Pancakes—or hotcakes, griddlecakes or flapjacks, as they’re also known—are thin, often round cakes cooked in (you guessed it!) a pan or hot griddle. While they can be made from cornmeal, buckwheat or even potatoes (a method common in many European and Middle Eastern cultures), generally a basic pancake batter consists of wheat flour, eggs and milk or buttermilk, sometimes with butter, oil or other ingredients.

Making pancake batter is really pretty easy since so few ingredients are involved. A homemade batter, like in this classic whole-wheat buttermilk pancake recipe, is simple to put together with a few pantry ingredients like Gold Medal flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, vegetable oil and salt.

Bisquick mix makes pancake batter even simpler, since all the dry ingredients are already in the box. Follow Betty’s all-time favorite Bisquick pancake recipe to see how it’s done—just three ingredients needed!

Pancakes can easily be made gluten free using Bisquick Gluten Free Baking Mix (like in this gluten-free pancake recipe), or by substituting a gluten-free flour or flour mix in your favorite pancake recipe. Yummy Gluten-Free Paleo Pancakes have a unique flavor thanks to a mixture of coconut flour and almond meal flour, as well as creamy coconut milk—they’re also dairy free and fit the Paleo lifestyle.

If you’re avoiding dairy products, experiment with almond, soy or coconut milk instead of cow’s milk in your favorite recipe. And if you’re vegan or allergic to eggs, the Betty Crocker test kitchens have some fabulous vegan egg substitutes (including bananas) that will help bind your pancakes and keep them fluffy.

• An electric griddle set to 375°F, or a frying pan over medium-high heat
• Batter
• Something to grease the pan: cooking spray, vegetable oil or shortening
• Something to scoop or pour the batter: a ladle or ¼-cup measuring cup OR a plastic squeeze bottle with a narrow opening (if making pancake shapes)
• A spatula to flip pancakes
• An oven-safe plate or cookie sheet to keep fresh pancakes warm