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!
Emily says
Can I oven bake instead? As a sheet pan pancake?
Rebecca Atwell says
How long do they last in freezer please
Pamela Reed says
They’ll last about 2–3 months in the freezer if stored in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Kim says
I’ve made these twice now for my 6 month old and he and I love them. My husband is gluten sensitive so the second time I subbed the flour with oat flour and they came out perfect still.
Tara says
Can you make these into muffins?
Lorena cuttler says
Can I use whole wheat flour instead?
Pamela Reed says
Yes, you can!
Hannah H. says
Very easy and delicious! I used the Gerber oatmeal instead of regular oatmeal for my 7 month old and it worked well! I also omitted the salt. They were still so good! I ate some with her and froze the rest. Thank you.
CC says
Can I use instant oatmeal packets? Or is it the same or not the same as quick oats in canister?! Please advise – thanks!
Pamela Reed says
I am pretty sure they are the same thing, but I would make sure it’s “original” and not the ones with added sugar, such as maple/brown sugar. Hope that helps!
Emily says
10 month old loved! I doubled the recipe so I had extra to freeze. We haven’t introduced syrup yet and I felt they needed a little more sweetness so I added a banana and they came out great.
Pamela says
So happy to hear babe liked the pancakes! 🙂 Thanks for commenting!
Kelly says
Made this for my 11-month old for his first time eating pancakes and he ate almost the whole batch! Had a few bites myself and thought it was delicious 🙂 will definitely be adding this to our regular menu!
K Perry says
My 10 month old nieces loved these. Great that you can freeze them and have them on hand.
Chelsea Clements says
This was a huge hit with my 10 month old. Definitely a favorite for her, I also discovered this is the perfect amount to make 12 baked mini donuts, and the consistency is perfect as well. I’m going to try some different flavor variations- perfect recipe!
Val says
We keep these in our freezer at all times. Baby loves them!
Bear M. says
I just had to comment as my 8 month old really liked these and kept reaching for more! I used wholemeal flour instead (same measurement) and omitted the salt and vanilla (didn’t have any). Turned out really nice, the adults enjoyed them too. Cheers!