Japanese Pancake Recipe

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By: Amanda Valley | Published: October 19, 2025

Tall stack of fluffy Japanese pancakes with cream and strawberries

This isn’t your average pancake. If you’ve seen those tall, wobbly, cloud-like pancakes on Japanese café menus or your social feed—they’re real, and they’re surprisingly easy to make at home.

Say hello to the Japanese Pancake, also known as soufflé pancakes—a soft, airy treat that feels like a cross between a pancake and a sponge cake. They’re fluffy enough to bounce, light enough to melt in your mouth, and perfect for weekend brunch or even dessert.

Want to impress friends or try something new? This recipe blends fun technique with simple ingredients. Let’s turn your kitchen into a Japanese café.


🥚 Ingredients You’ll Need

Flat lay of Japanese pancake ingredients on wooden counter
Japanese Pancake Recipe 9

This recipe may look fancy, but the ingredient list is refreshingly short.

  • 2 large eggs, separated
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar (optional, helps stabilize egg whites)
  • Neutral oil or butter (for greasing the pan)

Optional toppings:

  • Whipped cream
  • Fresh strawberries or mango
  • Maple syrup or condensed milk
  • Powdered sugar
  • Ice cream (yes, it works!)

🍓 This doubles as one of the best pancakes dessert options—light, sweet, and indulgent without being heavy.


👩‍🍳 How to Make Japanese Soufflé Pancakes

They look complicated, but you’ve got this! The key is in the whipped egg whites.

Step 1: Prepare the yolk mixture

In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour and baking powder, and whisk until no lumps remain.

Step 2: Whip the egg whites

In a separate clean bowl, beat the egg whites. When they get foamy, add the cream of tartar and slowly sprinkle in the sugar while whipping. Beat until you have stiff, glossy peaks.

🧠 Tip: Use a hand mixer to make this step easy and fast!

Step 3: Fold gently

Add a third of the egg whites into the yolk mixture and fold to lighten. Then fold in the remaining whites gently until just combined. The batter should be thick and airy.

Step 4: Cook low and slow

Grease a non-stick pan and heat over low. Use a spoon or piping bag to mound the batter into 2 or 3 tall pancakes. Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 4–5 minutes. Flip gently, cover again, and cook another 4–5 minutes.

🔥 Low heat prevents burning and helps the pancakes rise tall and soft.

Step 5: Serve with flair

Carefully plate your pancakes and top with whipped cream, berries, and syrup. You can even drizzle matcha sauce for an authentic Japanese café food recipe experience.


🌟 Benefits of This Japanese Pancake Recipe

🍽️ Benefit💡 Why You’ll Love It
Fun & ImpressiveWobbly soufflé texture that looks like it’s straight from a Tokyo café
Simple IngredientsUses just eggs, milk, flour, sugar, and a pinch of powder
Fluffy & LightAiry texture means it’s satisfying without being too rich
Dessert or BreakfastWorks as a brunch recipe or a creative pancakes dessert
Instagram-WorthyHigh-rise fluff and jiggle factor = pure visual joy
Beginner-FriendlyGreat entry point for trying cool cooking ideas with step-by-step guidance

🔁 Recipe Variations to Try

These fluffy pancakes can adapt to your cravings:

  • Matcha Japanese Pancakes – Add 1 tsp matcha powder to the flour
  • Chocolate Soufflé Pancakes – Fold in cocoa powder and top with chocolate sauce
  • Strawberry Shortcake Style – Layer with whipped cream and fresh strawberries
  • Mini Japanese Pancakes – Use a ring mold to make tiny, individual versions
  • Mango Magic – Add fresh mango and condensed milk on top
  • Japanese Pancake For One – Halve the recipe and use a small pan for a solo serving

This fits right into “Japan Recipes Easy” and works for any brunch or treat.


