Make the best easy, fluffy blueberry pancakes with fruity blueberry compote from scratch in just 30 minutes with my tips! Originally published February 2015. Last updated April 2023.
If you're here for a special pancakes recipe that is perfect for Saturday mornings, you're in the right place. But you can enjoy this recipe even on busier days because it's surprisingly quick. My version of the best ever blueberry pancakes are thick and lightly sweet with delicious bursts of berry goodness! Let's get into the details.
If you enjoy this sweet breakfast recipe, you'll also love my Buttermilk Biscuits with Pear Compote. And check out my Honey Peach Cobbler Cake, too!
What do they taste like?
Blueberry pancakes are buttery and warmly spiced and studded with sweet and tart blueberries. Serving these pancakes with berry compote adds extra blueberry flavor in a thick, juicy sauce so you won't need syrup or honey.
Try my Blueberry Sheet Pan Pancakes for a similar flavor profile!
What You'll Need for this Recipe
What ingredients go into making fluffy pancakes? My secret recipe for the best pancakes is no longer secret. Here's what to add to your grocery list.
- Blueberries are the critical fruity component here. Should I use fresh or frozen blueberries to make pancakes? I prefer fresh for this recipe but frozen will also work. You don't even have to thaw them! Just note that frozen blueberries are more likely to leak during cooking and create blue streaks in your pancakes.
- Milk helps bring the batter together and prevents it from being to thick and dense. Use dairy milk or the plant based milk of your choice. Can I use water in my pancake batter instead of milk? Yes. Just keep in mind that the flavor will be less rich.
- Butter goes in the batter for that classic rich buttery pancake flavor. I also use it in the pan for cooking. Cooking pancakes in butter versus oil is a matter of personal preference and availability. You can substitute based on what's accessible to you.
- Sugar lends light sweetness. You can substitute maple syrup or honey here if you're limited refined sugar. Just remember to add it with the wet ingredients instead of the dry.
- Baking Powder is key to the fluffiest pancakes at home because it helps them rise. Make sure your baking powder is fresh and not out of date.
- Vanilla Extract enhances the other flavors here. You'll notice if it's missing. Swap in bourbon or another extract like almond if you're out of vanilla.
- Nutmeg adds a subtle layer of sweet and warming spice to these pancakes.
- All Purpose Flour
- Sea Salt
- Egg
Tips & Tools
You'll need a large mixing bowl, a whisk and silicone spatula or kitchen spoon to mix up the batter. or mixing Also grab a skillet and spatula to cook the pancakes in. I like to cook pancakes in cast iron skillet but feel free to use what you have on hand.
Can I prep these pancakes in advance? Yes, absolutely. You can mix all the dry ingredients and store to combine with the wet ingredients just before cooking. The dry mix will keep for about one month.
How to get my pancakes extra fluffy? First, carefully check your ingredients for freshness. Expired baking powder will tank the fluffy factor. Next, don't overmix the batter as this activates the gluten and can yield chewy pancakes instead of fluffy ones. Lastly, be sure to use a hot pan.
How to freeze blueberry pancakes? Let the cooked pancakes cool to room temperature. Transfer them to an airtight container or zipper sealed food storage bag with wax or parchment paper in between each to prevent sticking. Seal and store in the freezer for up to two months.
How to Make the Best Blueberry Pancakes
This pancake recipe starts out much like any other. Mix your batter and convey it into a hot pan. From there, sprinkle a few blueberries over top to get fresh, fruity flavor nestled into the pancake. Let it cook then flip! Sprinkling the berries over top instead of folding them into the batter is a trick I picked up from the dining hall chefs during undergrad.
When to flip the pancakes?
That's a common question. You don't want to flip too soon and make a mess but you also don't want one side to burn. When cooking blueberry pancakes (or any pancakes), you'll see bubbles start to form on the surface of the batter. Once the bubbles start to burst, the pancake is ready to flip!
Making the Easy Berry Compote
My easy blueberry compote recipe to top pancakes is simple and calls for just four ingredients. Combine more fresh blueberries, water, sugar, and lemon juice or zest in a small saucepan. Stir and heat this mixture and in no time, you'll have an easy homemade blueberry sauce for your hotcakes. Check out the recipe card below for detailed instructions.
How to Serve a Stack of Blueberry Pancakes
Serve these blueberry pancakes with berry over top. You can add maple syrup, too, if you want to be extra. And you can easily this recipe for brunch at home and do it up with a few other dishes that also seem fancy but are just as easy to make.
Smoky Baked Breakfast Potatoes
More Favorite Unique Pancake Recipes
Dark Chocolate Cherry Pancakes
Orange Pancakes with Champagne Maple Syrup
This recipe yields six pancakes or two short stacks so you can split with someone you love. And digital sharing is also caring so be sure to pin this recipe for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
Best EVER Blueberry Pancakes
Equipment
- 1 skillet
Ingredients
For the Pancakes
- 1 ¼ cup flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup blueberries fresh or frozen
For the Compote
- 1 cup blueberries fresh or frozen
- ¼ cup water
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
To Make the Pancakes
- Add flour, sugar, baking powder, sea salt, and nutmeg to a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine (about 15 seconds).
- Stir in milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract to dry mixture until just combined. Batter will be thick and small lumps are ok. Do not over mix.
- Warm oil or butter to a skillet over medium heat for a couple of minutes. Add about ⅓ cup of pancakes batter to pan and allow to cook for about one minute or until bubbles form on the surface of the batter and start to pop.
- Sprinkle a handful of blueberries over top of the pancake then flip and cook for another 45 seconds or so. Repeat this process with the remaining batter and berries until consumed.
To Make the Compote
- Add blueberries, water, sugar, and lemon zest to a small saucepan over medium heat and stir until sugar is dissolved.
- Cook ingredients for about three minutes until bubbling. Berries will begin to burst.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes. Serve warm over pancakes.
Britney Brown says
These pancakes were better than ihop! This is my husbands favorite thing to have for breakfast and we all loved. The pancakes were so fluffy and soft and that compote on top was everything!
Jessica says
I went overboard buying blueberries on sale so I was really happy to come across these pancakes. They were amazing. So light and fluffy and the compote was not too sweet and the perfect topping for the pancakes. Thank you for such a great recipe!
Jen Sim says
These pancakes were perfectly fluffy and the blueberries added a burst of juicy flavor to every bite. I will definitely be making these again.
Natasha says
When I want to win at breakfast, I make these pancakes. We always have blueberries on hand, and sometimes I buy too many and want to use them before we are forced to compost. This is the PERFECT recipe for them!
Robin says
The blueberry compote was so addicting I made a little extra to use on biscuits and ice cream! The pancakes were also amazing.
Camille says
Hey Jazz! I made your blueberry pancakes with blueberry compote for brunch, and let me tell ya, they were out of this world! My friends were raving about them all day. You've turned me into the brunch queen! Can't wait to try more of your recipes! xx
Marta says
We've started doing family brunch and these fluffy blueberry pancakes were the hit of our most recent one. They tasted ten times better (and were much fluffier) than our favorite breakfast spot. We probably won't eat pancakes out ever again now.
Monica Alexander says
Easy peasy! I’m using all fruit today. Yes I’m making both, for yummy treat during my work at the office week. Sunday Funday is now filled with recipes. Thanks
Funlola Are says
delicious
Monica R says
As a person who doesn't even like fruit, I now want to try these pancakes!!! Looks delicious!!!
jazzmineama says
Thank you!