The Other Way To Flip Your Pancake (If You Keep Missing The Pan)

Flipping pancakes is easier said than done. From timing to technique, a lot can go wrong when turning over a half-cooked flapjack. If you're extra groggy in the morning or aren't super skilled with a spatula, even a small pancake-making mistake can cause you to miss the pan and make a mess of the stove. And while you shouldn't cry over spilled milk, it can be hard to hold back tears over a botched breakfast and more chores. Since mornings are stressful enough as it is, we'll let you in on a little secret: There's another way to flip pancakes that won't risk the disappointment of missing the pan.

Whether you're whipping up breakfast from a boxed mix or preparing basic buttermilk pancakes, you don't need to master any flapjack-flipping techniques to achieve gorgeously even, golden-brown results. Forget tossing it into the air with a fancy flick of the wrist, this viral pancake-flipping hack shared on TikTok is worth trying at home.

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When the time comes to flip a pancake, ease it onto a spatula and flip the pan instead, gently turning both over together. By meeting the partly cooked batter halfway, there won't be any room for error. In fact, it might take the potential mess out of all future pancake breakfasts. Except for all of the dishes — sadly, you'll still need to deal with those. Here's exactly what you need to know to make sure each pancake flip goes off without a hitch.

While savvy home chefs might try the fancy one-handed wrist flick or the signature, splatter-free scoop-and-plop with a spatula, the easiest way to flip a pancake is to not flip it at all. After all, there's no need to worry about aiming for the center of the pan when you can simply do some repositioning instead.

After pouring the batter onto a hot griddle, wait for it to begin bubbling, and use a large spatula to slide it under the partly cooked pancake. With a good grip on the utensil's handle, gently lift the pancake off the pan. Next, pick up the pan and turn it over, positioning it directly over the pancake. Line up the uncooked side with the center of the cooking surface, then turn the pancake and pan over at the same time. Use your spatula to gently press the two together as you set the pan back on the burner. Voila, you've successfully flipped a flapjack — no mess involved.

If you usually grease your griddle with butter or oil, be mindful not to use too much. Otherwise, when you flip the frying pan upside down, any excess liquid will drip onto the stovetop. Since this pancake-flipping hack is supposed to help you minimize mess, the last thing you want is to swap one for another. For best results, you should lightly grease a nonstick pan.

There's a lot more to achieving a pristine, fluffy stack of pancakes than the motion of the flip. Timing when exactly to flip the half-cooked batter is essential. Fortunately, there are a few signs to guide you. As the first side finishes cooking, usually after about a minute, air bubbles will begin to form. Wait for them to pop and form holes, then test the pancake's integrity by sliding a spatula underneath. The edges should come up easily and the color should be golden brown. That's when it's time to flip the pancake — or the pan, using the simple method above.

Provided that you flip each pancake promptly, you shouldn't need to flip more than once. That's good news, as multiple flips will take them from fluffy to flat. Recooking one or both sides can also cause unusual coloration and undesirable chewiness, preventing you from enjoying that perfect airy bite. It's also best to avoid overcrowding pancakes on a single griddle. Not only will this make flipping the pancakes with the pan a logistical nightmare, but it can also prevent the edges from crisping up nicely. 

Between these tips and the simple pancake-flipping technique taking the internet by storm, you'll soon be preparing breakfast with ease. There's no need to go to a diner for perfect pancakes when you can prepare a plate of fluffy, syrupy stacks at home — all without accidentally making a mess.