Everyone loves pancakes: they’re sweet, indulgent, and can be topped with anything from fresh fruit to chocolate spread or ice cream.
They make a wholesome breakfast treat or a delicious dessert, and pancakes can even be made healthier by using natural ingredients such as bananas and adding protein powder or nuts and seeds.
While store-bought pancakes are super convenient, nothing quite beats the taste of homemade pancakes...if you can get them right.
Getting the right consistency can be tricky, not to mention the risk of the mixture sticking to the pan.
Enter the pancake maker: your new best friend.
Pancake makers are easy to use, allow you to make quick, convenient pancakes, and are the most reliable way to get consistent results every time.
The good news is that these handy machines are cheaper than ever to buy online, and with the kitchen appliance market ever-expanding and evolving, you’re spoiled for choice.
To help you narrow down your decision, we’ve picked out the best pancake makers on the web, and have put together a handy buyer’s guide containing everything you need to know before clicking “buy.”
In a hurry? Scroll down to find our top pick for pancake makers…
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OUR TOP PICK
The Dash express griddle ticks all the boxes for fast, easy pancakes, but it’s also great for cooking a range of other dishes too: from eggs and grilled cheese to cookies and quesadillas.
This compact griddle is 8” across meaning it takes up minimal counter space and is ideal for smaller spaces such as apartments, college dorms, or even an RV or campervan.
The Dash express griddle is easy and convenient: simply plug in and wait minutes for it to heat up.
The dual griddle surfaces are both PFOA-free and non-stick, ensuring you get consistent results every time and meaning clean-up is fast and easy.
Anti-slip feet provide extra stability, while the non-electrical parts of the appliance can be easily wiped clean.
We also loved the on-trend colors this pancake maker comes in, and the fact that you get a 1-year manufacturer warranty, recipe book, and access to the Dash recipe database, making this buy great value for money.
Pros
- Compact design - won’t take up unnecessary space
- Great value for money
- The dual griddle is non-stick and PFOA free
- Make more than just pancakes
- User friendly
- Quick and convenient to use - fast heat-up
- Non-slip feet for added traction
- Two eye-catching colors to choose from.
Cons
- Short lifespan
EDITORS CHOICE
If you enjoy thin, European style crepes or pancakes, this iSiLER griddle might be the one for you and comes with a spatula and spreader so you can achieve perfect crepes every time.
The large, 12-inch plate heats evenly and quickly thanks to the high power thermostat control providing you with pancakes in minutes.
The e-shaped heat pipe ensures that heat is distributed evenly so the crepes and pancakes are uniformly cooked, meaning you get consistent results every time.
The adjustable thermostat allows you to cook your pancakes just the way you like them, while built-in intelligence ensures they don’t burn or dry out, which allows you to cook stress-free.
The food-grade aluminum cooking plate is durable and reliable, while the non-stick surface makes perfect crepes and pancakes and makes cleaning up easy.
We also loved this pancake maker for its thoughtful details, for example, the anti-slip rubber base and the power cord that is easily wound and stored in the base of the appliance, means you can neatly put the pancake maker away when you’re not using it.
Pros
- Adjustable temperature
- 1080 W high power with even heat distribution
- Intelligence temperature control
- Non-stick aluminum plate
- Anti-slip base and windable power cord
- Makes more than just pancakes - eggs, steaks, pizza, and more
- Class crepe technique - comes with spreader and spatula so you can achieve perfect pancakes
Cons
- Not ideal for smaller kitchens or countertops with limited space
BEST VALUE
While this Imusa griddle is designed to make perfect Arepas, it’s also ideal for pancakes, and the dual grills allow you to make two pancakes at once, perfect if you’re making a stack of them.
You’ll also be able to achieve that perfect round shape every time, and you needn’t worry about the mixture sticking, as the non-stick cooking surface prevents this from happening, and ensures clean-up is quick and easy.
This pancake maker also has Bakelite cool-touch housing so you won’t burn yourself when lifting the lid, as well as power and heat indicator lights for convenience and ease.
It also has a locking lid for easy storage, and a preset temperature option so you get consistent results every time.
