10 Unexpected Upgrades For Delicious Pancakes
Looking to elevate your pancakes beyond the basic? Here are 10 unexpected upgrades that will transform your pancakes into a delicious, unforgettable breakfast experience!
1. Stir in Some Creamy Cheese
Add a soft cheese like ricotta or mascarpone to your pancake batter for a luxurious, creamy texture. Cottage cheese works too for a protein-packed option.
Ingredients:
- Pancake batter
- Ricotta, mascarpone, or cottage cheese (about ½ cup)
Tip:
- Try lemon ricotta pancakes for a refreshing citrus twist.
2. Bring Back Buttermilk
Swap regular milk for tangy buttermilk in your pancake batter for a light, fluffy result.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Your favorite pancake mix or homemade batter
Tip:
- Make your own buttermilk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice added to 1 cup of milk.
3. Try Bacon in Your Pancakes
Take your bacon-and-pancake combo to the next level by dipping cooked bacon in pancake batter before frying. Sweet and salty perfection!
Ingredients:
- Cooked bacon strips
- Pancake batter
Tip:
- Crumble candied bacon as a topping for a fun, crunchy twist.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Get Corny
Add cornmeal or corn kernels to your batter for a sweet, rustic flavor. Perfect for those who love the taste of cornbread.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pancake batter
- ¼ cup cornmeal or fresh corn kernels
Tip:
- Top with honey butter for an irresistible combination.
5. Go Bananas!
Bananas bring natural sweetness and moisture to your pancakes. Mash them into the batter or simply add slices on top.
Ingredients:
- 2 mashed bananas
- Pancake batter
Tip:
- For a healthy twist, try two-ingredient banana pancakes: just eggs and bananas!
6. Toss in Some Almonds
Almond flour, almond milk, or slivered almonds add a nutty, rich flavor to pancakes while providing a gluten-free option.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour or sliced almonds
- Pancake batter
Tip:
- For extra flavor, try almond butter as a topping.
7. Add Oats for a Healthy Upgrade
Oats add fiber, texture, and a wholesome flavor to pancakes. Try rolled oats or oat flour for a heartier breakfast.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup rolled oats or oat flour
- Pancake batter
Tip:
- Make oatmeal pancakes even better with cinnamon and brown sugar.
8. Have Some Fun with Cake Mix
For a sweet twist, swap your pancake batter for cake mix! It’s perfect for a special treat or birthday breakfast.
Ingredients:
- 1 box cake mix (any flavor)
- Milk, eggs, and oil (as per cake mix instructions)
Tip:
- Top with frosting and sprinkles for extra fun!
9. Flavor Your Pancakes with Spices
Add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice to your pancake batter for an aromatic upgrade.
Ingredients:
- 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon, nutmeg, or your favorite spice blend
- Pancake batter
Tip:
- Add vanilla extract to enhance the flavor of your spiced pancakes.
10. Lean into Savory Additions
For dinner-worthy pancakes, try savory ingredients like scallions, kimchi, or chickpea flour.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup scallions or kimchi
- Pancake batter (or chickpea flour for gluten-free)
Tip:
- Serve savory pancakes with a dipping sauce for an appetizer-style twist.
With these unexpected upgrades, you’ll never look at pancakes the same way again!