The Unlikely Baker

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Light Fluffy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

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Whip up a batch of these light fluffy lemon ricotta pancakes and start the day with sunshine on a plate! Bright lemon flavour, not too sweet, soft as a cloud.

Light Fluffy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Hi! How are you? We’re a week away from Christmas…are you all set? As of today, we’ve already gone to three holiday parties. And have done zero minimal workouts. I think of it as Santa’s gift to me lol.

If you’re looking for a break from all the rich, decadent holiday food (all that glorious food), you’ve come to the right place! I have these fantastic lemon ricotta pancakes for you. Light, bright flavours. Soft and airy. A most wonderful way to start the day.

So whether it’s Christmas morning or just your regular Saturday, make a batch of these pancakes and start the day happy.

Official Pancake Maker

Light Fluffy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

I want a proper Belgian waffle maker for Christmas (Red, are you reading this?). We’ve owned a few over the years, each of which we returned to the store because, well, they suck.

I’ve been asking around so that our next one will be The One (do you have a recommendation?) but in the meantime, I’ve been busy experimenting with all kinds of pancakes, earning me the much coveted title of Official Pancake Maker.

While I love both of them, these light fluffy lemon pancakes are my favourite.

Light fluffy lemon ricotta pancakes

Light Fluffy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

First because it’s lemon. Those of you who’ve been with me since the start of TUB (thanks xoxo!) know I’m Team Lemon all the way (I have a whole category dedicated to lemons!).

But more than that, these pancakes are super soft and fluffy. You’d need to work the egg whites separately to give the pancakes their height and fluffiness but it’s totally worth it.

Third, it’s light and bright. Pancakes are usually rich and decadent but these are not overly sweet and I find that I prefer not to drown them in maple syrup (don’t judge me). It’s really a great recipe if you don’t feel like eating dessert for breakfast (let’s get real for a moment…I say no to dessert for breakfast too…sometimes…ok not very often…but it happens!).

Lemons > winter

Light Fluffy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Most people bake and cook with lemons in the spring and summer but I really love working with them in the winter. Citrus fruits are at their best in the winter and how can you say no to cheerful yellow things in the midst of a snow storm?

Hope you try these lemon ricotta pancakes one weekend soon. They are happy dance-worthy.

Related: How to Take Stunning Food Photos

Light Fluffy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Light Fluffy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Whip up a batch of these light fluffy lemon ricotta pancakes and start the day with sunshine on a plate! Bright lemon flavour, not too sweet, soft as a cloud.
4.93 from 26 votes
Print Rate
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: North American
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 1 hr
Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
Servings: 12 pancakes
Calories: 141kcal
Author: Jolina

Ingredients

  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup milk
  • 3 egg yolks slightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 3 egg whites
  • 1 1/2 cups cake flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt divided
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, whisk 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1 cup milk, 3 egg yolks, 1/4 cup sugar, 3 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tbsp lemon zest until smooth and fully incorporated. Set aside.
  • Using a handheld electric mixer, a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or a large bowl and a balloon whisk, beat the 3 egg whites until foamy. Add 1/8 teaspoon salt and continue whisking until you reach soft peaks. 
  • Prep your pan by placing it on the stove on medium heat so it's ready as soon as you mix your wet and dry ingredients. In the meantime, go back to your ricotta cheese mixture and sift 1 1/2 cups cake flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, and the rest of the salt over it. Stir until just combined (see note 1).
  • Then gently fold your egg white mixture into your batter a third at a time. What you're looking for is a light, fluffy mixture.
  • Put some oil or butter (or a combination) into your pan and pour the pancakes 1/3 cup at a time. Cook until golden brown at the bottom (2-3 minutes) then flip. Cook another 1-2 minutes (see note 2).
  • Serve warm topped with maple syrup and your favourite toppings like dried blueberries.

Notes

  1. Do not over stir the batter. At this stage, you're not looking for a smooth and creamy mixture. Little lumps of flour is OK.
  2. Every stove is different so time and watch your first couple of pancakes to see what the right cook time is for you.
  3. These pancakes freeze really well. Just put them in a Ziploc bag (separated with parchment paper so they don't stick together) and freeze. Then just microwave each pancake for about a minute (no need to thaw) and you'll have good-as-new lemon ricotta pancakes!
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Happy cooking!

Did you make lemon ricotta pancakes? What’s your favourite kind of pancakes? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.

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Reader Interactions

Comments


  1. Wow. We went to brunch in Philadelphia this weekend and my husband was disappointed that he didn’t get the lemon ricotta pancakes that our friend got. I looked these up on line and made them tonight with fresh blueberries maple syrup and just a squirt of fresh whipped cream. Next time I will use a bit more lemon zest because my lemons were small. I think the cake flour, whipped egg whites, folding gently made all the difference. My husband had six pancakes . Thanks for the recipe. Wonderful with a breakfast meat for any meal.

    Reply

    • Awww I’m glad your husband got to have his pancakes! Thanks for your kind words Sue, made my day 🙂 Have a lovely spring/summer!

