Delicious Fluffy Cranberry Orange Ricotta Pancakes
Delicious Fluffy Cranberry Orange Ricotta Pancakes are light and airy with bright citrus notes, creamy ricotta moisture, and bursts of tart cranberries. Perfect for holiday brunches or any special breakfast, these pancakes balance sweet, tart, and creamy flavors in a tender, fluffy texture.
- Author: Gloria
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 pancakes 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins & Cooking
- 3/4 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- Butter or oil for cooking (about 1-2 tablespoons)
- Prepare the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt to combine evenly. This ensures that your pancakes will rise perfectly and have consistent sweetness throughout.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs lightly, then stir in the ricotta cheese, milk, orange zest, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. The ricotta adds creaminess that creates the fluffy texture we love.
- Combine wet and dry: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently fold them together just until combined. Avoid over-mixing to keep the batter light and fluffy.
- Add cranberries: Carefully fold in the cranberries, distributing them evenly throughout the batter for bursts of tart flavor in every bite.
- Cook the pancakes: Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with butter or oil. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake and cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges start to look set, about 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook until golden brown on the other side, about 1-2 minutes more.
- Serve warm: Transfer pancakes to a warm plate and repeat until all batter is used. Serve immediately for the best fluffiness and flavor.
Notes
- Use eggs and milk at room temperature to help the batter mix evenly and rise better.
- Do not over-mix to avoid tough pancakes; fold gently until combined.
- Freshly grated orange zest provides the best aroma and flavor compared to dried zest.
- Use a 1/4 cup measure for uniform pancake size and even cooking.
- Keep cooked pancakes warm in a 200°F oven on a baking sheet while cooking the rest.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pancakes
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: pancakes, ricotta, cranberry, orange zest, fluffy breakfast, holiday brunch, easy recipe