used in any recipe that calls for buttermilk. You should be OK as long as you have unsweetened and unflavored kefir.

This sort of milk is available at a variety of major grocery store chains and shops. If you’ve never tried it, it’s definitely worth a go to see how you like it.

Consider Using Just Egg Whites

Now that you know what you may use in place of buttermilk, think about what else you can do to make your pancakes great. After all, everyone wants to have the fluffiest pancakes around.

Buttermilk may help make pancakes higher and fluffier. However, there is something more you can do to make the pancakes airy.

You may be able to get better results if you avoid using whole eggs. Instead of using a complete egg in your pancake recipe, consider separating and utilizing the egg whites.

Overall, this should result in more fluffier pancakes. If you want light pancakes that taste great, this is a recipe you should try.

Final Thoughts

Buttermilk has the ability to improve the flavor of pancakes. There’s a reason it’s a staple in so many popular pancake recipes.

It aids in the tallening and richening of pancakes. The sour flavor of buttermilk is appealing to many individuals.

However, there are people who dislike buttermilk. Other ingredients may be substituted to make pancakes that aren’t nearly as acidic.

You may use acidified milk, milk mixed with cream of tartar, kefir, and other products. Simply choose the one that best matches your needs.

Remember that using egg whites instead of whole eggs might make your pancakes fluffier. Making a few changes to your method may result in even nicer pancakes than before.

Give your family what they deserve: pancakes. You’ll enjoy watching everyone smile at the breakfast table in the future.