Mini pancakes also called silver dollar pancakes are fun to make and perfect for breakfast or brunch parties. These are classic pancakes made in smaller sizes usually 2 inches to 3 inches in diameter.
These Silver dollar pancakes are my kids favorite because of its cute size. It takes minimal efforts to make whether you are making them from scratch or from a store bought or homemade pancake mix. The best part is that you don’t need a pancake maker. Serve these with air fryer bacon and pomegranate lemonade and you’re golden!
Easy mini pancakes recipe
These mini pancakes shouldn’t be confused with Tik tok’s viral pancake cereal aka cereal pancakes because they are actually not the same.
While they both use basic pancake ingredients, the difference is in the size of the cooked pancakes. Cereal pancakes are usually 1 to 1 ½ inches in diameter.
Mini pancakes can be used to make pancake sandwiches like the ever popular McDonald’s Sausage egg and cheese or bacon, egg and cheese McGriddle.
Why we love this easy breakfast recipe
Fun Size: The small, bite-size shape makes them cute and fun to eat.
Easier to Handle: Mini pancakes are easier to flip than standard size and convenient to pick up for dipping or piling on a plate.
Great for Sharing: Their miniature size and fast cook time makes them perfect for a buffet spread or table to pass around.
Mix ‘n Match Flavors: You can easily divide the batter and make two variations like add some bacon bits to one half, chocolate chip or sprinkles and leave the other half plain.
Portion Control: these mini pancakes are good for portion control.
Ingredients
- All purpose flour
- Sugar
- Melted Butter
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Buttermilk
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
Substitutions
Pancake mix: You can use homemade pancake mix or store bought pancake mix such as aunty Jemima or Krusteaz just follow the package instructions to mix.
Buttermilk: Use regular milk of make homemade butter milk by adding 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice or white vinegar to a cup of milk. Swap out milk for plant based milk like almond milk.
Butter: I used salted butter feel free to use unsalted butter. If using unsalted butter, add ¼ teaspoon of shag to the dry ingredients. Feel free to swap out the butter with vegan butter or use oil.
Leavening agent: I used both baking powder and baking soda to ensure these mini pancakes are fluffy with a good lift. You can leave out the baking soda and increase the baking powder to 2 teaspoons.
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How to make mini pancakes (silver dollar pancakes)
This is an overview of the recipe with step by step photos. Scroll down to end of post for a printable recipe card with the amount of ingredients and full recipe instructions.
Step 1: Make the batter
Mix the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda) and set aside. Next mix the eggs, melted butter and buttermilk together.
Next add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix to combine. Batter doesn’t need to be smooth some lumps are ok.
Step 2: Fry the pancakes
Heat a skillet or electric griddle to medium-high heat and lightly grease with oil or butter.
Spoon batter by 1 to 2 tablespoons full directly onto the hot surface. Cook 2 to 3 minutes until bubbly on top and lightly set at the edges .
Carefully flip, lower heat and continue cooking for about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and repeat with remaining batter, greasing pan between batches if needed.
How to make pancakes in the air fryer
Yes you can make pancakes in the air fryer. However these will be regular 4 inch pancakes Simply follow the instructions below.
Step 1: Grease the silicon molds (👈 affiliate link) and set side. (These molds will make regular 4 inch pancakes)
Step 2: Mix the ingredients to get the batter. Scoop by ¼ cup full into the greased molds.
Step 3: Air fry at 350°F for 5 mins it should have set then gently slide it out of the mold to flip over the pancakes. Then continue air frying for 2 to 3 more minutes.
Variations:
You can make these silver dollar pancakes into savory or sweet variations. Any flavor of pancakes that you can make for regular pancakes can be made into mini pancakes.
Make it savory
Add some bacon bits to the batter to make bacon pancakes this would also work for chopped ham.
Add some cheddar cheese to the batter to make some cheesy pancakes.
Sweet pancakes
Add fruits like blueberries to make blueberry mini pancakes. Apples and cinnamon for apple pie pancakes, pumpkin purée for pumpkin pancakes.
