Why It's Vital To Let Pancake Batter Rest At Least 15 Minutes

There are few things more satisfying than a big stack of pancakes, and while they're traditionally thought of as a breakfast dish, we think pancakes are great any time of day. They're quick and easy to make, you can freeze them for reheating later, and there are so many different ways to cook them — those big, poofy, and delicious Japanese fluffy souffle pancakes being one of the most popular pancake trends at the moment.

It seems like a simple breakfast food, but there's an art to making the perfect pancake. Get it right, and you've got a fluffy, golden-brown cake that's light and airy yet satisfying. But get it wrong, and you're left with a rubbery, burnt mess. If you really want to level up your pancake game, there's one secret ingredient you need: time. One of the most important steps in making pancakes is also one that's often overlooked: letting the batter rest for at least 15 minutes before cooking.

Pancakes made from scratch are typically made with baking powder, which is a leavening agent that helps them to rise and become fluffy. When you mix the batter together, the baking powder chemically reacts with the other ingredients to create bubbles of carbon dioxide gas (via NanoTemper). This is what makes your pancakes light and airy instead of dense and rubbery.

If you don't let the batter rest, the pancakes won't have enough time to allow the baking powder to do its thing. What you'll end up with are pancakes that are flat instead of fluffy. The longer you let the batter sit, the more time the baking powder has to work its magic. If you want pancakes that are tall and fluffy, make sure to give your batter a 15-minute break before cooking.

So next time you're feeling like making some pancakes, remember to give the batter a little rest before cooking. It might seem like an extra step, but we promise it's worth it when you take that first bite of a fluffy pancake. And if you're short on time in the morning, you can always make the batter the night before and let it sit in the fridge covered overnight. The batter will still be plenty safe to eat the next day (via Expert Home Tips). So go ahead and indulge in some delicious pancakes any time of day!