IHOP Buttermilk Pancakes deliver soft, fluffy texture and classic diner flavor that turns a simple breakfast into something people crave.
Photo by rob_rob2001
Copycat IHOP Buttermilk Pancakes
IHOP Buttermilk Pancakes are thick, fluffy pancakes known for their light interior, golden exterior, and mild tang from buttermilk.
This copycat focuses on the mixing method and batter balance that give IHOP pancakes their signature height and tender crumb at home.
Quick Recipe Overview
- Best For: Breakfast, brunch
- Flavor Profile: Lightly sweet, buttery
- Skill Level: Easy griddle cooking
- What Makes It Like the Restaurant: Tall, fluffy texture with classic buttermilk tang
IHOP
IHOP built its brand around breakfast classics served all day, with pancakes at the center of the menu. Founded in the late 1950s, the chain focused on consistency, generous portions, and family friendly dining. Over time, IHOP pancakes became a benchmark for diner style breakfasts nationwide. The buttermilk version remains the standard offering, forming the base for countless variations while reinforcing the brand’s identity as a pancake focused restaurant.
The Pancakes Everyone Measures Against
Buttermilk pancakes are a staple of American diner cooking, prized for their soft crumb and subtle tang. The style relies on chemical leavening and careful mixing rather than yeast or long rests. These pancakes are meant to be fluffy, not thin, and serve as a neutral base for butter and syrup. IHOP’s version exemplifies this approach, becoming a reference point for classic diner pancakes.
IHOP Buttermilk Pancakes Recipe
Make our IHOP Buttermilk Pancakes at home tonight for your family. With our Secret Restaurant Recipe your Buttermilk Pancakes will taste just like those you enjoy at the International House of Pancakes.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder
- 2 tablespoons Sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 1/4 cups Buttermilk plus a bit more if needed to thin the batter
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil
- 1 eggs lightly beaten
- Vegetable Oil or Non-Stick Cooking Spray for frying
- Butter for serving
- Syrup for serving
Instructions
- Place the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and baking soda in a bowl and whisk them to mix.
- Add the buttermilk, oil and egg.
- Use a mixer or spoon to mix all ingredients until smooth. Use the extra buttermilk to thin the batter if necessary.
- Pour 1/2 cup of batter into a hot, lightly oiled frying pan.
- When bubbles rise through the middle of the pancake and break on the top, flip the pancake and cook until browned underneath.
- Repeat to make about 8 pancakes.
- Serve with butter and syrup.
Related Copycat Recipes
Get All New Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes as Soon as We Publish Them
Just Follow Us on on Your Favorite Social Media Sites and Never Miss a New Recipe.
Stay in Touch, Get More Recipes from All of Our Sites and Help Us Spread the Word about Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes to All Your Friends.
Thank You.
Questions People Ask
Why are IHOP pancakes so fluffy
The batter uses buttermilk and leavening agents combined with minimal mixing.
Can I make the batter ahead of time
It is best used fresh, but can rest briefly in the refrigerator.
Do I need a griddle
No. A large nonstick skillet works well.
Can I freeze cooked pancakes
Yes. Cool completely, then freeze and reheat as needed.
Related Recipes
Burger King Breakfast Sandwiches
Burger King Breakfast Sandwiches include familiar morning staples like the Croissan’wich and egg and cheese biscuit, built for quick, filling breakfasts with classic fast food flavor.
Make Burger King Breakfast Sandwiches at home and recreate the grab and go breakfast options without the drive thru wait.
Make Burger King Breakfast Sandwiches at Home
IHOP New York Cheesecake Pancakes
IHOP New York Cheesecake Pancakes stack fluffy buttermilk pancakes with cheesecake bites, finished with glazed strawberries and whipped topping for a dessert style breakfast favorite.
Make IHOP New York Cheesecake Pancakes at home and recreate the over the top pancake stack served at the restaurant.
Make IHOP New York Cheesecake Pancakes at Home
Spotlight Recipes
Ruby Tuesday Apple Pie
Ruby Tuesday Apple Pie is a classic dessert with a flaky crust and warm spiced apple filling, typically served hot and often paired with ice cream.
Make Ruby Tuesday Apple Pie at home using a simple frozen pie method and recreate the familiar restaurant style dessert.
Make Ruby Tuesday Apple Pie at Home
Starbucks Blueberry Scones
Starbucks Blueberry Scones are tender, buttery scones filled with blueberries and lightly sweetened for a classic coffee shop pastry.
Make Starbucks Blueberry Scones at home and recreate the familiar bakery treat served with coffee.
Make Starbucks Blueberry Scones at Home
Photo of Pancakes is by rob_rob2001 and is used by permission under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0) License. Photo of “IHOP” is by Mike Mozart and is used by permission under the Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) Creative Commons License. Read the Full License Here – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode. Thank you, Rob and Mike. Great Pictures. Photos may be representative of the recipe and not the actual finished dish. All photo licenses listed were correct at the time of the posting of the page. Recipe is our adaption of several recipes formally widely-circulated on the internet – courtesy of the Wayback Machine. Additional Information is from original research done by Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes and/or courtesy of Wikipedia and is used by permission.
June 30, 2013 @ 12:31 pm
Baker Square Restaurant: Peanut butter Pie is dying for, not taste this pie over 17 years, where I live do not have that restaurant. Miss that taste wonder if there a way to copycat this pie recipe… will be forever grateful to have that kind of pie… Much appreciate… Thanks for all the work you all have had done to make these recipes from all restaurants excellent taste…at home…