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.
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Benefits of Spinach
Spinach is an incredibly versatile leafy green vegetable. Throw into smoothies, oatmeal, muffins, green pasta sauce...
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 Spinach 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.
Homemade unsweetened applesauce
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to food processor/blender
- Blend until smooth.
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 5 minutes or so. This will make it easier to scoop/pour into pan.
- 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 ½ medium banana, mashed.
Serving Suggestions
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
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 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
- Spinach sweet potato muffins
- How to make ANY green smoothies
- Egg veggie pancakes
- Beetroot curry oatmeal
- Nut free broccoli white bean pesto
More Pancake 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
Spinach Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed baby spinach
- ½ cup (120g) whole milk plain Greek yogurt
- 1 medium egg
- ⅔ cup (65g) rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to food processor/blender minus walnuts and blend until smooth. Stir in walnuts, if using. Let batter sit for 5-8 minutes.
- Heat a pan or griddle over medium to medium-low heat. Coat pan with butter or oil. Drop 1-2 tablespoons of batter into the pan. Cook until bubbles start to form and the edges of the pancake begin to appear solid(about 3 minutes). Carefully flip. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Serve as is or with topping of choice (see note)
Notes
- 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 ½ medium banana, mashed.
- 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.
Erin H says
Hi! I’m so excited to make these for my 7 month old who’s been a rockstar at BLW! I just wanted to ask if I could replace the banana with strawberries or raspberries? He’s not the biggest banana fan. Thank you!!
Min says
Hi! so awesome that your baby is doing so well with self-feeding! There's on banana in this recipe so I'm wondering if you're asking about another recipe?
Meghan says
Can I just tell you that my baby is OBSESSED with these pancakes?! When she sees the green pancakes come out, she starts squealing in excitement. I cook and freeze them for easy meals, and we almost always have them on hand. Thank you so much for the great recipe.
Min says
Ah!! I'm squealing in excitement reading this comment :). Thank you for sharing!
Ashley says
Yum! Love that they don’t have banana in them. I had made these on the stovetop in my frying pan before, but now that baby is a little older I made them in my mini pancake maker (the size of a mini waffle maker). Two heaping tablespoons made beautiful pancakes! We love a little smear of nut butter on top. Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
Min says
Love it!! Thanks for sharing!
mellie says
I Just want to comment in case it helps someone:
My 7 month old is starting to refuse purées and being spoon fed in preference for self feeding (sucking a pouch) and handling food with his hands except he can’t seem to manage food to mouth well (but practicing)! Anyway, he’s our first and I am at my wits end with BLW and finding appropriate finger food for him to handle then top up with purée so he gets a “meal”. We have spent weeks stressed (me) and (baby) crying at every meal time.
I made these pancakes just now and my taste test is WOW! I love them and I do not like pancakes.
What I like is that it is flour free, nutrient dense and such a flexible recipe where you can substitute with what you have on hand. I replaced:
-Spinach with approx 4oz pea purée I had on hand.
-Greek Yoghurt with Sour Cream
Next time I would increase the amount of apple sauce slightly or perhaps add a tiny bit of maple syrup but geeze, this recipe is a winner. I’m also try making it more savoury too, like add a meat purée.
mellie says
I just read the note about not adding more apple sauce to sweeten. Thanks!
Min says
This totally made my day! Thank you for sharing your suggestions so that others can try as well!
Sherouk Sabry says
My LO loved it❤️❤️ Thnq so much
Min says
So happy to hear! Thanks for sharing!
Ann says
I just made these for my twin one year old grandchildren and they absolutely loved them! I didn't have any walnuts so I had to.omit those, but added 1/2 a ripe banana. Will definitely add this to the make again list!
Min says
Yay!!! So happy to hear! Thank you for taking the time to share 😉
Jenny says
Hello!
These pancakes look so good. My baby has an egg allergy. Is there something else I can replace it with or maybe leave out the egg?
Thanks in advance!
Jenny
Min says
Hi Jenny! You can use flax egg!
BT says
Hi, wondering if I can thaw these in the refrigerator the night before and send them cold for a school lunch cold the next day?
Min says
Hi! Yes! I do this all the time!
Carolina says
Make these for your kids, trust me! I was scared the green color would scare my babes off, but my son is currently obsessed with The Hulk, so I dove right in. People—he ate 4 of them!!! I slathered some plain green yogurt on top with a “jam” (blended berries) and made pancake sandwiches. These are such a great recipe! Make sure you use baking POWDER, not SODA. 🙂
Min says
Aww SOO happy to hear that these were a hit! Thank you for sharing, mama!
Heidi says
My baby loved these and I did too! I appreciate how nutritious they are and will definitely make these regularly. They’re perfect for packing for a plane or train ride when I’d like to avoid a big mess in a public space.
