Pancakes are fluffier and tastier if you add 1 unusual ingredient

If you've ever wondered why some pancakes at brunch spots or pancake houses taste so light, fluffy, and perfectly golden, the secret might surprise you. Food and nutrition expert Sara Haas posted on cooking forum AllRecipes, and wrote that many restaurants rely on a little-known ingredient: malted milk powder.

Malted milk powder - such as Horlicks, Ovaltine or Milo - is a blend of malted barley, milk powder, and wheat flour. It's commonly associated with old-fashioned milkshakes, but when added to pancake batter, it brings more than just a nostalgic flavour. The powder enhances the batter with a subtle sweetness, a nutty, toasty undertone, and even contributes to a beautifully browned exterior - with a slight crunch that elevates every bite. Haas explains that adding malted milk powder is simple and can be incorporated directly into your usual recipe. She recommends replacing about a quarter cup of sugar with the powder.

This small change transforms ordinary pancakes into golden, fluffy stacks that rival those served in restaurants. The combination of malted barley and milk powder enhances the texture of the batter, allowing pancakes to rise higher and retain a soft, tender crumb inside.

For those looking to experiment, Haas used malted milk powder in her Good Old Fashioned Pancake recipe and found it immediately made a noticeable difference. The pancakes were not only visually stunning - perfectly browned and even - but also richer in flavour.

She added that the toasty sweetness paired beautifully with butter and syrup, and the nutty hints added depth without overpowering the traditional pancake taste. She even admits that the pancakes disappeared as quickly as they hit the plate.

Beyond taste and texture, malted milk powder also has a practical advantage, as it's easy to store and keeps well. A jar in your pantry can last for many batches, making it a convenient addition to any baking routine.

Haas says she now adds it to all her pancake batches, calling it her "favourite secret ingredient."

For anyone who wants fluffy, flavourful pancakes that have that golden-brown glow and a hint of extra sweetness, malted milk powder is worth a try.