IHOP Pancakes (Copycat Recipe)

These homemade IHOP pancakes are everything you love about diner-style pancakes—fluffy, buttery, and golden around the edges—but even better because you can make them at home. With just a few pantry staples and my simple expert tips, this copycat IHOP pancake recipe delivers a tall, soft stack of fluffy pancakes that tastes just like the restaurant version. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even breakfast-for-dinner, they’re the kind of pancakes that make any morning feel special. For the full diner experience, serve them with my crispy IHOP hash browns on the side—the savory crunch balances the sweet, buttery pancakes perfectly.

Why I Love This IHOP Pancake Recipe

Growing up, IHOP was our weekend tradition. I’d always order a tall stack dripping with maple syrup and a side of extra butter. Recreating that same comforting flavor and texture at home was something I’d wanted to do for years—and after plenty of trial and error, this recipe nails it. The pancakes are soft and fluffy inside with just the right amount of crisp around the edges, and the buttermilk flavor makes them taste like the real deal.

I also love that these pancakes are super easy to customize, so you can make whatever version of IHOP's pancakes you want! Whether you’re adding chocolate chips, blueberries, or layering on fresh fruit and whipped cream, this base recipe works for everything. My family requests them almost every weekend now, and even my wife—a longtime IHOP loyalist—says she prefers this version. It’s become our go-to for breakfast and brunch, and I think you’ll love it just as much as we do.

Don't just take my word for it though, checkout what one of our reader who made these pancakes had to say about them:

Made these pancakes for breakfast this morning and my kids inhaled them. 5/5 Stars and just as good if not better than ihop. -Jeanne

Ingredients You'll Need

• 2 cups flour
• 1 ¾ cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

How To Make IHOP Pancakes

Step 1: Mix the Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar until evenly combined.

In a separate bowl, crack the eggs, add the buttermilk and melted butter, and whisk until smooth and combined.

Step 2: Combine to Make The Batter

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until the batter is just combined. A few lumps in the batter is okay.

Step 3: Cook the Pancakes

Heat a skillet over medium heat or preheat a griddle to 350°F. Lightly grease the skillet with butter or cooking spray. Scoop about ⅓ to ½  cup of batter onto the pan for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on top and the bottoms are golden brown, about 1–2 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional minute, or until the second side is golden brown.

Step 4: Serve Hot

Once you've cooked all the batter, serve it warm with butter, maple syrup, or your preferred toppings, and enjoy!

Expert Tips for The Best IHOP Pancakes

• Don’t skip the buttermilk: Buttermilk is key to getting that signature IHOP flavor and texture. Its acidity reacts with the baking powder and baking soda to create an extra fluffy rise while adding a subtle tang that balances the sweetness. If you’re out of buttermilk, mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice into 1 cup of milk and let it sit for 5–10 minutes.
• Let the batter rest before cooking: Once the batter is mixed, let it sit for 5–10 minutes. This allows the flour to hydrate and the leaveners to activate, which gives the pancakes more lift and a smoother texture when cooked.
• Preheat your skillet properly: A common mistake is pouring batter onto a pan that’s not hot enough. Preheat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat until a drop of water dances on the surface. This helps form that golden crust while keeping the inside fluffy.
• Use a measuring cup for consistent size: For even, IHOP-style pancakes, use a ¼ or ⅓ cup measure to portion out the batter. This ensures even cooking and a stack that looks as good as it tastes.
• Flip only once—and at the right time: Wait until the pancakes have bubbles forming on the surface and the edges look set, then flip gently. Over-flipping or flipping too early can deflate the pancakes and make them tough.
• Keep them warm the right way: If you’re making a big batch, keep the cooked pancakes warm in a 200°F oven on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. This prevents them from getting soggy while you finish the rest.
• Customize your toppings like IHOP: This base recipe is easy to dress up. Try chocolate chips, blueberries, banana slices, whipped cream, or flavored syrups to recreate your favorite IHOP pancakes at home.

How To Store and Reheat Leftover IHOP Pancakes

• In the fridge: If you have leftovers, wrap each pancake in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for about 5 days.
• In the freezer: Transfer the wrapped leftovers to a freezer-safe bag, and you can freeze them for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: I like to just microwave an individual pancake for about 15 seconds on each side. It makes them nice and soft. If you're reheating a bunch, put them on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and warm in the oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes.

My Final Thoughts

If you’re craving that classic IHOP pancake experience without leaving the house, this recipe is the one to try. It’s got everything you love about their famous stacks—fluffy centers, golden edges, and that sweet buttermilk flavor that keeps people coming back. And with just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up diner-style pancakes from scratch any day of the week.

Whether you’re serving them for a weekend breakfast, holiday brunch, or just because, I hope this IHOP pancake recipe becomes a go-to in your kitchen like it has in mine. If you give it a try, let me know how it turned out by leaving a review and comment below!

More Copycat Recipes To Make For Breakfast

• Strawberry cheesecake pancakes
• Cracker Barrel pancakes
• Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole
• Tres leches pancakes
• Starbucks lemon loaf
• Denny's pancakes
• McDonald's pancakes