Put down the box. This easy homemade batter makes the fluffiest pancakes — just add bacon

Two of breakfast’s greatest pleasures — pancakes and bacon — come together in one scrumptious bite. And what could be better than perfectly fluffy pancakes stuffed with smoky bacon and dunked in warm maple syrup?

These hand-held treats aren’t just great for lazy weekends, they’re an excellent on-the-go breakfast option for busy weekday mornings.

You can make this recipe using your favorite pancake mix, but homemade pancakes are quick and easy. My homemade batter requires very few pantry staples and produces pancakes that are superbly fluffy, slightly sweet, and undeniably moist. I promise you won’t attain a fluffier pancake from a boxed mix.

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How to make pancakes

Whether it’s store-bought or homemade, your pancake batter should be creamy, thick and “pourable”, which means it shouldn’t be overly thick or, in contrast, super runny. To test the batter, lift some out of the bowl with a spoon and allow it to pour back into the bowl. It should pour smoothly and slowly. If your batter is too thick, fold in a little milk. If it’s too runny, fold in a little flour.

When it comes to cooking pancakes, don’t rush it. That means don’t cook over high heat. The best temperature for cooking beautiful, golden-brown pancakes is medium, or 375 F. If the pan is too hot, the outside will char before the inside finishes cooking.

When should you flip your flapjack? When bubbles have formed on the surface of your pancakes and the batter around the top edge is starting to look cooked, you'll know it's time to flip. Note that the second side will cook faster.

Go ahead and make as many pancakes as you want. This recipe calls for 8 to 10 slices of bacon, and enough batter for 8 to 10 pancakes. You can easily cook the whole pound of bacon — typically about 16 slices — and double the pancake batter, giving you enough food for a hungry crowd, whether it’s a big family breakfast, or holiday brunch. Adjust the quantity to suit your needs.

And guess what? You can refrigerate or freeze leftovers. Having pancakes on hand for busy mornings is always a good idea. Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat the pancakes in the microwave.

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How to cook bacon in the oven

Cook the bacon until chewy-crisp. This isn’t imperative, just a friendly recommendation. If the bacon is undercooked, the pancakes may be chewy and greasy. If the bacon is over-cooked, the inside of your pancake might be a little crumbly.