Vegan Buttermilk Pancakes

Name: Vegan Buttermilk Pancakes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup plain vegan yogurt, I use Silk Cultured Coconut Unsweetened Yogurt; 3/4 cup unsweetened plant milk*; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 2 tablespoons oil, I usually use grapeseed oil or melted refined coconut oil; 1 and 1/2 tablespoons sugar or sweetener of choice; 1 cup All Purpose Flour*; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; oil for cooking pancakes, I use grapeseed oi

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These fluffy, tangy, and sweet Vegan Buttermilk Pancakes are an easy, yet scrumptious breakfast staple. Enjoy a stack of the 10-ingredient pancakes as a crowd-pleasing breakfast treat or freeze them for later!

syrup being poured on vegan buttermilk pancakes stacked on a white plate

Can you even call it a proper breakfast or brunch without fluffy pancakes on the table? I don’t think so! My Vegan Buttermilk Pancakes are the fluffiest you’ll ever try and have an extra ‘oomph’ you won’t find in regular vegan pancake recipes.

No, buttermilk isn’t traditionally vegan-friendly, but it’s easy to make a similar vegan version at home. By combining plant based milk and an acid like apple cider vinegar and adding it to pancake batter, your dairy-free friends and family can enjoy the unmatched fluffiness and flavour profile of a stack of buttermilk pancakes!

I really think you’re going to love these vegan buttermilk pancakes because they’re:

Super fluffy, moist, and comforting.
Naturally dairy free, egg free and easy to make gluten free.
A total crowd-pleaser (even for the kids).
Freezer-friendly (pack them away for months at a time)!

This delicious and easy buttermilk pancake recipe is made with only 10 ingredients and is the perfect centrepiece on the brunch table. Serve a big stack alongside my Easy Tofu Scramble and a batch of these 5 Minute Mango Smoothies for a filling and complete meal even the pickiest of eaters will have no problem devouring.

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Is buttermilk vegan?
Vegan pancake ingredients:
How to make vegan buttermilk pancakes:
Tips for success:
Frequently asked questions:
How to store and freeze vegan pancakes:
Serve your fluffy buttermilk pancakes with these vegan breakfast favourites:
Vegan Buttermilk Pancakes

vegan buttermilk pancakes stacked on a cooling rack

Is buttermilk vegan?

Regular buttermilk is made from cow’s milk and is therefore not vegan. Instead, vegans can make their own vegan buttermilk at home by combining ¾ cup of unsweetened plant based milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. After about 5-10 minutes, the acid in the vinegar or lemon juice will almost curdle the milk and give it a tangy flavour, just like classic buttermilk!

Vegan pancake ingredients:

This easy vegan breakfast is made using simple ingredients:

All-purpose flour - Feel free to swap this for pastry, cake, or whole wheat flour to customize your pancakes.
Vegan yogurt - The yogurt reacts with the vegan buttermilk to help the pancakes rise and fluff, plus adds a ton of moisture in each bite. I like to use Silk Cultured Coconut Unsweetened Yogurt, but you can use the plain vegan yogurt of your choice.
Vegan buttermilk - This not only adds a nice tang to the pancakes, but also helps them fluff up. To make vegan buttermilk for pancakes, combine dairy free milk (I like using soy, oat or coconut milk) with apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, along with the rest of the wet ingredients.
Sugar - For a hint of sweetness that balances nicely against the acidic buttermilk.
Baking powder - To help give the pancakes a lift!
Seasonings - A little cinnamon, salt, and vanilla go a long way.

vegan buttermilk pancakes stacked on a white plate with syrup

How to make vegan buttermilk pancakes:

All you need to make soft, fluffy, and comforting vegan pancakes are a few bowls, a skillet or griddle, and just 30 minutes:

Whisk the vegan yogurt, milk, apple cider vinegar, vanilla, oil, and sugar in a bowl.
In a smaller bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet and gently mix them together to make the pancake batter (it’s ok if it’s a little lumpy).
Spoon some of the batter into a hot, well-greased pan. When you see air bubbles form on the top of the pancake, flip it and cook for a few minutes longer.
Serve the fluffy pancakes with vegan butter, maple syrup, berries, or any other vegan toppings you like and enjoy! For full ingredients and instructions see recipe card below

step by step photos how to make vegan buttermilk pancakes

vegan buttermilk pancakes being cut with fork and knife

Tips for success:

To keep the cooked pancakes warm, keep them on a baking sheet in a 200ºF oven.
This recipe makes about 6 vegan pancakes; however, if you’re hosting friends for brunch or feeling extra hungry, you can easily double or triple the recipe!
If you’re making vegan buttermilk pancakes for a crowd, try cooking your pancakes on an electric griddle instead of in a pan. This will allow you to cook 5 or 6 pancakes at once!
soy milk curdles the best for buttermilk but other high protein plant based milks will work too, cashew, oat milk but you can definitely use your favourite, the pancakes will still taste delicious

Frequently asked questions:

What does buttermilk do in pancakes?

Buttermilk tastes tangy on its own, giving buttermilk pancakes an extra bright and tangy flavour. Plus, when it’s mixed with baking powder, extra air bubbles form in the batter and help the pancakes fluff up.

Can they be made gluten free?

Absolutely! To make these vegan buttermilk pancakes gluten free, simply swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten free flour blend.

What can I add to vegan pancakes?

Think of these dairy-free pancakes as a blank canvas - they’re compatible with any fun add-ins you like! I particularly love adding vegan chocolate chips or blueberries to the batter, but you could also add cinnamon, nutmeg, bananas, strawberries, raspberries, chopped peanut butter cups, shredded coconut, and more.

How to store and freeze vegan pancakes:

To store, wrap any leftover pancakes in foil or place them in an airtight container and leave them in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To freeze, let any leftover pancakes cool completely before placing them into a ziploc bag and storing them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat, pop your cold or frozen pancakes into the toaster, zap them in the microwave, or toss them into a hot pan and warm them to your desired temperature.

Serve your fluffy buttermilk pancakes with these vegan breakfast favourites:

Enjoy everyone! Happy Day! Please feel free to comment below and give this recipe a rating. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

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