Ebelskivers are small Danish pancakes made in a special pan that are to-die-for! This traditional recipe is made with simple ingredients and tastes delicious dipped in jam, chocolate, or maple syrup!
These pancake balls are especially popular around Christmas time but can be enjoyed year round! They’re the perfect sweet breakfast treat and are a bit more fun than normal pancakes.
Ebelskiver Recipe
This ebelskiver recipe has been in the family for 4 generations! We love making these puff pancakes on Christmas morning for all the kids to enjoy. They are also great at our minimalist Christmas party.
They like topping them with simple syrup or powdered sugar for extra sweetness. Maple syrup is another great topping or you can stuff them with applesauce or jam. If you don’t have syrup, here is a substitute for maple syrup list of 10 options.
Another great thing about this recipe, like our gluten free pancake mix, is that the ingredients are pantry staples! Flour, eggs, buttermilk, salt, etc. are super easy ingredients that make such delicious pancakes.
An ebelskiver pans are usually cast iron pans but it can also be made from ceramic or another material. I prefer the cast iron as it gives the most authentic ebelskiver recipe.
Is Ebelskiver mix the same as pancake mix?
Although ebelskiver and pancakes are similar, they’re not the same thing. Ebelskiver is more of a mix between a donut and a pancake. Ebelskiver turns out fluffy and with a perfect golden brown crust while pancakes tend to be flatter.
Ebelskiver ingredients
The base of this ebelskiver recipe is super basic! Made with staple ingredients that you probably already have in your home. This recipe is also super easy to customize with fillings and toppings!
Eggs
This recipe calls for 2 eggs but the egg yolks and the egg whites must be separated. The egg whites need to be beaten to get fluffy puff pancakes.
Buttermilk
The acid in buttermilk helps the baking soda kick in which is another reason why this dish is so fluffy! You don’t want to skip the buttermilk.
Gluten-free all purpose flour
I prefer to use gluten-free flour for this recipe but normal all purpose flour will work as well.
Baking soda
Baking soda as well as baking powder in this recipe helps the ebelskiver rise. This recipe calls for both for extra height.
How to make Ebelsivers
Step 1: Combine egg yolks, buttermilk, and sugar into a small bowl until Combined.
Step 2: Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add egg yolk mixture and combine. Let mixture rest for 30 minutes.
Step 3: Beat two egg whites in a small bowl with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form and fold into pancake batter.
Step 4: Pour batter into hot and heavily greased ebelskiver pan. Pour each cup until 3/4 full.
Step 5: When batter starts to bubble, make quarter turns with a knitting needle or wooden skewer until a ball forms. Turn until golden and needle inserted comes out clean
Step 6: Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with jam, chocolate, maple syrup, simple syrups, or your favorite topping.
Pro tip: You can serve with melted butter for a savory flavored ebelskiver.
Expert tips and FAQs
How to turn an ebelskiver
Turning an ebelskiver is not as hard as it may seem! When the batter starts to bubble, make quarter turns with a wooden skewer or needle until a ball forms. Continue turning until need inserted comes out clean.
What goes with ebelskiver?
I like serving ebelskiver with sausage patties, bacon, or other breakfast foods. Ebelskiver also tastes great paired with fresh fruit like apple slices!
Can you reheat ebelskivers?
Yes! You can reheat these ebelskivers in the microwave, oven, or even air fryer. I like to reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes because they come out with the perfect crust.
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Ebelskivers are small Danish pancakes made in a special pan that are to-die-for! This traditional recipe is made with simple ingredients and tastes delicious dipped in jam, chocolate, or maple syrup!
Combine egg yolks, buttermilk, all-purpose gluten-free flour, sugar, Real Salt, baking soda and baking powder in a medium bowl until well blended
Let the mixture rest for 30 minutes
Beat two egg whites in a small bowl with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form and fold into pancake batter
Heat an Ebelskiver pan over medium heat
Spray generously with non-stick cooking spray or put a tsp oil to each cup
When the pan is hot, pour batter into each cup until 3/4 full
When batter starts to bubble, make quarter turns with a needle until a ball forms
Turn until golden and needle inserted comes out clean
Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve as is or with raspberry jam
Notes
*I recommend using a cast iron ebelskiver pan. The flavor is more authentic and they are very easy to use. Pro tip: You can serve with melted butter for a savory flavored ebelskiver.How to turn an ebelskiverTurning an ebelskiver is not as hard as it may seem! When the batter starts to bubble, make quarter turns with a wooden skewer or needle until a ball forms. Continue turning until need inserted comes out clean.What goes with ebelskiver? I like serving ebelskiver with sausage patties, bacon, or other breakfast foods. Ebelskiver also tastes great paired with fresh fruit like apple slices!Can you reheat ebelskivers?Yes! You can reheat these ebelskivers in the microwave, oven, or even air fryer. I like to reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes because they come out with the perfect crust.
This post was originally published December 7, 2019 but has since been updated with more in-depth information.
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Hi, I'm Chandice!
Parties, gatherings, gorgeous food and ESPECIALLY holidays with my people are what make my heart pitter patter. Having a place to share our favorite traditions, recipes and celebrations is very important to me. I live each day with unapologetic, authentic happiness and hope to help others do the same.
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Comments
Jeansays
Do you bake in oven or top of stove? What temperature do you cook at?
It’s a family tradition to make ebskeivers so it made me happy to find your recipe! I love when other people know about them! I always struggle flipping them though, so thank you for your tips!
