A light, fluffy, and golden-brown Dutch Baby Pancake is the perfect high altitude breakfast treat that feels gourmet but is surprisingly easy to make. Watch the Dutch Baby dramatically puff up in the oven and serve with your favorite topping for an impressive brunch or a fun family breakfast.

high altitude dutch baby in a 10 inch cast iron skillet with fresh berries in bowls side it

Looking for more high altitude breakfast ideas? Try out these fluffy pancakes or waffles, decadent crepes, homemade cinnamon rolls, flaky biscuits, or blueberry coffee cake and blueberry muffins.

My kids absolutely love a Dutch Baby Pancake for breakfast. My son calls it a “big pancake”. Dutch Baby is a great family breakfast idea. I love that I can pull the Dutch Baby out of the oven, sprinkle a little powdered sugar on it, and serve it with fresh fruit for our whole family to eat together.

This High Altitude Dutch Baby Pancake recipe is baked at 8,000 ft elevation. To adjust the recipe for other elevations check out High Altitude Baking Adjustments

Dutch Baby vs German Pancake

A Dutch Baby Pancake and a German Pancake are essentially the same dish. Both refer to a large, oven-baked pancake made from simple batter of eggs, milk, flour, and a touch of sugar.

Both pancakes are baked in a hot pan with melted butter which creates the puffed up golden, crispy edges and a soft custard-like center.

high altitude german pancake dusted with powdered sugar in a cast iron skillet surrounded by fresh strawberries and raspberries and a stack of white plates with forks on top

Recommended tools:

LARGE CAST IRON SKILLET – a deep dish pie pan can be used also but I prefer to use my 10 inch cast iron skillet
MIXING BOWL OR ELECTRIC STAND MIXER – all the ingredients need to be mixed together until the batter is smooth
MEASURING CUPS AND SPOONS – baking (especially at high altitude) is a science and accurate measurements are needed

Check out all of my favorite kitchen products!

FIND THEM HERE!

a dutch baby pancake in a cast iron skillet dusted with powdered sugar and topped with fresh strawberries and raspberries

Dutch Baby Recipe Ingredients:

MILK – I love to use whole milk in all of my baking for the extra bit of richness
LARGE EGGS – helps create the dramatic rise of the edges and the custard-like center
ALL PUROSE FLOUR – creates the base for the pancake
VANILLA EXTRACT – small amounts help to enhance the flavors (a little secret of mine…I never measure vanilla)
WHITE SUGAR – for the perfect hint of sweetness
BUTTER – I love to use salted butter for the hint of salt in the pancake but unsalted butter works also
OPTIONAL: SPICES – add a hint of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, or lemon zest for extra flavor

dutch baby pancake recipe ingredients in a glass bowls: whole milk, all purpose flour, large eggs, vanilla extract, white sugar, and salted butter. And bowls of fresh strawberries and raspberries for toppings

How to make High Altitude Dutch Baby Pancake:

PREHEAT THE OVEN TO 400° F – place the pan INSIDE the oven while its preheating
MIX TOGETHER ALL THE INGREDIENTS – the batter will need to rest for 5-10 minutes while the oven is preheating
MELT THE BUTTER – add the butter to the hot pan to melt (1st image below)
POUR BATTER INTO MELTED BUTTER – gently pour the batter into the HOT pan and melted butter (2nd image below)
BAKE THE PANCAKE – DO NOT open the oven while the pancake is baking
REST THE PANCAKE – rest the pancake INSIDE the oven for 5 minutes
ENJOY! – add your favorite toppings and serve immediately

FOR BEST RESULTS: to get the most dramatic rise in your Dutch Baby Pancake make sure your ingredients are room temperature and you oven, pan, and butter are HOT, HOT, HOT!

hot cast iron skillet with melted butter inside of it

hot cast iron skillet filled with high altitude dutch baby pancake batter covered with butter

Tips for a successful Dutch Baby Pancake:

PREHEAT THE OVEN AND SKILLET – make sure to preheat your oven AND the skillet. A hot skillet helps the pancake rise quickly and give it those beautiful crispy edges
ROOM TEMPERATURE INGREDIENTS – room temperature eggs and milk incorporate more smoothly into the batter and help create a more dramatic rise. If you’re short on time, warm the milk slightly in the microwave and let the eggs sit in warm water for a few minutes.
DON’T OVER MIX THE BATTER – whisk or blend the ingredients until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense pancake that doesn’t puff up on the edges.
REST THE BATTER – allow the batter to rest while the oven is preheating and the butter is melting for a more dramatic rise.
DON’T OPEN THE OVEN – resist the urge to open the oven door while the Dutch Baby is baking. Opening the door will drop the temperature in the oven which can prevent the pancake from rising properly.
SERVE IMMEDIATELY – a Dutch Baby Pancake will deflate as it cools, so serve it right out of the oven for maximum puff and crispiness.

Toppings for a Dutch Baby Pancake:

Here are some delicious sweet and savory toppings to elevate your Dutch Baby Pancake:

Sweet Toppings:

Powdered Sugar & Lemon Juice: A classic combination for a simple, tangy-sweet finish
Fresh Berries: Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries, tossed with a bit of sugar or left fresh
Sautéed Apples or Pears: Cook in butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon for a warm, spiced topping
Caramelized Bananas: Sauté banana slices with brown sugar and a pinch of salt for a decadent treat
Maple Syrup: A classic choice that never fails to satisfy
Nutella & Sliced Bananas: Spread Nutella over the pancake and top with fresh banana slices
Honey & Toasted Nuts: Drizzle honey and sprinkle toasted almonds, pecans, or walnuts for added crunch
Whipped Cream & Chocolate Shavings: For an indulgent dessert-like pancake
Jam or Fruit Compote: Use your favorite jam or make a quick compote by simmering fruit with sugar and a splash of lemon juice
Yogurt & Granola: A healthier option with creamy and crunchy textures.

