Light, fluffy pancakes enriched with creamy ricotta—delicate on the inside with golden edges and a subtly tangy richness. Ideal for a special breakfast or brunch treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Extra fluffy texture from ricotta
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Mild tang adds depth of flavor
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Quick and easy—just mix and cook
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Versatile: top with fruit, syrup, nuts, or yogurt
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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1 cup ricotta cheese
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3⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
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1 Tbsp sugar
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1 tsp baking powder
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¼ tsp baking soda
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Pinch of salt
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¾ cup milk (plus extra if needed)
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2 large eggs, separated
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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Butter or oil, for cooking
Directions
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Combine dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
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Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk ricotta, milk, egg yolks, and vanilla until smooth.
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Fold together: Add dry mix to wet and stir gently until just combined; batter should be thick.
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Whip egg whites: In a clean bowl, beat egg whites to soft peaks.
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Fold in whites: Gently fold whipped whites into batter—this ensures light, fluffy pancakes.
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Preheat skillet: Heat a non-stick pan or griddle over medium-low and add butter or oil.
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Cook pancakes: Scoop ~¼ cup batter per pancake. Cook until edges set and bubbles form (~2–3 min), then flip and cook 1–2 min until golden.
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Serve: Stack hot pancakes and top as desired.
Servings and timing
Servings: 8–10 pancakes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10–12 minutes
Total time: ~22 minutes
Variations
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Lemon ricotta: Stir in 1 tsp lemon zest for bright flavor
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Blueberry ricotta: Fold in fresh or frozen blueberries before cooking
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Chocolate chip: Add ¼ cup mini chocolate chips to the batter
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Whole grain twist: Substitute half the flour with whole wheat
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Spiced variation: Mix in ¼ tsp cinnamon or cardamom
Storage/Reheating
Store cooled pancakes in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze in a single layer then bagged for up to 2 months. Reheat in a toaster, oven at 350 °F for 5–7 minutes, or microwave briefly until warmed.
FAQs
Are ricotta pancakes dense?
Not at all—they’re airy and light, thanks to whipped egg whites and ricotta’s moisture.
Can I use cottage cheese instead?
You can—pulse in a blender for smoothness, though texture will be slightly different.
Do I need to separate eggs?
Yes—the whipped whites create the fluffy lift; don’t skip this step.
Can I make the batter ahead?
Mix through step 5, then refrigerate up to 24 hours. Fold in whipped whites just before cooking.
Are they gluten-free?
Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.
Can I use non-dairy milk?
Yes—any plant milk works fine; adjust thickness if batter becomes too thin.
What toppings go well?
Fresh berries, maple syrup, honey, yogurt, nut butter, or lemon curd all complement beautifully.
Can I make them dairy-free?
Use plant-based ricotta or silken tofu ricotta, non-dairy milk, and dairy-free butter or oil.
Do they freeze well?
Yes—once cooled, freeze in a single layer, then reheat straight from frozen in toaster or oven.
How do I avoid soggy centers?
Cook over medium-low heat and wait for bubbles to appear before flipping.
Conclusion
These Ricotta Pancakes are a fluffy, flavorful upgrade from classic pancakes—creamy, tender, and ready in just minutes. Whether topped with fruit, syrup, or fancied up with zest or chocolate chips, they’re sure to become a favorite breakfast or brunch treat. Enjoy!
Print
Ricotta Pancakes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 pancakes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Pan Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Light, fluffy pancakes enriched with creamy ricotta—delicate on the inside with golden edges and a subtly tangy richness. Ideal for a special breakfast or brunch treat.
Ingredients
1 cup ricotta cheese
¾ cup all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
Pinch of salt
¾ cup milk (plus extra if needed)
2 large eggs, separated
1 tsp vanilla extract
Butter or oil, for cooking
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk ricotta, milk, egg yolks, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined; batter should be thick.
- In a clean bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter to keep it airy and light.
- Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat and add butter or oil.
- Scoop about ¼ cup batter per pancake onto the skillet. Cook until edges set and bubbles form (~2–3 minutes).
- Flip and cook the other side for 1–2 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Repeat with remaining batter, adding more butter or oil to the skillet as needed.
- Serve warm with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Add 1 tsp lemon zest for a lemon ricotta variation.
Fold in blueberries or mini chocolate chips before cooking.
Substitute half the flour with whole wheat for a whole grain version.
Mix in ¼ tsp cinnamon or cardamom for a spiced variation.
Store extras in the fridge or freezer and reheat as needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pancake
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg