Kids Can Cook Pancakes

By
Laureen Miles Brunelli
Laureen Miles Brunelli
Laureen is a former writer for Verywell Family and The Spruce Eats covering parenting topics.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 03/8/24
Stack of pancakes for kids with bananas and chocolate syrup

The Spruce Eats

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 15 mins
Servings: 8 servings

This pancake recipe is designed with kids in mind. Pancakes are a good candidate because the ingredients are simple, and kids can mix them together themselves. The adult(s) will have to oversee the use of the griddle and give some instruction on pancake flipping.

This easy pancake recipe for kids is a great way to get kids involved in preparing breakfast. They will build skills and cooking competence while also making family memories. Your child might even propose making pancakes for dinner. They make think it's fun to cook; it may be a new interest that they'll take up and look forward to doing with you.

Discuss what toppings will be used, from good old-fashioned butter and maple syrup to fruit toppings or even peanut butter.

For kids who are just learning to flip pancakes, a griddle, if you have one, is recommended over a frying pan. Instructions are given for both methods.

Before you start, make a point of washing your hands and those of your child before you touch the clean utensils and ingredients. This will be a good life skill to cultivate.

Check It Out!

We launched a YouTube channel!


Celebrate Mom on Mother's Day and every day with fun recipes and ideas to get the kids involved.

What You'll Need to Make This Kids Can Cook Pancake Recipe
A Zippy Hand Mixer
A Nice Ladle
A Great Pancake Griddle

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups flour

  • 1 tablespoon baking powder

  • 1 tablespoon sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt

  • 2 teaspoons unsalted butter, melted

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 1/4 cups milk

  • 1 large egg

  • Cooking spray

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for kids can cook pancakes gathered

    The Spruce Eats

  2. In a large mixing bowl, add all dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt). Hollow out a place in the center of the dry ingredients.

    Dry ingredients in a bowl for kids pancakes

    The Spruce Eats

  3. Melt butter in a microwave-safe container (Set at low power for 20 seconds. It's OK if it is not completely melted.)

    Butter melted in a glass bowl

    The Spruce Eats

  4. Pour the butter, vanilla, milk, and egg in center of dry ingredients.

    Egg and milk mixed with dry ingredients

    The Spruce Eats

  5. Using an electric mixer, with adult supervision, mix on low until all ingredients are well mixed. Use a spoon to scrape the remaining flour from the side of the bowl.

    Wet and dry ingredients mixed together to form a batter

    The Spruce Eats

  6. Spray the griddle with cooking spray. Preheat an electric griddle to 300 F. For a stovetop griddle use medium-high heat.

    Cooking spray melted on a pan

    The Spruce Eats

  7. Fill a ladle half full with batter and slowly pour it on griddle. Repeat, leaving plenty of space between pancakes for easy flipping. When pancakes are filled with small bubbles, gently slide a spatula under the pancake and flip.

    Pancakes on a griddle

    The Spruce Eats

  8. Cook for another 30 to 45 seconds and use spatula to lift off the griddle.

    Pancakes cooked on one side and flipped over to continue cooking

    The Spruce Eats

  9. Serve the pancakes with your choice of whipped cream, strawberries, blueberries, bananas, chocolate sauce, maple syrup, or butter. Enjoy!

    Pancakes topped with bananas, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream

    The Spruce Eats

Adult Supervision Required

While this "Kids Can Cook" recipe is written with kids in mind, it is not necessarily meant for kids to make without adult help. The child's age and cooking level will determine how much help they need in the kitchen. Kids should always ask their parents before cooking anything.

Tips

  • Make the cleanup part of the cooking process. The mixing bowls, measuring spoons, and mixer blades should be rinsed as soon as possible so the batter doesn't harden. They can be washed thoroughly after the meal.

Variations

There are lots of ways to top pancakes. Here are a few your kids might like.

  • Peanut butter, almond butter, chocolate hazelnut spread, chopped nuts
  • Maple syrup or honey
  • Fresh jam or preserves
  • Fresh fruits such as sliced bananas or berries of any kind
  • Whipped cream and chocolate sauce takes it more toward dessert

How to Store Pancakes

Leftover pancakes should be wrapped in plastic or placed in an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator. They can be reheated in the microwave to enjoy within three to four days.


Nutrition Facts (per serving)
127 Calories
2g Fat
22g Carbs
5g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 127
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 28mg 9%
Sodium 341mg 15%
Total Carbohydrate 22g 8%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 156mg 12%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 92mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)