For More Luxurious Pancakes, Introduce Ricotta To The Mix

Ricotta pancakes are a popular menu item at brunch spots for good reason: mainly their rich taste and fluffiness. If you've ever wondered what it would take to make the thick stacks of flapjacks on your own at home, it's time to set aside any hesitation. Ricotta pancakes are not as intimidating as you may think — all you need for the most luxurious pancakes is a container of ricotta cheese, plus your typical pancake ingredients or favorite boxed mix.

Traditionally a byproduct of the cheese-making process, ricotta cheese can be made from various milks, commonly cow's or sheep's. It can be crafted the traditional way, using leftover whey, or by heating whole milk and cream, then adding an acid like lemon juice to produce curds which are then drained. The result is an extremely pliable and light cheese, packed with milky flavor (if you've ever tried whipped ricotta dip or enjoyed the cheese spread between layers of lasagna, you know what we mean).

When used in a pancake recipe, ricotta makes for a thick batter imbued with richness from the fresh cheese. The texture is light, yet there is an element of creaminess like you'd find with cheesecake. Ricotta pancakes also usually have a little bit of lemon juice or zest for a hint of tang that perfectly complements the dairy. The resulting pancakes are undeniably delicious and fluffy.

Anyone who's no stranger to whipping up pancakes for a morning breakfast with flair knows that you don't need to follow the instructions on the box to a tee. In fact, adding your own ingredients can seriously elevate boxed pancake mix — and it's possible no one will know they're not homemade. Ricotta is the ingredient you need in your culinary toolbox for extra creamy, yet light pancakes.

To add ricotta to whatever pancake mix you have on hand, simply prepare the mix as directed, adding any water, milk, or eggs. You can also add in some lemon zest or juice (or experiment with other citrus fruits like orange or grapefruit), along with some vanilla extract. Once your pancake batter is mixed just until combined fold in your ricotta. Avoid over-mixing; some lumps are fine. If there's a lot of liquid in the container, drain it off first.

Start with half a cup for a subtle richness, or add up to 1 cup of ricotta per 2 cups of dry pancake mix. Do note that your pancake batter will be thicker than usual — and that's part of the magic that lends way to fluffy pancakes. Add in blueberries or raspberries to add tartness, while providing refreshingly fruity floral notes. Let your pancake batter rest to ensure extra fluffiness, then proceed with cooking your pancakes on a skillet or griddle as usual.

If you have the extra time, it's also easy to make your own ricotta pancakes, sans boxed mix. The benefit of making them from scratch is they are customizable and come together relatively quickly and easily. This means, you can adjust your ingredients to result in extra height for your pancakes or add dash of extra sweetness.

To make ricotta pancakes even more fluffy, for instance, you could rely solely on leavening agents like the baking powder, but many recipes also call for whipped egg whites to be folded into the batter. This results in an even lighter, airier texture. To make your ricotta pancakes this way, first mix your dry ingredients, including flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder, then mix together the ricotta with milk or buttermilk and egg yolks that have been separated from their whites (plus a couple tablespoons of melted butter if preferred). Combine the wet and dry ingredient mixtures, then fold in whipped or frothed eggs whites.

This method will keep things extra fluffy, so if you have the time it's definitely worth trying. Whether you make your own homemade pancakes or add ricotta to a boxed pancake mix, once your pancakes are hot off the griddle, you can add fixings to complement the rich taste and soft texture. Think: blueberry syrup, lemon curd, and a drizzle of honey. Or go with classic maple syrup, butter, and homemade whipped cream, and savor each fluffy pancake bite.