Chocolate Chip Pancakes

These classic and fuss-free chocolate chip pancakes are the best adult and kid-approved breakfast! Easy to make with a short list of pantry staples, this simple recipe yields a flawless batch of light and fluffy pancakes with gooey chocolate in every bite.

Is there anything better than a batch of old-fashioned homemade chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast? I don’t think so!

Made with a simple 8-ingredient batter, this chocolate chip pancakes recipe yields fluffy-on-the-inside and golden-on-the-outside pancakes every time. The chocolate chips in every bite are just a bonus! 

Best of all? Just like my apple, cinnamon roll, and red velvet pancakes, these sinfully sweet chocolate pancakes are perfect for whipping up for weekend breakfasts and brunches. You can also batch-cook a stockpile to freeze and enjoy any day of the week!

Table of Contents

1. Why you’ll love these chocolate chip pancakes
2. Ingredients needed
3. How to make chocolate chip pancakes
4. Tips to make the best recipe
5. Variations 
6. Storage instructions
7. Recommended tools to make this recipe
8. What to serve with pancakes
9. Frequently asked questions
10. Chocolate Chip Pancakes (Recipe Card)

Why you’ll love these chocolate chip pancakes

• It’s perfect for kids and adults. A classic pancake breakfast is a treat in itself, but there’s something about adding chocolate chips that makes the experience extra special for all ages. 
• Freezer-friendly. Similar to protein pancakes, you’ll love the convenience of having a stash of ready-to-reheat pancakes in the freezer when you’re craving pancakes, chocolate, or both!
• It’s just plain delicious. I have dozens of excellent pancake and waffle recipes, including pumpkin pancakes, lemon ricotta pancakes, and cinnamon roll waffles. However, these easy chocolate chip pancakes are truly the best. 

Ingredients needed

Family-friendly recipes like this don’t take much to make – just a small list of pantry staples. Here is everything you’ll need:

• Flour. All purpose flour is perfect for pancakes. Head to the FAQs to learn how to modify this recipe for special diets, like gluten free, dairy free, etc.
• Sugar. Granulated sugar sweetens the batter.
• Baking powder. This makes the batter rise. For the best results, use the freshest baking powder you can find.
• Salt. To help bring all of the flavors together.
• Milk. Any type of milk should work. You can even use buttermilk for extra fluffy pancakes.
• Oil. Use a neutral-tasting oil, like vegetable or canola oil.
• Eggs. Egg yolks bind the batter together while whipped egg whites are the secret to light and fluffy pancakes. 
• Chocolate chips. You can use milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate chips. Or stick with my sugar free chocolate chips to cut down on the sweetness.

How to make chocolate chip pancakes

Warm and fluffy homemade pancakes are just a few steps away! Here’s what you need to do:

1. Mix the batter. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, oil, and egg yolk. Add the wet mixture to the bowl with the dry ingredients, then gently stir to combine. 

1. Add the whipped egg white. In a third mixing bowl, beat the egg white until stiff peaks form. The white should be doubled in size, look extra fluffy, and stand up straight, just like in a pavlova recipe. Gently fold the beaten white into the pancake batter until combined. 

1. Fold in the chocolate chips. Fold in the chocolate chips until they are completely immersed in the batter. 

1. Cook. Heat the oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Drop spoonfuls of the pancake batter onto the hot surface, then cover it with a lid. Cook until golden around the edges and repeat until all the batter is used up.

Tips to make the best recipe

• Some lumps in the pancake batter are ok. Trying to smooth them out will result in overmixing, which means dense and flat pancakes!
• Not sure if the skillet is hot enough? Drop in a teaspoon of batter. If the batter lightly sizzles, the pan is ready!
• You’ll know the pancakes are ready to flip when you see bubbles forming all around the sides and close to the middle (after about 2 minutes). Use a glass lid so you don’t have to constantly lift it and risk releasing the steam.
• To keep the cooked pancakes warm as you work through the batter, place them on a baking sheet in a 200ºF oven. 

Variations 

There are no rules when it comes to pancake mix-ins. Make this breakfast a real show-stopper by using any of these extras: 

• Spices. Add cozy, dry spices like cinnamon and ground nutmeg to the batter to warm things up.
• Vanilla. Just a touch of vanilla extract will deepen the sweet and creamy flavors. We often do this with banana pancakes.
• Chocolate. Double chocolate chip pancakes? Yes, please! Mix ¼ cup of cocoa powder with the dry ingredients. 
• Peanut butter chips. Use a 1:1 ratio of regular chocolate chips and peanut butter chips to make your pancakes taste like chocolate peanut butter cups.

Storage instructions

To store. Keep any extra pancake batter covered in the fridge and use it within 24 hours. If you have leftover pancakes, keep them wrapped in plastic or an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. 

To freeze. Layer the pancakes between sheets of waxed paper in a freezer-safe sealable bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 2 months and reheat directly from frozen. 

To reheat. Microwave a few pancakes at a time for 20 to 60 seconds. To reheat a large batch, it’s best to rewarm them on a baking sheet covered with foil in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. 

Recommended tools to make this recipe

• Non-stick pan. My go-to pan for cooking pancakes, and they come with a lid.
• Cast iron skillet. If you want to take your pancake skills up a notch, a skillet is always a great idea!
• Griddle. The classic pancake cooking tool.

What to serve with pancakes

Something salty is always a fab idea to balance out the sweetness. Here are some favorites:

• Air fryer bacon
• Air fryer turkey bacon
• Hash browns
• Air fryer brats
• Frittata
• Crustless quiche
• Sous vide egg bites

Frequently asked questions