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These cute and healthy Santa Pancakes are the perfect breakfast treat on Christmas morning. With a red strawberry hat, and white banana beard, these pancakes are deliciously fun!
Christmas morning is always one of my favorite times of the year!
The kids are always awake before dawn, and everyone sleepily makes their way to the tree to begin the festivities.
Somewhere between the gift opening, we have to stop to have some breakfast!
These Santa Pancakes are always a huge hit! They're easy, cute, fun, and healthy too.
All you need is a simple pancake batter, some fresh fruit, and candy eyes. They come together quickly, and everyone enjoys them, adults included!
For a simple, festive, and fun holiday breakfast, you can't go wrong with these adorable Santa Pancakes!
Tools and Equipment
Recipe Ingredients and Notes
- White Whole Wheat Flour: For a fluffy whole grains pancake, use white whole wheat flour. It has the added fiber of whole wheat flour, but a lighter texture.
- Strawberries and Bananas: Thinly slice the strawberries and bananas to create the Santa hat and beard. I recommend using organic produce.
How to Make Santa Pancakes - Step by Step
Step 1: Preheat a griddle or skillet over medium high heat. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Set aside.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, beat together the oil, milk, and vanilla.
Step 3: Add the oil mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just combined.
Step 4: Use a ¼ cup measuring cup to scoop batter on to the hot griddle. Cook until the pancakes begin to bubble, then flip the pancake and cook the other side for two to three minutes. Continue cooking the batter until all the batter has been cooked.
Step 7: Allow the pancakes to cool slightly, then use the banana slices to create a beard on the bottom half of the pancake. Use the strawberry slices to make a hat on the top of the pancake. Decorate the top of the hat with a banana end and add a row of banana slices along the bottom of the hat. Use a strawberry end as Santa's nose and add two candy eyes above the nose.
Will Kids Like These Christmas Pancakes?
These santa pancakes are made for kids or the kid at heart in all of us! They are delicious, cute, and fun to make! Get the kiddos involved, and have them assemble their own Santa hat and beard on their pancakes. It's a fun morning activity to do with the kids throughout the holiday season.
What Makes These Santa Pancakes Healthy?
- Whole Grains: These pancakes are made with whole grains. Unlike pancake mixes you find at the store, that are made with refined flour, and other processed ingredients, these pancakes use whole food ingredients!
- Naturally Sweet: Other Santa pancakes you may find use lots of whipped cream, and sometimes chocolate, or pie filling to create the hat and beard. This recipe uses natural ingredients in the form of fresh fruit to create an adorable Santa, without the need to add extra sugar!
- Low in Fat and Calories: Since these pancakes use whole grains, and fresh fruit, they are naturally lower in fat and calories. One serving has 131 calories, and 3 grams of fat.
Recipe FAQS
How to Store and Keep
If you have extra pancakes and fruit, store them in separate containers. Allow the pancakes to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. The pancakes will keep in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
If you have extra fruit, store both the strawberries and bananas in separate containers. It's best not to store bananas that have already been peeled, as they will brown more quickly.
When you're ready to serve, warm the pancake, and assemble the hat and beard using the extra fruit.
How to Serve
You can serve these pancakes as is, however here are a few other ideas.
- Instead of candy eyes, use blueberries or chocolate chips!
- For added sweetness add a touch of whipped cream at the top of the Santa hat, or a little added whipped cream with bananas for the beard.
- Serve with a side of pure maple syrup, your favorite fruit preserves, or agave.
Top Tips for Making Santa Pancakes
- Adding a touch of sugar to the batter adds a subtle sweetness that compliments the other ingredients.
- When mixing the dry and wet ingredients, create a well. This prevents you from over-mixing the batter which results in a tough dense pancake.
- Allow the pancake batter to rest for 10-15 minutes before cooking. This allows the batter to create those little fluffy bubbles we all love.
- Use an ice cream scoop or measuring cup to dispense the batter. This results in even pancakes.
- Make sure your skillet is greased well.
- Flip the pancakes when you notice the batter starts to bubble.