Considering you can make 2 pancakes at once, this griddle is excellent value for money and can also be used for a range of other meals and snacks, such as corn cakes, pastries, and even eggs.
Pros
- Power and heat indicator lights
- Preset temperature option
- Nonstick cooking surface
- Locking lid for easy storage
- Prepares 2 pancakes or arepas at once
- Non-Stick surface for easy cleaning
- Bakelite cool-touch housing
- Can be used for more than just pancakes
- Great value for money
Cons
- Doesn’t always cook uniformly
RUNNER UP
This crepe and pancake griddle comes equipped with everything you need to make perfect pancakes every time, including a spatula and spreader, as well as a recipe book so you can get the most out of your machine.
With 1000W of power, this high-heat pancake maker heats up in no time at all.
The non-stick aluminum surface evenly heats your pancakes while the precise temperature control allows you to accommodate not only crepes and pancakes but tortillas, eggs, bacon and so much more.
The built-in indicator light lets you know when your machine has reached optimal temperature, and the cord holder on the base is also a convenient touch.
This machine also comes with a lifetime warranty, making it worth the slightly higher price tag.
The friendly US-based customer services are also on hand to help with any issues you encounter, and will gladly replace or refund your product should it not be up to the advertised standards.
Pros
- 1000W power
- Precise temperature control
- Indicator lights
- Cord holder
- Perfect for traditional french crepes, pancakes, and more
- Easy to clean, non-stick surface
- Comes with a spatula, spreader, and recipe book containing 100 recipes
- Lifetime warranty and customer service support
Cons
- Risk of burning yourself on exposed plate
- Slightly more expensive than other options
RUNNER UP
We thought we’d add this animal pancake griddle to the mix because, well, why not? This griddle will produce perfect, fluffy pancakes with super cute animal prints that will get your kids excited about breakfast.
This is perfect if you prefer a stove-top pan as opposed to an electric pancake maker, and you can easily create up to 7 bite-sized pancakes in minutes.
The non-stick surface makes it easy to flip the pancakes and decreases clean-up time.
It’s made of die-cast aluminum so will last years, and the quality material ensures maximum heat transfer for fast, easy cooking and consistently perfect pancakes.
This griddle is super versatile, and can be used on a range of cooktops: from gas to halogen or ceramic cooktops, it can also be used to make not only pancakes but crepes, blinis and blintzes.
Pros
- Produces fun, animal-shaped pancakes
- Can be used on a range of cooktops
- Makes 7 pancakes at once
- Non-stick surface for easy flipping and cleaning
- Double layer premium Valeria coating, no PFOA or leads
- Die-cast aluminum ensures maximum heat transfer
- Versatile - can be used to cook a range of treats
- Great for kids
Cons
- A little expensive for a griddle
- Not dishwasher safe
Best Pancake Maker Buyer’s Guide
Now we’ve shown you some of the best pancake makers on the market, it’s time to narrow down your choice slightly.
If you’re still a little uncertain of the key features you need to make perfect, consistent pancakes, fear not.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes a pancake maker worth the money…
Machine type
“Pancake maker” is a pretty broad term, encompassing a range of different types of pancake-creating devices.
- For example, electric pancake makers are great for convenience, simply pour your batter in, close the lid, and wait for your pancakes to bake to perfection. These types of machines are available for a relatively cheap price these days and come in a range of sizes, with “mini” or “personal” versions popular amongst students or apartment dwellers.
- Crepe makers are also a common choice; these are usually 12” in diameter, so are bigger than most general pancake makers. These are great for producing French-style crepes that are thin, soft, and evenly cooked. These types of machines usually come equipped with a spatula and spreader so you can spread the batter in a circular motion to achieve the perfect crepe consistency. They tend to be a little more expensive due to their bigger size, but they usually have more sophisticated temperature controls, too.
- Pancake pans or griddles are more traditional but are set apart from typical pans as they will always have a non-stick surface to make flipping easier. Some pans also come with the pancake shapes cut out so you can simply fill them with batter and achieve perfect pancakes every time. These are great for making more than one pancake at a time, just remember that they still involve the traditional “cooking” part of the pancake and will require you to watch over them, rather than stick them in a machine and make coffee while the pancakes cook themselves.