      Reply


  2. Weekends are pancake days at home and one weekend I decided to make your lemon pancakes. I wasnt sure how the kids would like it but they loved it and are requesting for more. It is so soft.

    Reply


  3. I’m so glad tomorrow is Sunday because that means I have a little extra time to make these! Yay – they look fabulous, I’m always searching for a delicious lemon ricotta pancakes recipe. Pancakes are always a good idea, no matter what season it is. I really like this recipe. I am very excited to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing useful ingredients.

    Reply


  4. These are so delicious! My pancakes didn’t look as fluffy as yours ha! but they were so soft. I wonder if I can use this same recipe for waffles?

    Reply

    • Hi Laura! So glad you liked them. I haven’t actually tried them as waffles but I think that’s a delicious idea. Let me know how it goes 🙂

      Reply

    • Hi Theresa! I buy ricotta in a tub which doesn’t typically have a lot of liquid in it. So I don’t drain it…

      Reply


  6. Wow! Just reading this post made me hungry. These look so lightweight and fluffy — the combination of flavors sounds delicious.

    Reply


  7. I can’t say I’ve ever tried pancakes with Ricotta before! These look and sound delicious, and the recipe is pretty simple to follow too – thanks for sharing, I’m gonna bookmark this one for later 😉 x

    Reply

  9. Oh wow my goodness these look amazing! I have to try these immediately!! So delicious! Thanks for the recipe! my family is going to enjoy these for sure.

    Reply

  10. Oh they look so soft. Just seeing them makes my mouth water. Thanks for sharing the tip on working more on the egg and adding lemon. Lovely tips. I am going to try this recipe out today itself.

    Reply


  12. Pancakes are always a good idea, no matter what season it is. How come yours are so fluffy ?? I never manage to get mine to look so great. But I guess I need more practice :D. Anyways, I hope that Santa listens to you and brings you The Belgian Waffle Maker. Merry Christmas!

    Reply

  15. Ask me about parties and minimal workout! I have taken a week off from workout and don’t even want to count the amount of sinful food am having! So yeah, I do need healthy recipes more than ever and these pancakes look yummy. Am definitely trying this one and I hope you find your Waffle Maker real soon 🙂

    Reply


  16. This recipe comes closest to the lemon ricotta pancakes we had at FIG in Santa Monica which were heavenly. Whenever I make them, I like to mix the ricotta completely and add a bit of Fiori di Sicilia for a bump in the citrus flavor. Separating and beating the egg whites makes all the difference. Definitely worth the effort. x

    Reply


  19. I’m definitely printing this recipe. I love love ricotta cheese therefore I’m going to try and make it. I hope you get your waffle maker for Christmas

    Reply


  23. What great looking pancakes. I think the touch of lemon gives them a fresh taste and the ricotta cheese – wow, great combination of ingredients. This would certainly be a special breakfast.

    Reply


  26. Yay for team lemon! These look delicious, Jolina! I would love to have these over the holidays with some bacon, juice and coffee and definitely minimal workout time 😉 Hope Santa brings you that waffle maker….and I’m definitely doing a happy dance 🙂

    Reply

    • Hi Ana! Parties are great, though I can barely fit into my jeans now LOL! Ah well…it’s Christmas anyhow 🙂 Hope you’re having fabulous holidays!

      Reply


  28. My husband made me lemon ricotta pancakes last weekend and it was absolutely delicious! I never had pancake with ricotta cheese but this little addition makes huge different on taste! Since lemon is all year round and the price doesn’t really change in where I live maybe this time I’ll try to make lemon ricotta pancake for my husband this Christmas!

    Reply


  37. I agree about citrus in winter….it really can brighten your mood. I too am on team lemon. However my hubby is an even bigger lemon fan. I already tagged him on FB. Let’s see if he gets the hint and makes these. He’s our official waffle maker so I think he’s up to the task.

    Reply

    • Nice! I love how you guys have an office waffle maker haha 🙂 Hopefully I get my very own waffle maker soon. Hope you’re having a great day Denise!

      Reply

  38. Oh my! I will have to try these for Sunday breakfast when we have company over. They seem like a nice upgrade from standard fare. I’ll bet my homemade blueberry syrup would accent that lemon nicely.

    Reply


  40. Yes please… oh I love pancake for breakfast. Would definitely whip this up in Christmas morning. Merry Christmas to you and Red!

    Reply

  42. Oh my goodness, these sound absolutely delicious- and they look it,too! What a great way to lighten up a typically heavy morning staple. Would definitely help to start my day off on a bright note.

    Reply

  45. Not fond of ricotta…. I can’t get past the texture. Is there anything you suggest to swap out the ricotta for? Those pancakes look delicious though…

    Reply


  49. I mean, what is better than lemon with blueberry!! Nothing! Lol! These look AMAZING! Plus “soft and airy”? Yes please!
    Can’t wait to try these!

    Reply

  50. They used to have amazing lemon ricotta pancakes at this breakfast place near by house and I was SO sad when they look them off the menu recently. I’m very happy to have found this recipe so I can make them for myself at home!

    Reply

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