• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Free Ebook!Subscribe to updates & get a recipe book!

Subscribe & Receive My Free Recipe Ebook!

The Chunky Chef

Comforting Family Recipes

  • All Recipes
  • Learn to Cook
  • Shop
    • My eBooks
    • Favorite Products
  • About
  • Contact
  • Trending:

    Slow Cooker

    Easy Dinners

    Desserts

    My Saved Recipe Box
  • Browse By:
  • Course
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Main Dishes
    • Sides
    • Drinks
    • Desserts
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Sandwiches
    • Healthy-ish
  • Ingredient
    • Chicken
    • Beef
    • Pork
    • Turkey
    • Seafood
    • Meatless
    • Pasta
  • Cuisine
    • Asian
    • Italian
    • Mexican
    • Hawaiian
    • Middle Eastern
    • Comfort Food
  • Method
    • One Pot
    • Crockpot
    • Instant Pot
    • Oven
    • Fried
    • Grilling/BBQ
  • Trending:

    Slow Cooker

    Easy Dinners

    Desserts

Home / Main Dishes / Breakfast

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

5
/5
35 minutes
22 Comments
Jump to Recipe Print Pin
By: The Chunky Chefpublished: 05/09/2016

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Soft and fluffy ricotta pancakes infused with great lemon zest flavor… perfect for a special occasion breakfast, but easy enough to make every day!

The classic buttermilk pancake gets a makeover with the addition of ricotta for an extra fluffy and tender treat!  Cheese in pancakes… just trust me on this one.

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes | Soft and fluffy ricotta pancakes infused with great lemon zest flavor... perfect for a special occasion breakfast, but easy enough to make every day! | http://thechunkychef.comI know, I know… cheese in pancakes… it’s just weird right??  You’ll have to trust me on this one… I mean, we’re friends right?

Think cannoli, not ravioli.  Ricotta cheese is one of those powerhouse ingredients that is equally delicious in both savory AND sweet recipes!

If you have a Cheesecake Factory restaurant near you, you might have tried their lemon ricotta pancakes… and they’re heavenly!

Well they are kind enough to share a few of their recipes right on their website, and this is one of them.  So I can’t really call it a copycat, since it comes directly from them lol, but rather a home-version of the delicious original!

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes | Soft and fluffy ricotta pancakes infused with great lemon zest flavor... perfect for a special occasion breakfast, but easy enough to make every day! | http://thechunkychef.com

I have a love of pancakes, and from the response I’ve received from my Vanilla and Cinnamon Buttermilk Pancakes, you guys do too!

Usually I’m a butter and syrup on my flapjacks kind of gal, but for these lemon ricotta pancakes, they’re so flavorful and light, that I think even just a dusting of powdered sugar is perfect.

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes | Soft and fluffy ricotta pancakes infused with great lemon zest flavor... perfect for a special occasion breakfast, but easy enough to make every day! | http://thechunkychef.com

But then other times, I get down with the maple syrup and just drown them… I’m a complex lady… like to keep you on your toes 🙂

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes | Soft and fluffy ricotta pancakes infused with great lemon zest flavor... perfect for a special occasion breakfast, but easy enough to make every day! | http://thechunkychef.com

You can top these with just about anything you’d like… I like to add a couple lemon slices for presentation, some fresh blueberries and pomegranate arils (the seeds) for both flavor and color 🙂

Some raspberries or strawberries would be equally delicious!

I hope you all give these a try… I know you’ll love how soft and tender they are!

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes | Soft and fluffy ricotta pancakes infused with great lemon zest flavor... perfect for a special occasion breakfast, but easy enough to make every day! | http://thechunkychef.com

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

5 from 3 votes
Author: The Chunky Chef
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings (approximately 10 pancakes)
(hover over # to adjust)
Print Rate Pin
Soft and fluffy ricotta pancakes infused with great lemon zest flavor... perfect for a special occasion breakfast, but easy enough to make every day!

Ingredients

  • 1-3/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 Tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1-1/2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 4 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 2 Tbsp lemon zest
  • Butter for griddle

Instructions

  • Add flour, baking powder, and salt to a mixing bowl. Whisk to combine and set aside.
  • To another large mixing bowl, add buttermilk, eggs, vanilla and vegetable oil. Whisk to very loosely combine.
  • Add sugar, lemon zest and ricotta cheese and whisk to incorporate well.
  • Pour dry ingredients into the wet and use a rubber spatula to fold everything together.
  • You want your batter to be slightly lumpy. Be careful not to overmix; batter will be thick.
  • Heat a bit of butter on a griddle or pan heated over MED-LOW heat. Use a 1/3 cup measuring cup to ladle batter onto griddle or pan, then smooth it out in a concentric circle motion to form an even layer of batter.
  • Heat for approximately 2 minutes, or until you see the edges of the pancake are set and appear dry, and air bubbles are forming over the top surface of the batter.
  • Flip pancake over and cook another minute, until cooked through.
  • Remove to a plate and repeat with remaining batter.
  • Serve with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, maple syrup, fresh fruit, or any combination of those.

Want to save this recipe for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own recipe box!

