FAQs
Over-mixing pancake batter develops the gluten that will make the pancakes rubbery and tough. For light, fluffy pancakes, you want to mix just until the batter comes together—it's okay if there are still some lumps of flour. Fat (melted butter) makes the pancakes rich and moist.
Is making pancakes a chemical reaction? ›
Cooking pancake batter and burning paper or wood are examples of chemical changes. Generally, a chemical change is irreversible and will create a new material that looks, feels, smells, and/or tastes very different. The kitchen is a great place for students to make observations and explore the basics of chemistry.
What makes pancakes rubbery? ›
If you stir your pancake batter too much, the gas bubbles that your acid and base just produced will be released. Over stirring causes tough, rubbery pancakes.
Why are pancakes chewy? ›
Stir your batter until the dry and wet ingredients are just incorporated. That means mixing until the flour streaks have disappeared, but leaving the pesky lumps. If you over-mix, the gluten will develop from the flour in your batter, making your pancakes chewy instead of fluffy.
Are pancakes meant to be gooey in the middle? ›
No, pancakes should not be gooey in the center. They should be dry and fluffy in the center. Your pancakes are not done if they are gummy or gooey in the middle. Turn the heat down if they are getting overly brown and let them cook for another 2 minutes per side.
What type of chemical reaction is baking? ›
You know your cake is done baking when you pull it out of the oven and see that perfect golden brown crust on top. That sweet, toasted crust is the result of a chemical reaction between sugars and proteins called the Maillard reaction.
What type of chemical reaction is cooking? ›
Maillard reaction produces flavour and aroma during cooking process; and it is used almost everywhere from the baking industry to our day to day life to make food tasty. It is often called nonenzymatic browning reaction since it takes place in the absence of enzyme.
How to fix gooey pancakes? ›
Why are my pancakes gooey inside? You are using too high a heat. The outside may look just right but the inside is uncooked batter. Try reducing the heat and letting it cook longer.
Can I use baking soda instead of baking powder? ›
Remember that baking soda is 3-4 times stronger than baking powder, so you'll need a lot more baking powder to get the same leavening action. As a general rule, triple the amount of baking powder for the amount of baking soda called for in a recipe. For example, 1 teaspoon baking soda = 3 teaspoons baking powder.
What does adding more eggs to pancakes do? ›
Eggs are a crucial ingredient. They provide the cakes with the structure to hold light bubbles. Eggs also give the batter additional, richer flavor from the yolk fat. If you add too many eggs, you'll have “pancakes” that look more like custard or crepes.
The secret is in the egg whites!
To give your pancakes that fluffy text, beat only the egg whites for 3 minutes on medium speed. They'll start turning creamy, which means it's time to add them to the pancake mixture. Use a wooden spatula to incorporate everything. There you have it!
Can you use olive oil for pancakes? ›
Yes, you can make pancakes with olive oil instead of butter. Here is the olive oil pancakes recipe! The olive oil pancakes recipe is an Italian version of classic pancakes. In Italy, we use a lot of extra-virgin olive oil for cooking: it is healthier and exalts flavors instead of covering them.
How to make pancakes less cakey? ›
Over-mixing pancake batter develops the gluten that will make the pancakes rubbery and tough. For light, fluffy pancakes, you want to mix just until the batter comes together—it's okay if there are still some lumps of flour. Fat (melted butter) makes the pancakes rich and moist.
Why are my pancakes rubbery not fluffy? ›
The number one reason pancake turn out dense or rubbery is… Over beating the batter. Aesthetically, we don't like to see lumps in our pancake batter. But with pancake batter, it is important to mix the batter just until most of the dry ingredients are incorporated.
Do you cook pancakes on low or high heat? ›
→ Follow this tip: Setting your stove to the right temperature is one of the keys to great pancakes. The pan needs to be hot, but that doesn't mean the heat needs to be cranked up to high. For a well-cooked pancake with a golden-brown outside, and an inside that's soft and cooked through, keep the heat set to medium.
Is eating pancakes a physical or chemical change? ›
The liquid batter changes into a browned, spongy, solid pancake. Human Body When you eat the pancakes or any food, many chemical changes take place.
Is making food a chemical reaction? ›
In conclusion, cooking is a fascinating interplay of chemical reactions and physical changes that occur when heat is applied to food.
What is an example of chemical reaction? ›
Burning fuels, smelting iron, making glass and pottery, brewing beer, and making wine and cheese are among many examples of activities incorporating chemical reactions that have been known and used for thousands of years.
Is mixing food a chemical reaction? ›
In the kitchen, chefs combine and alter food ingredients to create a finished dish. Some of these changes are physical—the food changes form, shape, and size—but the molecules that make up the food do not change. Other changes in food are chemical. When food undergoes a chemical reaction, a new substance is created.