🧠 Pro Tips for Perfect Fluff

  • Use cold eggs: Egg whites whip better cold, while yolks are fine at room temp
  • Don’t overmix: Fold egg whites gently to avoid deflating the batter
  • Cover while cooking: Steam helps the pancakes rise taller
  • Use ring molds if you want perfectly round, sky-high pancakes
  • Be patient: These cook low and slow—rushing leads to flat cakes

🥞 This is a showstopper that lands squarely in the “impressive food recipes” category—without the stress.


👩‍🍳 Who This Recipe Is For

If you’ve been searching for:

  • 💡 Cool cooking ideas that actually work
  • 🍜 A sweet break from your usual cooking recipes noodles
  • 🍰 An eye-catching brunch centerpiece
  • 🧁 A fluffy recipe for fluffy pancakes with café-style charm
  • 🌸 An easy entry into Japanese pancakes or foods with recipe appeal
  • 🧑‍🍳 An approachable way to explore Japanese café food recipes at home

Then this is your go-to.

It’s fun, rewarding, and beginner-friendly—even if it looks like something out of a Japanese patisserie.


🥗 What to Serve With Japanese Pancakes

To complete the café vibe at home, pair with:

  • Hot matcha latte or iced green tea
  • Fresh fruit salad with citrus segments
  • Vanilla yogurt parfait with granola
  • Sweet red bean paste (anko) for an authentic Japanese touch
  • Cold milk or black coffee for contrast

🥢 Want to lean even more into the vibe? Serve with chopsticks for fun!


🚀 Final Thoughts: Your Fluffiest Pancake Yet

Close-up of Japanese soufflé pancake with berries and ice cream
Japanese Pancake Recipe 10

These Japanese soufflé pancakes prove that big reward doesn’t need complicated technique.

They rise tall, jiggle like clouds, and taste like sweet brunch dreams. Once you master the simple fold-and-cook method, they’ll become your go-to recipe whenever you want to impress without stress.

Whether you’re planning a weekend brunch, surprising someone with a sweet treat, or just playing around with Japan recipes easy and fun, this dish delivers every time.

You don’t need a passport or a plane ticket to taste Tokyo café magic. Just a few ingredients, a bit of love, and maybe a little maple syrup.

🔗 More Pancake Recipes You’ll Love

Looking to expand your pancake game? These tried-and-true favorites are just as easy and delicious:

Each recipe brings something unique to the table, whether you’re cooking for one or hosting a cozy brunch. 🍴

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Tall stack of fluffy Japanese pancakes with cream and strawberries

Japanese Pancake Recipe


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  • Author: Ashley Wilson
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 23 pancakes (serves 2) 1x

Description

These fluffy Japanese Soufflé Pancakes are a brunch showstopper—jiggly, tall, and cloud-like. They’re made with just a handful of ingredients and a bit of whisking magic. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or whenever you need a sweet lift.


Ingredients

Scale

2 large eggs, separated

3 tablespoons milk

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar (optional)

Neutral oil or butter (for greasing the pan)

Optional toppings:

Whipped cream

Fresh strawberries or mango

Maple syrup or condensed milk

Powdered sugar

Ice cream


Instructions

1. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks with milk and vanilla. Add flour and baking powder. Mix until smooth.

2. In another bowl, beat egg whites. Add cream of tartar if using. Slowly add sugar and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form.

3. Fold one-third of egg whites into the yolk batter to lighten. Gently fold in the remaining whites. Batter should be thick and airy.

4. Grease a non-stick pan and heat over low. Spoon or pipe batter into 2–3 tall mounds. Cover with lid and cook for 4–5 mins.

5. Flip carefully, cover again, and cook another 4–5 mins until fully set and golden.

6. Serve immediately with whipped cream, syrup, berries, or toppings of choice.

Notes

✔️ Use cold egg whites for easier whipping

✔️ Don’t overmix when folding whites into yolks

✔️ Keep heat low and cover while cooking

✔️ Ring molds help achieve sky-high rise

✔️ For single-serve, halve the recipe and use a small pan

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
  • Method: Pan-Cooked, Whisked
  • Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 pancake
  • Calories: 130
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Sodium: 95mg
  • Fat: 5g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 15g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg

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