Santa Pancakes
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.Every Christmas morning, I make these fluffy Santa Pancakes using fresh strawberries, bananas, and a touch of festive magic. Completely ready in 30 minutes, they’re an easy and fun way to bring holiday cheer to my breakfast table, perfect for making memories with my kids!
As a parent, I know the holidays can feel like a whirlwind. Between shopping, decorating, and juggling a million other tasks, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most: spending time together. That’s why I created this recipe, it’s quick to prepare for busy mornings – like my Christmas muffins – and festive enough to make your Christmas breakfast feel truly special.
My kids love adding their personal touch to Santa’s face (and sneaking extra banana slices when they think I’m not looking), just like when we decorate Christmas rice krispie treats. These simple moments are traditions I’ll always cherish.
👩🏽🍳 Why I Love This Recipe
If you’re anything like me, the holidays are the perfect excuse to get creative in the kitchen. It’s not just about the food; it’s about making memories with the people I love most. One of my favorite traditions? Making Santa Pancakes for breakfast on Christmas morning.
My recipe works so well because it’s simple, festive, and brings out everyone’s creative side. I made it healthy by using whole-grain flour and naturally sweetening it with coconut sugar and fresh fruit. What I love most is that it’s a blend of wholesome ingredients and pure holiday joy. It’s not complicated or overly sugary, it strikes the perfect balance between flavor and tradition, ideal for busy families who want something special without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Cooking them is a breeze, just mix the batter, pour it onto the griddle, flip when it bubbles, and then decorate to your heart’s content. The best part? Watching my kids proudly show off their Santa creations before digging in. It’s breakfast, an activity, and a memory all rolled into one. 😉
So, if you’re looking for a holiday breakfast that’s easy, festive, and completely unforgettable, these Santa Pancakes are just the thing. Merry Christmas!
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🥘 Ingredients
I make my fruity Santa hat pancakes with a simple pancake batter that turns out healthy, fluffy, and absolutely delicious. Here’s everything you’ll need:
For the Pancakes
White Whole Wheat Flour: I use whole wheat flour for fluffy pancakes with added nutrition, giving my family energy without the sugar crash. It’s the perfect base for our Santa creations!
Baking Powder: This is my go-to for making soft, fluffy pancakes that practically melt in your mouth.
Coconut Sugar: I keep these pancakes lightly sweetened with coconut sugar, it’s healthier and tastes amazing.
Unsweetened Almond Milk: I love using almond milk for moist, dairy-free pancakes that let the other flavors shine.
Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract adds a subtle sweetness and depth that makes these pancakes extra special.
Toppings
Strawberries: I use tart, juicy strawberry slices to make Santa’s red hat and his rosy nose, it’s the perfect pop of color and flavor.
Bananas: Ripe banana slices create Santa’s fluffy beard and the pom-pom at the tip of his hat.
Candy Eyes: These are my kids’ favorite touch, adding a fun, animated twist to our festive Santa pancakes.
🍲 Substitutions
Oil: sometimes I swap olive oil with coconut oil.
Milk: Feel free to use any non-dairy milk like soy or oat milk, or even whole milk if dairy isn’t an issue.
Santa Eyes: No candy eyes? Chocolate chips work perfectly as a fun replacement.
Santa Beard: For an extra sweet touch, use whipped cream to make Santa’s beard fluffy and delicious.
🔪 How to Make
The most exciting part is here, let’s make my Santa Pancakes! It’s super easy, and the kids are already buzzing with excitement, ready to bring their Santa creations to life.
Mix Batter: I start by preheating my griddle or skillet over medium-high heat, it only takes a couple of minutes. Then, in a medium bowl, I whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar to get the dry ingredients ready. Once mixed, I set it aside and move on to the wet ingredients!
Whisk Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, I whisk together the oil, milk, and vanilla until everything is smooth and well combined. It’s such a simple step, but the vanilla always makes the kitchen smell amazing.
Add Wet & Dry Ingredients: I add the oil mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just combined.
