This Dutch Poffertjes recipe is really easy and is guaranteed to go down a storm when you serve them at a party or as a treat for the kids.
They are amazingly versatile and once you have mastered this basic dutch poffertjes recipe, the tasty ingredient combinations and topping ideas are endless! Savoury or sweet? It doesn’t matter, you can serve them with either!
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What Are Dutch Poffertjes?
So what are poffertjes exactly? Well to you and me, they are super cute mini pancakes.
These small fluffy, puffed-up pancakes are made using buckwheat flour (known as boekweitmeel here in the Netherlands).
Living here in the Netherlands my kids eat Dutch Poffertjes on a regular basis.
You can get them in many cafes and if there is a local fair or fete going on you can pretty much guarantee there will be a stand serving them. You can also buy them in packs in the supermarket or make them yourself at home to eat as a treat or lunch.
Poffertjes Pronunciation
If you are not Dutch then you may be wondering how to say poffertje. You actually pronounce this funny little word like this Poff-er-tch.
So to ask for a portion of poffertjes you need to say this; Mag ik een portie poffertjes alstublieft (mag ik un por-shee poff-er-tchs al-stu-bleeft). This will come in handy if you are visiting the Netherlands and want to buy some from a street vendor.
I tried to find out where and when poffertjes were first introduced into the Netherlands but found a lot of different answers so I think if you would like to know more then you can always visit Wikipedia which has more facts and figures about these little Dutch Pancakes
Poffertjes Pan
To make this recipe you will need a traditional Dutch poffertjes pan which is a heavy pan (often made from cast iron) with little indentations in it to make the individual little pancakes.
If you are buying a poffertjes pan then make sure you check that it is compatible with your hob. For example, if you are cooking on an induction plate you will need to make sure it is compatible as the traditional ones could damage the top.
In addition to the stovetop versions, it is also possible to find a stand-alone electric poffertjes maker which I think is a great option especially if you want to cook them outside and serve them at a BBQ or a fete (you just need to make sure you have access to an electric socket) Another good thing about cooking them outside is that you do not get any cooking odours inside your house.
Can You Cook Poffertjes Without A Poffertjes Pan?
Yes, It is possible to use this recipe without a poffertjes pan. They can also be cooked on a flat griddle or in a frying pan but you need to make sure you leave enough between them room as the batter will spread which means they won’t be quite so puffed up.
Traditional Dutch Poffertjes (Super Cute Mini Pancakes)
Ingredients
- 125 grams buckwheat flour (1 cup + 1 1⁄2 tsp)
- 125 grams plain all purpose flour (1 cup + 1 1⁄2 tsp)
- 400 ml milk luke warm (1⅔ cups)
- 1 egg beaten
- 10 grams dried yeast (3 1⁄2 tsp)
- 4 grams salt (2⁄3 tsp)
- 80 grams butter melted (1⁄3 cup)
- icing sugar to serve
- butter to serve
Instructions
- Put the yeast into a cup or small bowl and mix it together with a little of the lukewarm milk – set aside
- Sift the buckwheat flour and the plain all purpose flour into a large bowl. Make a hole in the middle then add the yeast mixture, the rest of the warm milk and the beaten egg. Using a whisk, mix the ingredients together until you get a lump free smooth batter.
- Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel and put it in a warm place for approx one hour to allow the batter to rise.
- Grease the poffertjes pan (or griddle/frying pan) and allow it to heat up.
- Pour the batter into the indentations.
- Allow the batter to cook until one side has turned brown then turn them over and allow to brown on the other side.
- When both sides are brown transfer to a plate and serve with a knob of butter and some icing sugar (I will post some more yummy serving ideas over the next couple of weeks 🙂 )
How to serve
In addition to the traditional knob of butter and dusting of icing sugar, there are lots of different ways you can serve them. Here are a few ingredient ideas to give you a little bit of inspiration.
Sweet Poffertje Ideas
- Nutella & Banana
- Caramelised Apples & Cream
- Advocaat
- Strawberries
- Fruit Kebab
- Fruit Jam
Savoury Poffertje Ideas
- Brie & Sundried Tomatoes
- Salmon & Cream Cheese
- Pesto
How long can you keep poffertjes
If you have made too much batter or cooked too many pancakes then don’t worry as there are a few different ways you can save them.
- Poffertje batter can be kept in the fridge for up to 24 hours
- Cooked poffertjes can be kept in the fridge for 2 days
- In the freezer, they will stay good for up to 2 months (store in an airtight container)
And there are also a number of methods to reheat them.
- Microwave (2 minutes on full power)
- Oven (6 minutes on a baking sheet)
- Frying pan (add a small knob of butter and warm through for a few minutes on a low heat)
- Airfryer (about 4 minutes at 180°C / 350°F)
The methods shown above are for warming up poffertjes from the fridge so if they are frozen you will need to defrost them first.
I hope you like this poffertjes recipe and if you do try it out I would love to know if you tried any different toppings and if so which were your favourites?
Would you like to see more Dutch recipes? Then be sure to check out my Best Ever! Dutch Apple Pie Recipe (judged many times by all my Dutch friends and family) my Easy Dutch Pepernoten Recipe (this is a great recipe to make with the kids – they can never get enough of these) and of course, we must not forget this yummy Dutch Hangop Dessert
If you are interested in the Netherlands (Holland) and would like to learn more then you should definitely visit the Everything Dutch section of the site where you will find posts about Dutch traditions such as Sinterklaas, the Best Places To Visit In The Netherlands, and what to expect when visiting or Living In The Netherlands.
Where To Next? Check Out My Other DIY & Craft Ideas
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Wow, what a fun way to make and serve pancakes!
This is adorable recipe for my grandkids they love anything mini