These Pumpkin Baby Pancakes are perfect for babies, toddlers, and even parents! Made without butter, milk, or sugar, they use pumpkin puree and eggs for a naturally fluffy, nutritious bite — ideal for baby-led weaning or first finger foods. Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, dinner, or freezing a batch for busy mornings or daycare, this easy pancake recipe is a family favorite that everyone can enjoy!
Baby Pancakes Recipe
Because I look forward to pumpkin recipes in the Fall so much, I wanted to be able to make my baby a pumpkin recipe – perfect for those chubby little fingers of hers to grab! So many of you loved my baby led weaning sweet potato cookies, and cinnamon carrot fries for baby led weaning so I figured it was time to share the baby pancakes that all my daughters have loved over the years – Pumpkin Pancakes!
These baby pancakes are natural, easy to make and delicious – everything that baby led weaning should be about. I came up with this baby led weaning recipe idea when I thought about making myself my favorite pumpkin pancakes recipe. Then I realized that my adult pancakes weren’t that much different then baby pancakes – with a few changes to the recipe.
These Pumpkin Baby Pancakes not only are great for baby led weaning – but I absolutely swear your toddler and YOU will love them. That’s right, now only are they great for baby, but they’re family friendly too!
So when I make these pumpkin pancakes, I will create 2 different sizes – some for baby and some for Mom and Dad!
So what is baby led weaning?
A short answer to a possible very long answer is that baby led weaning (or BLW as the Moms on the playground call it!) encourages your baby to feed themselves instead of eating purees from a spoon. We started our kids very early with baby led weaning, and there were some learning curves in the beginning (totally normal) but I really feel that feeding herself has not only made her more independent, but also more open to tasting EVERYTHING.
Seriously, there’s no food she won’t try. Put a food in front of her and watch her eat it!
When trying baby led weaning, be prepared for a messy baby until they get better hand skills. I found that catcher bibs are the ABSOLUTE BEST – no lie, we will never buy a another type of bib. They will serve you well through the toddler stages and they catch everything!
Baby Pancakes Recipe
These baby pancakes have all the ingredients you’re used to adding when making pancakes, except they don’t include any butter, milk or sugar. Instead we’re adding pumpkin purees and eggs for the liquids which still make a fluffy pancake!
The ingredients include flour, quick oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, pumpkin puree, eggs and vanilla. All my kids loved their first taste of cinnamon in a pancake! I think your little one will too!
Egg Substitute for Pancakes
If your baby has a egg allergy, or you just don’t want to give them eggs yet, substitute the 2 eggs with 1/4 cup applesauce.
Can you freeze these pancakes?
Yes — I freeze these pumpkin baby pancakes all the time! Pancakes used to be our slow weekend breakfast, but once we had toddlers, “leisurely” went out the window (real talk). That’s why I often double the batch: one to enjoy now, and one to freeze for later.
To freeze, simply place the pancakes in a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to serve, pop one in the microwave for 15–20 seconds until warm. Just be sure to check that it’s not too hot before handing it over to baby!
They’ve also become one of my favorite easy breakfasts (and snacks!) to pack in the girls’ daycare lunches — soft, tasty, and mess-free.
I hope you and your baby enjoy these Pumpkin Baby Pancakes!
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Pumpkin Baby Pancakes Recipe
PrintIngredients
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup quick oats
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredient to a bowl and stir with a spoon until well mixed.
- Spray pan or griddle with cooking spray and put on medium high heat on your burner. Once heated, add small drops of pancake batter to pan – making the size pancakes you want. For baby pancakes this is usually 1/8 cup batter, for adults 1/3 cup batter.
- Cook pancakes until golden brown (about 3 minutes) and then flip to the other side.
- Allow to cool before serving to baby. Enjoy!
Anna says
Hey, I was wondering if the inside of the pancake should be moist or not? Mines are little bit moist)
Thank you!
Pamela says
Hey Anna, the inside of the pancakes should be soft, but not wet/raw. If they are still wet, cook for a little longer. Enjoy the pancakes. 🙂
Melissa says
My 2 year old has been the PICKIEST eater since first being introduced to solids back in the day. She absolutely hates everything. She requests this recipe! When I ran out of the freezer stash I made, I felt like the worst mom because these were the only things she wanted. I loved them too! So yummy
SeG says
I like the pancakes and more importantly so does my toddler. I’ll often make a double batch and freeze half for each breakfasts and snacks. Definitely doesn’t need as much salt as listed in the recipe.
Jennie Glunz says
My toddler LOVES this recipe and has since he started eating more finger foods. I make a big batch every couple weeks and freeze them. He has a pancake almost every morning with his breakfast!
Merrian Brooks says
I added a little sugar used blended old fashioned oats and added a dash of nutmeg. They were a hit with all. I did double the recipe but actually only used 3 eggs instead of 4 and only 3/4 cup pressured cooked pumpkin instead of 1 cup. I also cooked them in coconut oil. They turned out nice.
Pamela says
Thank you for commenting, glad you liked the pancakes!
