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
Aaronsays
I love that the recipe is simple yet something very different to serve and share.
The recipe looks so light and airy , like little pillows of delicate flavor! I can’t wait to make these for not only me, who has celiac disease, but my son and daughter-in-law who also have it!
I just saw a version of these on the Great British Baking Show in a technical challenge. Thanks for a GF version and step by step recipe, these look great. And yay for supporting RAL, they’re the best!
We love these but I haven’t made them in years! I will have to get my pan dug out of storage because I had forgotten all about it. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Being danish myself, a celiac’er and a lover of all things Red Apple Lipstick, I loved this post! Æbleskiver (the danish spelling) is a staple in our house too, along with mulled wine (non alcoholic, but none the less delicious!).
Thank you for all the wonderful recipes and suggestions.
I like that this recipe is for a food item I hadn’t known about before, it is great to learn about new foods, especially those that are traditional to certain cultures.
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
Aaron says
I love that the recipe is simple yet something very different to serve and share.
Theresa says
The recipe looks amazing. I’ve never had an ebelskiver before, but the recipe looks very easy to follow and would be a fun holiday treat!
Karen says
The recipe looks so light and airy , like little pillows of delicate flavor! I can’t wait to make these for not only me, who has celiac disease, but my son and daughter-in-law who also have it!
Jennifer C says
I have never made these, but I love that it is something different and fun to try for the holidays.
Aralyn Duke says
I just saw a version of these on the Great British Baking Show in a technical challenge. Thanks for a GF version and step by step recipe, these look great. And yay for supporting RAL, they’re the best!
April says
We love these but I haven’t made them in years! I will have to get my pan dug out of storage because I had forgotten all about it. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Mette says
Being danish myself, a celiac’er and a lover of all things Red Apple Lipstick, I loved this post! Æbleskiver (the danish spelling) is a staple in our house too, along with mulled wine (non alcoholic, but none the less delicious!).
Thank you for all the wonderful recipes and suggestions.
Chandice says
Hi Mette, I am so happy to hear this!! I have been wanting to do a mulled wine that is non-alcoholic too. What do you like to put in yours?
Julie moon says
This could be our new holiday breakfast favorite! Thank you for sharing it!
Chandice says
I am so happy to hear that Julie! It is yummy but also a fun way to celebrate Christmas in Danish 🙂
Sydney Wynne says
This looks so heart warming and delicious for the cold winter months… or any month!
Rachel Bertagnoli says
These look delicious!
Sarah says
These looks delicious!! Thank you for putting in so much detail into your recipe
Jackie Angers says
I love the idea of the dried citrus ornaments!
Tiffany Banks says
They look so delicious!!
Karol says
Those look so delicious and light. And very festive. Your whole party looks amazing!
Paula Decaria says
I’m always on the look out for recipes I can make for brinner…this will be perfect!
Carolyn says
This recipe looks easy.
Renee Kate says
It’s a fun quick recipe that’s light to eat!
Kayley says
I like that this recipe is for a food item I hadn’t known about before, it is great to learn about new foods, especially those that are traditional to certain cultures.
Chelsea W says
This sounds like the coziest Christmas! I need to try the ebelskivers! 😍🎄
Kelly D says
The ebelskiver look so light and delicious. I love the sugar topping.