Related Content: Best Pancake Griddles (Top 5)
Temperature control
Consider whether you want a pancake maker with a temperature control dial or not.
While simpler machines may simply light up when they reach their maximum heat, more sophisticated devices may have multiple temperature settings depending on what you’re cooking or may have temperature presets and indicator lights so you know when the pancake maker has reached its optimum heat.
Size
How much space do you have to work with? And how many people do you usually cook pancakes for? These are important questions to consider before you dive in and click “buy.”
If you’ve got limited counter and storage space, you probably don't want to invest in a 12” crepe maker, as this is going to take up a lot of surface space.
If you live in a small apartment, or live alone, you might be better suited to a “mini” or “personal” pancake maker, and these are also great for college students and travelers.
On the other hand, if you’re catering for a large family and find yourself strapped for time when cooking pancakes in the morning, it’s worth looking at two things: first, how many pancakes can the machine cook at once, and secondly, how long do they take to cook?
If you can’t find an electric pancake maker that suits your needs, you could also consider a griddle with multiple pancake molds - these are also great for making a stack of pancakes.
Power
If you’re purchasing an electric pancake maker, the wattage of the machine will be the best indicator of how hot it gets and the speed at which it will cook your pancakes or crepes.
Some of the best pancake makers are 1000W or more. Mini pancake makers will be even less, at around 350W.
For a good size that makes regular pancakes, you’ll want one that is at least 750W.
Heat-up time
Consider how long your machine will take to reach its optimal temperature, as the whole point of the pancake maker is convenience, and this is particularly important if you’re using your pancake maker in the mornings to make breakfast for the whole family.
Check how long it takes to make each pancake, and consider a dual option or a multiple pancake-making pan if you have a big family.
Cleaning
You’ll also want to consider how easy the pancake maker is to clean.
Nearly all pancake makers will have non-stick surfaces that are designed to make it easier to remove the pancake mixture from the cooking surface, which should also decrease the clean-up time.
You can usually wipe down the non-electrical parts of a pancake maker, but always check the manufacturer specifications, and, if you’re opting for a more traditional pancake pan or griddle instead, consider whether or not it can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
Extra features to look out for
- Adjustable heat - this allows you to tailor your pancakes to your taste and may also be ideal for cooking other types of food
- Rubber base/feet - these provide the pancake maker with added traction on slippery kitchen countertops
- Light indicators - these are handy for letting you know when your pancake maker has reached optimal heat, or when it’s on or off
- Cord holder - these are sometimes situated on the base of the pancake maker and are great for winding your power cord around to store it away when you’re not using it
- Versatility - can you cook other food in it? Pancake makers can often be used to cook eggs, omelets, bacon, and much more
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between pancakes and crepes?
Both are flour-based batters enriched with milk and eggs and poured into a skillet, griddle, or pan, then cooked until firm enough to flip
However, American-style pancakes usually have a rising agent in them and are thick and full, while French crepes don’t and are instead wafer-thin and delicate.
How do you make pancakes in a pancake maker?
You’ll need to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, but generally, the process is the same whether you’re using a pancake maker or a pan.
- Simply heat a little butter or oil and then pour your pancake batter onto the hot plate of the pancake maker.
- You can use a wooden spoon or spatula to spread it out into a circular shape, but be careful not to spread it too thin as it will rip easily.
- Heat for around a minute on medium heat, and then gently flip it over to cook the other side.
- Each side should be golden brown. If you’re cooking a crepe, be wary that it will cook much quicker and can burn easily.
What else can you make in a pancake maker?
As we mentioned above, you can make far more than just crepes and pancakes in these machines.
In most pancake makers you can make flour tortillas, quesadillas, and omelets, and can even cook pizza, eggs, and steak in some.
Always read the manufacturer guidelines beforehand, and ensure that whatever you’re cooking is cooked well before eating.
Happy pancaking making!
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