The Science Behind the Perfect Pancake: Can AI Create the Ultimate Recipe?

It may only be the beginning of the week, but that’s okay, because today’s Shrove Tuesday – better known as Pancake Day – a time when kitchens across the UK fill with the scent of sizzling batter and sweet toppings.

But, in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, we wondered, can AI craft the perfect pancake recipe?

To put this to the test, we turned to six of the most advanced AI chatbots, asking each to generate a foolproof recipe for making light, fluffy pancakes. From well-established models to the latest AI contenders, we assessed their approaches to ingredients, method and overall culinary creativity.

Would they stick to traditional techniques, or would they introduce surprising twists? More importantly, could an AI truly rival a well-practised home cook when it comes to perfecting this beloved treat? Or, would it be better to stick to your trusty family recipe?

Everybody has their personal preferences, so we’ll leave it up to you, but here are the so-called “perfect pancake recipes” generated by ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, Claude, MetaAI and DeepSeek.

 

ChatGPT

 

The Ultimate Pancake Recipe: Light, Fluffy, and Delicious

 

 

Nothing beats a stack of light, fluffy pancakes, whether you’re celebrating Shrove Tuesday or just indulging in a weekend treat. This classic pancake recipe is simple, delicious, and guarantees perfect results every time.

Ingredients

 

• 200g plain flour
• 2 large eggs
• 300ml milk
• 1 tbsp melted butter (plus extra for frying)
• 1 tbsp caster sugar (optional, for sweeter pancakes)
• A pinch of salt

 

Method

 

1. Prepare the Batter
   In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour and salt. Make a well in the centre and crack in the eggs. Gradually whisk in the milk, starting from the centre and working outwards, until a smooth batter forms. Stir in the melted butter to ensure a silky texture. Let the batter rest for 15–30 minutes for best results.

2. Cook the Pancakes
   Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat and brush lightly with butter. Pour a ladleful of batter into the pan, swirling to evenly coat the base. Cook for about 1–2 minutes until bubbles appear and the edges start to lift. Flip and cook for another minute until golden brown.

3. Serve and Enjoy
   Stack the pancakes and serve immediately with your favourite toppings. Classic choices include lemon and sugar, maple syrup, or fresh berries and cream.

Perfect pancakes, every time!

 

Gemini

 

Fluffy Cloud Pancakes: The Perfect Morning Indulgence

 

 

Alright, let’s craft a recipe for truly perfect pancakes, balancing fluffiness with a touch of richness:

Ingredients:

• Dry Ingredients:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
• Wet Ingredients:
  • 1 ¾ cups milk (whole milk preferred for richer flavor)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
• For Cooking:
  • Butter or oil, for the griddle

 

Instructions:

1. Combine Dry Ingredients:
   • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients:
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
3. Combine Wet and Dry:
   • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently whisk until just combined. It’s okay if there are a few lumps; overmixing will result in tough pancakes.
4. Heat the Griddle:
   • Heat a griddle or non-stick pan over medium heat. Lightly grease it with butter or oil.
5. Cook the Pancakes:
   • Pour about ¼ cup of batter onto the hot griddle for each pancake.
   • Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges start to set (about 2-3 minutes).
   • Flip the pancakes and cook until golden brown on the other side (about 1-2 minutes).
6. Serve Immediately:
   • Serve hot with your favorite toppings, such as maple syrup, fresh fruit, or whipped cream.

 

Key Tips for Perfect Pancakes:

• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough pancakes. Mix just until the wet and dry ingredients are combined.
• Use a Hot Griddle: A hot griddle ensures that the pancakes cook evenly and develop a golden-brown color.
• Don’t Press Down: Avoid pressing down on the pancakes while they’re cooking. This will flatten them and prevent them from becoming fluffy.
• Let the Batter Rest (Optional): Allowing the batter to rest for 5-10 minutes can help the baking powder activate, resulting in even fluffier pancakes.
• Temperature Control: Maintaining proper heat is very important. If the pan is too hot, the outside will burn before the inside is cooked. If it is too cool, the pancake will be flat.

Enjoy your perfect pancakes!

 

 

Grok

 

Fluffy Perfection: The Ultimate Pancake Recipe

 

 

 

Claude

 

Cloud-Soft Sunday Morning Pancakes: A Breakfast Masterpiece

 

 

Ingredients

 

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 3½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1¼ cups whole milk
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

 

Equipment

 

• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Non-stick skillet or griddle
• Spatula

 

Instructions

Prepare the Batter

 

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Creating a smooth, well-incorporated dry mix is key to avoiding lumps in your pancakes.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the egg, then add milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract (if using). Whisk until well combined.
3. Create the Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold and mix until just combined. Important: Do not overmix! A few small lumps are perfectly fine and will help create a tender pancake.

 

Cooking the Pancakes

 

1. Preheat the Cooking Surface: Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. The ideal temperature is around 375°F (190°C). To test, sprinkle a few drops of water on the surface – if they sizzle and dance, it’s ready.
2. Optional Butter or Oil: Lightly grease the pan with butter or a neutral oil if needed.
3. Pour the Batter: Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, pour batter onto the hot surface. Leave enough space between pancakes for easy flipping.
4. Watch for Bubbles: Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges start to look dry (about 2-3 minutes).
5. Flip and Finish: Carefully flip the pancake and cook the other side for an additional 1-2 minutes, until golden brown.

 

Pro Tips

• Let the batter rest for 5-10 minutes before cooking to allow the flour to hydrate
• Keep cooked pancakes warm in a 200°F (95°C) oven while preparing the rest
• Avoid pressing down on pancakes while cooking – this deflates their beautiful fluffiness

 

Serving Suggestions

 

• Serve immediately with:
  • Pure maple syrup
  • Fresh berries
  • Whipped butter
  • Powdered sugar
  • Sliced bananas or chopped nuts

 

Storage

 

• Pancakes are best enjoyed fresh
• Can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days
• Reheat in a toaster or microwave

 

Variations

 

• Buttermilk Pancakes: Replace milk with buttermilk
• Whole Wheat: Substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour
• Blueberry: Sprinkle fresh blueberries onto the batter after pouring onto the griddle
• Chocolate Chip: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips onto the batter

 

MetaAI

 

Fluffy Golden Brown Pancake Bliss

 

 

 

DeepSeek

 

Fluffy Perfection Pancakes: The Ultimate Breakfast Treat