Sometimes you just need pancakes—soft, fluffy pancakes served hot with maple syrup are the ultimate comfort breakfast. Luckily, we have National Pancake Day. On March 3, IHOP will celebrate Pancake Day with free short stacks of pancakes and ask guests in return to donate to charity.
Of course, there’s no need to limit yourself to traditional buttermilk pancakes. There are a variety of sweet and savory alternatives out there. Why not pay tribute to Pancake Day with these 10 delicious pancakes from around the world?
1. American Buttermilk Pancakes
Photo by Alex Furuya
These fluffy creatures are stacked high and often filled with toppings like blueberries or chocolate chips. No matter the variety, they are tender, soft, and smothered with a more-than-generous pool of maple syrup.
2. French Crêpes
Photo by Emma Delaney
These classy pancakes are made with a simple batter of flour, sugar, egg and milk. They’re thin with satisfyingly crispy edges, and can be filled with anything from nutella to savory cheeses and vegetables.
3. Netherlands Dutch Baby
Photo by Nur Eken
This magical baked pancake puffs up in the often like a soufflé. The pancake, with its velvety, custard inside and perfectly crisp edges, is delicious with a simple of fruit and sugar.
4. Japanese Okonomiyaki
Photo courtesy of Niall Kennedy
These savory pancakes have a basic base of flour, egg and cabbage. The name comes from the Japanese word okomi, literally meaning “what you want.” Accordingly, you can customize with endless add-ons, including spring onions, bacon or shrimp. Get a basic recipe here.
5. Chinese Cong You Bing
Photo courtesy of stu_spivack
These are some of the most decadent savory treats out there. They’re made from dough and stuffed with copious amounts of scallions and sesame oil. The result is fragrant, chewy and amazingly flaky.
6. Mexican Hotcakes
Photo courtesty of Allan Reyes
Hotcakes are soft and fluffy, similar to American pancakes. They’re often made with cornmeal and spiced with cinnamon, leading to an extra fragrant snack. Instead of maple syrup, hotcakes can be topped with anything from condensed milk to fruit jam.
7. Malaysian Apam Balik
Photo by Yun Huang Yong
These are intensely flavorful and nutty desserts. The pancake is made from rice flour, and is often crisp and paper thin. They are traditionally filled with sweet peanut sauce.
8. Eastern European Blintz
Photo courtesy of amygwen
Like French crêpes, these pancakes are soft and thin. However, they’re filled full with a decadent filling of cream cheese that’s brightened up with zesty lemons.
9. Indian Rava Dosa
Photo Courtesy of Balu
This thin savory pancake is made from seminola, rice flour and wheat flour. It’s also spiced up with ingredients like onions, curry leaves, and herbs.
10. Korean Kimchijeon
Photo courtesty of quirkyrocket ❤
This tender pancake is stuffed full with scallions and kimchi, making for a satisfying and mouth-watering snack.
Interested in Pancakes? Here are some more ways to have your pancakes: