Happy Pancake Day! Whether you’re planning an epic pancake breakfast or a savoury pancake dinner, it’s time to start dusting off your pancake-making equipment and getting ready to flip. But for those who can barely crack an egg or who want to speed up the pancake making process, you could make things quicker and easier for yourself by using an air fryer to make this year’s pancake stack.
Yes, you read that right. It turns out you can cook a lot of things in an air fryer and UK retailer Currys is claiming that you can make the perfect pancakes in less than 5 minutes, simply by using an air fryer.
The best air fryers have taken over everyone’s kitchens as a quick, versatile and healthy piece of kitchen tech that makes delicious meals while using less oil and less energy to do so. Air fryers have completely changed the way people cook but when it comes to the best foods to make in an air fryer, we didn’t see pancakes topping that list.
Pancakes are incredibly easy to make (see how to make pancakes perfectly for our tips) – all you need is a pan and a spatula! However, if your pancakes always come out lopsided, burnt or stuck to the bottom of your pan, it could be worth giving the air fryer pancake a try. We asked Rebecca Dixon, kitchen expert at Currys exactly how to do it… and here’s how.
How to make pancakes in an air fryer
This easy scotch pancake recipe from Currys will take you 5 minutes and the only equipment you need is an air fryer, greaseproof baking paper, a whisk and a bowl. Below is the air fryer pancake recipe, as shown on the Currys TikTok page:
Step 1: Mix together 200 grams of self-raising flour, 2 tablespoons of caster sugar and 1 teaspoon of baking powder in a bowl.
Step 2: In a different bowl, mix your wet ingredients – 250 millilitres of milk, 1 egg and a tablespoon of melted unsalted butter.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Step 3: Combine the wet and dry ingredients together until you get a thick batter.
Step 4: Put greaseproof baking paper in the bottom of your air fryer and ladle on a spoonful of pancake batter.
Step 5: On top of the batter, layer another piece of baking paper followed by another ladle-full of batter. Keep going until you’re out of batter but you still have some room in your air fryer – you don’t want to overcrowd things!
Step 6: Bake in your air fryer at 160° for 5 minutes. If they’re still a little runny, let your pancakes cook for a couple minutes longer.
To make this recipe, Currys recommend using the Tefal EasyFry 3-in-1 Air Fryer, Grill & Steamer which is currently £159, thanks to a £30 price cut. Our air fryer expert tested out this air fryer in our Tefal EasyFry 3-in-1 Air Fryer review and found it to be convenient, easy to clean up and a good option if you’re trying to lose weight and cut down your energy usage.
Should you make pancakes in an air fryer?
Now the real question is this: should you make pancakes in an air fryer?
If you already have an air fryer, it could be an energy-saving way to make your stack of pancakes this Shrove Tuesday. Air fryers are also less clean-up than the traditional pan method, especially if you don’t have a non-stick pan. As mentioned in the recipe, the air fryer pancakes only take 5 minutes, which is pretty quick if you’re in a rush.
The main negative to the air fryer pancakes is that pans are cheaper than air fryers, so it’s arguably easier and more cost-effective to fire up the best non-stick frying pan that you already have at home rather than getting a new air fryer. If you fancy a thinner pancake like a crepe, this recipe won’t make that for you and air fryer pancakes require no flipping, and isn’t getting a pancake stuck to your ceiling all part of the fun?!
Regardless, if you’ve wanted an air fryer for a while, this could be your sign to invest in one, so head over to Currys to shop their selection of air fryers or take a look through our deals widget below for the latest cheap prices on air fryers.
Beth is Home Editor for T3, looking after style, living and wellness. From the comfiest mattresses to strange things you can cook in an air fryer, Beth covers sleep, yoga, smart home, coffee machines, watches, grooming tools, fragrances, gardening and much more. If it's something that goes in your house, chances are Beth knows about it and has the latest reviews and recommendations! She's also in the know about the latest deals and discount codes from top brands and retailers.
Having always been passionate about writing, she’s written for websites, newspapers and magazines on a variety of topics, from jewellery and culture, to food and telecoms. You can find her work across numerous sites, including Wedding Ideas Magazine, Health & Wellbeing, The Bristol Post, Fashion & Style Directory, TechRadar, CreativeBloq and more. In her spare time, Beth enjoys running, reading, baking and attempting craft projects that will probably end in disaster!
-
The ultimate air fryer Christmas cooking guide, according to Tefal experts
How to make Christmas dinner in an air fryer, including turkey, potato and dessert tips
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Tower Vortx Air Fryer review: straightforward design with a budget-friendly price
Stylish, affordable and easy to use? Go on then
By Lizzie Wilmot Published
-
T3's ultimate Christmas dinner gadget guide: for sides, mains and beyond
We take a look at the best dinner gadgets to make Christmas lunch easier and hassle free
By Max Slater-Robins Published
-
Ninja takes on Instant Pot with its own slow cooker – it’s perfect for one-pot meals
Ninja’s Foodi 8-Mode PossibleCooker is finally available to buy
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Brevoy Portable Espresso Maker review: a top battery-powered device for making espressos on the go
Ingenious espresso-making contraption for top-flight espressos in the great outdoors
By Derek Adams Published
-
De’Longhi La Specialista Opera review: is this the best domestic espresso machine ever?
Brilliantly easy espresso and cold brew maker for discerning coffee connoisseurs
By Derek Adams Published
-
Ninja reveals 73% of people use an air fryer instead of an oven – here are 3 reasons you should too
Have you made the switch yet?
By Lizzie Wilmot Published
-
9 Great British Bake Off appliances you need in your kitchen
Become Star Baker in your own kitchen with these Great British Bake Off appliances
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published