How baking soda and vinegar could Save your flat pancakes

Pancakes are best when they’re soft, fluffy, and golden brown — the kind you’d expect from a cosy diner on a Sunday morning. But for home cooks struggling with flat and floppy results, there may be a simple fix hiding in your pantry.

Reddit’s Pancake-Saving Secret

One Reddit user asked for help after their pancakes kept turning out “floppy and flat and boring.”

The post quickly drew in helpful tips, with several people agreeing on one unusual but effective solution involving two common ingredients.

The Power Combo: Baking Soda and Vinegar

Multiple Reddit users recommended a method that uses both baking soda and vinegar, saying the results were fluffy and delicious.

One person pointed to a recipe from All Recipes that they said worked every time.

Works for More Than Just Pancakes

“This works for anything you want to make fluffy including cakes and muffins,” one user wrote.

“Just mix the baking soda with your dry ingredients, and the vinegar with the liquids in your recipe. Then get the stuff cooking within five minutes of mixing.”

Tried, Tested, and Diner-Approved

Redditor svferris said the method gave them “the fluffiest pancakes” they’d ever made, adding, “I think the vinegar and baking soda combo is key.”

Another user, Othersomethings, said, “This is the recipe I use, and as long as my batter isn’t too runny and I don’t over beat it, they are classic diner fluffy pancakes.”

“Best Pancakes I Ever Made”

In a separate comment, slobberkiss echoed the praise: “Best pancakes I ever made! The combination of vinegar, baking powder and baking soda is what makes them fluffy and delicious.”

These home cooks say the results are consistent and easy to replicate.

What You’ll Need

Here is the full list of ingredients from the recipe mentioned:

• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• Cooking spray

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Gather all ingredients.
2. Combine milk and vinegar in a medium bowl and set aside for five minutes to make sour milk.
3. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl. (Note: sugar is mentioned in this step but is not listed in the ingredients.)
4. Whisk egg and butter into the soured milk.
5. Pour flour mixture into milk mixture and whisk until lumps are gone.
6. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and coat with cooking spray. Pour 1/4 cupfuls of batter onto the skillet. Cook until bubbles form and the edges are dry, about two to three minutes.
7. Flip with a spatula and cook until browned on the other side. Repeat with remaining batter.

A Recipe Worth Bookmarking

The method isn’t just simple, it’s highly recommended by home cooks who’ve tried it themselves.

While it might sound unconventional, baking soda and vinegar appear to be the key to perfect pancake texture.

Just Don’t Wait Too Long

Reddit users note that it’s important to cook the pancakes soon after mixing to get the best rise.

With this easy recipe and a couple of pantry staples, your next pancake breakfast could be your best yet.