Name: Spinach Baby Pancakes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 cup packed baby spinach; 1/2 cup (120g) whole fat plain Greek yogurt; 1 medium egg; 1/2 cup (50g) rolled oats; 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 2 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts (optional)

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Spinach can be tricky to serve to babies. These green baby pancakes are super easy to make, healthy, and the perfect finger food for baby led weaning.

Contents

Benefits of Spinach

Spinach is an incredibly versatile leafy green vegetable. Throw into smoothies, oatmeal, muffins, pancakes…

Nutritionally, it’s a great source of iron, folate, vitamin K, and magnesium. It also contains lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids that are linked to improved eye health (also found in eggs).

Easy Baby Pancakes

These spinach pancakes are super easy to whip up. Simply add all the ingredients into your blender! The inspiration for these came from one of my most popular recipes, Spinach sweet potato blender muffins.

I want to tell you upfront that these are not your typical fluffy, thick pancakes. Developed with babies in mind, they are super moist and not sweet, making them perfect vehicles for both savory and sweet toppings.

Looking for another baby friendly pancake? Check out these butternut squash and banana protein pancakes!

Ingredients

Baby Spinach – I do recommend purchasing organic, if able, as it contains high amounts of pesticides. You can add more (up to 2 cups), if you wish. I wouldn’t add more than that as the pancakes will taste bitter.

Greek yogurt – Remember to always get whole fat for babies. If you desire a milder, less tangier flavor, use plain yogurt.

Rolled oats – You can also use quick cooking. Oat flour will work too, but I recommend making it at home. It’s SUPER easy to do and less expensive.

Applesauce – use unsweetened. It’s added to provide just a hint of sweetness. Overall, these pancakes are NOT sweet.

Instructions

a collage showing all the ingredients in a blender on the left and blended on the right

Add all the ingredients to food processor/blender
Blend until smooth.

a collage showing pancake in a skillet uncooked and cooked

3. Drop batter into the pan.

4. Cook until bubbles start to form and edges begin to appear solid. Flip and cook.

Cooking Tips

After blending, let the batter sit for 10 minutes or so. This will make it easier to scoop/pour into pan.
The batter is thin so be sure to cook until you start to see bubbles and bottom is firm before flipping over.
If the bottoms start to brown too much before they are set, lower the heat.
Allow to cool COMPLETELY. The pancakes will firm up beautifully as it cools. I’ve also noticed that the yogurt flavor becomes more mellow as it sits.
If you desire a sweeter pancake, do NOT add more applesauce. What I learned is that the unsweetened applesauce + Greek yogurt make the pancakes quite tart. Instead, add 1/2 medium banana, mashed.

Serving Suggestions

spinach pancake, Greek yogurt preloaded onto a baby spoon, and a strawberry serve on a white plate

As mentioned, these baby pancakes are not sweet. Since babies are born with innate preferences for sweets, I wanted the flavors of spinach and yogurt to shine through to help babies learn to appreciate them.

You can serve as is or make every bite count by spreading on top:

peanut, nut butter, or seed butter (be sure to thin it out)
yogurt
dips
mashed avocado
mashed beans
canned sardine or salmon, mashed
mashed fruit

These pancakes are thin so you can easily turn them 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 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.

Storage Tips

Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge. Warm slightly before serving (no more than 15 seconds in the microwave).

Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Here’s how I like to freeze them.

Baby-Friendly Spinach Recipes

Do you want to minimize picky eating and set a solid foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating habits?

Check out this 3 month mastering self-feeding program! It’s the closest thing to me being in your kitchen

Find out more!