Pancake Bites

These easy Pancake Bites are a fun, bite-sized breakfast made in a mini muffin pan, customizable with your favorite toppings, and perfect for busy mornings or make-ahead meals!

Pancake bites (or pancake muffins) are one of my favorite breakfast hacks. You can make them with different mix-ins and toppings and they’re so easy to make. My kids love to dress them up with sprinkles and chocolate chips, but I always make sure there are a few with fruit, too! This easy mini pancake bites recipe is family-friendly – everyone loves to help put the toppings on the batter and I love to encourage everyone’s creativity.

Oh, and don’t forget to pair them with some croffles or peanut butter banana muffins for extra extra fun!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This recipe is the best way to make homemade pancakes without all the fuss! No standing at the stove flipping pancakes – instead, you bake these little bites in a muffin pan for an easy breakfast.
• Meal prep a big batch for on-the-go breakfast when everyone is rushing out the door in the morning.
• There is just something about tiny handheld food that kids love and these pancakes are going to be devoured!

Ingredients For Pancake Bites

• All-purpose flour – For the best results, lightly spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off. This will ensure you don’t add too much flour.
• Granulated sugar – For a little sweetness.
• Baking powder – So your pancake bites puff up when they bake.
• Salt – You only need a little to enhance and balance the flavor.
• Buttermilk – This adds a subtle tangy flavor and lots of moisture so your pancake bites are soft and moist. You can make it homemade or use whole milk or 2% milk.
• Large eggs – It helps if your eggs are at room temperature so it’s easier to mix them into the batter without overmixing.
• Melted butter – Let it cool before adding it to the batter.
• Vanilla extract – You can try almond extract for a different flavor, too.
• Maple syrup – For dipping!

Topping Ideas

• Chocolate: Use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, or semi-sweet chocolate chips.
• Sprinkles: These are great for holidays – just match the sprinkles to the holiday theme!
• Nuts: Chopped nuts like walnuts, almonds, and pecans are all great choices.
• Meat: Make sweet and savory pancake bites and sprinkle crumbled cooked bacon or crumbled cooked breakfast sausage on top.
• Fruit: Drop some blueberries, chopped strawberries, or raspberries on top.
• Cereal: Try Fruity Pebbles or Cocoa Pebbles for a fun twist.
• Jelly: Swirl some jelly on top of the batter or top your baked pancake bites with some.

Helpful Tools

• Mini muffin pan
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons

How to Make Pancake Bites

Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.

In a small bowl, beat the buttermilk, eggs, butter, and vanilla.

Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined.

Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin pan. Sprinkle the toppings over the top of each one.

Place the pan in the oven and bake the pancake bites for 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove pancake bites from the pan and serve warm with maple syrup for dipping.

Storage And Reheating

Fridge: Once pancake bites are cool, store leftovers in an airtight container for up to five days.

Freezer: You can place them in a freezer bag and they will keep well in the freezer for three months. Thaw them in the fridge or at room temperature before serving.

To reheat, place on a microwave safe dish and heat in 15-20 second increments so they don’t get too hot. If you are reheating a lot of pancake bites, you can reheat them on a baking sheet in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for about 5-10 minutes or until they are hot.

Pro Tips

• Don’t overmix the batter. When you combine the dry and wet ingredients, mix long enough to absorb the flour but not too much. It’s okay if there are some little lumps.
• Don’t add too many toppings. If your toppings are heavy, use a light hand adding them. If you add too many your bites won’t puff up as much.
• Check on the pancake bites early and once a toothpick comes out clean, they are done. If you overbake them, they will dry out.
• You can also mix the toppings into the batter instead of sprinkling them on top. This works well with the fruit, sprinkles, nuts, and chocolate chips.

Breakfast is a whole lot more fun with these pancake bites! Your kids will love to help make them and you’ll love how easy they are. Give them a try this week!

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More Fun Recipes to Try

• Homemade Uncrustables are your favorite peanut butter and jelly sandwich in a fun mini snack! Fill up your freezer for easy lunches and snacks on the go.
• Ants on a Log are so simple and the perfect after school snack. There are so many sweet and savory combinations to make.
• For another easy breakfast recipe, try our Cinnamon Roll Waffles! Cook handy canned cinnamon rolls in your waffle maker and then slather them in cream cheese glaze for a sweet breakfast treat.
• These Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll Bites are super easy to make and loaded with so much flavor. Transform a can of cinnamon rolls into bite sized pieces and enjoy them in only 11 minutes.