South African Pannekoek (Pancakes) - aninas recipes (2024)

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South African Pannekoek (Pancakes)

Anina January 28, 2020 baking 8 Comments

I’m sharing the easiest foolproof South African Pannekoek recipe today! Deliciously addictive, these thin crepes, usually served with loads of cinnamon and sugar, is a firm favourite South African treat.

South African Pannekoek (Pancakes) - aninas recipes (1)

This recipe is very easy and one of our family’s best-loved recipes. I don’t think it’s possible to count how many times over we have used this recipe in the last three decades. From my early childhood I remember the fun of church bazaars and school fetes. Where the waft of cinnamon sugar literally pulls you towards the stand, for a tray of freshly baked pannekoek. This South African Pannekoek is THAT kind of recipe. Therefore, this batter is great to make in bulk when you need to feed a whole army.

With a pinch of nostalgia added for good measure…

South African Pannekoek (Pancakes) - aninas recipes (2)

What is a Pannekoek?

Isn’t Afrikaans just such a fun language?

Pannekoek (afrikaans for pancakes) is a bit different from the US pancake versions. South African Pannekoek is a thinner batter, poured and spread out in a hot pan and cooked on both sides into a thin crepe. However, it is slightly thicker than the French version. It’s easy to fill pannekoek with all sorts of delicious things, from sweet to savoury. For example, in this recipe I filled my pannekoek with Spiced Caramelized Nectarines – to die for!

The South African Pannekoek way is with plenty of cinnamon sugar, melted into the rolled up pannekoek with a dash of fresh lemon juice.

South African Pannekoek (Pancakes) - aninas recipes (3)

How To Make South African Pannekoek

First off, this is an easy one bowl pannekoek recipe that takes no effort at all.

You simply add all the wet ingredients (water, eggs, lemon juice and oil) in a bowl with an electric hand mixer at the ready.

Next you just add the flour and baking powder little by little while beating with the electric mixer until the batter is smooth.

Lastly, and I never really know how much you need, but I keep a little water on hand to thin out the batter before I scoop about a ladle full into a hot non stick pan.

Tilt the pan when you pour the batter in, to spread it out all over the pan. Once the pancake batter starts pulling away from the sides, with bubbles in the batter on top, it’s ready to flip and cook for a few more seconds.

Serve with cinnamon sugar and see how long they’ll last. NOT LONG!

South African Pannekoek (Pancakes) - aninas recipes (4)

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Print Recipe

South African Pannekoek (Pancakes)

An easy and foolproof South African Pannekoek (Pancake) recipe, a real South African treat served with cinnamon sugar and fresh lemon.

South African Pannekoek (Pancakes) - aninas recipes (13)

Votes: 19
Rating: 3.53
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Course After dessert treat, dessert
Cuisine South African
Prep Time 10 min
Cook Time 30 min
Servings

pancakes

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 cup cooking oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • pinch salt
  • cinnamon sugar to serve
  • fresh lemon to serve
Course After dessert treat, dessert
Cuisine South African
Prep Time 10 min
Cook Time 30 min
Servings

pancakes

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 cup cooking oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • pinch salt
  • cinnamon sugar to serve
  • fresh lemon to serve

South African Pannekoek (Pancakes) - aninas recipes (14)

Votes: 19
Rating: 3.53
You:

Rate this recipe!

Instructions

  1. Add all the wet ingredients (water, eggs, lemon juice and oil) in a bowl with an electric hand mixer at the ready. Give it a quick beat with the mixer until all the wet ingredients are incorporated.

  2. While beating, slowly add the flour and baking powder, and mix until smooth shiny batter. Add salt and mix through.

  3. Keep a cup of water at your side once you start baking. You can add small amounts to the batter as you go. This just thins the batter out before you bake.

  4. Heat a non stick pan on medium heat. The pan should be hot, but the heat must not be otherwise you can burn the bottom of your pancake before it's cooked through.

  5. Scoop about a ladle full into a hot non stick pan.

  6. Tilt the pan when you pour the batter in, to spread it out all over the pan. Place back on medium heat. Once the pancake batter starts pulling away from the sides, with bubbles in the batter on top, it's ready to flip and cook for a few more seconds on the other side.

  7. Once cooked, transfer to a plate and generously sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Roll the pancake from one side and cover until you have a stack.

