Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
Creamy, fluffy lemon ricotta pancakes made with fresh ricotta, buttermilk, fresh lemon zest, and juice. A mix between a pancake and a crepe with a melt-in-your-mouth soft texture.
We are big-time pancake fans in our home. We are also big-time crepe fans in our home. So why not combine the fluffiness of a pancake and the creaminess of a crepe into one pancake? These Lemon Ricotta Pancakes have the most perfect creamy texture, thanks to the creamy ricotta cheese and buttermilk.
If I ever see lemon ricotta pancakes on a brunch menu, I am ordering it every single time. I am a sucker for ricotta and what it adds to pancakes. It changes the texture!
My Sweet Cream Ricotta Pancakes have been consistently one of the most popular recipes on my website. But I wanted to add some light freshness to the pancakes for Spring. The lemon adds some brightness to the pancakes. If you want an extra burst of lemon flavor, spread lemon curd over the lemon ricotta pancakes.
The beauty of these lemon ricotta pancakes is that everything is made in one bowl. It takes 5 minutes to whip up the pancake batter and within 15 minutes, you have creamy, homemade ricotta pancakes!
How to make the Best Lemon Ricotta Pancakes:
- Start by using whole-milk ricotta cheese. It is creamier and less watery so I prefer it. If you prefer, you can swap it out with part skim ricotta cheese. Mix the ricotta cheese, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a bowl. I suggest using fresh lemons and remove the zest before juicing the lemon.
- Fold in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. These need time to cook through so watch the heat carefully and lower if the outsides are browning too fast.
- Butter the pan! Butter makes everything better and definitely brings flavor and richness to the pancakes and also creates a golden color.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve with real maple syrup, lemon curd, and whipped cream.
If you love pancakes, check out these other PANCAKE RECIPES:
Goldie's Buttermilk Pancakes
The Best Pancake Recipe
Sweet Cream Ricotta Pancakes
Blueberry Pancakes
A few favorite baking essentials:
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
Ingredients
- 2 cups Ricotta Cheese (preferably WHOLE milk ricotta)
- 1 ½ cups Buttermilk
- 4 large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- ½ cup Sugar
- 2 to 3 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Lemon Zest * (about the zest from 1 lemon)
- 2 cups Flour
- 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- Butter (for putting on the griddle or skillet)
- Powdered Sugar
- Real Maple Syrup
- Lemon Curd (optional)
- Whipped Cream
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix ricotta cheese, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until combined. Heat skillet over medium heat. Place a pat of butter onto skillet and wait for it to sizzle.
- Fold in flour, baking powder, and salt and stir until just combined, avoiding over-mixing.
- Heat skillet over medium heat. Place a pat of butter onto the skillet and wait for it to sizzle. Pour batter in ½ cup portions and cook until golden brown on each side. Lower the heat if the outsides are becoming too brown before the inside is cooked through.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Drizzle with maple syrup. Spread lemon curd and a dollop of fresh whipped cream, if so desired.
Notes
- I suggest zesting the lemon before juicing because the lemon is hard and whole.
Katey
These had such an incredible flavor. I loved the lemon curd, too! Can’t wait to make them again!
Faith
This pancake recipe was so light and fluffy! AMAZING.
Adelaide
Whoa. These are excellent. An easy way to wow your family or guests. Quick to make too.
Sierra
These are super fluffy and decadent pancakes! I added the lemon curd and it tasted amazing. I will definitely be making this recipe again!
Aracelis
If you have left over batter of lemon ricotta cheese pancakes can l save it for the next day.And by the way this recipe was awesome loveeee it
Cindy Conover Dashnaw
Delicious! Absolutely great -- fluffy. I used whole-milk buttermilk from the grocery store. Next time I'm going to make the lemon curd to go with them.
Wendy S. Cossaboon
I just made these. My batter was a bit thin. This is probably because I made my buttermilk with whole milk and fresh lemon juice. I should have made it with the heavy cream I had in the fridge? Maybe? They also take a long time to cook through. The recipe doesn’t state how long they need to cook on either side.
Also, the butter has to be added in stages because it browns quickly. I adjusted my temperature. I had to keep wiping my griddle down. I might try these one more time because they have a lovely flavor.
Alexandra
For an extra punch of flavor, I mix the zest and the sugar together. The oils from the zest perfume the sugar very nicely.