How to Make Pancakes Without Baking Powder

You can make pancakes without baking powder, but they will generally be flatter unless another ingredient provides lift. Beaten egg whites are one way to incorporate air in a recipe designed for them.

Ways to add lift without baking powder

• Separate eggs and whip the whites into soft peaks; fold gently into the rest of the batter just before cooking.
• A recipe with acidic buttermilk and measured baking soda can rise without baking powder, but plain milk will not provide the same acid reaction.
• Use a moderate pan temperature and avoid pressing the batter flat.

What to avoid

Leaving out baking powder from an otherwise unchanged recipe can produce dense cakes. Choose a recipe formulated for your substitute rather than randomly adding baking soda.

Frequently asked question

Can self-rising flour replace baking powder?

Some self-rising flour includes baking powder and salt. It is not the same as removing all chemical leaveners.