Mancakes

Chef John's mancakes recipe yields sweet-and-savory cornmeal pancakes made with bacon, cheese, and green onions — for big appetites and breakfasts.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 502 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 8 ounces bacon, chopped
• 2 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 cup warm maple syrup, or to taste
• 0.75 teaspoon salt
• 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.3333333730698 cups milk
• 0.5 cup thinly sliced green onions
• 0.75 cup cornmeal
• 0.125 teaspoon chipotle chile powder, or to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Gather all ingredients.

Step 2

Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Off heat, stir green onions into bacon; sauté in hot drippings until slightly softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer bacon mixture to a strainer; drain. Reserve drippings.

Step 3

Whisk flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper together in a large bowl; whisk in drained bacon mixture, milk, Cheddar cheese, eggs, melted butter, and sugar until batter is smooth. Let batter rest for 10 minutes.

Step 4

Whisk maple syrup and chipotle chile powder together in a small bowl until chile powder is completely dissolved.

Step 5

Heat 1 teaspoon reserved drippings, 1 teaspoon oil, and 1 teaspoon butter on a griddle over medium-high heat. Drop ¼ cupfuls of batter per mancake onto the griddle; cook until bubbles form and edges are dry, 3 to 4 minutes.

Step 6

Flip; cook until browned on other side, 2 to 3 minutes. Repeat with remaining batter.

Step 7

Transfer mancakes to a plate; top with maple syrup.