Carlos Sainz’s Viral Pancake Recipe

Get ready for Pancake Day with one of the most famous recipes out there, from our in-house expert

Published

17 FEB 2026

Est. reading time

3 min

Today, Tuesday 17th February, is Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) in the UK, so it's time to start perfecting your pancake-flipping technique.

What better way to celebrate than by recreating Carlos Sainz’s now-legendary pancake recipe?

What is Pancake Day?

Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, is a tradition in the UK that dates back centuries. It falls on the day before Ash Wednesday and is historically a way to use up rich ingredients like eggs, milk, and sugar before the start of Lent.

When is Pancake Day?

In 2026, Pancake Day falls on Tuesday 17th February. The date changes each year to fall exactly 47 days before Easter Sunday.

What is Pancake Day known as around the world?

While the UK knows Shrove Tuesday as Pancake Day, other countries have their own names and traditions for the same day. In the USA, it is known as Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, a day often associated with indulgence, parties, and parades, particularly in New Orleans. In France and many other French-speaking countries, Mardi Gras is also celebrated with festivities and rich foods. In Brazil, the day falls during Carnaval, a time of vibrant celebrations and feasting before Lent begins.

The Carlos Sainz Pancake Method

Carlos Sainz’s approach to pancakes took social media by storm after he casually delivered his recipe off the cuff. However, he later demonstrated his method more precisely in a video, confirming that his pancakes are as fluffy as his original description promised. The key? Careful folding and aeration.

Here’s everything you need to make them yourself:

Ingredients

For the pancake batter:

4 eggs

300 ml milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

300 g plain flour

4 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp honey (optional)

½ tsp salt

For cooking:

Butter

For serving (optional, but recommended):

Syrup, honey, whipped cream, fruits, or any toppings of your choice (though Carlos himself prefers them plain!)

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How to Make Carlos Sainz’s Fluffy Pancakes

Step 1: Prepare the Batter

1. Separate the eggs: Place the yolks in one bowl and the whites in another.

2. Mix the wet ingredients: Whisk the egg yolks together with the milk and vanilla extract.

3. Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the flour, sugar, and salt. Create a well in the centre.

4. Incorporate the wet and dry ingredients: Pour the egg yolk mixture into the well and whisk gently, starting from the centre and working outwards. The batter should be slightly thick.

Step 2: Whip the Egg Whites

5. Whisk the egg whites: Beat them until they form stiff peaks. This step is crucial as it’s the air in the egg whites that makes the pancakes light and fluffy.

6. Fold in the egg whites: Add one-third of the whipped egg whites to the batter and gently fold using a spatula. Repeat with the remaining two-thirds, being careful not to deflate the mixture. As Carlos himself says, “You don’t want to make the fluffy unfluffy.”

Step 3: Cook the Pancakes

7. Preheat a non-stick pan over medium-low heat.

8. Add butter: Lightly coat the pan.

9. Cook the pancakes: Pour a ladleful of batter into the pan and cook for about 1-2 minutes until bubbles form on the surface. Flip carefully and cook for another minute.

10. Repeat until all the batter is used.

Serving Suggestions

Carlos might enjoy his pancakes plain, but if you prefer a little extra flavour, you can top them with:

Maple syrup or honey

Fresh fruits (berries, bananas, etc.)

Whipped cream

A dusting of icing sugar

However you serve them, these pancakes are bound to be P1 this Pancake Day – don’t forget to share your attempts with us using the form below.

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Send us a photo of you attempting Carlos' recipe

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