  8. Serve with fresh lemon juice.

Recipe Notes

Top tip: Put a few plain pancakes aside and keep in the fridge to use for a lunch with a delicious savoury filling.

If you have smallish eggs, add one more egg to the batter to help settle in the pan and to reduce cracking.

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About The Author

South African Pannekoek (Pancakes) - aninas recipes (18)

anina

Food blogger, Recipe Developer, Food Stylist and Photographer currently living the slow life in Cape Town, South Africa. I love to share easy and delicious recipes the whole family would enjoy.

South African Pannekoek (Pancakes) - aninas recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is pannekoek in English? ›

pannekoek, large thin Dutch pancake typically cooked with various sweet or savory fillings, including bacon, cheese, and apples.

Why do you put cream of tartar in pancakes? ›

Without cream of tartar, the meringue wouldn't be as strong, which may result in pancakes that aren't as tall and fluffy as they could be,” she mentions. “Or you'd have a batter that weeps or begins to separate while it waits for its turn on the griddle.”

What makes pancakes tough and chewy? ›

Over-mixing pancake batter develops the gluten that will make the pancakes rubbery and tough. For light, fluffy pancakes, you want to mix just until the batter comes together—it's okay if there are still some lumps of flour. Fat (melted butter) makes the pancakes rich and moist.

What is the difference between pancakes and pannenkoeken? ›

Pannenkoeken are usually larger (up to a foot in diameter) and much thinner than their American or Scotch pancake counterparts, but not as thin as crêpes. They may incorporate slices of bacon, apples, cheese, or raisins.

What's the difference between a crepe and a pannekoek? ›

Dutch Pancakes, or as my relatives call them Pannekoeken, are super similar to French Crepes!! French Crepes and Dutch Pancakes are built with 3 basic ingredients: flour, milk and eggs. The only difference between the two are that a French Crepe is considerably thinner as its batter uses twice as much milk.

What happens if I don't use cream of tartar in a recipe? ›

Without cream of tartar, you'll get the same baked good in the end, but the consistency may not be as flawless. If you're worried about your cake coming out too flat or your lemon meringue pie going runny, adding cream of tartar is an effective way to prevent it.

Is cream of tartar just baking soda? ›

Even though they're similar in colour, consistency and packaging, baking soda and cream of tartar are totally different ingredients. Baking soda is alkaline and commonly used in recipes that mix moisture plus an acidic ingredient (such as lemon juice, chocolate, buttermilk or honey) together to make batter rise.

What can I substitute for cream of tartar? ›

The Best Substitute for Cream of Tartar

For every 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar in the recipe, use 1 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar. As an example, if your cookie recipe calls for 1 teaspoon baking soda, add 2 teaspoons lemon juice instead of the cream of tartar.

What is Queen Elizabeth's pancake recipe? ›

Beat two eggs with 4 tablespoons of sugar and about one teacup (or 3/4 of a cup) of milk. Add 4 teacups of flour and mix in another teacup of milk "as required" Mix in 3 teaspoons of cream of tartar and 2 tablespoons of bicarbonate soda (baking soda) Fold in 2 tablespoons of melted butter.

Should you let pancake batter rest? ›

Q – Should I make my batter in advance? A – Ideally make your batter and let it rest for about 30 minutes before cooking. This allows the flour to absorb the liquid, making the pancakes lighter and fluffier.

What happens if you add an extra egg to pancake mix? ›

As the pancakes cook the proteins form a network and tense up, becoming rigid and providing that structure. A word of caution though — if you add too many eggs you'll end up with a loose pancake batter that will need to be balanced with more pancake mix.

Is a Dutch baby the same as a pannekoeken? ›

They both can be made with the same mix but they are made differently. This pannekoeken is designed for an 11 to 12-inch Dutch baby pan or a skillet with rounded sides. This is a five ingredient–five step recipe that really goes together quickly.

What do they call pancakes in Russia? ›

Blini (plural blinis or blini, rarely bliny; Russian: блины pl.), singular: blin, are an Eastern European pancake made from various kinds of flour or buckwheat, wheat, etc.

What do the French call American pancakes? ›

we cal them crepes. Check out this awesome step by. step guide on how to make the perfect French.

How do you eat a Pannekoek? ›

Traditionally, Dutch pancakes filled or not, are rolled and then eaten. Slice them and use a fork and knife if you're feeling civilized, or just grab it with your fingers and dig in.

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