It Was the Best: Buttery Banana Pancakes
Fluffy, golden pancakes studded with ripe bananas and finished with a caramelized banana topping—simple yet unforgettable. This american-inspired breakfast ready in about 20 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1 large egg
- 3 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
- 2 medium, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds banana
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Step 1: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, beat milk, egg, and melted butter. Gradually add wet ingredients to dry, mixing until just combined (do not overmix).
- Step 2: Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Pour 1/4 cup batter per pancake and cook for 2-3 minutes until bubbles form on surface and edges are set.
- Step 3: Flip pancakes and cook for 1-2 minutes more. While pancakes cook, melt 1 tbsp butter in a small pan over medium heat, add banana slices, and cook until caramelized (2-3 minutes). Top pancakes with bananas, brown sugar, and maple syrup.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does It Was the Best: Buttery Banana Pancakes take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover It Was the Best: Buttery Banana Pancakes?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in It Was the Best: Buttery Banana Pancakes?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale It Was the Best: Buttery Banana Pancakes for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with It Was the Best: Buttery Banana Pancakes?
American breakfast like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★★
Quick to prep and the results are amazing. A real keeper.