Cook Pancakes: I use a ¼ cup measuring cup to scoop the batter onto the hot griddle, it’s the perfect size for evenly shaped pancakes. Once I see bubbles forming on the surface, I flip them and cook the other side for about two to three minutes until they’re golden brown. I keep going until all the batter is used up, filling the kitchen with the comforting smell of freshly cooked pancakes.
Decorate Santa Face Pancakes: Once the pancakes have cooled slightly, it’s time to decorate! I start by placing banana slices on the bottom half of the pancake to create Santa’s fluffy beard. Then, I use strawberry slices to shape his red hat at the top. A banana slice becomes the pom-pom for the hat, and I add a row of bananas along the brim for extra detail.
For the finishing touches, I use a strawberry end as Santa’s nose and pop on two candy eyes just above it to bring his face to life. It’s so much fun watching Santa come together!
💭 Expert Tips
My #1 Secret Tip for making my Healthy Santa Pancakes is to let the batter rest for 10-15 minutes before cooking. Trust me, I learned this the hard way! Skipping this step used to leave me with dense pancakes that just didn’t have that light, fluffy texture we all love. Now, I always give the batter a little time to hydrate, it’s like letting it work its magic, and the result is perfectly soft, airy pancakes every single time. It’s a game-changer!
Other Tips To Keep In Mind:
- Don’t Over-Mix: I always mix just until the dry and wet ingredients are combined, over-mixing makes pancakes dense and tough. A quick stir is all you need for light, fluffy pancakes.
- Prepare The Griddle: I grease my skillet well with melted butter or olive oil to ensure perfectly browned pancakes that don’t stick. This makes flipping a breeze.
- Consistent Pancakes: I use a measuring cup or ice cream scoop to get evenly sized pancakes every time. For Santa’s face, oval-shaped pancakes work best.
- Look For Bubbling Pancakes: When I see bubbles forming on the batter, I know it’s time to flip. It’s the easiest way to get perfectly cooked pancakes.
📖 Variations
Making my Santa pancakes recipe is one of my favorite holiday traditions, but I love experimenting with fun variations to keep things fresh and exciting.
Snowman Pancakes: I love using the last bit of batter to make adorable snowman pancakes! Just stack large, medium, and small pancakes, then decorate with chocolate chips, whipped cream, and orange wedges for a fun holiday twist.
Candy Cane & Holiday Shapes: I like experimenting with festive shapes like candy canes, wreaths, and Rudolph. Adding food coloring, sliced fruit, and whipped cream makes them extra special and perfect for the holidays.
For a gluten-free option, I swap in 1 cup of gluten-free flour that includes xanthan gum (or add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum if your flour blend doesn’t have it). This keeps the pancakes light, fluffy, and perfect for everyone to enjoy during the holidays.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
These healthy Santa pancakes are perfect with all my favorite breakfast sides! Here are some fun ideas to pair them with:
Toppings: I love topping my Santa Pancakes with pure maple syrup or chocolate sauce for a classic touch. For something extra special, try mini dark chocolate chips, my vegan honey , fresh fruit preserves, or a drizzle of strawberry simple syrup. Yum!
Breakfast Sides: These pancakes pair perfectly with sausage (vegan or pork), my crispy homemade McDonald’s hash browns, scrambled eggs, or even a flavorful tofu scramble for a plant-based option.
Sweeter Sides: I like serving these pancakes with a warm cup of creamy healthy hot chocolate or alongside festive treats like my dried fruit cookies or my amazing vegan chocolate chip muffins. It’s the perfect sweet addition to a cozy holiday morning.
🫙 Storage Directions
Refrigeration: I store undecorated pancake leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. Decorated pancakes are best enjoyed within a day since the toppings don’t hold up as well.
Reheating: When it’s time to reheat, I pop the pancakes in the microwave on medium heat for 30-60 seconds until they’re warm and ready to eat.
Freezing: For longer storage, I freeze leftover pancakes in a freezer-safe container or bag, they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months!
❓Recipe FAQs
Can I make the pancake batter ahead of time?
Yes, absolutely! I’ve made the batter the night before and stored it in the fridge to save time on busy mornings. Just give it a quick stir before using, and you’re good to go!
