This Dutch baby recipe makes a deliciously light and puffy pancake with minimal prep, quick bake time, and endless topping options. Serve the Dutch pancake family-style for any occasion and watch it disappear!
What is a Dutch baby?
A Dutch baby is an oven-baked pancake made with a simple batter of eggs, flour, milk, sugar, vanilla, and salt. It resembles a popover in texture and flavor, and also doesn't use a chemical leavener. Once baked, it's topped with sweet or savory ingredients and is often enjoyed for breakfast or brunch.
Why you'll love this recipe
The Dutch baby pancake is unique, delicious, and guaranteed to impress. In fact, it's so elegant, you think it would be difficult to make, but it really is as easy as whisking, pouring, and baking. In the oven, the batter bakes into a golden brown, puffy pancake that welcomes endless combinations of toppings.
Ingredient notes
Get ingredient amounts in the printable recipe below.
- milk - Use any dairy milk or non-dairy milk.
- all purpose flour - This helps thicken the pancake batter and gives structure to the pancake as it bakes.
- eggs - These help bind the pancake batter and leaven it to make it airy and puffy.
- vanilla extract - This is optional and a little goes a long way.
- sea salt
- butter - This prevents the pancake from sticking to the skillet and gives the pancake a delicious, golden texture and flavor.
The toppings I included for this recipe include fresh fruit, powdered sugar, and maple syrup. Visit the Dutch baby toppings section below for more sweet or savory topping ideas.
How to make a Dutch baby
Enjoy these step-by-step photo instructions. Get the printable recipe below, which includes instructions to bake the Dutch pancake in a conventional oven or air fryer oven.
Step 1: Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (400 degrees for air fryer oven). Place an oven-safe skillet or baking dish in the oven and allow to heat through.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, whisk together milk, flour, eggs, vanilla, and salt until well-combined. Allow batter to rest 5 minutes.
Step 3. Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven, add butter, and swirl to coat the bottom. Pour batter into the hot skillet and bake about 15 minutes (conventional oven) or 10 minutes (for air fryer Dutch baby), or until cooked through and golden brown.
Step 4. Carefully remove the puffy pancake from the oven. Serve straight from the skillet or transfer to a serving platter.
Step 5. Add toppings and serve warm.
Dutch baby toppings
Sweet toppings
The classic Dutch pancake topped with stone fruit and berries, powdered sugar, and maple syrup will never disappoint, especially during summer. Winter season fruits such as pears, persimmons, and even apple pie filling or fig jam will satisfy equally. You'll also love nutella or chocolate ganache as sweet toppings for just about any fruit.
Savory toppings
The Dutch pancake is a delicious vehicle for smoked salmon, cream cheese, and everything bagel seasoning. Or, serve the fluffy pancake topped with over-easy eggs or pressure cooker eggs, crispy bacon, baked asparagus, and an easy hollandaise sauce or homemade pesto. Add an elegant touch with cheeses such as burrata, goat cheese, or whipped feta.
Do I need a cast iron skillet?
No. In fact, you can bake a Dutch pancake in any baking dish or pie plate made with heat safe materials such as ceramic, glass, or metal. You can use the same recipe instructions, including preheating the pan.
Do I need a blender for Dutch pancakes?
Actually, no. While a countertop blender or food processor does offer a convenient method to blend Dutch pancake batter, it's not a requirement to make this recipe. You can conquer this task with a whisk and some good old fashioned elbow grease, as you'll see in my photos.
Serving ideas
The Dutch pancake is a popular entree for breakfast and brunch. It pairs nicely with crispy smashed potatoes or air fryer Brussels sprouts. A helping of steel cut oats or crostini topped with smoked salmon dip will always compliment the elegant pancake, especially for special occasion breakfast. It basically goes with everything – even a charcuterie tray!
I'd love to answer your questions in the comments section below. Or tag me on Instagram with your own Dutch baby creations. xo Traci
Dutch Baby Pancake
INGREDIENTS
- ½ cup Milk, any fat percentage (I used 1% milk)
- ½ cup All Purpose Flour
- 2 Eggs
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- Toppings, *see recipe footnotes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (or 400 degrees Fahrenheit for air fryer oven)Note: I used my Instant Omni air fryer oven on the "bread" setting.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together MILK, FLOUR, EGGS, VANILLA, and SALT, removing any lumps. Allow batter to rest 5 minutes.
- Preheat skillet in the oven until it's sizzling hot.
- Carefully remove skillet and add BUTTER to it, swirling to coat the surface.
- Pour the batter into the buttered skillet.
- Bake about 15 minutes (oven) or 10 minutes (air fryer oven), or until golden brown, puffy, and cooked through.
