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Fluffy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes are the quintessential “elevated” pancake recipe. Tart-but-sweet, with fresh lemon juice and zest and ricotta to create gorgeous tender pancakes.!
The great thing about these lemon pancakes is they’re easy to whip up, and have a delicate, subtle lemon flavor as well as bumped up protein content with the addition of ricotta. Yum!
Breakfast is one of my favorite things to eat. I love waking up on a weekend morning before my family and having a few moments in the kitchen to brew some coffee, check my email, and mix something up ready for them to eat when they drag themselves out of bed.
I love the alone time, they love the homemade breakfast. The smells alone coming from the kitchen are enough to make them get dressed super fast, and get out to the table!
Who invented the pancake? I’d like to meet them, and thank them profusely. There’s just nothing like a big stack of pancakes with butter, and either maple syrup or powdered sugar dusted over them. They’re simple, but if you do them right, super flavorful.
Clearly, I’m a huge fan of pancake recipes. I have a basic pancake mix here that you make the dry mix ahead, and just add the butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla when you want to make a batch. And they’re AWESOME.
Change it up and make pumpkin spice pancakes, blueberry pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes, banana pancakes and, obviously, these lemon ricotta pancakes. Me + Pancakes 4EVA. Lol.
Keeping Pancakes Warm
The best way to keep pancakes warm while you cook for the whole family, is to place the cooked pancakes on a baking sheet and put them in the oven.
Why you’ll love this recipe
These perfect pancakes really don’t require a lot of extra ingredients to the ones you likely already have in your fridge and pantry. You can mix up the way you serve them with your favorite toppings.
What to serve with Pancakes
Fresh berries (any fresh fruit) and cream are one of my favorite combinations, but extra ricotta, dusted with powdered sugar and sprinkled with a little lemon zest and a few fresh blueberries is FABULOUS. Blueberry syrup or traditional maple syrup can also be used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Let them cool completely, then separate them with waxed paper. Freeze them in small stacks in a zip lock bag. When you want to cook them, you can microwave them, or even put them in a toaster!
I use lower fat ricotta, but not fat-free. All versions will work, but I’ve found the fat free just doesn’t taste good. You can make your own ricotta too if you wish!
Whatever you fancy! I dust mine with powdered sugar, some extra ricotta, a little zest… and a few blueberries. Sometimes maple syrup.
You can do raspberries too, they work really well with these pancakes. Whipped cream is also a good choice!
Tart but sweet! They have a definite tang due to the lemon juice and zest. They texture of these pancakes is fluffier than the standard pancake recipe.
How to make pancakes ahead:
I have been known to mix and measure the night before, have the dry ingredients already whisked, the wet ingredients in the fridge already combined, then all that’s needed is a quick mix, and to head up the griddle.
I have included instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the recipe card located at the bottom of the post.
Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below.
- Flour. Regular, all-purpose flour.
- Baking Powder
- Sugar. Vary the amount if you like things less sweet.
- Salt. Just a little. This brings out the flavor of the lemon, and balances the sweetness.
- Milk. Any kind of milk can be used, this is a great recipe to use almond or oat milk.
- Ricotta Cheese. You can use whole milk ricotta or low fat.
- Eggs. We use both the eggs yolks and the egg whites in this recipe.
- Vanilla Extract.
- Lemons. We use both the juice and zest.
- Melted Butter. Just to cook with. You could use coconut oil, or a cooking spray if you prefer.
How to make Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
Scroll for Recipe
The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Make the batter
Grab two bowls, one large mixing bowl, one small bowl.
In the large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt until well combined.
In the medium bowl, add the milk and ricotta cheese and whisk until well blended. Then add the eggs, beating between each. Then add the vanilla, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the blended wet ingredients – just fold it in gently, until JUST combined. Don’t over mix – you’ll have tough pancakes. We want fluffy pancakes!
Cook the pancakes
Brush melted butter onto a large griddle and heat to medium heat.
Add pancake batter, about a cup of batter at a time (or smaller if you want smaller pancakes).
When you get bubbles, flip over and cook the pancakes on the other side. It should be a minute or two per side, and golden brown.
Repeat with remaining batter. Store on a baking sheet in the oven on low, to keep the pancakes warm while you cook the rest.
OPTIONAL
Serve with extra ricotta, lemon zest, powdered sugar and blueberries.
Kylee’s Notes
Don’t over-mix batter
Use a separate bowl for wet and dry ingredients (so you don’t over-mix resulting in tough pancakes).
Substitutions/Additions
You can use limes, oranges, lemons or grapefruit – any citrus fruit works!
Freezing instructions
Let them cool completely, then separate them with waxed paper. Freeze them in small stacks in a freezer bag. When you want to cook them, you can microwave them, or even put them in a toaster!
Want more breakfast recipes?
- Baked Cinnamon Cream Cheese Roll ups
- Bacon Sausage Breakfast Sliders
- Raspberry Cream Cheese Pastry Braid
Waffles
- Fresh Oatmeal Waffles
- Pumpkin Waffles (Pumpkin Spice Waffles)
- Apple Cinnamon Waffles
If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on Kylee Cooks, leave a comment and rating – I truly love to hear from you!
Find me on Pinterest, Facebook & Instagram for more delicious recipes!
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
Suggested Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 Tbs baking powder
- 3 Tbs sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 Tbs fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tbs fresh lemon zest
- 2 Tbs butter for cooking
OPTIONAL FOR SERVING
- Extra ricotta, lemon zest, powdered sugar & blueberries
Instructions
- Grab two bowls, one large, one medium.
- In the large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt until well combined.
- In the medium bowl, add the milk and ricotta and whisk until well blended. Then add the eggs, beating between each. Then add the vanilla, lemon juice and lemon zest.
- Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the blended wet ingredients – just fold it in gently, until JUST combined. Don’t over mix – you’ll have tough pancakes. We want fluffy pancakes!
- Melt or brush butter onto a large griddle and heat to medium.
- Add pancake batter, a cup at a time (or smaller if you want smaller pancakes).
- When you get bubbles, flip the pancakes over and cook on the other side. Should be a minute or two per side, and golden brown.
OPTIONAL
- Serve with extra ricotta, lemon zest, powdered sugar and blueberries.
- Devour.
Tips & Notes:
- What kind of ricotta? – I use a lower fat ricotta, but not not fat free. All versions will work, but I’ve found the fat free just doesn’t taste good. You can make your own ricotta too, if you wish!
- Don’t over-mix batter – use separate bowls for wet and dry ingredients (so you don’t over-mix resulting in tough pancakes).
- What do lemon ricotta pancakes taste like? – Tart but sweet! They have a definite tang due to the lemon juice and zest. They’re fluffier than regular buttermilk pancakes.
- What goes with lemon ricotta pancakes? Whatever you fancy! I dust mine with powdered sugar, some extra ricotta, a little zest… and a few blueberries. Sometimes maple syrup. You can do raspberries too, they work really well with these pancakes. Whipped cream is also a good choice!
nutrition facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
Recipes written and produced on Kylee Cooks are for informational purposes only. Kylee is not a certified nutritionist. Nutritional data provided on Kylee Cooks has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration.
Christine says
It’s really good.
Lara says
Delicious! Satisfied my son’s ‘high protein’ request.
Ann says
Fantastic. I liked them so much I offered to host a brunch with them. Easy and tasty
Le Ann says
So delicious. I usually increase lemon and ricotta amounts just because I have extra.
Wonderful with blueberry served on the side or added to batter.
Brandi says
The world’s fluffiest pancakes. We love them. Thanks for the recipe.
Paola says
I’ve made these twice! Love them! Easy to make and delicious!