How To Thicken Pancake Batter [5 Easy Fixes]
So you’ve promised your family a decadent weekend breakfast of fluffy, golden pancakes with all their favourite toppings.
But once you’ve mixed together all your ingredients for your batter, you’ve discovered that your batter is just way too runny.
It’s a common problem, and it’s usually caused by a little too much liquid being added alongside the dry ingredients.
Perhaps you used large eggs when the recipe called for medium sized, maybe you were a little too heavy handed with the milk, or you could just be following a recipe that hasn’t been vigorously tried and tested before publishing.
Whatever the cause, the good news is that you’ve got several reliable options when it comes to how to thicken pancake batter.
In this guide, I’m going to explain the best methods for fixing runny batter, so you can get them cooking in the pan ASAP!
(By the way, you might also want to take a look at my additional guides to troubleshooting common pancake problems, including how to fix pale pancakes, and how to fix dense pancakes).
1. Add All-Purpose Flour
One of the most straightforward ways to thicken pancake batter is to add all-purpose flour.
Simply whisk in a small amount of flour at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
Be careful not to over-mix the batter, as this can cause the pancakes to become tough.
Adding flour is my favourite method for thickening pancake batter as it’s effective and it’s super straightforward, but maybe you’ve ran out of flour, or you just want to try something a little different.
Let’s take a look at some alternative options…
2. Add Starch
To achieve a thicker pancake batter, you can introduce additional starch.
Starches like potato starch and cornstarch are excellent options for thickening pancake batter without making it too dense or changing its flavour significantly.
They absorb liquids efficiently, giving your batter a thick consistency while creating a perfectly fluffy pancake.
When opting for potato starch, it’s ideal to start by adding a teaspoon to your existing batter and then adjust accordingly.
Potato starch tends to swell when heated, causing the batter to thicken more noticeably than cornstarch.
Be cautious not to overdo it, as adding too much can result in an undesirable texture.
On the other hand, cornstarch is more commonly found in kitchens and works just as effectively.
To incorporate cornstarch into your pancake batter, sift in a small amount (around a tablespoon) while mixing, ensuring that the starch is evenly distributed.
Allow the batter to sit for 5 minutes before checking the consistency and assessing your next steps.
Once again, it’s crucial not to add too much cornstarch, as over-thickening can lead to dry and heavy pancakes.
3. Add Coconut Flour
Coconut flour is a good choice for thickening pancake batter as it adds a slightly tropical twist to the finished product!
As with traditional flour, add just a little bit at a time and test as you go.
4. Add Mashed Banana or Pumpkin Puree
One popular and delicious way to thicken pancake batter is to add mashed banana or pumpkin puree.
Not only do these additions make the batter thicker, they also add natural sweetness and extra flavour.
To use mashed banana, simply mash a ripe banana with a fork until it reaches a smooth consistency.
Ripe bananas are best because they are sweeter and easier to mash.
For an average pancake batter recipe, adding one medium-sized mashed banana should be enough.
Stir the mashed banana into the batter until fully combined, then cook your pancakes as usual.
Pumpkin puree can also be used in a similar manner to thicken pancake batter.
You can easily make pumpkin puree at home by cooking, mashing, and straining fresh pumpkin, or you can buy it in tins from most supermarkets.
To achieve the desired thickness in pancake batter using pumpkin puree, add about 60g to 90g of pumpkin puree to your usual pancake batter recipe.
5. Add Greek Yoghurt
I always like to have a tub of Greek yoghurt in my fridge, as it’s high in protein, nutritious, and can be used for such a wide variety of purposes.
Adding a spoonful of thick Greek yoghurt to your pancake batter can help to thicken it up, and it also gives your pancakes a deliciously tangy taste.
As you can see, fixing runny pancake batter can be simple and straightforward when you know the methods that work!
Just choose one of these fixes, and you’ll have perfectly cooked pancakes on the table in no time at all.