- Serve pancake warm from the skillet or serving platter, garnished with toppings of choice. I used fresh fruit, maple syrup, and powdered sugar.*See recipe notes for more topping ideas.
RECIPE VIDEO
Traci's Recipe Notes
Equipment
- wire whisk or blender
- 10-inch oven safe skillet or baking dish
- oven or air fryer oven
NUTRITION
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
JB says
If you’re thinking about making this, you won’t be disappointed. In fact, we don’t make it often enough lol. It’s just too easy, even for a non-cook guy like me and it always looks impressive.
Rosalee Adams says
would love to make this but I am not only wheat, dairy but egg intolerant.
I can use GF flour and oat milk but wonder if I
can make this with egg replacement?
The Kitchen Girl says
Hi there! I've never tried that but I think it's totally worth a shot. Let me know if you give it a go! Enjoy!
Lisa says
Hi Traci,
My family loved this Dutch Baby. My husband especially raved about it when I made it for dinner tonight. I doubled the recipe and used my huge cast iron skillet. I added blackberries, bananas, and Asian pears. It disappeared very quickly. I will be making it again soon! Thank you.
The Kitchen Girl says
Yay Lisa, I'm so glad you tried it out! Now I want this for dinner too LOL. Thanks so much for the feedback and I'm happy you enjoyed. Cheers!
Harlan says
I love Dutch pancakes and used to make them the way you describe but, for medical reasons, have had to go on a low carb diet. Do you think this recipe would work with almond flour? Have you tried it that way? Thanks
The Kitchen Girl says
Hiya! I haven't tried them like this and tbh I'm not sure what the outcome will be. Let me know if you end up testing it. Could be a fun experiment 🙂 Thanks and enjoy!
Kristy says
Love Chef Laura has a Paleo Apple Cinnamon Dutch Baby that is made with almond flour. I have yet to try it, but thought I would pass on the info.
R Thomas says
Dutch baby really is the perfect brunch recipe. I love how easy it comes together and it's even quicker in my air fryer oven. While it bakes, I chop the fresh fruit. It's so quick and just so delicious!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yayyy! I'm glad you're enjoying the recipe. I think it's my favorite weekend breakfast. Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback 🙂
Jeff says
There isn't an easier, more elegant breakfast than this Dutch baby recipe. Wow! It impresses me every time I make it. Thanks for another winner KG!
The Kitchen Girl says
I 100% agree with you 🙂 I'm glad you love it as much as I do. Thank youuuu!
Lin Welsh says
I came across this recipe a long time ago but it was called a “puff pancake “ . I fix it with an apple filling with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream. It is alway nice and puffy, but when I slice it, it falls. Is it supposed to do that?
The Kitchen Girl says
Hi Lin, a Dutch baby pancake usually puffs up in the oven and deflates when you take it out or when you cut into it.
Rahul @samosastreet says
This looks so delicious and dramatic at first !! But the recipe is super easy to follow. Thanks for sharing the recipe Traci
wendy roscamp says
In the UK your pancake is known as a Yorkshire pudding , Omit the vanilla
and serve as a savoury with roasted meat usually a Roast Beef joint, roast potatoes a selection of steamed veg and lots of gravy made from the juices of the meat, very popular for a Sunday lunch
The Kitchen Girl says
Yep, we've had a savory dutch baby already in the works and coming to the blog soon 🙂 Can't wait!!! Thanks for stopping by
veenaazmanov says
Loved that it is baked. All the toppings look yum. Best breakfast platter to make my day special.
The Kitchen Girl says
Indeed! This breakfast will make any day special 🙂 Thanks Veena!
Julia says
This was the fluffiest Dutch baby pancake I have ever tasted! I used maple syrup as you suggested and fresh fruit, and totally loved it:)
The Kitchen Girl says
Haha nice! It sooo reminds me of French toast. So glad you enjoyed it 🙂 Thanks for letting me know!
Sara Welch says
What a great way to start my day; looking forward to enjoying these for breakfast tomorrow! Looks too good to pass up!
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks, Sara! Glad you can enjoy these
Beth says
This is so delicious and yummy! My kids loved this recipe! I will definitely be making this again!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome, Beth! Yes, I love it when the kids sign off on a fruit-filled breakfast Thanks for the feedback
Anjali says
I had no idea how easy it was to make a dutch baby pancake!! These turned out to be absolutely delicious and are going to be a regular in my breakfast rotation! 🙂
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome, Anjali! I felt the exact same way about the dutch baby after my first time making it LOL. So glad you can enjoy this breakfast recipe. Cheers!
Gina says
One of our favorite "special" breakfasts! Love the curled, crispy edges the most!