1. What are Pancakes?

Pancakes are a type of flat, thin, and round cake made from basic ingredients including flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. People often spread a little butter or oil on the pan before pouring the batter in to cook. Pancakes are commonly eaten for breakfast and enjoyed with syrup, jam, or hot milk.

This dish also has other names such as hotcakes, griddlecakes, and sometimes crepes. The word “crepe” originates from French, derived from the Latin “crispa,” meaning “curled.”

The shape and recipe for pancakes vary from country to country. For example, in the UK, pancakes are usually unleavened and flat like crepes. In North America, they add baking powder to the batter, making the pancakes fluffy and thick. Another variation is in Southeast Europe, where yogurt or ground nuts, raisins, and cream are added to make the pancakes thicker.

2. Types of Pancakes

Japanese Pancakes

In Japan, pancakes are transformed into okonomiyaki – a savory pancake, made with flour, eggs, and cabbage. Or they are made into “Doraemon pancakes” – two flat round cakes sandwiching a red bean paste filling.

The Japanese also have a type of pancake called ouffles, inspired by pancakes but made taller and fluffier.

Korean Pancakes

In Korea, pancakes are also known as Jeon (savory pancakes) with fillings often being savory ingredients like fish, meat, vegetables, kimchi, seafood, etc., mixed together.

There’s also hotteok, a very popular Korean street food. The filling can be red bean paste, cinnamon, chopped walnuts, and sugar. The crust is fried until crispy, the filling is soft and moderately sweet. If you have the chance to visit Korea, you must try this pancake.

Thai Pancakes

Pancakes in Thailand are also known as roti. They are made with eggs, condensed milk, and bananas (or other fruits).

After frying the dough, they cut bananas into the center, fold the pancake into a square, and divide it into smaller squares. Chocolate sauce and condensed milk are drizzled on top.

German Pancakes

Pancakes in Germany are called Pfannkuchen. Pfannkuchen originated in the Brittany region of Northwest France and later spread throughout France and other countries like Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland. They are usually thicker than French crepes and are served as a sweet dish with ice cream, jam, and various fruits.

Especially in Germany, this dish is served on Shrove Tuesday. They spread jam on the pancake along with a few thin slices of banana.

Dutch Pancakes

In the Netherlands, pancakes are called pannenkoeken and are often eaten for lunch and dinner. Pannenkoeken are slightly thicker than crepes and are usually quite large, with a diameter of over 30cm. They are served with various fillings, such as savory, sweet, or fillings rolled inside the pancake.

There is another type of pancake in the Netherlands called Poffertjes. These are small, round pancakes made from leavened dough. They are cooked in a copper or cast iron pan and flipped once with a fork.

They are often sprinkled with powdered sugar or butter and served with various fruits.

Spanish Pancakes

Spanish pancakes are also known as frixuelos or filloas. They are very popular in Northwest Spain.

They are made with flour, milk, and eggs, fried thinly, and served with honey. This is a typical breakfast and snack in Spain.

Nigerian Pancakes

Unlike pancakes in other countries, Nigerian pancakes have a more unique flavor, with the spicy flavor of peppers, the pungent sweetness of sauteed onions combined with plantains.

In addition, the pancake crust is also fried thoroughly and has a darker, richer golden color compared to other pancakes.

Brazilian Pancakes

Pancakes in Brazil are also called blinis. They are thin, layered, and made from tapioca flour, corn flour, and coconut milk.

They are served with various fillings such as chocolate, jam, cheese, condensed milk, etc. Notably, blinis are served with caviar, salted herring, or salted salmon – a traditional dish in Brazil.

This dish is most commonly eaten during Maslenita (New Year’s celebration) in this country.

French Pancakes

The famous French crepe – another variation of pancakes – is also very popular here. These thin pancakes are served with sweet fillings (fruit, ice cream, jam, chocolate, powdered sugar) or made into savory dishes with savory fillings (cheese, ham, mushrooms, eggs).

3. Types of Pancake Mix

Buckwheat Flour

Buckwheat flour is made from buckwheat groats. It’s used to make savory American-style pancakes with a firm texture and delicious, appealing aroma. It can be served with spinach, pancetta, fried eggs, caramelized apples, etc.

Whole Spelt Flour

Spelt is a type of grain related to wheat. Pancakes made from spelt flour have a creamy, smooth flavor. Spices, honey, bananas, etc., are perfect to eat with spelt pancakes.

Almond Flour

Almond flour is made from finely ground almonds. It has a lower carbohydrate content than wheat flour and is gluten-free. So, those who are allergic to gluten or following a gluten-free diet can use it!

Pre-mixed Pancake Mix

This is a perfect solution if you don’t have time to measure ingredients. With the ingredient ratios carefully researched by the manufacturer, you just need to follow the instructions to have a delicious batch of pancakes.

Not only that, pre-mixed pancake mix is now also being used by many clever women to make cookies, sponge cakes, etc.!

4. How to Choose Pancake Mix

Based on Sweet or Savory Pancakes

Depending on what you’re eating with your pancakes, you should choose the corresponding type of mix. For example, if you’re eating pancakes with savory ingredients like cheese, eggs, vegetables, etc., you shouldn’t buy pre-mixed batters that contain added sugar. Mixes with butter and milk are suitable for both savory and sweet pancakes.

Based on Pancake Texture

Depending on the ingredient ratios, pancakes will have a soft, fluffy, or smooth, chewy texture. For example, if made from a batter with a lot of milk, the pancakes will be chewier and softer, while pancakes using more eggs will be fluffier.

Therefore, please refer to the packaging to find the right pancake mix.

Based on the Ingredients in the Mix

Besides the main ingredients like flour, sugar, and baking powder, manufacturers sometimes add other flavors and ingredients such as eggs, milk, etc. For some people, including children, these are ingredients that can cause allergies.

Therefore, you should carefully read the ingredient list and notes on the packaging to avoid buying the wrong type.

Note About Mixes Containing Aluminum

Another note about the ingredients in pancake mix is that some food additives will contain aluminum, usually baking powder. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), you should not consume more than 1mg of aluminum per 1kg of body weight in a week.

Therefore, you should read the ingredients carefully before buying, and also do not eat too many pancakes in a week.

5. Differentiating Crepes and Pancakes

6. Where to Buy Pre-mixed Pancake Mix?

You can easily find pre-mixed pancake mix at supermarkets, specialty baking stores, or buy online through e-commerce websites.

As of September 2021, the price of pancake mix is around 15,000 – 20,000 VND/200g package or 100,000 – 120,000 VND/kg depending on the brand and origin.

Through this article shared by Điện máy XANH, we hope you now know what pancakes are, the types of pancake mix, how to choose the right mix, and where to buy it, so you can pocket this useful information about this dish!