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Air Fryer Pancakes (Fluffy, Golden, No Flipping Required)
Thick, fluffy pancakes cooked in the air fryer using a silicone mold — golden on both sides without any flipping.
Total Time
15 min
Difficulty
Easy
Servings
4
Calories
245 cal
Why This Works
The silicone mold contains the batter and allows it to rise upward as the air fryer's convection heat cooks it from all sides. The result is a taller, fluffier pancake than you'd get on a flat griddle, because the batter can't spread out.
My Recipe Testing Notes
Air fryer pancakes are a divisive topic — some people love them, some are skeptical. After testing 20+ batches, I'm firmly in the love camp, with one caveat: you need a silicone pancake mold or small silicone cups to contain the batter. Without a mold, the batter spreads thin and doesn't rise properly. With a mold, you get tall, fluffy pancakes that are golden on the bottom and cooked through without any flipping. I tested boxed mix (Bisquick), homemade batter, and protein pancake mix. All worked well at 360°F for 8-10 minutes.
Ingredients
Instructions
Whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Pour wet into dry and stir until just combined — lumps are fine. Do not overmix.
Preheat air fryer to 360°F. Spray silicone pancake molds generously with cooking spray.
Fill each mold cavity about 2/3 full with batter. Place molds in the air fryer basket.
Air fry at 360°F for 8-10 minutes until the tops look set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cool in the mold for 2 minutes, then pop out. Serve with maple syrup, butter, and fresh berries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make pancakes in an air fryer without a mold?
It's very difficult. Without a mold, the batter spreads thin and doesn't rise properly. You can try placing the batter in a small greased ramekin or using a silicone muffin cup as a substitute. The mold is a small investment that makes a big difference.
What temperature for air fryer pancakes?
360°F is ideal. Higher temperatures (400°F) will brown the outside before the center cooks through. Lower temperatures (320°F) work but take longer. At 360°F, most pancakes are done in 8-10 minutes.
Can I use pancake mix in the air fryer?
Absolutely — Bisquick, Kodiak Cakes, or any boxed pancake mix works perfectly. Just follow the package directions for the batter, then use the same air fryer method. Protein pancake mixes also work great and add nutritional value.
Written by Sarah Jenkins
Former restaurant line cook turned home kitchen obsessive. I've tested over 200 air fryer recipes and I share exactly what works, what doesn't, and the temperatures that make the difference.
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