Making pancakes is a beloved childhood memory for many people. Even for the most accomplished chefs, recreating the pancakes of our childhood recollections is a difficult task. We’ll never be able to make it as good as possible. Getting the components just right is one of the secrets. You’d be shocked how much a single element may influence the result. Oil is one such component.
What is the finest pancake oil? Canola oil is one of the best oils for pancakes, although other types of oil, such as olive oil and coconut oil, can also be used. On the other hand, Canola oil is slightly healthier and has a milder flavor than other oils. We’ll walk you through the top pancake oils on the market today in our guide.
What are Pancakes?
Pancakes are flatbread created by combining a runny batter with a hot, greased surface and scooping the batter over it. The batter is cooked till browned on one side before being turned and cooked on the other side. It can then be served in a variety of ways. When most people hear the word “pancake,” they think of a thick, sugary form of flatbread, but pancakes exist in various styles, shapes, and sizes.
Some pancakes are short pieces of bread containing rising agents such as baking soda that allow the batter to puff up while it cooks. Others utilize yeast or a slow fermentation process to create a rich and strong flavor. Slow-fermented pancakes, such as injera, an Ethiopian flatbread, acquire unique bubbling holes as they ferment, giving them a spongy texture when cooked.
How to Choose Oil for Pancakes?
Below are some characteristics that we believe are important to consider when selecting an oil for your pancakes.
Flavor
One thing to keep in mind is that you don’t want to get an oil that will change the flavor of your food.
While there are various healthy oil options to pick from, be aware that certain oil flavors are quite strong, which may affect the taste of your pancakes.
The oil will do its job and do not affect your texture, but you may notice a slight difference in flavor at the end. Some people may never notice or taste the difference, but it’s something to consider.
Quality
The quality of the oil might also be a factor. You don’t want to squander money on oil that contains a lot of additives. There are plenty of pure and natural oils available, so we recommend sticking with those.
Whether you prefer cold-pressed or refined vs. unrefined oil, it’s entirely up to you. However, when it comes to oil quality and source, we recommend looking for goods that use natural ingredients.
Keep an eye out for additives that aren’t necessary and don’t provide any health benefits to the oil you purchase.
Best Oil for Cooking Pancakes
Here are some of the oil for cooking pancakes:
Amazon Brand Happy Belly Vegetable Oil
Features:
- One hundred twenty-eight fluid ounces of Happy Belly Vegetable Oil. Packaging may vary
- This light tasting oil is made from soybeans
- Great for cooking and frying
- A cholesterol-free food contains 14g of total fat per serving. See nutrition information for fat and saturated fat content
- 0g Trans fats per serving. See nutrition information for fat and saturated fat content
- Any oil will burn if overheated. Do not leave unattended while heating
- If oil smokes, reduce heat. If a fire occurs, turn off the heat and cover until cool. Do not put water on hot or flaming oil, and do not pour hot oil back into the container. Damage can occur, causing injury
Pompeian Smooth Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Features:
- Expertly crafted by The Olive Oil People, this extra virgin olive oil is made from the first cold-pressed olives, grown and nurtured by our family of farmers.
- Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oils are ideal for any meal that starts with a sauté and ends with a drizzle. Pompeian Smooth EVOO is perfect for sautéing and stir-frying with its smooth, delicate taste!
- Quality from The Olive Oil People since 1906.
- Certified for Authenticity by the North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA).
- Pompeian Smooth Extra Virgin Olive Oil is Naturally Gluten-Free and Non-Allergenic, Kosher, and Non-GMO Verified by the Non-GMO Project.
Amazon Brand Happy Belly Canola Oil
Features:
- One hundred twenty-eight fluid ounces of Happy Belly Canola Oil. Packaging may vary
- Add versatility to your kitchen with this light tasting Canola oil
- Great for cooking and frying
- A cholesterol-free food contains 14g of total fat per serving. See nutrition information for fat and saturated fat content
- 0g Trans fats per serving. See nutrition information for fat and saturated fat content
- Any oil will burn if overheated. Do not leave unattended while heating.
- If oil smokes, reduce heat. If a fire occurs, turn off the heat and cover until cool. Do not put water on hot or flaming oil, and do not pour hot oil back into the container. Damage can occur, causing injury
Nutiva Organic Steam-Refined Coconut Oil
Features:
- Nutiva’s all-natural steam refining process yields a pure, taste and odor-free, nutrient-rich oil containing 63% medium-chain triglycerides and 50% lauric acid without the use of dangerous and harmful chemicals or hexane
- Has a higher smoke point at 400°F than virgin coconut oil (350°F) and is perfect for frying and sautéing with a neutral scent and flavor where a coconut flavor is not desired
- The ideal addition to a vegetarian, vegan, kosher, whole food, ketogenic, paleo-friendly, and gluten-free diets
- It can also be used outside of cooking as a natural skin moisturizer, eye make-up remover, and deep conditioning hair treatment—combined with Nutiva Coconut Sugar for a great exfoliating body scrub.
