First, if you’re planning to serve all the pancakes at once, preheat your oven to 200°F to keep them warm while you cook the rest. This step ensures that everyone enjoys their pancakes hot and fresh.
Separate the egg whites from the yolks. Drop the whites into a small mixing bowl and reserve the yolks in another container. Set both aside as we’ll use them in the batter later.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure it’s well combined, as this will create the backbone of your pancakes.
In a separate, large bowl, combine the buttermilk, reserved egg yolks, melted and slightly cooled butter, and vanilla. Whisk these ingredients together until they form a smooth mixture.
Pour the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Gently stir until just combined. It’s important to not over-mix; a few lumps are perfectly fine. The batter will be quite thick at this point.
Now, take your handheld electric mixer and start on low to beat the reserved egg whites. Gradually increase the speed to high until stiff peaks form. This means when you lift the beaters out, the whites will stand straight up without collapsing.
With a rubber spatula, gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter. This step incorporates air and creates a light texture, so be careful not to over-mix and deflate them!
Next, fold in the chocolate chips with a gentle hand. You want to distribute them evenly throughout the batter.
Heat your electric griddle to 325°F or a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, lightly grease it with cooking spray or a bit of butter.
Using a ⅓ cup measuring cup, pour slightly heaping amounts of batter onto the hot cooking surface, spacing them out evenly. Cook until bubbles begin to form on the tops of the pancakes, then flip and cook until golden brown on both sides.
If you need to, place the pancakes on a cookie sheet in the oven to keep them warm while you repeat the process with the remaining batter.
Finally, it’s time to serve! Stack your pancakes high and add your favorite toppings. Enjoy your delicious Chocolate Chip Pancakes with family and friends!
