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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!Â
Need more pancake recipes? Try these gluten free crepes, peppermint Christmas pancakes, gingerbread pancakes, gluten free pancakes (fluffy, homestyle), and this pancake charcuterie board.
Why I Love Ebelskivers:
- This ebelskiver recipe has been in the family for 4 generations! I love making these puff pancakes on Christmas morning for all the kids to enjoy. They are also great at our traditional minimalist Christmas party.
- I love 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.
What is an ebelskiver pan?
An ebelskiver pan is 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.
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How to Make Ebelskivers:
Combine: Combine egg yolks, buttermilk, and sugar into a small bowl until mixed.Â
Mix: Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add egg yolk mixture and combine. Let the mixture rest for 30 minutes.Â
Whisk: Beat two egg whites in a small bowl with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form and fold into pancake batter.
Pour: Pour batter into a hot and heavily greased ebelskiver pan. Pour each cup until 3/4 full.
Turn: When batter starts to bubble, make quarter turns with a knitting needle or wooden skewer until a ball forms. Turn until golden and the needle inserted comes out clean.
Serve: Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with jam, chocolate, maple syrup, simple syrups, or your favorite topping. Serve with melted butter for a more savory ebelskiver.
Make Ahead, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions:
To make ahead: Make the recipe according to directions and freeze until you’re ready to eat.
To freeze: Pop these heavenly pancakes into an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to three months.
To reheat: 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.
Recipe Variations:
- Apple pie: During the first quarter turn, add a small amount of cooked apple pie filling to the little pocket that forms in the batter.
- Nutella: During the first quarter turn, when that little pocket forms, add a small dollop of Nutella to the batter.
- Cinnamon and sugar: Drizzle a tiny bit of melted butter over the top of the ebelskiver and sprinkle with a cinnamon and sugar mixture.
- Ham and cheese: Once again, during that first quarter turn, add a bit of chopped ham (diced very small) and grated cheese to that little pocket of batter that forms.
More delicious breakfast ideas:
- School breakfast pizza
- Sweet vegan breakfast burritos
- Gluten-free breakfast (20+ recipes)
- Gluten-free breakfast casserole
- Gluten-free biscuits
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Ebelskiver Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp Real Salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 2 egg whites
- 1/4 cups powdered sugar (optional)
Instructions
- 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
Nutrition
This post was originally published December 7, 2019 but has since been updated with more in-depth information.
kerri says
I actually just got an ebelskiver pan! So i’m thrilled to find an easy recipe with such great instructions that I can make my first batch with!
Amy says
Oh that looks like a whole heap of fun! i love the concept of Hygge! Really suits my style and everything looks so cozy! Your ebelskiver recipe looks delicious and while I’ve never tried it, looks very doable. Looking forward to the Christmas season.
Chandice says
Thanks Amy, it is a fun recipe indeed. Especially with a cozy Hygge Christmas party!
Shelley says
We actually own an ebelskiver pan – my husband used to make ebelskivers for my kiddos when they were little. We called them “pan balls” and they were always such a hit – I need to dust off the pan and give your recipe a try – so much more authentic than however we used to make them, no doubt! Such a sweet story of how this tradition has been passed down through your family for generations! 🙂
Chandice says
Thanks Shelley, I feel honored to have a recipe in our family like this. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Kelsey vinson says
Never seen these before I love discovering new yummy treats to try
Cassandra D says
I like the addition of the 2 egg whites.
Amber Kolb says
I love their fluffiness! They look delicious!
Azeem Isaahaque says
I love that this recipe is different & isnt hard to make
Kayla Klontz says
I love that they’re gluten free!
kristy wolfgang says
I have never heard of this type of danish, but looks good.
heather says
I have never heard of these before and I think the whole family would love them we love buttermilk.
NANCY says
I like the quirky name. Definitely distinctive.
aaron r says
Fresh pomegranate is really my favorite taste and texture and all of that. But, I will try almost anything.
Surprise me.
linda says
I love the fresh pomegranate.
Kim Ledford-Burley says
love all your holiday tips and recipes
Kelly Payton says
Merry Christmas! Well they are so cute , little and gluten free.
Ally says
I love the tip on turning them–I’ve never really managed it!
Toby says
I love that taught me a new word! Ebelskiver! Now I can impress friends at parties 😄 (Although I will probably pronounce it wrong, so… (I also love the ornament recipe, never would have thought that I could make something like that!)
Heidi B says
I love that I’ve never heard of this recipe and you make it not only look so easy but yummy!
Danielle Wood says
I love that it is gluten free
Kim Henrichs says
These are so good – I love how easy they really are to make!
Molly says
I love the sugar topping. Makes everything delicious.