Chef Tips

1. Recipe from The Cheesecake Factory

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

Did You Make This?Tag @the_chunky_chef on Instagram and hashtag it #thechunkychef so I can see what you made!
Tag on Insta! Leave a Rating Save for Later Saved!

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes | Soft and fluffy ricotta pancakes infused with great lemon zest flavor... perfect for a special occasion breakfast, but easy enough to make every day! | http://thechunkychef.com

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes | Soft and fluffy ricotta pancakes infused with great lemon zest flavor... perfect for a special occasion breakfast, but easy enough to make every day! | http://thechunkychef.com

You May Also Like...

  • Lemon Almond Cheese Danish | Breakfast pastries don't have to be complicated... this delicate and delicious lemon almond cheese danish is made easy with puff pastry! | http://thechunkychef.com
    Lemon Almond Cheese Danish
  • Deliciously sweet, tangy and salty, this prosciutto wrapped honey lemon shrimp is the tastiest, and easiest meal ever!  Just 3 smart points per serving too! | #shrimp #weightwatchers #freestyle #prosciutto #honey #lemon #lightmeal
    Prosciutto-Wrapped Honey Lemon Shrimp
  • Start your morning off right with a big stack of these fluffy and melt in your mouth Buttermilk Pancakes. This old-fashioned recipe is so easy, tastes way better than a boxed mix, and gives you pancakes with the most perfectly crisp edges and soft fluffy centers. #pancakes #buttermilk #flapjacks #oldfashionedrecipe #fromscratch #homemade
    Buttermilk Pancakes with Vanilla and Cinnamon
  • Blueberry Lemon Bread
    Lemon Blueberry Bread with Lemon Cream Cheese Glaze
Previous Post
Next Post

Meet The Chunky Chef

Hey there! I'm Amanda. Wife, mother, photography nerd, and bacon lover! I believe that delicious meals should be easy to make. Now that you’re here, stay a bit, browse a few recipes, and let’s get cookin’!

Learn More

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question, comment, or review below.

Recipe Rating




  1. Regina says

    Posted on 7/10 at 3:21 pm

    Excellent pancakes! All time favorites!

    Reply
  2. Allison says

    Posted on 1/25 at 5:54 pm

    These are incredibly delicious. Served with Canadian bacon and a blueberry vanilla syrup we made. Kids stuffed themselves.

    Reply
  3. Valerie says

    Posted on 11/8 at 12:40 pm

    I made this recipe as the recipe says except I did not have buttermilk. Instead, I mixed one Tbsp. juice from the lemon to one cup milk.

    These pancakes were amazing and were the perfect way to use up the left over ricotta from the lasagna I made the night before! 

    Reply
  4. Enas says

    Posted on 9/18 at 2:56 am

    I made these pancakes they are nice but i think 2 cups 
    Of ricotta cheese too much next time i will reduce the quantity .

    Reply
  5. Christina says

    Posted on 12/25 at 4:45 am

    Amanda, these lemon ricotta pancakes got our Christmas Day off to a great start!
    My husband, our little son and me enjoyed them really much! Delicious!
    MERRY CHRISTMAS to you!

    Reply
  6. mila says

    Posted on 5/16 at 11:28 pm

    Umm no. Cheese in pancakes is legendary…not weird. We Russians use a kind of farmers cheese in ours…I always use ricotta though and its HEAVEN!!! I also always add a bit of citrus in there too. These look so great honey and your photos are incredible!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 5/18 at 10:25 pm

      Thanks so much Mila!!! I was doing a little dance around my kitchen when I got the drizzled syrup shot lol

      Reply
  7. LaTrice says

    Posted on 5/16 at 12:37 am

    I LOVE pancakes!! 🙂

    Reply
  8. Jeff says

    Posted on 5/15 at 8:02 am

    These are the most beautiful pancakes I have ever seen. Your post should come with a warning not to read it on an empty stomach.

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 5/16 at 9:50 pm

      Thanks so much Jeff!! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Melanie | Gather for Bread says

    Posted on 5/12 at 9:20 am

    These do look amazing! Great photos.

    Reply
  10. Megan @ MegUnprocessed.com says

    Posted on 5/12 at 2:15 am

    Lemon zest in pancakes sounds delicious!

    Reply
  11. Erin says

    Posted on 5/11 at 1:29 am

    Beautiful shots!

    Reply
    • Janis Scott says

      Posted on 7/16 at 9:46 am

      I have made these numerous times. Family loves them. I make lemon syrup to go with them. Adds another layer of flavor for this lemon lover.

      Reply
  12. Beth says

    Posted on 5/10 at 9:46 pm

    Amanda, these photos are STUNNING! Officially hungry too 😉

    Reply
  13. Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says

    Posted on 5/10 at 6:11 pm

    So light and fluffy. That a perfect weekend breakfast!

    Reply
  14. Lise @MomLovesBaking says

    Posted on 5/10 at 1:07 pm

    These look truly tasty!

    Reply
  15. Meaghan Mountford says

    Posted on 5/10 at 9:40 am

    Pretty much my perfect breakfast. Definitely going to make these!!

