Pancakes Without Butter

Here is a simple recipe for making pancakes without butter, using oil as an alternative. If you are passionate about Italian flavors, we could add a bit of ricotta to the batter to make the pancakes softer and give an Italian touch to the dish. But for the classic version, here are the ingredients and the procedure:

Ingredients

• 240 ml of milk (or plant-based drink for a dairy-free version)
• 1 tablespoon of seed oil (as an alternative to butter)
• 200 g of flour
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 sachet of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional)

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, beat the egg with the sugar until you have a homogeneous mixture.
2. Add the milk and seed oil to the mixture and stir well until they are completely combined.
3. In another bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix these dry ingredients.
4. Combine the dry ingredients with the egg, milk, and oil mixture, stirring as little as possible to avoid making the pancakes too tough. If you have chosen to use the vanilla extract, add it now.
5. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and, if desired, lightly grease with a touch of seed oil, or use cooking spray.
6. Pour a ladle of batter into the pan for each pancake. Cook until bubbles start to form on the surface, then flip the pancake and cook for about another minute on the other side until golden.
7. Serve hot with your preferred topping, such as honey, maple syrup, fresh fruit or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Fun Facts

In Anglo-Saxon countries, pancakes are a staple of hearty breakfasts and come in numerous variants. In Italy too they have become popular, perhaps served with a touch of Nutella or jam for an international breakfast with an Italian heart.