These pumpkin pancakes are thick and fluffy and so moist and delicious! Dust with cinnamon sugar or maple syrup and a sprinkle of toasted pecans to warm up a chilly morning breakfast!
I've been making this pumpkin pancakes recipe for a very long time. Years ago, I had friends over for pumpkin waffles and that started my pumpkin journey. Now I make pumpkin muffins, cake, bread, cookies, coffee syrup, donuts, and more!
Pumpkin Pancakes Recipe
These pancakes are plump and perfect. The batter is thick, which enables you to make a more proportionally round patty since it doesn't spread while on the griddle. The cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top is essential. Pour some maple syrup, take a bite, and you might just think you're in heaven.
Ingredients
Pumpkin puree is the essential ingredient here, but you only need ½ cup. Use the canned puree that is not spiced for pie filling. Below is a list of ingredients you need to make pumpkin pancakes.
What You Need:
- Flour - You can use any type but this recipe is tested with all-purpose.
- Brown sugar - Light or dark works!
- Baking powder - The agent that helps the pancakes fluff.
- Spices - Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger cloves. Or, substitute with pumpkin pie spice.
- Milk - Use what you have on hand, but I suggest going with a fuller fat or evaporated. Typically we like buttermilk in our pancakes, but not this recipe.
- Pumpkin puree - For convenience, I always use canned but you can definitely use fresh, homemade puree. Make sure you do not accidentally buy the canned pumpkin pie filling which is spiced puree.
- Egg - 1 large egg does the trick!
- Vegetable oil - Or an equal amount of melted butter.
You'll also want to make sure you have salt on hand as this recipe calls for ¼ teaspoon.
Instructions
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the step-by-step on how to make pumpkin pancakes. The general steps are as follows:
- Preheat griddle over medium heat (325°F).
- Whisk the dry ingredients in a medium bowl; set aside.
- Combine the rest of the ingredients in a large separate bowl.
- Pour flour mixture into the bowl with the wet ingredients.
- Stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Grease hot griddle with cooking spray.
- Pour ⅓ cup portions of pumpkin mixture onto hot griddle; flip when dry and bubby.
- Let cook an additional 2 minutes or until browned.
- Serve hot.
If you are not serving the pancakes immediately, keep them warm in a preheated 200°F oven until ready to serve, up to 20 minutes.
Flavor Suggestions
I do not suggest eating pumpkin spice pancakes plain, without some sort of topping. Try the following serving suggestions instead.
Syrup
The most traditional way to eat these pancakes is with pure maple syrup. Or, try other types of syrup like almond butter maple syrup, pancake syrup, honey, etc.
Cinnamon Sugar
My favorite way to eat pumpkin pancakes is sprinkling cinnamon sugar over top. Or, try mixing cinnamon sugar into your maple syrup.
Toasted Pecans
These pancakes are so delicious served with toasted pecans! You can also mix pecans into the batter, or even chocolate chips!
Chocolate Chips
If you add chocolate chips, you might as well top with a dollop of whipped cream! At least, that's the dream of my kids. Maybe we're talking dessert now!
Storage and Leftover Tips
You can store leftover pumpkin pancakes in the freezer. Wait for them to cool completely in a single layer on a wire rack to avoid any moisture building up. Then transfer to a plastic freezer bag, label with the date and freeze for up to 1 month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make pancake batter ahead of time?
Sure! You can make this batter up to 3 days before and store in an airtight container the fridge so its ready in the morning. I suggest taking the batter out of the fridge 20-30 minutes before cooking.
Can I make these gluten free?
I do not have experience with gluten free baking, but here is a great gluten free pancake recipe (although it's not pumpkin).
Can this recipe be doubled?
Absolutely! In fact, I recommend it so you can invite more people over, or have some leftover to freeze.
More Pancake Recipes
If you love these pumpkin pancakes, you'll definitely want to try these other pancakes!
Made this recipe?
Leave a star rating and tag me on Instagram @seededtable so I can see. I love hearing from you!
This recipe was originally published October 14, 2010 and updated with new photos and recipe tips September 2021.
Photography by Marie Roffey.
Recipe Card
Pumpkin Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp. brown sugar
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ¾ tsp. ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
- Dash of ground ginger
- Dash of ground cloves
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
Instructions
- Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and spices in a medium bowl. Make sure to blot out any chunks of brown sugar. In a separate small bowl, combine the milk, pumpkin, egg and oil or butter. Stir into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. The batter may still be lumpy.
- Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat (325˚F for the griddle). Spray hot surface with cooking spray. Pour batter on heated surface in ⅓ cup portions. Use the back of the spoon or measuring cup to smooth the batter into desired circle shape. When bubbles start forming on the top and looks dry, carefully use a spatula to flip to the other side. Let cook for a few more minutes until golden brown.
- Repeat with the rest of the batter, grease the pan as needed. Serve with maple syrup and cinnamon sugar (optional).
Notes
- Nutrition information is an estimate only.
Nutrition
