Sourdough Dutch Baby Pancake (2024)

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This easy sourdough Dutch baby pancake has a delicious, soft center with the classic puffiness of your favorite German pancake recipe but made healthier with fermented grains. It’s the perfect recipe for all that sourdough discard.

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Sourdough Dutch baby pancakes, German pancakes, or cast iron pancakes – whatever you want to call them – they are an extremely easy and delicious breakfast. By golly, sometimes we have them for lunch, as well.

Throw all the ingredients into a blender, pour into a hot cast iron skillet, and you are only a few minutes away from a nourishing and healthy breakfast.

These are easy enough to whip up and bake while we head out for chores, with the excitement of coming back to a satisfying breakfast. They are even fancy enough for Christmas morning, dusted with powdered sugar and served with berry syrup.

Personally, while I like regular pancakes, I hate standing over the stove flipping them over and over. The kids disappear with them, enjoying them together at the table, while poor mom is stuck flipping the last pancakes and then sitting at the table alone to eat since everyone else has finished.

Surely, I am not the only one who feels this way? So to be able to make a pancake that is baked in the cast iron skillet and not have to stand there flipping… sign me up.

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Sourdough Dutch Baby Pancake Tips:

  • Make sure your cast iron skillet is nice and hot. This helps it bake fast and the sides to be nice and puffy.
  • Sauté some chopped apples first in the cast iron skillet with a little cinnamon until soft, add the butter; once melted, pour the batter over the apples and bake. Seriously so yummy.
  • This recipe can be made using sourdough discard or active sourdough starter.
  • Don’t open the oven door until the pancake has been baking at least 15 minutes. Opening it too soon can make the dutch baby deflate.
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FAQ

Are Dutch babies and German pancakes the same?

Yes, German pancakes are the same thing as “Dutch babies”, which originated in Germany.

What makes a Dutch Baby rise?

The eggs and the milk are what really gives this pancake its rise, due to the steam that is created when the pancake bakes in a hot oven.

What does a Dutch baby taste like?

It tastes like a custard-like pancake with fluffy sides. Not too sweet, but delicious with a variety of toppings.

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Tools you may need:

Cast iron skillet

Blender or large bowl and whisk

Measuring cups and spoons

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Ingredients

  • Eggs – Preferably pasture-raised for those beautiful and healthy dark golden yolks.
  • Sourdough starter – This can be active starter or even discard.
  • Milk – I prefer whole milk for extra creaminess.
  • Salt – Don’t forget this important ingredient. It helps bring out all the flavors in the dish and, if you skip it, your recipe may taste dull and flat.
  • Vanilla – Homemade or store-bought, it adds the subtle undertones of vanilla throughout the recipe.
  • Maple syrup or honey – Either will work and lend itself to slightly different flavors and a pleasant sweetness.
  • Butter – I love using homemade butter from our own dairy cow, but since most people don’t have one of those bellowing in their yard, use the best quality butter you can.
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How To Make Sourdough Dutch Baby Pancakes

Preheat oven to 425.

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In a large bowl or blender, add eggs, sourdough starter, milk, salt, vanilla, and honey. Whisk or blend until smooth. I love using the blender for this, because it literally takes like three seconds.

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Add butter to a 12 inch cast iron skillet and place into the hot oven to melt.

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Pour the batter over the melted butter and place into the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes until puffed up. Do not open up the oven to check on the Dutch baby. Opening the oven too early can cause the pancake to lose its puff and deflate.

Serve right away with butter, fruit, or syrup.

Find More Delicious Sourdough Breakfast Ideas:

  • Sourdough Breakfast Strata
  • Breakfast Pizza Recipe With Sourdough Crust
  • Sourdough French Toast From Scratch
  • Mascarpone Stuffed Sourdough French Toast Casserole
  • Sourdough Scones
  • Cast iron French toast casserole

If you try this recipe and love it, I would love if you gave it 5 stars! Thank you!

Sourdough Dutch Baby Pancake (11)

Sourdough Dutch Baby Pancake

This easy sourdough Dutch baby pancake has a delicious, soft center with the classic puffiness of your favorite German pancake recipe but made healthier with fermented grains. It's the perfect recipe for all that sourdough discard.

4.56 from 350 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Author: Lisa

Ingredients

  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 cups sourdough starter
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
  • 6 tablespoons butter

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425.

  • In a large bowl or blender, add eggs, sourdough starter, milk, salt, vanilla, and honey. Whisk or blend until smooth.

  • Add butter to a 12 inch cast iron skillet and place into the hot oven to melt.

  • Pour the batter over the melted butter and place into the preheated oven.

  • Bake for 15-20 minutes until puffed up.

  • Serve right away with butter, fruit, or syrup.

Notes

  • Make sure your cast iron skillet is nice and hot. This helps it bake fast and the sides to be nice and puffy.
  • This recipe can be made using sourdough discard or active sourdough starter.
  • Don’t open the oven door until the pancake has been baking at least 15 minutes. Opening it too soon can make the Dutch baby deflate.