What can I use instead of candy eyes for Santa’s face?
If you don’t have candy eyes, I’ve found that chocolate chips or small raisins work perfectly. They’re easy to place and still give Santa that fun, animated look.
How do I keep the pancakes warm while decorating?
I like to keep the cooked pancakes warm in a low oven (around 200°F) while finishing up the rest of the batch. This way, they’re still warm and ready to be decorated when everyone’s ready to start.
🥞 More Pancake Recipes to Try!
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🎥 Watch How to Make It
Santa Pancakes
Every Christmas morning, I make these fluffy Santa Pancakes using fresh strawberries, bananas, and a touch of festive magic. Completely ready in 30 minutes, they’re an easy and fun way to bring holiday cheer to my breakfast table, perfect for making memories with my kids!
Servings: 10 pancakes
Calories: 131.3kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or your favorite plant based milk
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- 16 oz strawberries thinly sliced
- 4 bananas thinly sliced
- candy eyes
Instructions
- Preheat a griddle or skillet over medium high heat.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the oil, milk, and vanilla together.
- Add the oil mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just combined.
- Use a ¼ cup measuring cup to scoop batter on to the hot griddle. Cook until the pancakes begin to bubble, then flip the pancake and cook the other side for two to three minutes.
- Continue cooking the batter until all the batter has been cooked.
- Allow the pancakes to cool slightly, then use the banana slices to create a beard on the bottom half of the pancake. Use the strawberry slices to make a hat on the top of the pancake. Decorate the top of the hat with a banana end and add a row of banana slices along the bottom of the hat. Use a strawberry end as Santa’s nose and add two candy eyes above the nose.
Notes
- I let the batter rest for 10-15 minutes before cooking. Trust me, I learned this the hard way! Skipping this step used to leave me with dense pancakes that just didn’t have that light, fluffy texture we all love. Now, I always give the batter a little time to hydrate, it’s like letting it work its magic, and the result is perfectly soft, airy pancakes every single time. It’s a game-changer!
- I always mix just until the dry and wet ingredients are combined, over-mixing makes pancakes dense and tough. A quick stir is all you need for light, fluffy pancakes.
- I grease my skillet well with melted butter or olive oil to ensure perfectly browned pancakes that don’t stick. This makes flipping a breeze.
- I use a measuring cup or ice cream scoop to get evenly sized pancakes every time. For Santa’s face, oval-shaped pancakes work best.
- When I see bubbles forming on the batter, I know it’s time to flip. It’s the easiest way to get perfectly cooked pancakes.
Nutrition
Serving: 1santa pancake | Calories: 131.3kcal | Carbohydrates: 23.6g | Protein: 2.5g | Fat: 3.6g | Saturated Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 76.2mg | Potassium: 254.4mg | Fiber: 3.5g | Sugar: 10g
What a fun and festive idea for the holidays! My kids will love waking up to this cute breakfast idea, indeed!
Thanks! I’m sure they’ll love it!
These are adorable and delicious! I’m going to be making these pancakes all December long. 🙂
Thank you so much! 🙂
My kids are going to LOVE these Santa pancakes! Saving this recipe for Christmas time!
Awesome! I can’t wait to hear how they like this recipe!
I can’t wait to serve these super fun and festive Santa pancakes to my grandkids. They are going to love them.
Yes!! I’m sure they will! 🙂 Enjoy!
These are not only adorable but they are also super delicious. I can’t wait to make these again on Christmas morning for the kiddos!
Aw I’m so happy to hear that Cyndy! I hope you have a great holiday!
The kids loved these santa pancakes! They turned out perfectly fluffy and the decorated toppings were the cherry on top.
Awesome!! These pancakes are a hit at my house too!
These are the tastiest and most adorable pancakes ever! They are such a hit with the kids!
Yay!! I’m so happy to hear that Patty! 🙂
This is super cute. I’m in my 40s and I want it for myself. 🙂
Haha thanks! Truth be told – I make these for myself all the time! 😂
I love how simple and tasty these look! Perfect for breakfast, can’t wait to make these in the morning!!
Yay! Thanks so much Cate – you will love these!