In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
In another bowl, combine the milk, beaten egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the milk mixture. Stir until just combined. It's okay if the batter has small lumps; do not over mix.
Gently fold the chopped strawberries into the batter.
Heat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Brush with a little melted butter to prevent sticking.
Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto the skillet for each pancake. Cook until you see bubbles forming on the surface and the edges starting to look set, about 2-3 minutes.
Flip the pancakes carefully and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Serve the pancakes hot, garnished with extra fresh strawberries and drizzled with maple syrup or honey.
Notes
Sugar: A small amount of sugar is added for a touch of sweetness to complement the strawberries. Adjust according to the sweetness of the berries and your preference.Baking Powder: This is the leavening agent that helps the pancakes rise and become fluffy. Make sure it's fresh for the best results.Fresh Strawberries: They should be ripe, fresh, and finely chopped to distribute evenly in the batter. Overly ripe berries can make the batter too wet, so if yours are very juicy, you may want to slightly reduce the milk.Batter Consistency: The batter should be thick but pourable. If it's too thick, add a splash more milk; if too runny, a bit more flour.Cooking Temperature: Medium heat is recommended to cook the pancakes thoroughly without burning them. If the skillet is too hot, the outside will cook too quickly, leaving the inside uncooked.