Nutrition

Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 218mg | Sodium: 362mg | Potassium: 109mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 642IU | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 1mg

Sourdough Dutch Baby Pancake (2024)

FAQs

Why did my Dutch baby pancake not rise? ›

There are two main culprits to flat, sad Dutch baby pancakes: Your oven wasn't hot enough. The hotter your oven, the more puffed your Dutch baby pancake will be. Make sure to preheat the oven for at least 10 minutes before baking the batter.

What is a Dutch baby pancake made of? ›

Dutch Baby Ingredients

Eggs and milk: This light and fluffy Dutch baby recipe starts with two eggs whisked with milk. Flour: All-purpose flour lends structure and helps hold the batter together. Seasonings: These sweet Dutch babies are flavored with nutmeg and a pinch of salt.

Why are my sourdough pancakes gummy? ›

Why are my sourdough pancakes gummy? Gummy sourdough pancakes are usually due to cooking issues. Be sure to fully cook the pancakes all the way through.

How many calories are in a Dutch baby? ›

An oven-baked, light and delicate, "German" pancake. Served with lemon wedges, whipped butter and extra powdered sugar for a truly special treat.

Why is my Dutch baby so flat? ›

The recipe doesn't contain any chemical leavening as the milk and eggs create steam that causes the Dutch Baby to rise. If the pancake was a little flat it is most likely that either the oven or the skillet (or other pan) was not hot enough.

Why are my pancakes not fluffy enough? ›

Making pancake and waffle batter ahead of time is a huge no-no and will lead to flat, dense results every time. Even letting your batter hang out for just a few minutes after you've mixed it before you start ladling it onto the griddle will lead to less fluffy results.

What is the difference between Yorkshire pudding and Dutch baby pancake? ›

A Dutch baby is very similar to a Yorkshire pudding, with a few differences: the Yorkshire pudding is more likely to be baked in individual servings, the pan is usually greased with beef drippings, and the result is rarely sweet. Dutch babies are larger, use butter rather than beef fat, and are frequently sweet.

What is special about Dutch pancakes? ›

A Dutch pancake is usually larger and much thinner than the thick and fluffy American pancakes. If you order a Dutch pancake at PANCAKES Amsterdam, you will get a delicious thin pancake with a diameter of 32 centimeters.

Why is it called Dutch baby? ›

German pancakes and Dutch babies are essentially the same thing, but the dish is said to have originated in Germany, not the Netherlands. The term “Dutch baby” was coined by an American restaurateur whose use of “Dutch” was a corruption of the word “Deutsch” (“German” in German).

Is sourdough good for you? ›

The Bottom Line. Sourdough has made a comeback—and for good reason. It provides nutrients, including healthy carbs, protein, fiber, iron and vitamins like folic acid. It may help improve digestion, lower chronic disease risk and even promote healthy aging.

Why are my sourdough pancakes flat? ›

Why are my sourdough pancakes flat? Your baking soda and baking powder may no longer be active.

What do sourdough pancakes taste like? ›

TASTE: Just a word to the wise, these taste like pancakes from your favorite restaurant. Thick, fluffy, soft, and delicious! They do NOT have a sour flavor, and most likely no one would know you used your sourdough starter when making them!

What does a Dutch baby taste like? ›

Dutch Baby Pancakes taste like Crepes but in pancake form. The batter puffs up to form a billowy crust with a custard-like center. We also included instructions for making a Berry Dutch Baby and even a Double Dutch.

What is a dutch baby at the original pancake house? ›

The Dutch Baby puffs up very tall like a soufflé when baked in the hot oven, then it falls when it is removed. The resulting dish is rich and eggy, almost custard-like in the center, with crispy brown edges. It is truly a culinary treat! The Dutch Baby is one of our specialties at The Original Pancake House.

Is Dutch baby milk good for baby? ›

Dutch Baby Baby Milk Formula is rich in DHA, Calcium, Vitamin D, and Protein to ensure your little bundle of joy grows healthy and happy.

Why did my pancakes come out flat? ›

Flat pancakes are nearly always because of expired baking powder, too little baking powder for the recipe size, or too thin of a batter. How to fix flat pancakes: First, test your baking powder by adding a teaspoon of baking powder in a glass and adding a tablespoon of water or two.

How long should you let pancake batter rise? ›

A – Ideally make your batter and let it rest for about 30 minutes before cooking. This allows the flour to absorb the liquid, making the pancakes lighter and fluffier.

Does baking powder make pancakes rise? ›

Baking soda is essential for baked goods, but baking powder is really what makes pancakes and biscuits rise and become so super fluffy. Double-acting baking powder, which is the kind that you'll find in the grocery store, produces bubbles in two ways: when it is mixed with wet ingredients and then when it gets heated.

Why won t my pancakes work? ›

My pancakes are too flat

If your mixture looks more like stale dishwater than it does batter, then you've added too much liquid. Add a little more flour to thicken it, so the batter drips (not runs) off the spoon. Another factor that leads to flatter-than-flat pancakes is the baking powder.

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