The Ultimate & Practical Guide to Pancake Day

Pancake Day will soon be upon us. And, if you’re anything like our Circulon team members, you’ll love getting to try new recipes and have fun with friends and family by cooking up a great collection of tasty treats. Whether you’re a sweet pancake aficionado, or hopping on the savoury train this year, making pancakes is an art – but there are a few cheats we know that can help you make the best pancakes on the day.

So, to learn more about Pancake Day, from the origins of the tradition to choosing the best pancake pan (and much more besides), check out this ultimate guide…

The origins of Pancake Day

Pancake Day, aka Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras, is the day that immediately precedes Ash Wednesday – or the beginning of Lent according to the Western Christian calendars. Since the exact date of Easter changes, so too does Shrove Tuesday; but, it typically falls between the 2nd February and 9th March. This is because Shrove Tuesday is exactly 47 days before Easter – in 2025, Pancake Day is on the 4th March, with Easter Sunday falling later on 20th April.

But why is it called Pancake Day? As this is the last day before the austerity of Lent, many households needed a way to use up rich, sweet foods – especially those containing sugar, eggs, and fats. Pancakes were the perfect way to use up these ingredients in one simple recipe, and became the popular food of choice in many Western European countries¹. 

Fun fact: not everyone celebrates with pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. Many Polish communities make paczki, which are sweet, deep fried pastries filled with fruit; while Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans involve the King Cake, an iced ring-shaped pastry.

Choosing the best pancake pan

The first step to levelling up your Pancake Day game is having the right pancake pan. While you might have a variety of frying pans in your kitchen, not all of them are going to help you make the best pancakes every time. Instead, you need to choose a pancake pan according to certain characteristics, such as:

Lightweight

If you’re going to get that perfect flip, you need a pancake pan you can lift comfortably – and with a reasonable amount of dexterity. Too heavy, and you run the risk of the pancake folding and making a sticky mess; too light, and you could have pancakes on the ceiling!

The best pancake pans are light enough to move, but heavy enough to feel reassuring in the hand. Our favourite? The best selling and lightweight Premier Professional Frying Pan Twin Pack with over 600 5-Star reviews. Engineered for maximum performance with our Total Non-Stick, this pancake pan is future-proof – so you can focus on getting the ultimate stack of pancakes for your plate.

Non-stick

There is nothing worse than having to abandon what could have been the best pancake flip you’ve ever done, all because your pancake is stuck to the pan. Choosing a non-stick pancake pan puts an end to this uncertainty, allowing you to flip to your heart's content. A non-stick pancake pan also allows you to cut down on your oil use – perfect for getting soft, fluffy pancakes.

Need a non-stick pancake pan? You’ve come to the right place. Our ScratchDefense Extreme Non-Stick Small Frying Pan is designed for easy cooking and easy cleaning, with superb food release to flip your pancake from pan to plate. It has even been tested to withstand 350,000 scratches – which is the equivalent of 200 years of use! Now that’s a lot of pancakes…

Large surface area

It might not be something you’ve thought about before, but the size and surface area of your pan can make a big impact on the success of your Pancake Day. For example, the best crepe pans need to have plenty of space to give you that characteristically large, thin layer of batter. Bigger pancake pans also mean you can make multiple small pancakes at once – which is ideal if you’re feeding the whole family.

If you want a pancake pan with a large surface area, we recommend our 30cm Diameter Total Non-Stick Induction Frying Pan! Perfectly designed to make large pancakes or thin crêpes, the non-stick means the end of struggling to flip even the biggest of pancakes. Or, spoil your family with lots of little pancakes all in one pan.

Heat retention

Making pancakes requires consistency. While the first one tends to always come out a little squiffy (which is totally fine, we always say the first pancake is for the chickens anyway), you need a consistent heat to make each successive pancake perfect. So, the best pancake pans need to have excellent heat retention. It also helps if they heat evenly, so that your pancakes cook evenly every time.

Our pick? The new ScratchDefense Stainless Steel Extreme Non-Stick Induction Frying Pan with an ultra thick aluminium core. Designed to conduct heat evenly and efficiently throughout the entire pan from base to rim, this is the perfect pancake pan for a lifetime of pancake mastery. 

Top tips for making pancakes

Once you’ve chosen your pancake pan, it’s time to get to the fun bit – the making (and the eating!). Pancake batter is a deceptively simple recipe, but there are still some things you will want to think about to make sure you’re getting the best results…

Focus on type

Pancakes are different around the world, so the first thing you need to decide is which type you want this Pancake Day. Not only will the type of pancake change the texture, but it will also influence the cooking style. For example…

• For crêpes: a traditionally-French type of pancake, crêpes are large, thin pancakes that are soft, with crispy edges. To master this French style, your batter needs to be thin, and you’ll need a pancake pan with a large surface area. You should also make sure your pan is hot– crêpes should only take up to one minute on either side.

