Preheat the griddle or pan: Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. You want it to be hot enough to sizzle when you drop a small amount of batter onto it, but not so hot that the pancakes burn before they cook through.
Prepare the batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter or oil, egg, and vanilla extract (if using). Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. It’s okay if there are a few lumps in the batter.
Cook the pancakes: Once the griddle or pan is hot, lightly grease it with butter or oil. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the griddle for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface of the pancake and the edges start to look set, about 2-3 minutes. Flip the pancake and cook until golden brown on the other side, another 1-2 minutes. Repeat with the remaining batter, greasing the griddle as needed.
Serve: Serve the pancakes warm with your favorite toppings, such as maple syrup, fresh fruit, whipped cream, or chocolate chips.
