This dreamy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes recipe makes the most soft and tender, bright and tangy, pancakes that are always a hit. They taste amazing served with butter and maple syrup, or your favorite berry compote.
The ricotta cheese keeps these pancakes so light and fluffy while the burst of bright lemon flavor is a refreshing way to start the day. For more pancake recipes you can also try our Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes, Blueberry Pancakes, or our classic Buttermilk Pancakes.
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Lemon Ricotta Pancakes Recipe
The star ingredient of these Italian-inspired pancakes is something you might not expect to find in your breakfast—ricotta cheese. Although if you think about it, ricotta cheese isn't far off from buttermilk and the process for making them is actually quite similar.
The ricotta cheese produces the most soft, fluffy, and flavorful pancakes you will ever try. The fresh lemon juice and zest add a wonderful tartness that perfectly compliments the mild ricotta cheese.
This recipe comes together in about the same amount of time as regular pancakes, so feel free to make these every weekend if you want. I love serving them with berries in any form, including fresh berries, Mixed Berry Syrup, Blackberry Syrup, Macerated Strawberries, or any type of fruit compote. A little powdered sugar and whipped cream wouldn’t hurt, either.
Key Ingredients
- Flour - I use all-purpose flour, however cake flour would also work great if you want them even lighter.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda - these both help to keep the pancakes fluffy and soft.
- Eggs - the eggs help hold the batter together as well as add tenderness once they are cooked. Any kind of large eggs will work.
- Milk - I prefer to use whole milk, but you could substitute 2%.
- Ricotta Cheese - any type of ricotta cheese will work, including low fat or even fat-free. You can even make your own ricotta cheese pretty easily with just whole milk and a bit of lemon juice. The closest substitute would be cottage cheese.
- Butter - you’ll need to melt your butter to mix into the wet ingredients.
- Fresh Lemons - you’ll need 1-2 fresh lemons to make this recipe. It’s easiest if you zest first, then juice them.
How to Make This Recipe for Ricotta Pancakes
- Mix the pancake batter. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt. In a separate small bowl, combine the eggs, milk, ricotta cheese, melted butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract and whisk to combine. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix together until well-combined but still slightly lumpy.
- Cook the pancakes. Heat a pan or non-stick skillet over medium heat, then add about 1 tablespoon of butter. Pour about ⅓ cup batter onto the hot griddle and cook until bubbles appear on the surface, or about 2 minutes. Flip the pancakes and continue to cook the other side until golden and cooked through, or about 1 minute more. Repeat this process with remaining batter.
- Serve. Serve pancakes warm with butter, syrup, or your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Recipe Variations
Enjoy a different flavor each weekend, starting with these easy recipe variations:
- Add a handful of fresh blueberries or raspberries to the pancake batter and fold them in gently.
- Incorporate a teaspoon or two of poppy seeds into the pancake batter to give it an extra crunch and a subtle nutty flavor.
- Add shredded coconut to the pancake batter, then top with toasted coconut and whipped cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Freezing pancakes is a great way to make future breakfasts super simple. Just let them cool completely then transfer to freezer bags. It’s a good idea to put a square of parchment paper between each pancake so that they don’t stick. Once you are ready to serve them again, just pop into your toaster or microwave.
You can keep it classic by serving Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with butter, maple syrup, and maybe a dusting of powdered sugar. I find that the flavor of these pancakes is almost begging to be served with fresh berries or berry compote. Blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries all taste amazing.
If you are making pancakes for a large family or a group of friends, you can set your oven to the lowest setting and store your cooked pancakes inside so that they stay warm.
Storing and Reheating
- Refrigerator: leftover pancakes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Freezer: you can freeze completely cooled pancakes in freezer bags for up to 1 month. It’s a good idea to place a small square of parchment paper between each so that they don’t stick.
- To reheat: to reheat either refrigerated or frozen pancakes, just pop into the toaster or microwave until warm and enjoy!
Lemon Ricotta Cheese Pancake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ cups All-Purpose Flour
- 2 Tablespoons Sugar
- 1 Tablespoons Baking Powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 cup Milk
- ½ cup Ricotta Cheese
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ¼ cup Butter melted
- 3 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
- 2 Tablespoons Lemon Zest
Instructions
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and whisk to combine.
- In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, milk, ricotta cheese, melted butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract and whisk to combine.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix together until well-combined but still slightly lumpy.
- Heat a pan or non-stick griddle over medium heat, then add about 1 tablespoon of butter.
- For each pancake, pour about ⅓ cup batter onto the hot griddle and let it spread out into a 4" round pancake. Depending on the size of your pan, you may be able to cook up to 3 at a time.
- Allow the pancakes to cook until bubbles appear on the surface and the edges are beginning to set, or about 2 minutes. Flip the pancakes, using a spatula, and continue to cook the other side until golden and cooked through, or about 1 minute more. Repeat this process with remaining batter.
- Serve pancakes warm with butter, syrup, or your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Nutrition
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These Lemon Ricotta Pancakes are so soft and fluffy, full of flavor, and easy to make. Served with butter, syrup, and fresh fruit, these pancakes make the perfect sweet and tangy breakfast.
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