Are you guilty of failing multiple times before getting a knack for fluffy Japanese pancake recipe? Believe me, you aren’t alone. It’s an art, not everybody can pull it off. I’ve been obsessed with these cloudy-soft giant fluffy pancakes that just melt in your mouth. 

I once made it with my bestie in my first attempt although she’s pretty great baker but that was a disaster. She is an Aries who believes more in manual power than devices much to my dismay. (SMH literally!)

She tried becoming macho and started beating eggs with a hand whisk because our beater wasn’t working and the attempt to make these giggly pancakes failed miserably. But the obsession didn’t die down because the Tokyo version of pancakes isn’t hard to find in the cafe nearby. I tried every restaurant near me; all were worth the hype with the right amount of airiness, light, and delicious taste. 

Making it at home is nice but seeing it in the restaurants being made is equally nice besides eating. You get to see the bakers expertly shape, bake, and plate it up. You may find it compelling, but it’s kind of creepy because if I consider myself in their place, I’ll get awkward and super clumsy. 

I was even anxious when I tried it in the sanctuary of my home. NGL, it took too much strength until it came out the way I wanted. 

Buckle up with me to learn my authentic Japanese pancake recipe, why you’ll love it, its ingredient profile, and some variation ideas. 

What You Need To Know About Japanese Pancake Recipe?

You must be familiar with popular souffle pancakes; it’s made in the typical Japanese souffle style. However, you may certainly find variations in toppings but the basic technique remains the same. These pancakes are entirely dependent upon eggs, the whites and yolks are separated.

Egg whites are whipped thoroughly with sugar and a fluffy meringue is made just like in chiffon cakes. The stiff peaks start to foam, and these air bubbles which are entrapped, make our pancakes fluffy. 

The rest of the batter containing yolk is mixed into meringue. It’s prepared by adding a little steam over the pan. The texture is soft, jiggly, and fluffy, and it tastes like you are eating a sweet-tasting cloud with a drizzle of butter and syrup. 

Why You Might Be Crazy for a Japanese Pancake Recipe?

Not just in Japan, but even in America, pancakes are a comfort food. Growing up, my childhood memories revolved around the dining table to munch on delicious pancakes, my mother would stack over on my plate and drizzle generous amounts of honey on top. It’s best because,

• It requires minimal ingredients and less time to make it through by a convenient recipe.

• These are cloudy, soft, and airy even you will feel air bubbles popping out when you cut them.

• Japanese pancake recipes allow versatility in toppings. Like the apple flapjacks, usually fresh fruits, whipped cream, syrups, and even nuts are served. 

Ingredients In Japanese Pancake Recipe

Japanese pancake recipe can be made quickly if you have all the ingredients already stocked up in your pantry. What are these ingredients?

Sugar: The natural sweetener, but if you want to skip on it and make sugar-free souffle pancakes, no worries add Swerve instead of sugar.

Eggs: Our hero ingredient! It makes up the bulk of our souffle pancakes,  however it’s recommended that you use room-temperature eggs.

Flour: Just a small amount of flour will hold up the pancake’s shape, but for keto pancakes, use almond flour.

Milk: Milk brings smoothness to our batter.

Baking Powder: It’s the leavening agent, which makes the pancakes fluffy and leavened.

Lemon Juice: It acts as a stabilizer, which helps our egg whites to whip up better.

The rest of the ingredients include the additional toppings you will add, feel free to choose any of your favourite.  

Do Your Japanese Pancakes Deflate? 

Are you seeking a troubleshooting hack to prevent your pancakes from getting deflated? You aren’t alone, it’s the most common situation people encounter while trying souffle pancakes.  

But do you think it’s normal? Sorry to burst the bubble, but it isn’t; as you will be adding leavening agents, your pancakes must stand taller.

But still, sometimes it becomes hard to get the desired fluff; how can you prevent deflation? 

Less beating or excessively beating the egg whites causes collapsing, so make sure air bubbles are created in the batter.

The stove must not be overly heated, as the pancakes may get brown but will be undercooked from within. Properly cooked soufflé pancakes will hold their structure for 10-15 minutes until warm. 

What You Can Add On Japanese Pancakes?

I’m an old school, I love serving my Japanese pancake recipe with maple syrup and butter. But monotony hardly fancies me, so I bring forth several topping ideas for the Japanese pancakes recipe which changes the recipe altogether somehow.

• Serve along with whipped cream; add half a cup of heavy whipping cream with some icing sugar, and whip until soft peaks are formed.

• The unbeatable match of souffle pancakes with cream cheesecake. You need heavy whipping cream, mascarpone, cream, icing sugar and you are sorted.

• You can top up this Japanese pancake recipe with maple butter for which you require 1 part maple syrup and 2 parts butter.

• Another divine mat ch is to top up these pillowy pancakes with tiramisu, for which you require mascarpone,  espresso, and cocoa powder.

• Serve along with caramelised bananas, Nutella and some roasted nuts.

• You can even top up with sliced strawberries, strawberry jam and some whipped cream.

• Ad matcha whipped cream as the best add-on which enhances the overall flavour of these soufflé pancakes. 

No need to be stringent, add as many toppings as you may like. You can shave some chocolate on top or serve along with cookies. 

Can You Store a Japanese Pancake Recipe? 

I’m not particularly in favour of storing Japanese pancakes, it tastes perfect when freshly served. But if you got leftovers, transfer them into an airtight container and refrigerate for 2 days. 

To reheat your pancakes, put them into an oven heated at 200⁰F and warm slowly.

Note: Never freeze your Japanese pancakes as they don’t thaw well. 

FAQs on Japanese Pancake Recipe

How to Make Fluffy Japanese Pancake Recipe?