I love this recipe so much!! I was afraid of turning them, but your steps and tips made it a breeze. Thanks so much for this recipe, I will definitely make it again 🙂
Our family is part Swedish and one of my sister in law has an ebelskiver pan she brings to every family get-together. We love making them together, I really like your recipe because it calls for gluten-free flour which I had at home. So easy to prepare and they were delish!
I definitely want to find a ebelskiver pan. These little puff pancakes are so good even borrowing one. Your Christmas party looked so friendly, cosy and warm. I want to delve deeper into the hygee lifestyle!
I purchased my pan on Amazon, wish I would have looked deeper and bought a cast iron. Kids will move out and take this one, then I will get cast iron. I’m ok with the one I have now, but they really need the crust that only cast iron can deliver.
I made these ebelskiver over the holidays, and everyone loved them! They came out perfectly light and fluffy and were super simple — thanks for a new holiday tradition.
I had never heard of these little Danish pancakes, but they looked so delicious that I had to try them. They are so good! I think we’ll be making these often!
These little pancakes are so cute! I’d never heard of ebelskiver before, but by looking at the ingredients I knew we would love them. This was a fun baking day with my son!
I’ve always wanted to try these treats. We had a neighbor who gave us some as a treat but then she moved so I couldn’t get her recipe. Thank you so much. These sound exactly as what she had. I making them ASAP for my family — they loved them when she gave them to us.
This year now more than ever, we all really need some more hygge in our lives! Lovely post and thank you for the recipe. I’ve had these cookies but never thought I could make them on my own!
I almost bought an ebleskiver pan the other day but it wasn’t cast iron. Now I’m glad I waited for your suggestion of the cast iron. They look so easy and so good!
Ebelskivers are small Danish pancakes made in a special pan that are to-die-for! This traditional recipe is made with simple ingredients and tastes delicious dipped in jam, chocolate, or maple syrup!
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 185kcal
Jean says
Do you bake in oven or top of stove? What temperature do you cook at?
Chandice says
They are made in an abelskiver pan on the stove over medium heat. Thanks, enjoy 🙂
Nancy says
It’s a family tradition to make ebskeivers so it made me happy to find your recipe! I love when other people know about them! I always struggle flipping them though, so thank you for your tips!
Cathleen says
I love this recipe so much!! I was afraid of turning them, but your steps and tips made it a breeze. Thanks so much for this recipe, I will definitely make it again 🙂
Chandice says
Thanks Cathleen, I am so glad you love it as much as we do!
silvia says
Our family is part Swedish and one of my sister in law has an ebelskiver pan she brings to every family get-together. We love making them together, I really like your recipe because it calls for gluten-free flour which I had at home. So easy to prepare and they were delish!
Chandice says
Thanks Silvia, what an honor that another Swedish gal like myself loves it as much as I do. Thanks!
Jacqueline Debono says
I definitely want to find a ebelskiver pan. These little puff pancakes are so good even borrowing one. Your Christmas party looked so friendly, cosy and warm. I want to delve deeper into the hygee lifestyle!
Leslie says
I purchased my pan on Amazon, wish I would have looked deeper and bought a cast iron. Kids will move out and take this one, then I will get cast iron. I’m ok with the one I have now, but they really need the crust that only cast iron can deliver.
Kayla DiMaggio says
What a fun recipe! I have never even heard of Ebelsivers before but they were so fun to make and delicious!
Chandice says
Thanks Kayla, so glad you loved them!
Tammy says
I’ve seen Ebelskiver around during the holiday season but I had never made it myself! It was so delicious and I cannot wait to try them again!
Adriana says
I am so glad I found your recipe for ebelskiver as I have the cast iron gadget to make them but have never used it. Your ebelskivers are so good!
Heather Perine says
Had never tried to make ebelskivers..but they looked like so much fun! Definitely going to make them again 🙂
Amanda Dixon says
I made these ebelskiver over the holidays, and everyone loved them! They came out perfectly light and fluffy and were super simple — thanks for a new holiday tradition.
Rebecca says
I had never heard of these little Danish pancakes, but they looked so delicious that I had to try them. They are so good! I think we’ll be making these often!
Chandice says
Thanks Rebecca, that means so much to me to hear! 🙂
Lauren Michael Harris says
These little pancakes are so cute! I’d never heard of ebelskiver before, but by looking at the ingredients I knew we would love them. This was a fun baking day with my son!
Marisa F. Stewart says
I’ve always wanted to try these treats. We had a neighbor who gave us some as a treat but then she moved so I couldn’t get her recipe. Thank you so much. These sound exactly as what she had. I making them ASAP for my family — they loved them when she gave them to us.
Neha says
I must say those Ebelskivers look so cute and yum, I need them in my life! Loving all your festive click and that sweater of yours.
Chandice says
Thanks Neha, they are a fun family recipe passed down for generations. 🙂
Leslie says
I am totally smitten with your Ebelskiver Recipe. These look so light, fluffy, and delicious!
Chandice says
Thanks Leslie! They are super fluffy and yummy!
veenaazmanov says
Best when kids and their friends are around for a surprise snack. This is so easy and definitely quick to enjoy too.
Chandice says
Aww thanks! Definitely a great surprise snack!
Andrea says
This year now more than ever, we all really need some more hygge in our lives! Lovely post and thank you for the recipe. I’ve had these cookies but never thought I could make them on my own!
Chandice says
Hi Andrea, yes a bit of extra Hygge is what we all need. 🙂 These are actually little pancakes not cookies but I still encourage you to try them!
Beth says
I almost bought an ebleskiver pan the other day but it wasn’t cast iron. Now I’m glad I waited for your suggestion of the cast iron. They look so easy and so good!