Sourdough buckwheat pancakes are for people who want pancakes who love their waffles and have been wanting to try a sourdough recipe. These pancakes are soft and spongy in the centre, with crispy, lacy edges from being fried in a hot cast-iron skillet with coconut oil. The combination of sourdough discard and buttermilk yields slightly tangy pancakes, while buckwheat flour adds an earthy nuttiness that no wheat flour can match.
Buckwheat is a naturally gluten-free grain, which is unrelated to wheat, that has been used in French crêpes, Japanese soba noodles, and Eastern European kasha for centuries. In this sourdough recipe that makes yummy pancakes, the overpowering flavour is balanced by a small amount of sugar and vanilla extract. So, you get a stack of pancakes that aren’t too sweet, quite filling, and packed with a lot of flavour, before any toppings are added. To make them fully gluten-free, simply use a buckwheat or other gluten-free sourdough starter.
The sourdough recipe uses sourdough discard, which can be used cold, straight from the refrigerator, with no resting or overnight fermenting required, though you can rest the batter overnight if you want a more sour flavour. An active sourdough starter also works. Either way, these sourdough buckwheat pancakes come together in under 20 minutes from a cold fridge start.
Ingredients
UNITSIngredients
1 cupBuckwheat flour (Dry ingredients)
1 tspBaking powder
½ tspBaking soda
2 tbspGranulated sugar
½ tspSalt
1 cupButtermilk (Wet ingredients)
1Egg
½ cupSourdough discard (or active starter)
½ tspVanilla extract
2 tbspUnsalted butter, melted
2-3 tbspRefined coconut oil (For frying)
To serveMaple syrup, softened butter, fresh berries
Whisk the buckwheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
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Step 2: Mix wet ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, egg, sourdough discard, and vanilla extract. Mix in the melted butter last.
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Step 3: Combine
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined and stop when most of the flour is hydrated. Some lumps are normal and fine. Do not overmix, or the pancakes will be tough.
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Step 4: Heat the pan
Add 2-3 tbsp of coconut oil to a cast-iron skillet. Heat over medium heat until you see wisps of smoke from the oil. Reduce to medium-low – the oil should remain hot but not aggressively smoking.
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Step 5: Cook the pancakes
Scoop approximately ¼ cup of batter per pancake into the hot oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes until bubbles appear all over the surface and the edges look set and crispy. Lift one edge with a spatula, and the underside should be dark brown with a crispy rim. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until evenly browned on both sides. Replenish oil between batches as needed. Keep cooked pancakes warm on a baking sheet in the oven at 95°C until the batch is complete.
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Step 6: Serve
Serve immediately with maple syrup, softened butter, and fresh berries.
Buckwheat has a distinct flavour and texture that is central to this recipe. If you do not have buckwheat flour, a plain sourdough recipe for the pancakes can be made using all-purpose flour.
Butter has a low smoke point, around 180°C, so it tends to burn more quickly, unlike refined coconut oil and other neutral oils that tolerate higher heat.
Yes. Cold discard works perfectly, and there is no need to bring it to room temperature first. The sourness will be more pronounced if the discard is older.
Overmixing develops the batter and toughens the texture even in gluten-free flours like buckwheat. Mix just until the dry flour is incorporated and some lumps remain.