Name: Are Dutch pancakes really the best?
Uploaded: 2025-11-23T15:40:26.706Z
Duration: 3 min 57 s
Description: Sweet or savory, morning or evening: In the Netherlands, pancakes are served around the clock - in every variation imaginable- even as a main course!

Sweet or savory, morning or evening: In the Netherlands, pancakes are served around the clock - in every variation imaginable- even as a main course!

Amsterdam

Dutch pannenkoeken, a type of pancake that is thinner than American pancakes but thicker than French crepes, are a longstanding culinary tradition in the Netherlands. They can be served either sweet or savory and are considered a full meal, often evoking childhood memories for many Dutch people. 

Restaurants like Amsterdam's Upstairs Pancake House, which has been serving pannenkoeken for 60 years, attract international visitors with a wide variety of toppings and a focus on quality ingredients. The dish is celebrated for its versatility and is recommended as a must-try for anyone visiting the Netherlands.

Are Dutch pancakes really the best?

Are these the world's best pancakes? Dutch pannenkoeken can be made sweet or savory. Either way, it's a full meal. Pannenkoeken are thinner than American pancakes, but thicker than French crepes. Pannenkoeken bring back childhood memories for the Dutch. Your mom wakes up early, makes the batter, bakes the pancake for you, and you wake up and then the stack of pancakes are ready for you. Just the perfect childhood. The Dutch have been dining on pannenkoeken for centuries, as evidenced by several historical paintings. Pancakes can be found in every part of the country, and of course in the capital Amsterdam. The restaurant Upstairs Pancake House only has four tables, so you have to reserve. They've been frying pancakes here for 60 years now. Patrons come from the world over. Usually I'm not a thin pancake person, because certain places do make them different back home, but these are really good. I had a vegan pancake and it was very delicious because it's a little bit salty but sweet too. We usually have them a bit more fluffy in Australia, but they're really, really good. Chef Toto Janssen has been frying pannenkoeken here since 2012. The dough recipe is easy, or at least it looks easy. You just need patisserie flour, pastry flour, and whole fat milk. Some eggs. That's the most important thing. And of course we do something else, but that's a secret. Before he starts frying, Toto has to put together the ingredients for the toppings. Some of the items on his shopping list aren't typically associated with pancakes. From his trusty organic butcher, he picks up some bacon and ham. Yes, it's more expensive, but we care a lot about animal welfare, and so that's why we go here. We know that animals have a happy life, also the pigs. They are being raised by monks in the south of the Netherlands, so that's very important to us. Pannenkoeken are similar but not identical to povertjes, which are fried in a special pan, known logically as a povertjes pan, and served up with gobs of butter. And a sprinkling of powdered sugar on top. Povertjes are basically like Dutch mini pancakes, so they are smaller, and you get like ten in one serving, and it's more fluffy. Toto fries his dough in an oiled pan. Once the top appears dry, he flips them. But how does he keep the pancakes from sticking to the pan, and make sure they turn out nice and golden brown? Well, there is a Dutch myth that the first pancake always fails. But the secret is just to have the pan hot enough, like very hot, and then you can pour the batter in. And always play a little bit with the fire. Just keep very close attention to the fire. A pannenkoeken can be topped with many things. Upstairs Pannenkoeken Huis offers around 50 possibilities. This is the bacon we got from our butcher. So I will make you my favorite pancake, the bacon, brie and honey. Sweet or salty, morning, noon or night, pannenkoeken are a versatile kitchen classic that every visitor to the Netherlands should try. Are you a pancake fan? And how do you make them?

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