Cooking Pancakes on Cast Iron Pans

cooking pancakes on cast iron

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You may associate cast iron pans with cooking savory dishes like steak or bacon. It may not be the first pan that comes to mind when thinking about fluffy pancakes, right? Or, you may think that cast iron pans are for professional chefs or require a lot of upkeep and maintenance. Whatever it may be, we’re here to dispel some assumptions and discover whether or not you could be cooking pancakes on cast iron.  

Cooking Pancakes on Cast Iron Pans

The requirements needed to cook pancakes are pretty straightforward – you need a flat surface and heat. While there are many pans that fit that description, we’re curious to know if the cast iron pan has what it takes to craft the pancakes we all know and love. 

Pancakes require a consistent source of heat which is exactly what the cast iron pan delivers. Once a cast iron skillet has warmed up to the desired temperature, the surface proves to be a reliable method for cooking pancakes evenly. 

Can You Make Pancakes in a Skillet?

cooking pancakes on cast iron
Your cast iron can be old and passed down from generations like these, or any Lodge brand one will do just fine.

This may come as a surprise, but cast iron skillets may arguably be the best method to cook pancakes. I’m sure you’re preparing a rebuttal, but first, let’s dive a little deeper as to why they might be the ideal pan.

  • Heat distribution: Cast iron pans are perfectly designed to evenly distribute heat. As I’m sure we can all agree, even heat is idyllic for cooking a consistent batch of pancakes. Hot spots on a pan translate to uneven and sometimes uncooked pancakes, which would be quite unfortunate.  
  • Natural Non-Stick: Don’t let the rustic appearance fool you. As you use cast iron pans, the butters and oils from the food you cook bond with the skillet, creating a natural non-stick surface. This process is known as “seasoning” the pan. 
  • Texture and Color: Cooking pancakes on a cast iron pan can deliver a beautiful batch of golden flapjacks. The pan lends itself to cooking the pancakes in a way that laces them with crisp shades of gold. 

Tips to Cook Pancakes on a Cast Iron Pan

With any new cookware, it’s important to understand the best practices to ensure correct use and guarantee the best results. 

cooking pancakes on cast iron

You’ve made your pancake batter, and it’s thickened to your desired consistency. Here are a few key tips to remember as you cook your pancakes on a cast iron pan.

  • Warm the Pan: Before you start pouring the batter onto your cast iron skillet, warm the pan to the preferred temperature for five minutes. This will ensure an even temperature throughout the pan. 
  • Test the Heat: The best way to test the heat on the pan is to sprinkle a few drops of water. If the water begins to bubble, the pan is ready. If the water immediately steams, the pan is too hot and needs to cool down. 

And just like that, you’re ready to start cooking pancakes on cast iron pans. A great way to remember all these tips is to jot them down using Morsel. Using our software, you can easily note these tips in your recipes so that you can produce the very best batch of pancakes every time cast iron or not.