Anna says
Absolutely delicious! My 3-year-old son loved and so did the rest of the family 🙂
Kathryn says
I thought these tasted terrible but my baby loved them and I guess thats the point. They were easy and puffed really nicely.
Pam says
I’ve made this simple recipe many times and like it even more than my toddler, haha. I use baby food pouches, and the 4 oz ones are the perfect amount. Thank you for this recipe!
Tiffany W says
Can you use regular rolled oats instead?
Kelly W says
I would love to know this too, I was hoping to make this morning.
Vicki says
I used rolled oats and just blitz them in the food processor first. Works great
Tiffany W says
Awesome. Thanks!
Cid says
Hi, what would be a good gluten free substitute for the all purpose flour? Thanks
Rebecca Bryson says
It’s a perfect and easy recipe. I liked it, my baby liked it, all round winner!!
Francoise. says
Can I use something else rather than pumpkin
Rachel says
Can’t wait to try this! Has anyone made these without salt?
Pamela says
You can definitely make these without salt if you prefer. Enjoy!
Stef says
This recipe has turned into a family favorite! I needed a quick breakfast for my twins (9m) and made a large batch and their 3 bigger siblings stole all of them! 🤣 I know make a big batch of waffles to freeze to grab for those mornings I don’t feel like thinking about what to make.
Pamela says
Hey Stef, first of all, wow – 5 kids! You rule Mama! 🙂 I’m so happy to hear these have been a hit at the breakfast table, thanks for commenting! 🙂
Vero N says
The pumpkin puree is fresh? Or is can puree?
If is fresh how do you make it?
Pamela says
You can use canned or fresh. If you want to try to make homemade pumpkin puree, here’s how I do it: https://brooklynfarmgirl.com/how-to-make-fresh-pumpkin-puree/
No oats says
Same question here, will the pancakes still form if we leave out the oats or what can it be substituted with? Baby has reaction to oats =(
Erin says
Wondering if I can omit oats or use something different my baby had a reaction to oatmeal.
Rachelle says
Do you think this recipe would work as mini muffins rather than pancakes? If so, any idea for cook temp and time?
Aw says
Hi there – I’m not sure why but my frozen pancakes now have specks I’d black in them! I used butternut squash and they were fine yesterday. Any thoughts?
Adi says
My baby daughter and my husband LOVE these! I also had a few friends over for brunch and made a big batch of these…people commented and wanted the recipe!
Lisa Carmeli says
My baby loves these pancakes
(and so do I 🙂 )
Pamela says
That makes me so happy to hear Lisa! 🙂 Thank you for commenting, keep on enjoying these pancakes!
Polly says
Can i use baby cereal instead of quick oats?
Pamela says
Hey Polly, you absolutely can. This might make it a little thicker, if that’s the case, add about 1/4 cup water. Enjoy the pancakes!
Enaj says
Can i use squash instead of pumpkin?
Pamela says
Yeah, you sure can!
Brittany says
Definitely one of the best baby pancake recipes I’ve come across. Super simple and yes they are eggy tasting but my 11 month old loves them 👏🏼
Diana To says
Wow thank you so much. Such a great recipe! My toddler and husband gobbled them up. Little do they know it’s good for them 😊 I used 1/2 cup of whole-wheat SR flour instead of the flour and oats and it worked out well.
Pamela says
Hey Diana, thanks for commenting! Happy to hear these were a hit with your entire family!
Apryl swainston says
This was great! Love that there is no dairy in the recipe. I didn’t have quick oats and used baby oat cereal. It made the batter really thick so I added maybe 1/4 c water and still had to spread the batter like a crepe. But the flavor and texture turned out great and both my 4 year and 10 month old ate it up! Thanks!
Pamela says
Hey Apryl, happy to hear these were a hit! I hope they let Mom have some pancakes too! 😉 Thanks for commenting!
Autumn says
I love this idea! Will use it for my baby!!
Pamela says
Enjoy Autumn and baby! 🙂
Deana says
These were very thick and quite eggy tasting. Not my kind of pancake, but my 8 month old enjoyed them.
Pamela says
Glad your baby liked the the pancackes. They’re still a hit with my 2 year old. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Karalyn says
Hi! Can you make these without flour? Or possibly use a gluten free flour as a substitute? I’m new to GF baking so I’m not sure if GF all purpose flour, rice flour, or any of the other GF options would work best – we recently found out my husband has Celiac, and I’d like to make these for the whole family to enjoy for breakfast. Thank you!! 🙂
Pamela says
Hey Karalyn, the flour helps the pancakes stay together, so I’d suggest 1:1 gluten free flour. Alternatively you could probably skip the flour all together and just double the oats. Hope the entire family likes these pancakes – enjoy!
Meredith says
I made a double batch of these tonight to freeze for my 9 month old daughter. Very healthy and easy – thanks!
Heather | My Sweet Precision says
Hi Pamela! It feels like forEVER since I’ve visited your blog! Long overdue congratulations on becoming a momma. I’m just now getting back into blogging after the birth of my little one almost a year ago! I’m loving these pancakes 🙂 We are all about baby led weaning in our house!