Fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes

These fluffy pumpkin pancakes are perfect for cozy fall weekend mornings. Loaded with pumpkin and warming spices, they are nourishing, flavorful and comforting. Vegan-adaptable and GF-adaptable!

Why You’ll Love This!

1. Perfectly fluffy pancakes. We’ve tested and perfected this recipe to deliver the most fluffy, airy, melt-in-your-mouth pancakes. Be sure to read through all of our expert tips and FAQs to learn everything there is to know about making perfectly fluffy pancakes every time.
2. Vegan and gluten-free adaptable! To make this recipe vegan, increase the baking powder to 1 tablespoon and leave out the eggs. Use vegan milk and vegan yogurt or just all plant-based milk. To make this recipe gluten-free, feel free to use a gluten-free flour blend, 1 to 1.
3. A warm and cozy fall breakfast. Cherish the fall season with this nurturing pumpkin breakfast. Warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg are added for just the right amount of spice! Serve with maple-glazed pecans or pumpkin seeds for even more of a fall flavor.
4. Freezer-friendly for quick weekday breakfasts. You can make these pancakes in advance and freeze them to enjoy in a pinch on busy weekday mornings. See the freezing and reheating instructions below.
5. Made with simple ingredients from your pantry. If you like to bake or make pancakes regularly, chances are most of these ingredients are already in your pantry. You’ll need yogurt, milk, eggs, and pumpkin purée in addition to commonly used baking ingredients.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Pancakes

• All-purpose flour: You can also substitute white whole wheat flour. We only use just enough flour. to form a batter. Too much flour, and your pancakes will be stodgy!
• Baking powder and baking soda: Both are chemical leavening agents that are essential for making pancakes rise and become fluffy. If making vegan pancakes, increase the baking powder to 1 tablespoon and leave out the eggs.
• Salt: Salt is added to enhance the overall flavor of the pancakes.
• Spices: Cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg (or cardamom—or both!) are added to give that cozy pumpkin spice flavor. These warming spices add a subtle bite and sweetness.
• Yogurt: Yogurt thickens the batter without making it too solid or heavy. The yogurt creates fluffy pancakes! You can use plant-based yogurt here if desired, or in a pinch, leave it out and use all milk or buttermilk.
• Milk: The milk is used to dissolve the flour and other ingredients, providing a liquid structure. For vegan pancakes use non-dairy milk- soy milk, oak milk, almond milk, etc.
• Pumpkin purée: For the easiest fastest method, use store-bought canned pumpkin puree, or if so inclined, make your own pumpkin puree. You can also substitute other winter squash purees – butternut squash, acorn, Hubbard, delicata- or even sweet potato purée!
• Eggs: Eggs give the pancake batter structure to hold light bubbles when formed into pancakes on the griddle. The fat in eggs provides a rich flavor too. These pancakes can be made vegan without the eggs—be sure to read the recipe notes for vegan instructions.
• Maple syrup: We mix maple syrup into the batter for an extra indulgent and sweet addition! You can sub brown sugar fi need be.
• Vanilla extract: This extract is added to weave in vanilla, which helps create the perfect dessert-like flavor.
• Melted butter, ghee, coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, or melted vegan butter: This is added to the batter for rich flavor, but is also used to cook the pancakes. A combination or butter and oil works well for frying the pancakes.

How to Make Fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes 

In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg together until well combined.

Gather a medium bowl, and whisk the yogurt with the milk, pumpkin puree, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla. 

Slowly drizzle in the melted butter (or alternative), whisking until smooth.

Pour the wet ingredients into dry mixture ingredients, stir to incorporate well.

Be careful not to over-mix the batter here.

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Grease with the oil or butter of your choice. I find that a combination of butter and olive oil works well here, or use straight coconut oil or ghee.

Spoon ¼ cup portions of pancake batter onto the skillet or griddle, with plenty of space for spreading. I recommend doing one tester pancake to get the temperature right.

Cook for roughly 2-3 minutes, gently flip each pancake, then cook for 2-3 minutes more. The pancakes are done when they are puffed and cooked through. If they are getting too dark before cooking all the way through, lower the heat or pull them a little early and finish cooking them through on a sheet pan in a 300F oven. 

