• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Retro Recipe Box

  • Home
  • About
    • Disclosures / Disclaimers
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beef Recipes
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Casseroles
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Cookies
    • Dessert
    • Dinner
    • Fish & Seafood
    • Holidays
    • Instant Pot
    • Pork Recipes
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Soup
    • Vegetarian
  • Privacy Policy
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

Home » Breakfast » Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Jul 13, 2022 · Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes are light and fluffy. They’re soft, luscious, and full of incredible flavor with fresh ricotta cheese. These delicious pancakes are such a fun twist on normal pancakes, you’ll want to keep making them again and again. Here I’m showing you how to make the best lemon ricotta pancakes so you can whip up a batch or two for a weekday or a weekend breakfast. These fluffy ricotta pancakes are also great for brunches and Holiday breakfasts. If you’re looking for more classic pancakes, try my Buttermilk Pancake recipe. Classic and divine!

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes stack with toppings.

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes Recipe

You don’t need a special occasion to make these soft and fluffy, pillow-like, cloud-like pancakes! Fluffy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes are a great twist on a normal breakfast food. Top them with powdered sugar, whipped cream, lemon slices, and fresh fruit for a real treat that you can’t resist.

Breakfast will never be the same after you make a nice stack of these delectable pancakes with tart lemon and creamy ricotta cheese.

Ricotta Cheese in Pancakes?

It probably sounds strange to think about adding cheese to pancake batter. Just think about sweet Italian desserts that contain ricotta, such as cannoli, and then it makes sense. You won’t taste the cheese, it will add moisture to the pancakes and give them a more rich and creamy texture.

What is in Lemon Ricotta Pancakes?

This pancake recipe is very similar to traditional pancakes, but with a few minor changes to make a delicious stack of pancakes!
All-Purpose Flour, Sugar, Baking, Soda, Salt, Baking Powder, Milk, Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese, Fresh Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest, Eggs + Yolks, Vanilla Extract, Lemon Extract
Favorite Toppings: Traditional Maple Syrup, Blueberry Syrup, Powdered Sugar, Lemon Slices, Lemon Curd, Blueberries or Strawberries

What do Lemon Ricotta Pancakes taste like?

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes are definitely different from regular pancakes. They have a slight tanginess. They’re sweet yet tart, with a subtle lemon flavor.

stack of pancakes.

Can I Use a Pancake Mix?

Yes you can! It’s a great shortcut.
• 2 cups pancake mix
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• ½ teaspoon Lemon Extract or 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest
• 2 teaspoons Lemon Juice
Mix it all together and cook the pancakes per instructions on recipe card.
This makes about 4 servings using 1/4 cup batter per pancake. Make a double batch for more servings.

How to Make Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

ingredients gathered 2-image collage.
• Gather all of the ingredients together.
• In a large mixing bowl add the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and baking powder (dry ingredients).

ingredients gathered 2-image collage.
• Whisk the dry ingredients together.
• In a separate medium bowl add the milk, ricotta cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest or lemon extract, eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla extract.

ingredients gathered 2-image collage.
• Mix until combined.
• Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and whisk to combine. Don’t over mix. If small lumps remain, that is fine.

cooking a pancake 2-image collage.
• Heat an electric griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Once the pan is hot, spray with baking spray.
• Spoon about ½ cup of batter onto the center of the heated pan.

cooking a pancake 2-image collage.
• Let this first side cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until the edges appear cooked and the bubbles in the center of the pancake have begun to burst.
• Flip the pancake over and let the second side cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Repeat the cooking process with the remaining batter.
• Top with your choice of syrup, whipped cream, powdered sugar, lemon slices and fresh berries.

Pro Tip: If you want your Lemon Ricotta Pancakes to have even more of a fluffy texture, take this extra step:
1- Separate all of the eggs and put the yolks in a small bowl and set aside.
2- Place all of the egg whites in a separate bowl and whip them using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment until stiff peaks form.
3- Mix the batter per instructions, using the egg yolks and not the egg whites.
4- Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter.
5- Cook your pancakes. Those beaten egg whites will incorporate lots of air into the batter and fluff up your pancakes even more!

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes on a marble board.

What’s the Secret to Fluffy Pancakes?

• You’ll always end up with fluffy pancakes when you use this pancake recipe.
• The easy way to make the fluffiest pancakes are the eggs. You need to separate the yolks from the egg whites and beat them. See my Pro Tip above.