- Nutiva adheres to USDA guidelines and partners with certified organic farmers to source the world’s finest non-GMO, sustainably grown, and responsibly harvested ingredients good for you and the planet.
Pompeian 100% Grapeseed Oil
Features:
- Pompeian imports 100% of its Grapeseed Oil from France.
- Pompeian’s 100% Grapeseed Oil is a light, all-natural cooking oil with a high smoke point, perfect for stir-frying, deep-frying, and baking!
- With a smoke point of up to 510 degrees, our Grapeseed Oil is the perfect companion for all your recipes, whether cooking, baking, frying, or air frying!
- Quality from The Olive Oil People Since 1906.
- Pompeian 100% Grapeseed Oil is Naturally Gluten-Free and Non-Allergenic, Kosher, and Non-GMO Verified by the Non-GMO Project.
Are Pancakes Better Cooked in Oil or Butter?
Pancakes are available in a variety of sizes, textures, and flavors. Whether you prefer fluffy or thinner ones with crisp edges, adjusting the pancake batter and the cooking methods to prepare them is fairly simple. Is it important to make your pancakes with oil, oil, or butter? Here are a few pointers and details to help you make the best pancakes you’ve ever made.
Oil
The basic cooking fat used to make pancakes is vegetable oil: lightly brush your pan with it, make sure it’s hot, and then pour your batter in. You’ll get a few brown spots on your pancake’s surface (like the ones in the photo above), and you’ll be able to get through a large bowl of batter without burning any of them. You’ll get great, consistent results when you cook your pancakes in oil.
No Oil
If you don’t want to use oil to make your pancakes, make sure you have a good non-stick pan, unlike vegetable oil, to cook pancakes. Pouring the batter directly into the pan results in a perfect brown, even, and spotless pancake surface. Remember to watch the heat and flip your pancakes with care!
Butter
Let’s face it, and butter can enhance the flavor of any dish. However, butter can burn quickly when making pancakes, especially making a large batch for the whole breakfast crew. If you’re using regular butter, wipe down the surface of your pan now and then to remove any browning milk solids and add a fresh knob of butter. You can also use clarified butter, which is free of milk solids. Your pancakes’ edges will crisp up beautifully!
What can I Add to Pancakes?
Pancakes are a family favorite, but having them for breakfast every morning can get old for the kids. So, if you’re looking for a more amazing breakfast with pancakes, try adding in:
- Strawberry Banana—chopped strawberries and mashed banana or top with homemade Strawberry Syrup
- Peanut Butter (or nut-free spread) and Jelly
- Banana Nut (Walnut)—mashed banana and chopped walnuts
- Apple Cinnamon—applesauce (and tiny chopped apples) and cinnamon
- Mixed Berry—chopped strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc. (can use frozen) and my Blueberry Homemade Syrup
- Lemon Blueberry Pancakes—lemon zest, lemon juice, and blueberries
- Pumpkin Pancakes—pureed pumpkin and pumpkin spices
- Cinnamon Roll Pancakes—brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla top it with Cinnamon Syrup
- Chocolate Chip Pancakes—mini chocolate chips
- Coconut Pancakes—coconut milk, topped with coconut flakes
- Spinach Pancakes
Mistakes to Avoid in Making Pancakes
Here are some common mistakes you need to avoid in making pancakes:
- Using the Wrong Pan
- Using the Wrong Utensils
- Not using Salt or Sugar
- Not taking “Buttermilk” Seriously
- Overmixing the Batter
- Not Fully Preheating
- Using the Wrong Fat
- Crowding the Pan
Conclusion
Nothing beats a stack of hot, fluffy pancakes to get your morning started. Most people believe that pancakes require too much time and effort to serve as a quick breakfast, but this is not the case. By keeping the necessary ingredients on hand, mixing up a simple batter, and cooking several pancakes to perfection at a time, you can whip up a batch of delicious flapjacks in as little as fifteen minutes.
Oil is an important ingredient in pancakes, and you can use vegetable oil, canola oil, or any of the other oils mentioned above. Choosing the right oil for pancakes is also crucial, so think about it before buying anything.
