Pannenkoek facts for kids
Pannenkoek with bacon
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| Course | Main course |
|---|---|
| Place of origin |  Netherlands |
| Region or state | Northwestern Europe |
| Serving temperature | warm |
| Main ingredients | Flour, milk, and eggs |
A pannenkoek (say "PAN-uh-kook") is a special kind of pancake from the Netherlands. People also call them Dutch pancakes. They are usually bigger and thinner than the pancakes you might eat in America or Scotland. But they are not as thin as crêpes. You can enjoy pannenkoeken with many different toppings.
Pannenkoeken can have yummy things cooked right inside them. These might be slices of bacon, apples, cheese, or raisins. Plain pannenkoeken are often eaten with sweet treacle (a syrup made from sugar beets). Another popular topping is appelstroop, which is a Dutch kind of apple butter. You can also sprinkle powdered sugar on them. Sometimes, people roll them up to eat by hand. Other times, they use a knife and fork.
Contents
What are Pannenkoeken Made Of?
The basic ingredients for pannenkoeken are flour, milk, salt, and eggs. You can use plain flour, self-rising flour, or both. Sometimes, people add buckwheat flour, but this is less common now. If you don't have milk, you can even use soy milk instead. The pancake will still turn out great.
How to Make Pannenkoeken
First, all the ingredients are mixed together. They make a runny batter. Then, a scoop of this batter is poured into a hot pan. The pan usually has some butter or oil in it.
You cook the pannenkoek until the top looks dry. Also, the edges will start to turn brown. That's when it's ready to be flipped over. The first pancake you make might not be perfect, but that's okay! At home, families often make a stack of pannenkoeken. This way, everyone can eat at the same time.
When to Eat Pannenkoeken
Pannenkoeken are often eaten as a main meal. They are served warm. In the winter, some people eat them after a bowl of snert (Dutch pea soup).
Pannenkoeken are a very popular choice for birthday meals in the Netherlands and Belgium. It's a fun and tasty way to celebrate.
Pancake Restaurants and Stores
You can find special pannenkoeken restaurants in the Netherlands and Belgium. They are called "pannenkoekenhuizen," which means "pancake houses." These restaurants often have a huge menu. They offer many different toppings and ingredients. You can find traditional ones or more modern ideas. For example, some places even make "pizza-pannenkoeken" with cheese, oregano, and salami!
If you're in a Dutch or Belgian supermarket, you might see pre-cooked pannenkoeken. You can just heat these up in the microwave. They also sell ready-made batter or dry flour mixes. For the dry mixes, you just need to add water.
Pannenkoeken Around the World
Pannenkoeken are popular in other countries too, especially those with Dutch connections.
Pannenkoek in South Africa
In South Africa, people usually say "pannekoek" (without the 'n'). They often say "Kom ons eet pannekoek," which means "Let's have pannekoek." It is usually served with cinnamon and sugar. People sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mix over the warm pancake. Then, they roll it up. Sometimes, it's wrapped in wax paper to keep it warm. The cinnamon and sugar melt into the soft pancake. You can often see pannekoek being made at church fairs or school events.
Panekuk in Indonesia
Indonesia was once a Dutch colony. So, it also has its own version of the dish. It's called panekuk there. People often eat it with creams inside. They also add sweet toppings like honey, condensed milk, or hagelslag (chocolate sprinkles). Sometimes, they just sprinkle sugar on top. It's also common to mix sliced bananas into the batter before cooking.
See also
In Spanish: Pannekoeken para niños