Either serve as you make them or keep them warm in the 300F oven until serving. Serve with butter and real maple syrup, whipped cream, or sautéed and maple glazed pecans, maple glazed pumpkin seeds, toasted coconut, sautéed apples or bananas, freshly grated nutmeg, or fresh orange zest.

Expert Tips

1. Don’t over-mix the batter. When combining the wet and dry ingredients, whisk until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix the batter. Some lumps are okay!
2. Use the right pan. Avoid using a thin frying pan. A sturdy cast iron skillet or griddle works great for perfectly fluffy pancakes. The pancakes are more likely to burn if your pan is too thin.
3. Wait until the skillet or griddle is ready. Warm up a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Before adding pancake batter, toss a little water on the pan to see if it sizzles. If so, it’s ready.
4. Do a tester! Test with one pancake first before proceeding with the others, keeping the heat at medium-low.
5. Fry the pancakes at medium-low or low heat. Avoid the urge to turn the heat up in order to cook the pancakes faster! Keep the heat at medium-low, cooking for 2-3 minutes on each side. If the pancakes are turning too dark, reduce the heat to low. Or, you can keep the heat at medium-low and simply remove the pancakes early, letting them finish cooking in the oven at 300F on a baking sheet.
6. Know when to flip the pancakes. Wait until the bubbles forming on the surface or edges of the pancakes pop and turn into holes, then flip the pancakes. It should take about 2-3 minutes for this to happen.
7. Keep your pancakes warm while cooking the rest. Preheat the oven to 300F and place a baking sheet in the oven. Once a pancake is ready, place it on the baking sheet to keep warm until ready to serve.

Pancake Variations

Nuts and Seeds! When it comes to pancakes, it’s always an easy and fun idea to sprinkle some extra mix-ins on top of the pancakes! If you like the crunchy addition of nuts and seeds, toasted coconut, pumpkin seeds, toasted pecans , hazelnuts, and walnuts pair well with the cozy fall flavor of pumpkin.

Chocolate chips are a great way to make these fluffy pancakes even sweeter and more indulgent. Simply sprinkle a few chocolate chips onto the pancakes once they are on the skillet. TIP: If you don’t plan on adding chocolate chips to all of the pancakes, wait until the last several pancakes to add them. This will prevent the griddle from being coated with melted chocolate.

You can also add a little orange zest to your pancakes. This is one of our favorite additions!

Storage & Freezing

Place any leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the pancakes if you wish. Let them cool completely before wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap. Store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To reheat, put the pancakes in the toaster or use a microwave to warm for 30-60 seconds.

What to Serve with Pancakes

These fluffy pancakes are perfectly satisfying with a pat of butter and real maple syrup. But if you want to dress them up even more, sautéed and maple glazed pecans, maple glazed pumpkin seeds, toasted coconut, sautéed apples or bananas, freshly grated nutmeg, or fresh orange zest are all great options!

More Fall Brunch Ideas!

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats with Pumpkin and Walnuts

Baked Apple Pancake (Pannekoeken)

Maple Pecan Scones

Breakfast Strata with Mushrooms & Caramelized Onions

Health Benefits of Pumpkin

1. Rich in Nutrients: Pumpkins are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. They are a good source of vitamin A, which is important for vision, immune function, and skin health. Pumpkin also provides vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
2. Supports Eye Health: As mentioned earlier, pumpkin is a great source of vitamin A, particularly in the form of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A in the body, which helps maintain healthy eyesight and may lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
3. Boosts Immunity: The vitamin C content in pumpkins plays a crucial role in supporting a healthy immune system. It helps stimulate the production of white blood cells, which are essential for fighting off infections and diseases.
4. Promotes Heart Health: Pumpkin is low in calories and high in fiber, which is beneficial for heart health. The fiber helps lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Additionally, pumpkins contain antioxidants that may help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, reducing the formation of plaque in the arteries.
5. Weight Management: Pumpkins are a great addition to a weight loss or weight management diet. They are low in calories but high in fiber, helping you feel fuller for longer periods. The fiber also aids digestion and promotes healthy bowel movements.

Give these Pumpkin Pancakes a try this weekend and let us know what you think in the comments!

xoxo

Sylvia

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