These Orange Vanilla Pancakes with Vanilla Maple Syrup are light, fluffy, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor. Made with real orange juice, fragrant zest, and warm vanilla, this breakfast recipe feels bright, comforting, and special while still being easy enough for everyday mornings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft, fluffy pancakes with natural orange flavor
- Warm vanilla maple syrup that tastes bakery-style
- Simple pantry ingredients with a fresh twist
- Perfect for weekends, brunch, or special breakfasts
- Kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, and halal-friendly
Ingredients
Pancakes
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup nonfat or 2% milk
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
Vanilla Maple Syrup
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat or preheat a griddle to 350°F.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk orange juice, milk, egg, oil, vanilla extract, and orange zest.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Batter may be slightly lumpy.
- Lightly grease the cooking surface. Pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake.
- Cook until bubbles form on the surface, flip, and cook until golden brown. Repeat with remaining batter.
- While pancakes cook, gently warm maple syrup in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Serve pancakes warm with vanilla maple syrup poured on top.
Tips & Tricks
- Do not overmix the batter to keep pancakes fluffy
- Fresh orange juice gives the best flavor, but bottled works
- Keep pancakes warm in a low oven while cooking batches
- Add blueberries or chocolate chips for variation
Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 pancakes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly, vegetarian
Notes
Serve these pancakes with fresh fruit, whipped cream, or toasted nuts. The vanilla maple syrup can be made ahead and gently reheated.
Nutrition (Approximate per serving)
- Calories: 290
- Protein: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fat: 9g
FAQ
Can I use bottled orange juice?
Yes, but fresh-squeezed orange juice provides brighter flavor.
Can I make the batter ahead of time?
It’s best used immediately, but can rest up to 30 minutes.
Can I freeze these pancakes?
Yes, freeze fully cooled pancakes for up to one month.
What milk works best?
Nonfat, 2%, or whole milk all work well.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, substitute milk with almond or oat milk.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store pancakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Freezer: Freeze pancakes up to 1 month
- Reheat: Warm in toaster, skillet, or microwave
- Syrup: Store in a sealed jar in the fridge
Similar Recipes
Orange Vanilla Pancakes with Vanilla Maple Syrup
Ingredients
Pancakes
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup nonfat or 2% milk
- 1 egg beaten
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
Vanilla Maple Syrup
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat or preheat a griddle to 350°F.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk orange juice, milk, egg, oil, vanilla extract, and orange zest.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Batter may be slightly lumpy.
- Lightly grease the cooking surface. Pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake.
- Cook until bubbles form on the surface, flip, and cook until golden brown. Repeat with remaining batter.
- While pancakes cook, gently warm maple syrup in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Serve pancakes warm with vanilla maple syrup poured on top.
Notes
Conclusion
These Orange Vanilla Pancakes with Vanilla Maple Syrup are bright, cozy, and full of homemade charm. With fresh citrus and warm vanilla in every bite, they’re a breakfast recipe that feels special yet effortless.