Skillet German Pancakes

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This deliciously fluffy German Pancakes recipe, made in a cast iron skillet, is a crowd pleaser for brunch or weekend breakfast. Top them with bananas, chocolate, or syrup.

German pancake on plate, half eaten, with fork, knife and napkin

What are German Pancakes?

This satisfying breakfast treat, also known as a Dutch Baby, is said to have originated in Germany. It tastes like a mix of French Toast and American pancakes. Unlike American pancakes, it's a mixture of flour, sugar, and eggs, poured into a cast iron skillet and baked (sometimes apples are placed directly in the batter). Its edges puff to form a fluffy, crispy rim similar to a popover, while the base remains flat and chewy like a French Crêpe. It's ideal for all kinds of toppings, sweet or savory.

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What are German Pancakes?
Ingredients
Instructions
Top Tip
Variations
FAQ
More weekend breakfast recipes
German Pancakes recipe
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Ingredients

for the pancakes:

Eggs
Flour: AP flour works best
Milk: we like full fat milk or 2% milk
Sugar
Butter: unsalted butter
All-spice: gives the pancakes a little depth of flavor

for the filling:

Bananas: ripe bananas work best
Brown sugar: dark brown sugar or light brown sugar works
Mayonnaise
Heavy Cream: whipping cream or heavy cream
Chocolate hazelnut spread (Nutella): for that chocolate flavor
Vanilla extract: real vanilla extract
Chopped nuts: we like pecans or almonds

see recipe card for quantities.

German pancake in skillet, topped with sliced bananas and Nutella

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs, flour, milk, sugar and all-spice. Mix with electric mixer until well blended and smooth.
Place butter in 10" cast iron skillet and place in oven.
Once butter has melted, pour batter into skillet slowly to avoid butter splattering.
Place pan back in oven and continue to cook about 15-18 minutes or until golden brown on edges.
When pancake is done, remove from oven and top with banana slices and chocolate-hazelnut mixture (or toppings of your choice).

Top Tip

Make them Skillet German Pancakes using a small cast iron skillet You can personalize each one (it's like a personal pan pizza, but a pancake!).

German pancake in cast iron skillet, topped with bananas and Nutella + linen napkin

Variations

Topping ideas for German Pancakes:

MONKEY BUSINESS: sliced bananas, chocolate, nutella, and chopped nuts (see recipe below)
SWEET AND SAVORY: roasted grapes, goat cheese. and herbs like this Savory Roasted Grape Dutch Baby
FRESH FRUIT & CREAM: fresh blueberries, strawberries, or peaches and a dollop of whipped cream
KEEP IT SIMPLE: a pat of butter and drizzle of maple syrup
AMERICAN BREAKFAST: bacon, scrambled eggs, cheese and potatoes

FAQ

Can you make German Pancakes in something other than a cast iron skillet?

Yes! You can use any heavy oven safe skillet, baking dish, or pie pan.

What size skillet do you use?

a 9 or 10" skillet is ideal for two servings, but you can use a 5" skillet for personal pancakes or a baking dish for pancakes to share.

Can you use alternative flour to make these pancakes?

Yes, but we admit we have not experimented much with this. AP flour creates the puffy, crispy edges we like best. Let us know if you've had success with other flours.

More weekend breakfast recipes

German pancakes on plate, half eaten with fork

German Pancakes recipe

Print Recipe

These fluffy German Pancakes, made in a cast iron skillet are a crowd pleaser! Top them with bananas, chocolate, or syrup for brunch.

Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 2 portions 1x

Ingredients

Scale

FOR THE GERMAN PANCAKE:

3 eggs
½ c flour
½ c milk
2 tsp sugar
3 tbsp butter
1 tsp all-spice

FOR THE FILLING:

1 banana
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp mayonaise
2 tbsp cream
¼ C chocolate hazelnut spread (Nutella)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp chopped nuts

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs, flour, milk, sugar and all-spice and mix with electric mixer until well blended and smooth.
Place butter in 10 in cast iron skillet and place in oven.
Once butter has melted, pour batter into skillet slowly to avoid butter splattering.
Place pan back in oven and continue to cook about 15-18 minutes or until golden brown on edges.
While in over prepare filling by slicing banana in ¼ in slices and mixing in brown sugar, mayo and vanilla.
Place hazelnut spread in microwave safe bowl along with cream and microwave for 30-40 seconds.
Remove and stir until blended and smooth.
When pancake is done remove from oven and top with banana slices and drizzled chocolate- hazelnut mixture.
Garnish with chopped nuts.

Author: Superman Cooks
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes