Whether you like them slathered with lemon and sugar or stacked up high with bacon and syrup, you can’t deny that pancakes are versatile, easy-to-cook and downright delicious. And, if you’ve been waiting for an excuse to whip up a batch, luckily for you, Pancake Day is fast approaching. To help you mark the occasion, we’ve answered all your pancake-related questions below and shared the best pancake topping ideas using the very best ingredients. We’ve also got a fool-proof easy pancake recipe for you to try too. So, now all that’s left to do is master the great pancake toss!
When is Pancake Day 2025?
In 2025, Pancake Day falls on Tuesday 4th March. The date is different each year, and that’s because it’s dependent on the date of Easter, which itself shifts because of our lunar calendar. You might well wonder what the moon has to do with Pancake Day, and you wouldn’t be alone in asking. Well, Easter is always on the first full Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox (March 21st). This year, that Sunday falls on April 20th. Pancake Day always takes place 47 days before Easter Sunday – and the day before the start of Lent - and that’s why it’s on March 4th this year.
Why do we celebrate Pancake Day?
Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday as it’s also known, was originally a religious event for those of Christian faith. Pancake Day is the day before Ash Wednesday, or when Lent begins, and traditionally this was a time for Christians to give up certain food products to mark the days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert before his death. Shrove Tuesday – and the cooking of pancakes – was therefore a good way to use up eggs, butter and milk before the fasting that preceded Easter.
What are the best pancake toppings?
This really comes down to preference. While some people love pancakes with sweet flavours such as honey and ice cream, other people prefer to treat pancakes as a savoury base, adding combinations such as avocado and eggs, smoked salmon and cheese, or even sauteed mushrooms and garlic. Some of our favourite pancake topping ideas include:
- Chorizo and scrambled egg
- Spinach and artichoke dip
- Pesto and sun-dried tomatoes
- Roasted vegetables and hummus
- Avocado and poached eggs
- Fresh berries and cream
- Lemon curd with blueberries
- Cherries and flaked almonds
- Greek yoghurt and honey
- Bacon and maple syrup
- Caramelised apples and cinnamon
- Melted chocolate and bananas
For more great topping ideas, along with the best ingredients to use, scroll down.
What are some of the different types of pancakes?
Pancakes come in all sorts of different forms and are enjoyed in various ways across the world. Here are some of the most popular types of pancakes:
- American-style pancakes: These classic pancakes are often made with buttermilk, and are known for their light and fluffy texture. They’re usually served in stacks, and drizzled with syrup or honey.
- Crepes: Thin, delicate and mouth-wateringly good, crepes are the French version of pancakes. Super versatile, they can be enjoyed with savoury or sweet toppings and are usually folded or rolled when served.
- Japanese souffle pancakes: Light and fluffy, and with a souffle-like texture, these are made with whipped egg whites, and look truly stunning. They tend to be served as a sweet dish with fruit and cream.
- Pikelets: These are traditionally eaten in Australia and New Zealand and, while they look like American pancakes, are usually denser and sweeter. They are often served with butter or jam on top.
How do you make pancakes?
Pancakes are traditionally made of a batter featuring milk, flour and eggs, but the exact ratio and any extra ingredients depends on the type of pancake you’re making.
For an easy American pancake recipe, look no further. The experts at Miele have shared their foolproof recipe here:
How to make American pancakes
Ingredients
130g plain flour, sieved
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 tbsp golden caster sugar
130ml whole milk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tbsp melted butter (allowed to cool slightly), plus extra for cooking
Method
1. Place the flour, baking powder, salt and caster sugar into a large bowl. In a separate bowl, lightly whisk together the milk and egg, then whisk in the melted butter.
2. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture and, using a fork, beat until you have a smooth batter. Allow the batter to stand for a few minutes.
3. Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and add a knob of butter. When the butter has melted, add a ladle of batter.
4. Once the top of the pancake begins to bubble, turn it over and cook until both sides are golden brown and the pancake has risen. Repeat until all the batter is used up.
5. Serve with your favourite toppings of choice.
Can you make vegan pancakes and gluten-free pancakes?
Yes! Most recipes feature a dairy-free milk alongside gluten-free flour or a flour substitute, and then include something like bananas to bind it.
Here’s one gluten-free and vegan pancake recipe from STAUB and recipe creator Brit Woodruff from Naturally B…
Ingredients for 8 pancakes
145g jumbo oats
300ml oat milk
1 ripe banana
2 tbsp maple syrup
1tsp baking powder
Coconut oil (to cook)
Method
1. Mash the banana and mix with the oat milk and maple syrup.
2. Place the oats into a food processor along with the baking powder and blitz until the oats are a flour consistency.
3. Slowly add the banana mixture to the oats and blitz until combined.
4. Heat a little coconut oil in a cast iron pan over a low heat.
5. Use a ladle to spoon out one scoop of the pancake batter.
6. Allow to cook for 1-2 minutes then use the wooden spatula to flip the pancake and cook for a further 1-2 minutes on the other side
7. Repeat until all the batter is used. To serve, top with coconut yoghurt, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, pecans and desiccated coconut and enjoy!
Best pancake toppings to try
Here’s our round-up of some of the best pancake toppings to try this Pancake Day, all featuring award-winning ingredients from the Great British Food Awards…