Savory Toppings:

Crispy Bacon & Maple Syrup: A sweet-and-salty combo that pairs perfectly with the pancake’s flavor
Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese: Top with thin slices of smoked salmon, dollops of cream cheese, and a sprinkle of fresh dill
Sautéed Spinach & Feta: Wilted spinach, crumbled feta, and a dash of freshly cracked black pepper make a savory breakfast or brunch
Avocado & Poached Egg: Add sliced avocado, a poached egg, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a nutritious option
Ham & Cheese: Shredded Gruyère or cheddar cheese and thinly sliced ham for a hearty, savory pancake
Roasted Vegetables: Use leftover roasted veggies and sprinkle with grated Parmesan or goat cheese.
Crispy Prosciutto & Arugula: Crisp up prosciutto slices, then add peppery arugula dressed with a light vinaigrette
Mushrooms & Thyme: Sauté sliced mushrooms with garlic and fresh thyme, then sprinkle with flaky sea salt
Pesto & Shaved Parmesan: A drizzle of homemade or store-bought pesto and some shaved Parmesan for a fresh, savory flavor

a 10 inch dutch baby recipe at high altitude topped with powdered sugar and fresh strawberries and raspberries in a wood table

FAQs:

Do you have to use a cast iron skillet for a Dutch Baby?

No, a cast iron skillet isn’t required but cast iron retains heat well to create the dramatic rise in the edges of a Dutch Baby. If you don’t have a 10 inch cast iron skillet, you can use any oven-safe pan or baking dish that has high sides.

How to keep a Dutch Baby from deflating:

Dutch Baby Pancakes will start to deflate as soon as it is removed from the oven. To get the most dramatic rise in your Dutch Baby make sure the ingredients are room temperature and the oven, pan, and butter are HOT, HOT, HOT! Also, do not open the oven while the Dutch Baby is baking.

How many servings does a Dutch Baby make?

A Dutch Baby can serve two to six people depending on the size of the recipe and skillet being used. A recipe for a 10 inch skillet can serve four people. A larger recipe and 12 inch skillet can serve up to six people. Adding toppings to the Dutch Baby Pancake can increase allow for smaller slices and increased servings.

a high altitude dutch baby pancake in a 10 inch cast iron skillet in from of the Snowy Rocky Mountains in Colorado

Try out these other high altitude recipes:

High Altitude Breakfast Recipes

Blueberry Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping
Blueberry Muffins
Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs
Cinnamon Rolls
Waffles with Dairy Free Option
Easy Crepes with Dairy Free Option
Fluffy Pancakes

High Altitude Bread Recipes

High Altitude Dessert Recipes

Blueberry Pie with Frozen Berries
Pumpkin Pie
Apple Pie with Crumb Topping
Fresh Peach Pie
Apple Pie with Cream
Fresh Strawberry Pie – No Bake
Pecan Pie
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Texas Sheet Cake with Frosting
Chocolate Fudge Cake
Oreo Cheesecake with Chocolate Ganache

Equipment

10 inch cast iron skillet or any oven-proof skillet/pan
Mixing bowl or electric stand mixer

Ingredients

2 cups milk room temperature
4 large eggs room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all purpose flour
3 tbsp white sugar
4 tbs butter melted in the skillet

Instructions

PREHEAT THE OVEN TO 400° F – place the skillet INSIDE the oven while its preheating
MIX TOGETHER ALL THE INGREDIENTS EXCEPT THE BUTTER – the batter will need to rest for 5-10 minutes while the oven is preheating
MELT THE BUTTER – add the butter to the preheated pan to melt
POUR BATTER INTO MELTED BUTTER – gently (and safely) pour the batter into the HOT pan and melted butter. The melted butter will remain on top of the batter. Return the pan to the oven as fast as possible to keep the pan hot.
BAKE THE PANCAKE FOR 25 MINUTES – DO NOT open the oven while the pancake is baking
REST THE PANCAKE FOR 5 MINUTES – rest the pancake INSIDE the oven without opening the oven door
SERVE IMMEDIATELY – the pancake will start to deflate when it is removed from the heat. Add your favorite toppings, serve immediately, and enjoy!

Notes

FOR BEST RESULTS: to get the most dramatic rise in your Dutch Baby Pancake make sure your ingredients are room temperature and you oven, pan, and butter are HOT, HOT, HOT!

SWEET TOPPING IDEAS: powdered sugar and lemon juice, fresh berries, sautéed apples or pears, caramelized bananas maple syrup, Nutella and sliced bananas, honey and toasted nuts, whipped cream and chocolate shavings, jam or fruit compote, or yogurt and granola

SAVORY TOPPING IDEAS: crispy bacon and maple syrup, smoked salmon and cream cheese, sautéed spinach and feta, avocado and poached egg, ham and cheese, roasted vegetables, crispy prosciutto and arugula, mushrooms and thyme, or pesto and shaved parmesan

DUTCH BABY AT SEA LEVEL:

To make this recipe at lower altitudes change the following ingredient amounts:

1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
4 tbs white sugar

If you make this delicious High Altitude Dutch Baby Pancake recipe leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out. If you have any questions, post them below and I would love to help you out.