• For American-style pancakes: American-style pancakes are much thicker due to the addition of a raising agent in the batter. This gives them a light, fluffy texture that pairs well with fillings inside the batter rather than just on top. Due to their thickness, American pancakes take longer to cook, and you need to maintain a medium heat to avoid burning them.

Want to give this style a try? Whip up some of our delicious American Style Blueberry Pancakes…

• For British-style pancakes: largely similar to crêpes, British-style pancakes are thin and need a runnier batter to make properly. They do tend to be smaller than crêpes however, and need a little longer to cook on both sides. Pair with lemon and sugar for a delicious British classic for Pancake Day.

• For Japanese souffle pancakes: completely different to American, British, or French pancakes, Japanese souffle pancakes are light and fluffy due to the separately whisked egg whites (which are then carefully folded into the batter). Japanese pancakes are also cooked in layers to get the characteristic height and light texture.

Need a recipe? Check out our Japanese Style Souffle Pancakes to get started!

Let the batter rest

One secret to better pancakes that you should definitely know about? Resting the batter. This simple step is an instant, hassle-free way to help you achieve delicious fluffy pancakes every time.

But why? Science. When you let the batter rest, the starches in the flour are hydrating which causes them to swell up and burst – resulting in a thicker mixture. Giving your batter time to rest also helps the gluten chains to relax from being mixed, meaning your pancakes will be light and fluffy rather than chewy.

Plus, if you’re making American-style pancakes with a raising agent, resting the batter allows for increased leavening. This is where gas bubbles develop throughout your batter, giving you more consistent, lighter texture.

Flavour is everything

A plain pancake is fine – but to make them infinitely better, you’ve got to have some extra flavours! Whether you want to go classic with lemon and sugar, or a little more left field, picking your pancake flavours is the ultimate way to add some excitement to Pancake Day. But, there are more ways to level up the tasty factor than you might think…

• Try different toppings: obviously, one of the easiest ways to make your pancakes even more delicious is to add toppings. Sliced fruit, crushed nuts, maple syrup, chocolate spread, sugar, whipped cream – the list is endless. Want to know where your favourite fits in the rankings? Check out The UK’s Favourite Pancake Toppings – you may even find some very surprising results! 

Top tip: want to work more efficiently? Prep your toppings while your batter rests so that everything is ready to go. After all, pancakes taste better straight from the pan.

• Consider a filling: if you’re going for a thicker pancake, why not put your toppings on the inside as fillings? Fruits like blueberries bring a whole other texture to your pancakes when they’re cooked inside the batter.

• Use herbs and spices: making a thinner pancake, but want to add a little something-something? Try using herbs, spices, or some zests in the batter to give you an extra dimension; like cinnamon with banana pancakes, or orange zest for some freshness. 

• Go savoury: who says pancakes have to be sweet? Whether you have less of a sweet tooth, or want to have pancakes for breakfast, lunch, and tea, give savoury pancakes a try this year. Add some fresh herbs like rosemary or chives to crêpes and top with creamy, garlic mushrooms for a simple but filling tea.

Time your flip right

Lastly, but by no means least, is the flip. This all-important element is tricky to get right; but, if you want to avoid your flip being a flop, it’s all about timing.

If you flip too early, you risk the batter spreading everywhere and ruining that lovely circular shape you worked hard to create in the first place. Flip too late, and you’re likely to overcook your pancake, leaving it tough and chewy rather than soft and light.

So what do you need to look out for? There are a couple of signs that can help you master the timing of your pancake flip:

• Darker edges: uncooked batter is usually a pale creamy-yellow colour. As your pancake cooks, the edges will darken from this pale colour as they begin to set.

• Bursting bubbles: as your pancakes cook, the gas bubbles in the batter begin to expand and rise. When you can see bubbles bursting on the top of your pancakes, this means they’re ready to flip.

• The shake test: if you’re using a non-stick pancake pan, another test you can do is to shake your pan. If your pancake moves, or loosens from the surface, it’s ready to be flipped.

Remember to wait for your pancake to cook enough before flipping it. Ideally, you want your pancakes to be cooked about two thirds of the way through before you flip – then you can just leave it in the pan long enough to finish off cooking and get that characteristic golden colouring.

Cooking confidence with Circulon

Getting creative in the kitchen should never be a chore – and Pancake Day is the perfect excuse to whip up something delicious and exciting. Whether you’re just beginning your culinary journey, or are a seasoned home chef, make sure you invest in quality for every occasion.

In fact, it's never been easier to become the master in your own kitchen than when you stock up on essential kitchenware supplies with Circulon. From Frying Pans to Pan Sets, Cake Tins to Baking Trays, we’ve got everything you could possibly want to celebrate every occasion for years to come…

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References

1. Britannica Online, 2025, ‘Shrove Tuesday’.