Sweet add ins like mini chocolate chips to make chocolate chip mini pancakes, or sprinkles for Funfetti silver dollar pancakes.
What to serve with mini pancakes
Here are some delicious ideas for things to serve with mini pancakes;
Syrups: Maple syrup, fruit syrups, chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, honey, agave nectar all make great mini pancake toppings.
Fresh fruits or fruit compotes: Sliced bananas, berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), mango, kiwi, etc. Cranberry sauce or any fruit compote are amazing with pancakes.
Creamy toppings: Toppings like whipped cream, Greek yogurt or even mascarpone cheese.
Butter: Regular butter or your favorite nut butter.
Nuts: Chopped nuts like pecan, walnuts, almonds or peanuts add crunch and flavor.
Jams or fruit butters: Fruity jams and fruit butters pair nicely with mini pancakes.
Meats: Bacon and sausages go well with pancakes.
How to store and reheat
Allow mini pancakes to cool completely after cooking, then place in a sealed container or zip top bag.
Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for 2-3 months. Frozen mini pancakes keep well in an airtight container or freezer bag.
To reheat refrigerated mini pancakes, place a single layer evenly in a skillet over medium-low heat. Flip occasionally until heated through, 1-2 minutes.
For frozen mini pancakes, allow to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Or reheat frozen by placing in a single layer on a baking sheet in a 350°F preheated oven for 4-5 minutes. You can also reheat in the air fryer 330°F for 3 to 4 mins.
Helpful Tips
- It’s best to have all ingredients at room temperature.
- Do not over mix the batter, it’s ok for the batter to have a few lumps.
- Use a measuring spoon or pipping bag to control the amount of batter when frying.
- Use a non stick pan or griddle to ensure the pancakes don’t stick. I prefer to use large griddles because it saves time and I can make more pancakes per set.
FAQs
Mini pancakes also silver dollar pancakes like the name implies are tiny, bite-sized pancake versions of standard sized pancakes.
These pancakes are usually about 1-3 inches in diameter, compared to a standard pancake which is around 4-6 inches across.
Their mini size makes them cute and fun to eat and a favorite with kids and adults alike.
Yes, you can use your favorite standard pancake batter. The ingredients are the same. Sometimes a touch more of leavening agent helps them rise a bit higher.
Transfer cooked mini pancakes to an oven safe plate and keep warm in a 200°F oven until the remaining batter is used up. Serve immediately once all are cooked!
No, you don't need any special pans of equipment. You can cook mini pancake batter poured by the spoonfuls into any nonstick skillet or griddle. Use a measuring spoon for uniform sizes.
It’s important to note that traditional dash mini pancake maker (👈 affiliate link) makes 4 inch pancakes.
Wait till you see some bubbles and the edges are set or begin to look a bit dry then flip by lifting each and turning it over. Use a small flat spatula or wooden skewer to flip mini pancakes.
More breakfast recipes
- Air fryer bacon
- Ham and cheese omelettes
- Check out all our Home Cooked Recipes
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Mini pancakes (Silver dollar pancakes)
Equipment
- Large skillet or griddle
- mini spatula
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda (see note 7)
- 2 tablespoons Salted butter (cooled)
- 1 ¼ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 egg
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, cooled melted butter, vanilla and egg.
- Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir together until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Brush pan with melted butter to coat.
- Drop tablespoonfuls of batter onto the skillet. Cook 2-3 minutes until bubbles form on top.
- Carefully flip with a spatula and cook 1 minute more until lightly browned.
- Transfer cooked mini pancakes to a plate. Repeat process with remaining batter.
- Serve warm with desired toppings like fruit, powdered sugar or maple syrup.
Video
Notes
- Makes about 15 to 20 pancakes that are 2.5 inch in diameter.
- Cook time is about 4 - 5 mins per batch
- Let melted butter cool before adding to avoid cooking eggs.
- Be careful not to overmix batter for light, fluffy texture.
- Cook over medium-low heat to prevent burning.
- Can store leftovers refrigerated for 3-5 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- If don't have baking soda make it up with baking powder. So you will be using 3 teaspoons of baking powder instead of 2 ½.
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