Silly Monster Pancakes
35 min
|
easy
Recipe by Eunice
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 20 min | 15 min | 35 min |
Introduction
These silly monster pancakes turn a simple breakfast into a playful, kid-approved treat that tastes as fun as it looks.
Fluffy, vanilla-scented green pancakes get “eyes,” “cheeks,” and big chocolate smiles from marshmallows, blueberries, and banana slices.
They are perfect for Halloween morning, birthday sleepovers, or any weekend when you want a goofy, memorable breakfast.
Ingredients (4 servings)
Ingredients for the Pancakes:
Ingredients for Decorating:
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How to Make Silly Monster Pancakes
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Preheat the pan and prep toppings
Set a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat so it can warm while you mix the batter.
Slice the banana into even rounds and set out the marshmallows, blueberries, chocolate syrup, and maple syrup.
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Combine the dry ingredients
In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well blended.
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Mix the wet ingredients with color
In a separate bowl whisk the egg, milk, melted butter or oil, and vanilla until the mixture looks smooth and creamy.
Add a small amount of green gel food coloring and whisk, adding more until you reach your favorite monster shade.
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Bring the batter together
Pour the green wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and switch to a spatula or wooden spoon.
Stir gently until no dry flour streaks remain, leaving a few small lumps for tender, fluffy pancakes.
If the batter seems very thick, add a tablespoon of milk at a time until it slowly pours.
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Cook the pancakes
Lightly grease the warm skillet or griddle with a little butter or oil so the pancakes release easily.
For evenly sized monsters, use about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake and pour it onto the pan.
Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Flip carefully and cook the second side until golden and cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes more.
Transfer cooked pancakes to a plate and keep warm while you finish the remaining batter.
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Decorate your silly monsters
Place one pancake on a plate and add two marshmallows near the top edge for big googly eyes.
Use tiny dots of chocolate syrup to stick a blueberry onto each marshmallow as the pupils.
Set two banana slices lower on the pancake as chubby monster cheeks or funny eyebrow shapes.
Draw a silly smile, frown, or zigzag mouth with chocolate syrup, then repeat with the remaining pancakes.
Serve right away with maple syrup on the side so everyone can sweeten their own monster.
Substitutions
- Use oat milk instead of regular milk
- Oat milk keeps the batter rich and tender while making the pancakes dairy-free for sensitive eaters.
- Use neutral oil instead of butter
- Neutral oil gives a super soft crumb and keeps the flavor focused on vanilla and fun toppings.
- Use spinach juice instead of green gel food coloring
- Blending a handful of spinach with the milk tints the batter green while adding mild flavor and extra nutrients.
Tips
- Let the batter rest briefly
- Resting the mixed batter for 5 to 10 minutes relaxes gluten and helps the baking powder create fluffier pancakes.
- Control the pan temperature
- If pancakes brown too fast, lower the heat slightly so the centers cook through without burning the edges.
- Shape different monster personalities
- Angle the marshmallow eyes and curve the chocolate smiles differently so every pancake has its own goofy expression.
- Involve kids safely
- Let kids handle the decorating on cooled pancakes while adults manage the hot griddle and flipping.
Nutrition Facts *
| Energy | 360 | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 9 | g |
| Total Fat | 9 | g |
| Carbohydrates | 62 | g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 | g |
* Approximate, per serving.
Data source: USDA FoodData Central.
FAQ
- What if my batter feels too thin or too thick?
- If the batter runs like water, whisk in an extra spoonful or two of flour to thicken it. For batter that barely pours, add milk a tablespoon at a time until it flows slowly from the spoon.
- How can I make the pancakes ahead of time?
- Cook the pancakes, cool them completely on a wire rack, then stack with parchment between layers. Reheat gently in a low oven or toaster until warm, then decorate right before serving.
- Can I skip the food coloring but still keep a monster theme?
- Yes, just leave the batter plain and focus on big silly faces using the toppings. You can also swirl chocolate syrup or fruit puree into the batter for playful patterns.
- Why are my pancakes turning out flat instead of fluffy?
- Make sure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh, since old leaveners lose their lift. Avoid overmixing, which toughens the batter and knocks out the air you need for height.
Serving Suggestions
These silly monster pancakes turn an ordinary morning into a playful, memory-making breakfast.
Try topping a few with berries and yogurt, and others with whipped cream, for different monster personalities on one platter.
Pair them with scrambled eggs or bacon to balance all that sweetness with a little satisfying protein.
More pairings:
Reviews
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Holly, Portland: My kids loved how fluffy these pancakes were, and the green color came out bright and fun without tasting artificial. The marshmallow eyes and chocolate syrup smiles were an easy hit, and the banana cheeks were adorable.
: Happy these turned out fluffy and bright for you, Holly! The marshmallow eyes and chocolate smiles (plus those banana cheeks) really do make them extra fun. 😊
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