Why Are My Pancakes Chewy?

When your pancakes end up chewy, it’s usually because you over mixed the batter and caused the gluten to overdevelop which makes the batter change consistency when you make the pancakes. Mix just until moistened, a few lumps in the batter is okay!

More Breakfast Recipes

Green Chile Egg Casserole
Cheesy Ham and Egg Biscuit Cups
Slow Cooker Yogurt
Cinnamon Coffee Cake

stack of Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with toppings on them.

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes Tips and Variations

  • Don’t over mix the batter. It’s normal for the batter to be a little lumpy.
  • You can swap the milk out for a milk alternative like almond milk or coconut milk.
  • Instead of lemon zest and juice, try some orange zest and juice.
  • Add a handful of chocolate chips to the batter.
  • Serve these pancakes with some fresh blueberries or raspberries, or even strawberries for a nice touch.

What to Serve With Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

These Lemon Pancakes are perfect for breakfast and you can serve them with any of your favorite breakfast foods. Here are some fantastic ideas of things that would go well with these ricotta pancakes:
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
Hash Brown Egg Casserole
Bacon Cheese Quiche
Lemon Yogurt Muffins

stack of Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and a bite on a fork.

How to Store Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

• Lemon Ricotta Pancakes are best the same day that you make them. However, if you want to store leftovers, you can keep your pancakes in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• I don’t recommend trying to freeze these homemade Lemon Ricotta Pancakes.

How to Reheat Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

You can reheat these pancakes in the microwave if needed, or a few minutes in an air fryer, or reheat using a frying pan.

red rectangle saying follow me on pinterest

If you’re a huge lemon fan, like me, you should try this Easy Lemon Snack Cake or a slice of my favorite Lemon Strawberry Poke Cake. And these Lemon Ricotta Pancakes will surely be a huge hit for you!

If you made these yummy Lemon Pancakes with ricotta cheese in them, please let me know. You can leave a comment with a star rating below. I’d love to know how you liked them!

stack of Lemon Ricotta Pancakes.

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes are fluffy and delicious with creamy ricotta cheese and lemon. A breakfast favorite!
Print Rate
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: lemon recipes, pancake recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 80kcal
Author: Sandy

Equipment

  • 2 Mixing Bowls
  • Whisk
  • Griddle or Skillet

Ingredients

Pancakes

  • 3 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 5 Tablespoons Sugar
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons Baking Soda
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 2 cups Milk
  • 16 oz Ricotta Cheese (2 cups)
  • ⅓ cup Fresh Lemon Juice
  • ½ teaspoon Lemon Extract (or 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest)
  • 3 Eggs + 2 Yolks
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla

Toppings

  • Powdered Sugar
  • Lemon Slices
  • Blueberries or Strawberries

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and baking powder.
  • In a separate mixing bowl combine milk, ricotta cheese, lemon juice, lemon extract or lemon zest, eggs, and vanilla, and mix until combined.
  • Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and whisk to combine. If lumps remain, that is fine.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Once the pan is hot, spray with baking spray.
  • Spoon about ½ cup of batter onto the center of the heated pan. Let cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until the edges appear cooked and the bubbles in the center of the pancake have begun to burst.
  • Flip the pancake over and let cook for another 1-2 minutes. Repeat the cooking process with the remaining batter.
  • Top with whipped cream, powdered sugar, lemon slices and fresh berries.

Notes

Using a Pancake Mix
If you want to use a pancake mix, follow this recipe:
• 2 cups pancake mix
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• ½ teaspoon Lemon Extract or 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest
• 2 teaspoons Lemon Juice
Mix it all together and cook the pancakes per instructions on recipe card.
This makes about 4 servings using ¼ cup batter per pancake. Make a double batch for more servings.
 
Storage
Pancakes may be stored in an airtight container or baggie in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Calories are approximate

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 80kcal
« Mixed Bean Salad
Instant Pot Beef Back Ribs »

Reader Interactions

Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome, come on in!

Easy to make delicious recipes. Everything from Instant Pot recipes, casseroles, slow cooker recipes, desserts and entrées, I'm posting delicious recipes for you!

Search This Website

Popular Recipes

Chicken Tortilla Soup in a brown bowl
Baked Ranch Pork Chops on a white plate with vegetables
Homemade Dinner Roll on a towel
Old Fashioned Goulash

Copyright © 2023 Retro Recipe Box on the Seasoned Pro Theme