To make good pancakes, you need to make sure the batter is the right consistency, the griddle is hot enough, and you know when to flip the cakes. Whether you start from scratch or use a mix, stir the pancake batter just enough to get the dry ingredients wet. The batter should remain lumpy; overmixing makes pancakes tough. For the best results, cover the batter and put it in the fridge for an hour or two so that the flour can absorb the moisture and grow.