Min says
So glad to hear! And yes these are def one of my go-tos for traveling or dining out!
Patty says
Can I use frozen spinach?
Gaya says
I made this for my 10 mo then realized it has baking powder which is not recommended for babies under 1yo. She loved it, hope she takes it well.
Min says
Hi Mama! Baking powder is fine for babies. The concern is the sodium but remember it's for the whole recipe and your baby is eating a small portion at a time. Baking powder acts as a leavening agent, increasing the volume and lightening the texture. You can also read more about sodium for babies here - turns out you don't have to worry TOO Much - https://www.mjandhungryman.com/salt-sodium-for-babies-and-toddlers/
Alison says
My 12 month old LOVES these. I make a big batch and fridge/freeze them for easy breakfasts. Thank you for this recipe!
Min says
SO happy to hear! Thank you for sharing!
Marilyn says
Hi will I be able to use Chinese spinach instead of baby spinach? Will it affect the taste?
Min says
HI I don't recommend it
Rachel says
Could I use pumpkin purée instead of apple?
Min says
haven't tried but believe it will work
Katelyn says
So good! I didn’t have applesauce so I substituted a banana instead. The recipe made enough for my little guy to have four mini pancakes, and for my breakfast as well! They were very soft and easy for him to eat. Definitely will be keeping this recipe in my back pocket 🙂
Min says
I'm so glad!! Thank you for sharing!
YJ says
Hi Min, would like to check if the spinach needs to be cooked before blending? I have tried blending raw spinach and it does not give a homogenous mixture. Thanks for the advice!
Min says
No need to blend! It def helps to have a high-powered blender. If not, try to get it as smooth as you can but the recipe will still work with small chunks of spinach
Sally says
I made them once was a fail with frozen spinach but hey baby didn't complain and we don't waste food. Making them again now fresh spinach, added a bit of banana and then I'm wondering was I meant to add it to the blender or is it for serving too late now but just curious 🙂 thank you
Min says
Yes add banana to the blender with the rest of the ingredients 😉
Martha Homenuke says
I made these for my baby for breakfast on his first birthday 🙂
Min says
Happy birthday!!
Dora Bozga says
SO GOOD! Thank you so much!
Yunyoung says
Another spinach recipe I love to make for my little. So easy to make and delicious!
Slgi says
So good!!! My picky baby would eat this one!!
Lately, My baby is having a hard time chewing and swallowing, but this pancake is so soft, he could chew and swallow everything!!
I highly recommend this recipe for babies who doesn’t like purees and likes finger foods but still not able to take on hard textures. Or babies who are transitioning from purees to finger foods.
I love that it is packed with nutrients! My baby somehow likes the taste of walnuts. So I put plenty of them.
Min says
Yay!!! Thanks mama
Emily says
These are delicious! My daughter loves them and my husband and I do as well! They're super nutrient dense and easy to make! I froze some and they heated up perfectly. Great to send with my daughter's lunch as well
Min says
Yes! I've been packing them for my son's lunchbox and his teacher told me how much he enjoys them!
Mariam Aziz says
So easy to make, delicious and nutritious! Have been making these and freezing as it’s such a quick and easy meal for little one
Min says
Yay!
Emma says
I make this without the walnuts and it’s one of my baby’s favorite foods! He likes it with an added banana and also without.
Tonette says
Hi! Can I use buttermilk instead of greek yogurt?
Min says
I haven't tried so I can't tell you for certain
Lily says
Can the Greek yoghurt be substituted by ricotta cheese?
Min says
I haven't tried by believe it will work!
Kailey says
I think I failed because I used a cup of frozen spinach, not fresh spinach. also I fried them too much so they all turned out brown, not green. I love the idea so I’ll try again later! Thank you for the recipe!!
Gk says
Do you know if I can make this without the egg? Dealing with baby with egg allergy.
Min says
I haven't tried myself but many moms have told me that these turned out well with flax eggs!
PJ says
Firstly, this is an awesome fuss free recipe and my baby love the pancakes so a big thank you! Can I ask how do I reheat up the leftovers after putting them in the fridge if I don't have a microwave?
Min says
You're welcome! You can simply take out of the fridge and allow to come to room temperature or use the toaster oven if you have one!
Celine says
Can I use coconut yogurt to make I dairy free?
Min says
you bet!
Shell says
Might be a silly question, but could this be cooked in a waffle maker? 😆
Min says
I haven't tried but I don't think it will work as the batter isn't thick enough..But maybe? I don't have much experience making waffles so not sure!
Annie says
Thanks for the great recipe! Would I be able to make the batter the night before? I have to get ready for work in the morning so any pre-prep is always helpful!
Min says
Yes!