What is a Poffertjes Pan?

A poffertjes pan is a wide pan covered with spherical divots that then are used to make poffertjes, the little Dutch rounded pancakes. Typically sold at Christmas markets or summer festivals, they are puffed and buttery, eaten dusted with icing sugar which melts slightly when warm. They are truly delicious. The good news is they are also very easy to make at home! This type of pan is not hard to find in The Netherlands but if you are elsewhere in the world, buying online is probably best.

The pan is typically either non-stick or cast iron these days and is covered with divots. The divots range in size depending on the pan but typically you can expect them to be around 5cm wide.

I am of the opinion that you don't need loads of kitchen kit for every little thing, so buying a poffertjes pan is not a necessity if you are only going to make these little pancakes once. You can very easily use a pancake pan or non-stick pan with a squeezy bottle or just with a tablespoon, adding little dollops across the pan. However, special poffertjes pan are relatively inexpensive and they do make it a little more fun. If you are going to make these on a regular basis, investing in one is a good idea. You can also use the pan to make takoyaki, a Japanese street food that uses a similar pan.

How To Pronounce Poffertjes?

Poffertjes is a Dutch word that is pronounced poff-ur-jis.

What are Poffertjes?

Poffertjes are Dutch mini pancakes that are made in a specific poffertjes pan with little divots. These poffertjes are made with a yeasted dough, giving them the most delicious flavour and airy texture. Don't let this put you off though, they are so easy but do require a little patience in letting the batter prove for an hour or so. They would be a great one to try for Shrove Tuesday as you can easily feed a crowd with just one poffertjes pan.

What Is The Difference Between Poffertjes and Pancakes?

Although poffertjes are often called ‘Dutch mini pancakes’, they are rather different to other pancakes out there. British pancakes are large, thin and crêpe-like, while American pancakes are thick and fluffy (due to the addition of baking powder). However, poffertjes are much smaller and tender - almost the same size as blinis. They also contain yeast, which some people argue makes them not strictly pancakes at all… 

Where To Buy

In the UK or the US, buying online is your best option usually. I use this poffertjes pan from Amazon. It makes the whole recipe so easy. Make sure you check that the pan you are buying is compatible with your stove top especially if you have an induction hob.

Top Tips For Using Your Poffertjes Pan

• Generously grease each hole in the pan with oil or butter. I tend to use butter as it has better flavour than oil. I use some kitchen paper to wipe butter into each divot on the pan to make sure it's well greased.
• Heat the pan well before greasing and adding batter. Even and consistent heat across the pan will result in even and consistent poffertjes.
• Keep the heat on medium. Any higher and you risk burning the outside of the poffertjes before they are cooked through.
• I like to use cocktail sticks to flip the poffertjes in the pan as I find you can swivel them easily without burning your fingers. A traditional spatula is too big whereas these are just right. I use them as extensions of my fingers so I place one cocktail stick on each edge of the poffertje, lifting one side and pushing the other side under.

How To Clean Your Poffertjes Pan

These pans are typically non-stick which makes cleaning them very easy. I like to handwash the pan, rather than use the dishwasher (although if your pan tells you it's suitable for the dishwasher then feel free!). I use hot soapy water and just make sure to clean each divot well to remove all traces of grease. Dry once it's clean and you will have it ready to go for next time!

How To Make Poffertjes

I have a whole post on my Poffertjes recipe that will walk you through the process. If you haven’t tried poffertjes before, they are dainty little puffs made with a yeasted batter. I think this often puts people off as you do need to let the yeast prove for about an hour to give it time to do its thing. But it really is worth it and it's something a little different to regular pancakes. Plus, you can make it the night before, cover and leave it to prove overnight in the fridge.

How To Serve

Traditionally poffertjes are served warm with a knob of butter and a dusting of icing sugar. I like to serve some raspberries on the side too. However, you can get creative and try all sorts of toppings. Melted chocolate, warm jam, berry compote, nutella, Lotus Biscoff, my homemade pistachio cream or lemon curd. Sometimes I go for a dollop of whipped cream, a swirl of squirty cream or drizzle of maple syrup/runny honey.