Add these quick and Easy Quark Pancakes to your meal plan for a delicious breakfast, brunch, or breakfast-for-dinner.
Serve with freshly whipped cream, berries, and a drizzle of maple syrup, or top with your favorite flavored quark for a lighter option.
Thanks to Wünder Creamery for sponsoring this recipe.
If you crave pancakes but want something a little healthier, these quark pancakes are an ideal choice. They’re fluffy, filling, and ready in under 10 minutes.
I often make Dutch or Swedish-style pancakes when the mood strikes, but quark pancakes have become my go-to. They bring extra protein and a pleasant tang that lifts the flavor.
When I make waffles I sometimes add Greek yogurt to the batter for extra richness, and I’ve used sour cream in pancakes before—quark is a perfect swap that yields light, tender pancakes.
Why use quark? It adds protein, keeps the pancakes tender, and eliminates the need for milk in the batter. You only need a little butter for frying, or a neutral oil if you prefer.
I love topping these pancakes with whipped cream, fresh berries, and real maple syrup. For a lighter option, flavored quark makes a tasty topping on its own.
If you have preserves or curds on hand—like plum butter or lemon curd—they make excellent accompaniments for a sweet twist.
Are These German Pancakes?
Not exactly. While quark is widely used in German cooking, these pancakes are a simple, modern take rather than a traditional German recipe. Similar quark-based pancakes do appear in parts of Eastern Europe, so there are regional variations.
In Germany, pancakes (Pfannkuchen or Eierkuchen) are often thinner and more crepe-like than typical American pancakes. You may also encounter Kaiserschmarrn, a shredded, fluffy pancake-like dessert served with powdered sugar and fruit compote.
Even if they aren’t strictly German, these quark pancakes are versatile and delicious—definitely worth trying.
What’s Quark? And Where Do I Buy It?
Quark is a fresh dairy product popular in many European countries. It has a mild tang, creamy texture, and higher protein content than plain yogurt. If you can’t find it locally, you can make a simple version at home, but store-bought quark is convenient and consistent.
A quality quark delivers good protein and a clean flavor that works well in both sweet and savory recipes. Flavored quark can be enjoyed straight from the container for breakfast or snacks.
Quark offers protein, low lactose, and often contains live cultures. Look for plain quark to use in recipes and flavored varieties as an easy topping.
If you can’t find quark, a thick plain yogurt can work as a substitute, though the texture and flavor will differ slightly from true quark.
What You Need to Make Quark Pancakes
Ingredients:
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
- 2 tsp vanilla sugar (or 1 tsp sugar + 1/2 tsp vanilla extract)
- 1/2 cup plain quark
- 5 tbsp (about 60 g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- Butter (or oil) for frying
- Optional toppings: whipped cream, maple syrup, fresh berries, flavored quark
Kitchen tools:
- Small mixing bowl
- Fork or spoon
- Measuring cups or a kitchen scale
- Frying pan and spatula
How to Make Quark Pancakes
1. In a small bowl, combine the lightly beaten egg, vanilla sugar (or sugar + vanilla extract), and quark. Mix with a fork until smooth.
2. Add the flour and stir until just combined. 3. Mix in the baking soda and a pinch of salt until the batter is uniform. Don’t over-mix—the batter should be light and slightly fluffy rather than pourable.
4. Melt a little butter in a frying pan over medium to medium-low heat. Drop spoonfuls of batter into the pan—about 1/4 cup per pancake—and lightly smooth the tops. Leave space between pancakes so they can spread slightly while cooking.
5. When the tops look dry and a few bubbles appear, flip the pancakes and cook until both sides are golden brown.
6. Serve immediately with flavored quark, whipped cream, fresh berries, and maple syrup, or enjoy with jam or fruit butter for a different flavor profile.
Easy Quark Pancakes
Add these fluffy quark pancakes to your meal plan for an easy and delicious breakfast, brunch, or breakfast-for-dinner.
5 minutes
5 minutes
10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
- 2 tsp vanilla sugar (or 1 tsp sugar + 1/2 tsp vanilla extract)
- 1/2 cup plain quark
- 5 tbsp (60 g) flour
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- Butter (for frying)
Instructions
- Add the lightly beaten egg, vanilla sugar (or sugar + vanilla extract), and quark to a small bowl and mix with a fork until combined.
- Add the flour and stir until just combined.
- Add the baking soda and salt and mix until combined. Do not over-mix.
- Melt butter in a frying pan over medium to medium-low heat. Drop batter into the pan using a spoon (about 1/4 cup per pancake) and smooth slightly. Leave room for the pancakes to spread as they cook.
- Flip each pancake when the top looks dry and a few bubbles appear. Cook until golden brown on both sides.
- Top with whipped cream, fresh berries, flavored quark, or maple syrup and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4
Serving Size
1
Amount Per Serving
Calories 105
Total Fat 4g
Saturated Fat 2g
Trans Fat 0g
Unsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 56mg
Sodium 321mg
Carbohydrates 11g
Fiber 0g
Sugar 3g
Protein 6g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.