    Reply
  16. Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says

    Posted on 5/10 at 9:15 am

    These pancakes sound & look heavenly! 🙂 I actually LOVE using ricotta in sweet recipes & in baking. It makes everything so moist and light.

    Reply
  17. Tonia Larson says

    Posted on 5/10 at 12:15 am

    Oh my goodness! Can you just drop a stack of these off at my house in the morning?

    Reply
  18. Krista says

    Posted on 5/9 at 2:55 pm

    Anyone would have to be crazy to resist these pancakes!

    Reply
  19. Meg @ With Salt and Wit says

    Posted on 5/9 at 1:20 pm

    New Favorite Breakfast!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

welcome!

Hey there! I'm Amanda. Wife, mother, photography nerd, and bacon lover! I believe that delicious meals should be easy to make. Now that you’re here, stay a bit, browse a few recipes, and let’s get cookin’!

New! Save Recipes To Your Own Account!

Free eBook!

Subscribe & receive my most popular recipes compiled into an easy ebook format!

download now!

Subscribe & Receive My Free Recipe Ebook!

Game Day Recipes!

These crowd-pleasing tender meatballs are smothered in a super flavorful honey garlic bbq sauce.  Perfect for parties, this crockpot meatball recipe couldn't be more simple to make! #meatballs #crockpot #slowcooker #honeygarlic #bbq #appetizer #party #honey #garlic #easyrecipe

Honey Garlic Crockpot Meatballs

2 hours 5 minutes

Smooth and silky queso dip, made using NO velveeta!  Packed with flavor, yet so easy to make, and party ready in just 20 minutes! #queso #dip #cheese #mexican #appetizer #party #cincodemayo #easyrecipe

Queso Dip Recipe

20 minutes

Creamy, cheesy, and oh so addicting, this bacon cheeseburger dip is just like your favorite gooey cheeseburger... but in a party-ready dip form! #bacon #gameday #cheesy #cheeseburger #party #appetizer #dip #easyrecipe

Creamy Bacon Cheeseburger Dip

32 minutes

Insanely tasty chicken wing recipe, dry rubbed, then hickory smoked to perfection.  And don't forget the homemade bourbon bbq sauce! #chickenwings #wingrecipe #smoked #smoker #smokedchickenwings #bourbon #bbq #crispy

Bourbon BBQ Smoked Chicken Wings

3 hours

This easy game day appetizer combines classic buffalo wing flavors with cool creaminess in an easy dip made in the crockpot. Perfect for any party, serve it up with chips or celery sticks and watch everyone go back for seconds!

Buffalo Chicken Dip (Crockpot Recipe)

2 hours 10 minutes

Chicken Taco Mexican Pinwheels | These pinwheels are filled with a creamy chicken taco filling, which is easily customizable, and rolled up to make a perfect appetizer or party food! | http://thechunkychef.com

Chicken Taco Mexican Pinwheels

15 minutes

More Holiday Recipes >

Who doesn’t love free stuff?

Who doesn't love free stuff? Get an ad-free ebook of my most popular recipes, plus be the FIRST to know about new things coming to the site!

Looking for something?

As Seen On…

Stay Connected

subscribe to get new posts via email:

Quick & Easy

Dinner Favorites

Hearty and positively soul-warming, this beef barley soup simmers all day in the slow cooker, which makes for an incredibly rich soup recipe! #beefbarley #soup #slowcooker #crockpot #comfortfood #barley #beefsoup #easyrecipe #dinner
M

Crockpot Beef Barley Soup

white bowl of chicken and dumplings
T

Instant Pot Chicken & Dumplings

HONEY GARLIC SALMON - Succulent and tender salmon filets cooked in a mouthwatering simple honey garlic sauce, then broiled until sticky and caramelized.  Made with simple ingredients, in one pan, and in just 20 minutes! #salmon #honeygarlic #onepan #easyrecipe #dinner #seafood #fish
W

Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon

Light and filling, this Italian Wedding Soup is perfectly delicious comfort food, all year round.  Made in one pan, and ready in 30 minutes, this recipe is great for a weeknight meal! #soup #souprecipe #Italianweddingsoup #onepot #30minutemeal #weeknight #dinner #easyrecipe #homemaderecipe
R

Italian Wedding Soup

This Honey Garlic Chicken is one incredible weeknight dinner idea. Juicy chicken coated and cooked with a glorious sauce made with soy, hoisin, garlic, honey and more! Toss it all in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you! #dinner #chicken #asian #honey #garlic #honeygarlic #easyrecipe #weeknight #slowcooker #crockpot
F

Honey Garlic Chicken

S

Swedish Meatballs

Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window
free e-book!

Download MY Free Recipe eBook!

Subscribe & receive my most popular recipes compiled into an easy ebook format!

get my copy!

Subscribe & Receive My Free Recipe Ebook!

As Featured On:

Back to Top

Recipes

Dinners

Appetizers

Desserts

Slow Cooker

Learn to Cook

Start Here

Tips & Tricks

e-Cookbook

Easy Recipes

  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Privacy
  • Contact
© 2023 The Chunky Chef
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
Back to Top