Pancake is one of the star products of gastronomy and cuisine from various countries such as Argentina, Chile or Uruguay. Under this name, there is a kind of crepe, omelet or pancake. It can be made both sweet and salty, which is usually eaten for example for breakfast, among other possible times of the day. Making the pancake is not complicated, although there are times when they do not go well because they stick to the pan. Here, we will explain why pancakes stick to pan and we also provide you with some solutions so that you can make your favorite recipe without problems and it is delicious.
Why pancakes stick to pan?
When it comes to explaining why pancakes stick together, first talk about the pan. And is that the container that is used is essential to achieve good results. In fact, not using the right frying pan is one of the main causes that explain why pancakes stick and burn, something that also applies to problems with pancakes, pancakes and tortillas. And how does the frying pan influence the cooking? There are several factors to consider:
Non-stick frying pan: to prevent pancakes from sticking, it is essential that the pan is non-stick because, with this layer they incorporate, any type of food is prevented from sticking.
Burned frying pan: when the frying pan is burned or not well cleaned, it is easier for the pancakes to stick because the dough that you make to the frying pan adheres more easily and quickly to the food remains that may have been from previous occasions.
Badly washed skillet: Even if you use a non-stick frying pan, poor cleaning can cause that non-stick coating to be lost. They are cases in which they are washed in the dishwasher because higher washing temperatures are reached than manually, or they use scouring pads, such as those of aluminum type, which gradually scratch the surface and, consequently, remove the coating non-stick.
Thus, it is always best to have a specific pan to cook pancakes or similar products and not wash it in the dishwasher, even if it is indicated that it is suitable for this type of washing.
The problem of pancakes sticking is in the dough
Another reason that explains why pancakes stick is in the dough. And it is important to do its preparation well to avoid later problems in its cooking and that the pancake does not turn out well. And what are the most common mistakes in pancake batter? Mainly, there are two:
Rest the dough: if the dough has not rested for the appropriate time, the pancakes will most likely stick because the flour used absorbs water, but it does so progressively and not instantaneously. It is an important fact to keep in mind because the dough will stick if it is cooked just after mixing the ingredients because the flour has not given enough time to catch the water and bind well. At a minimum, it is always recommended that the dough rests half an hour before cooking, although the estimated time is one hour.
Shake: at other times, what happens with the dough is that it is stirred too much in order to remove all the possible lumps that can appear when mixing the ingredients. Moving it in excess will make the pancake not look good because it will get a rubbery and sticky appearance and it will never be fluffy and soft in the pan, which in turn makes it easier to stick because it is necessary to have it longer on the fire to cook it. To avoid lumps, it is better to mix the ingredients little by little. And, if you are going to make a lot of pancakes, it is preferable to make several smaller, but well-mixed, doughs than one in a large pan.
Frequent cooking mistakes that make pancakes stick
Among the causes that explain why pancakes stick and burn, we cannot forget the mistakes that are made in their cooking. Among the most common mistakes when cooking pancakes we find:
Oil: not putting any oil in the pan to cook the pancakes or adding a lot of them favors sticking. The surface of the pan must be slightly impregnated with oil or a similar substance such as butter, margarines or the like. It is advisable to use little product and spread it well and evenly over the entire surface of the pan before adding the mass of the pancakes. To achieve this, it is not good to put the oil or cooking product directly on the pan. It is better to use a spatula, kitchen paper or with the fingers of the hand to extend it and control the amount that is applied.
Pour the dough into the pan: Putting the dough directly from the bowl into the pan is another mistake because the layer of dough does not spread evenly, making it difficult to cook. It is better to previously use, for example, a ladle to catch the exact amount and distribute it well throughout the pan.
Filling: The mistakes when cooking the dough are not the only ones. Also the problem of pancakes sticking may be in the filling. And it is that filling them a lot makes them stick more easily because it is more complicated to turn them and remove them from the pan so they tend to break and, consequently, everything sticks.
Turn it over: Another key to keep pancakes from sticking is turning them on time. If too many minutes are left, they stick. And when do you have to turn around? It’s easy: when you see that there are holes in the surface of the dough.
