Oatmeal and Brown Butter Pancakes Recipe

The Food Lab

Unraveling the mysteries of home cooking through science.

J. Kenji López-Alt
Oatmeal and Brown Butter Pancakes Recipe

Light and fluffy pancakes with lots of nutty oatmeal flavor. [Photographs: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt]

These aren't the easiest oatmeal pancakes, but they're damn good ones. Toasted oats, browned butter, tangy buttermilk, and a texture so light and fluffy it makes clouds nervous about keeping their jobs.

Why this recipe works:

  • Toasting steel-cut oats delivers maximum oat flavor in each bite.
  • Browned butter adds nuttiness and complexity.
  • The right balance of dry to wet ingredients and just enough leavening produces pancakes that are hearty but light and fluffy.
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  • Yield:Makes about 16 pancakes, serving 4 o 6
  • Active time: 30 minutes
  • Total time:30 minutes
  • Rated: 4.6666666666667

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces (about 1 cup) steel cut oats
  • 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter
  • 5 ounces (about 1 cup) all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 1/4 ounces (about 3 tablespoons) sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 16 ounces (about 2 cups) buttermilk
  • Vegetable oil, for cooking
  • Warm maple syrup, for serving

Directions

  1. 1.

    Heat oats in a medium skillet over medium heat, tossing and stirring frequently, until toasted and nutty, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool slightly.

  2. 2.

    Add butter to now-empty skillet, place over low heat, and cook, swirling constantly, until solids turn a golden brown and butter smells nutty, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a second bowl.

  3. 3.

    Transfer oats to the jar of a blender and blend on high speed until completely powdered, about 1 minute. Return to bowl. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar, and whisk to combine.

  4. 4.

    Preheat a griddle or a large pan over medium heat. Rub with a paper towel dipped in oil.

  5. 5.

    Add eggs and buttermilk to bowl with browned butter and whisk to combine. Dump dry ingredients into wet ingredients and whisk until just incorporated and no dry pockets or streaks of flour remain but batter is still lumpy.

  6. 6.

    Add batter in 1/3-cup ladles and spread gently with the bottom of the ladle into 4-inch disks. Cook without disturbing until bubbles form on the top surface and bottom is a deep golden brown (peek underneath with a spatula). Carefully flip pancakes and continue cooking until second side is golden brown.

  7. 7.

    Transfer cooked pancakes to a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet and store in a warm oven while you cook the remaining pancakes. Serve pancakes immediately with warm maple syrup.

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For the Best Oatmeal Pancakes, Toast Your Oats and Brown Your Butter
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