Baby Pancakes

May 13, 2023

This easy baby pancakes recipe is nutrient-full and great to serve for baby led weaning at 6 months and beyond!

baby pancakes on blue plate with yogurt on top

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When starting baby led weaning at 6 months, we always aim to include baby in 1 meal a day and this baby pancakes recipe has been a hit.

It’s not overly sweet (though can be sweetened for older babies and toddlers), it has a serving of VEGGIES and it can be a vehicle for other toppings, like yogurt and peanut butter.

I don’t want to put too much pressure on the feeding process, but at the same time, it’s exciting, and baby loves to eat.

While I have several ideas for baby breakfast recipes, these sweet potato pancakes for baby can really be served at any meal.

Ingredients for Baby Pancakes

Here’s what you need for this fun blw pancake recipe.

chickpea flour (can also use almond flour or oat flour) – You could also use baby oatmeal in its place
sweetpotato puree – Sweetpotatoes are not typically an allergenic food for babies and are a great replacement for baby pancakes. Plus, they provide ample Vitamin A and Vitamin C (which helps with iron absorption for baby), and can help ease constipation.
eggs – work as a binder and also to help introduce allergens, as well as providing several important nutrients, like choline for baby’s growing brain.
flax seed – Add extra healthy fats for brain development!
baking powder
cinnamon – A fun way to add flavor and sweetness without sugar
breastmilk, formula, or choice of milk/liquid – Water works too!

These baby pancakes with no banana are a great choice to make when you’re out of bananas or don’t have any ripe.

The sweet potatoes are a great replacement in pancakes.

clear bowls with ingredients for baby led weaning pancakes

These pancakes actually turn out to be gluten free sweet potato baby pancakes if you use chickpea or almond flour.

I like these flours because they offer more fat for baby, and can help introduce baby to allergens – particularly with the almond flour.

When pumping and I have extra breastmilk, I always save a little for recipes like this and for homemade breastmilk popsicles.

baby led weaning pancakes with yogurt on top

How to Make Baby Pancakes

This baby pancake recipe comes together in minutes, which I love when I have a grumpy baby or toddler.

When we were deciding on 2 or 3 kids and went for our third, believe me, we had loads of these in the freezer!

The best part about this baby led weaning pancake recipe is that you can make them in the blender. Blender baby pancakes are the best with less cleanup.

Sweetpotato puree – You can get sweetpotato puree by scooping out the flesh of a sweetpotato. I usually microwave them for 6-8 minutes and then let them cool, save the skin for my dog and scoop out the flesh. You could also use canned sweetpotatoes, but try to use ones that aren’t sweetened with added sugars.
Don’t overbeat – The blender makes your job very easy! It only takes 10-20 second of blending to get a great consistency. You’ll want to leave it to thicken for 3-5 minutes while your pan heats up.

blender with batter for baby sweet potato pancakes

Just add all of the ingredients to a blender and let them sit for 3-5 minutes.

If the batter is too thick, you can thin it out with breastmilk, formula, or water.

Then, add butter or oil to a pan, and cook for 2-4 minutes per side.

baby pancakes on medium high heat — Form your baby pancakes into circles about 2-3 inches wide and place on a pan with butter or oil on medium high heat.

baby led weaning pancakes on medium high heat — Form your baby pancakes into circles about 2-3 inches wide and place on a pan with butter or oil on medium high heat.

Why Sweet Potato Baby Pancakes are Great for Baby Led Weaning

Baby led weaning pancakes are wonderful because they can be prepared in several different ways.

Plus, make a bunch in advance and save them for toddler freezer meals when you just don’t have the bandwidth.

Or even do some pregnancy freezer meal prep for the kids ahead of time.

Here are some other reasons we love them.

Can help introduce allergens – Haven’t introduced egg or dairy to baby yet? You can do so through these baby friendly pancakes. If you prefer not to introduce yogurt either in or with the pancakes, stick to breastmilk or formula. You can use a flax egg in place of the egg as well.
Easy to hold– Whether they are in circle shape or cut into “finger” shape, baby pancakes are very easy for baby to hold and sturdy.
Great way to showcase dips and toppings – While we don’t recommend maple syrup or honey for babies under 1 (they are added sugars and honey has a food safety risk of botulism for babies under 1), you can serve with a nut butter, yogurt, avocado, hummus, etc. They can be a fabulous way to introduce several different forms of fats for babies’ growing brain!
Can make thicker or thinner – Depending on the consistency you’re looking for to serve to baby, you can thicken these pancakes up (more flour, flax) or thin them down with more liquids when blending.

sweet potato baby pancakes with yogurt and blueberries

FAQ

What can I serve with blw pancakes?

In the early stages of blw, you don’t necessarily need to serve anything with these, since they offer all of the macronutrients and specific micronutrients, like iron, for baby. However, if you have a big eater, or as babies grow, you can choose to serve nut butters or dips alongside, or even serve with eggs or yogurt.

I’m scared to introduce allergens – can I leave out the eggs?

Yes, you can leave out the eggs if you choose. The consistency may be different, but you could also add more flax seeds and make a flax egg. If you have a family history of food allergies, you should speak with your pediatrician about concerns introducing certain foods and food groups.

Can I add syrup for my toddlers?

Absolutely! While for baby led weaning pancakes, you want to avoid added sugars, that’s not the case for older children. For babies and children over age 1, you can serve with some syrup or sweetener of your choice if you choose to.

Can I make these without a blender?

Yes, you can just handmix them if you don’t have a blender! The blender just saves a bowl.

Can you freeze pancakes for baby?

Yes, it’s a great way to meal prep and plan ahead. To freeze, store in an airtight container, freezer ziplock bag or stasher bag for up to 3 months.

More Baby Led Weaning Recipes

Yield: 4-6 baby pancakes

Baby Pancakes

This easy baby pancakes recipe is nutrient-full and great to serve for baby led weaning at 6 months and beyond!

Ingredients

1/2 cup oat flour (or chickpea/whole wheat flour)
1/2 cup mashed sweetpotato (about 1 medium)
2 eggs
1 Tbsp flax seed
½ tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

Blend everything together in a blender and let sit for 5 minutes to firm. If
the batter is too thick, you can add 1-2 tbsp of milk or breastmilk or formula.
Coat pan with butter, coconut oil and olive oil over medium heat.
Add about 2-3 Tbsp of batter and Form into baby pancake shape
Cook 2-4 minutes per side, until cooked through. -
Enjoy with favorite toppings, fruit, etc.