Healthy Pancakes for Babies and toddlers

Pancakes are a wonderful finger food for babies! Here are some healthy and easy pancake recipes that are packed with flavor and nutrition.

Baby Pancakes

Whether you are taking the baby led weaning approach or starting with purees and progressing to exploring more textures, pancakes are such an awesome finger food to serve to your baby.

Here are some tips for making sure they are safe for your baby as well as how to serve depending on their age. I’ve also included favorite baby pancake recipes. 

When can babies eat pancakes?

They can be offered to babies as soon as they’re ready to start solids, usually around 6 months.

It’s important to remember that your baby is unique and that rather than going by the calendar, you need to make sure your baby is DEVELOPMENTALLY ready to start solids.

If you’re unsure, be sure to grab my FREE USDA approved handout by clicking on the box below.

Are pancakes safe for babies?

There are several factors to consider. First, make sure that the texture is soft, moist, and easy to chew.

Second, a lot of pancake recipes contain common food allergens, such as milk, eggs, and wheat. Therefore, if you haven’t introduced any of these top 9 allergens, be sure to do so one at a time.

Pancakes can be a good way to introduce an allergen. Just make sure there are no other allergens that you haven’t introduced before. That way, if your baby has a reaction, you’ll know which food is responsible.

Third, make sure there is no honey in the recipe! You can serve pancakes with maple syrup or other added sugars from a safety standpoint. However, it is best to avoid them until 2.

Favorite Pancakes for Babies and Toddlers

All of these recipes are super easy to whip up with just a handful of ingredients because taking care of babies is exhausting and you need all the help you can get!

So minimal time in the kitchen while nourishing your baby with a ton of flavor and nutrition is what I promise you!

Bonus: Here are some more breakfast ideas for babies or toddlers as well as make-ahead ideas.

How to serve pancakes to babies

If you need more guidance, check out this comprehensive guide on finger foods for babies.

For 6-8 months

While it may seem counterintuitive, bigger is safer and better at this age so either serve whole, halved, or cut into strips so your baby can grab with their palm.

For 9-12 months

You can cut into bite-sized pieces or serve large pieces so your baby can practice taking bites.

Meal Ideas

You can certainly serve the pancakes as a healthy snack or add all kinds of toppings to make each bite even more filling and nutritious.

Here are some pancake topping suggestions:

• Peanut butter, nut butter, or seed butter (be sure to thin it out)
• Yogurt
• Ricotta or other spreadable cheese
• Dips – like beetroot dip
• Sugar free strawberry jam
• Mashed avocado
• Mashed beans
• Mashed fruit

You can also turn these pancakes into sandwiches! Simply spread any of the above topping suggestions onto one pancake and then press another one on top!

Be sure to pair with a vitamin C rich food to enhance iron absorption!

By the way, this baby plate is AMAZING! It’s so spacious, allowing plenty of room for small hands to explore, and the suction is so powerful! My baby has not once been able to remove from the table.

Additional Resources for Feeding Babies