What is the difference between thin and thick pancakes?

Thin pancakes (crepe-style) use a runny batter with more liquid and no raising agent. They are cooked in a very thin layer and can be rolled or folded. Thick pancakes (Scotch/American-style) use a thicker batter with baking powder to give them a fluffy, risen texture.

Should I rest pancake batter?

For thin pancakes, yes — rest the batter for at least 30 minutes (up to overnight in the fridge). This lets the flour fully hydrate and the gluten relax, giving smoother, more flexible pancakes. For thick pancakes, use the batter straight away while the baking powder is still active.

How many pancakes per person?

For thin pancakes, allow about 3 per person as a main course (e.g. with lemon and sugar for Shrove Tuesday). For thick pancakes, allow 2-3 per person. Appetites vary, so adjust to suit.

Why are my pancakes sticking to the pan?

Make sure the pan is properly hot before adding batter. Use a small knob of butter or a light wipe of oil between each pancake. Non-stick pans work best. For thin pancakes, swirl the batter quickly to coat the base thinly and evenly.

Should I rest pancake batter?

Yes, resting pancake batter for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight in the fridge) allows the flour to fully hydrate and the gluten to relax, resulting in more tender pancakes. Rested batter also produces fewer bubbles, giving smoother, more even pancakes. American-style fluffy pancakes benefit less from resting.

BakeCalcs

Pancake Batter Calculator

Calculate flour, egg, and milk quantities for pancakes or crepes by number of servings.

Number of Pancakes

Pancake Type

How We Calculate This

This calculator uses two classic British pancake recipes — one for thin crepe-style pancakes (traditional Shrove Tuesday pancakes) and one for thick fluffy pancakes.

Thin Pancakes (per 9)

100g plain flour, pinch of salt
2 large eggs
300ml whole milk
Butter for greasing the pan

Thick Pancakes (per 7)

150g self-raising flour, 7g baking powder
1 large egg, 25g caster sugar
175ml whole milk
Butter for cooking

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

Christmas Cake Calculator

Calculate dried fruit, butter, flour, and alcohol quantities for Christmas cake by tin size.

Christmas Pudding Calculator

Calculate ingredient quantities for Christmas pudding by basin size and number of puddings.

Mince Pie Calculator

Calculate pastry and mincemeat quantities for a batch of mince pies.

Hot Cross Bun Calculator

Calculate ingredient quantities for hot cross buns based on batch size.

Simnel Cake Calculator

Calculate cake and marzipan quantities for simnel cake by tin size.

Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are based on standard ratios and conversions. Results may vary with specific ingredients, equipment, and conditions.