Pannenkoeken (Dutch Savoury Pancakes with Bacon and Onion)

Dutch pannenkoeken sit somewhere between a crêpe and a breakfast pancake: broad, thin and tender, with just enough structure to fold or roll around savoury toppings. In the Netherlands they are often eaten as a simple meal rather than a sweet breakfast, and bacon with onion is one of the most recognisable savoury combinations. Here the mild batter provides a soft, lightly crisp base for rendered streaky bacon and golden sautéed onion, giving each pancake a salty, buttery finish that works well for an easy dinner.
Cuisine style Dutch home cooking
Flavor profile Salty • Savoury • Buttery
Techniques Pan-frying • Sautéing • Whisking batter
Key equipment Large frying pan • Mixing bowl • Whisk
Cooking style Minimal cleanup • Freezer-friendly
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Tender with crisp edges: A thin, pourable batter spreads quickly in the pan, giving each pancake a soft centre and lightly golden edge.
  • Savoury depth: Cooking the bacon first leaves a little rendered fat in the pan, which adds richness to the onions before they top the pancakes.
  • Straightforward method: The batter uses everyday ingredients and cooks quickly, with clear visual cues for when to flip.

Get the most out of this recipe

Authenticity notes

  • Dutch-style serving: Pannenkoeken are typically larger and thinner than fluffy breakfast pancakes, and savoury versions are commonly served as a simple meal.
  • Bacon and onion topping: Bacon and softened onion are a familiar savoury combination, giving the pancakes a salty, rich finish without needing a separate sauce.

Texture tips

  • Keep the batter loose: The batter should be smooth and pourable so it can coat the pan thinly before it starts to set.
  • Use steady medium heat: Medium heat gives the pancakes time to cook through while developing a golden underside rather than browning too quickly.
  • Serve the topping warm, not wet: Let the onions soften and lightly colour so they taste sweet and savoury without releasing excess moisture onto the pancakes.

Make-ahead tips

  • Cook pancakes in advance: The pancakes can be cooked ahead, cooled completely and stacked with baking paper between them.
  • Freeze without topping: Freeze the plain pancakes separately from the bacon and onion so they reheat cleanly and keep their texture.
  • Reheat gently: Warm in a lightly buttered frying pan over medium heat, or in a 180°C (355°F) oven until piping hot.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Halve and thinly slice the yellow onion. Cut the streaky bacon into short lengths.
  2. Set a large frying pan over medium heat and cook the bacon for 5 to 7 minutes, turning, until golden and the fat has rendered. Transfer to a plate, leaving a thin sheen of fat in the pan.
  3. Add a small knob of the unsalted butter to the pan, then sauté the onion with a pinch of the fine sea salt for 8 to 10 minutes until soft and lightly golden. Tip onto the plate with the bacon and keep warm.
  4. In a mixing bowl, whisk the plain flour with the remaining fine sea salt and black pepper. Whisk in the eggs, then gradually whisk in the whole milk until you have a smooth, pourable batter.
  5. Wipe the pan clean if needed, then set it over medium heat and melt a little of the remaining butter. Pour in a ladleful of batter and swirl to coat the base thinly; cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the top looks set and the underside is golden.
  6. Flip and cook for 30 to 60 seconds more, then slide onto a warm plate. Repeat with the remaining batter, adding a little more butter as needed between pancakes.
  7. Top each pannenkoek with the sautéed onion and bacon, then fold or roll to serve. Finish with a little extra black pepper if you like.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • For the thinnest pannenkoeken, keep the pan at a steady medium heat and swirl the batter quickly so it spreads before it starts to set.
  • If the batter thickens as it stands, whisk briefly to loosen it before cooking the next pancake.
  • If serving to anyone vulnerable to foodborne illness, use eggs that are produced to be eaten raw or lightly cooked, and make sure the pancakes are cooked through.

Substitutions

  • Replace whole milk with semi-skimmed milk for a lighter pancake.
  • Replace unsalted butter with olive oil for cooking if you prefer a higher smoke point.
  • Replace streaky bacon with back bacon for a meatier, less fatty topping.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Cool the pancakes completely, then stack with sheets of baking paper between and refrigerate. Reheat in a lightly buttered frying pan over medium heat for 30 to 60 seconds per side, or in a 180°C (355°F) oven until piping hot; freeze pancakes (without topping) for up to 2 months and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

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Pannenkoeken (Dutch Savoury Pancakes with Bacon and Onion)
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 3 servings
  • Total time: 40min (35min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Dutch
  • Allergens:
    Eggs Gluten Milk Wheat
Beginner friendly Freezer friendly

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