Banana Pancakes for Babies
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Published Mar 17, 2021, Updated Oct 06, 2023
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How to make easy pancakes for babies (and toddlers) with only five ingredients: oats, egg, banana, cinnamon and milk. Just blend, cook and serve!
I’m back with another baby food post for ya!
You all love seeing what I feed Olivia, and I love sharing it! It’s been so fun to have her try new foods and become a little foodie.
If you are just starting your baby food journey, here’s how I’ve been approaching introducing solids!
When you’re ready to dive in, be sure to check out these baby food combos and my baby oatmeal recipe for Liv.
A lot of people recommend pancakes as an early food for babies, especially when doing baby led weaning.
I tried the two ingredient pancakes (ones with just egg and banana) early on and she didn’t love them, but I starting making her these about a month ago and she’s obsessed. I think she likes the bread-y texture of these more!
These pancakes have quickly become her favorite and most requested food! She signs for them as soon as she wakes up. Girl knows what she wants!
I’m calling these baby pancakes, but they’re adult-friendly and quite similar to my cottage cheese pancakes. Whenever I make them for Liv I always snack on a few because they’re actually really good!
Banana Oatmeal Pancake Ingredients
You only need five simple ingredients for these pancakes.
- oats – rolled old fashioned oats are the base of this recipe. Once blended, the oats turn into oat flour! I like using Bob’s Red Mill organic rolled oats, but quick oats will work as well.
- banana – the banana gives the pancakes a nice sweetness and a nice texture. Other fruits and veggies could likely be used, but I’ve only tested the recipe with banana.
- egg – the egg adds protein, healthy fats and makes the pancakes fluff up a bit.
- cinnamon – I love adding a bit of warm spice to the pancakes, but this is totally optional.
- milk – I use unsweetened plain or vanilla almond milk, but you could use any dairy-free milk, cow’s milk or breast milk.
How to Make Pancakes for Babies
I love how easy these small pancakes are to whip up and how well they store! One batch makes a lot of pancakes, which is great for weekly meal prep. I love having leftover pancakes in the fridge so I can simply warm them up a tiny bit and feed them to Olivia as soon as she wakes up. Here’s how to make them:
Blend: Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour batter onto a warm, greased skillet. I did about 1 Tablespoon of batter for each pancake to keep them small.
Cook: Cook until the batter starts to form little bubbles and you can easily get under the pancake with a spatula. Flip pancake and cook for another 1-2 minutes or until pancake is cooked through.
If the batter thickens too much as you’re cooking the pancakes, simply add a splash of milk to thin it out a bit.
How to Serve Pancakes to Babies/Toddlers
This is obviously up to your comfort level as a parent, the age of your baby and their chewing ability! Here are some options:
- Give the baby the pancakes whole and let them take bites off
- Cut the pancakes into strips so that the baby can grab and eat
- Rip into small bite-sized pieces
It’s easier for younger babies to grab larger pieces of food so keeping the pancakes whole or cutting them into strips will likely work better. As they get older and develop their pincer grasp you can try smaller pieces to help them practice grabbing smaller objects.
You can serve these pancakes plain, topped with a little nut butter or yogurt or even with a fruit puree or chia jam for dipping. Kiddos love to dip!
How to Make These Pancakes Ahead of Time
Like I mentioned earlier, these are the perfect recipe to prep ahead of time! Follow the recipe as directed and then let the pancakes cool completely on a wire rack before storing in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to a month.
The pancakes tend to get hard as they sit in the fridge so when your baby is ready to enjoy you can quickly pop them up in the toaster oven or microwave to warm and soften.
More Baby Food Recipes and Resources
- 10 Baby Food Purees (Stage 1)
- 6 Baby Food Combinations
- Baby Oatmeal
- Carrot Baby Food
- Healthy Smash Cake
- Oatmeal Fingers
- Pumpkin Puree
- Homemade Applesauce
- Baby (+ Toddler) French Toast
- Sweet Potato Puree
- Baby Yogurt Melts
- Poop Chocolates
- How to Start Baby-Led Weaning + First Foods
More Pancake Recipes
- Greek Yogurt Pancakes
- Butternut Squash Pancakes
- Healthy Pumpkin Pancakes
- Blueberry Protein Pancakes
- Coconut Flour Pancakes
- Overnight Oatmeal Pancakes
Banana Oatmeal Pancakes for Babies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats, quick oats will also work
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 egg
- pinch of cinnamon
- 1/4 cup milk, any type of milk will work
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour batter onto a warm, greased skillet. I did about 1 Tablespoon of batter for each pancake to keep them small.
- Cook until the batter starts to form little bubbles and you can easily get under the pancake with a spatula. Flip pancake and cook for another 1-2 minutes or until pancake is cooked through.
- Serve whole or break into pieces for tiny hands. You can serve these plain, with a little nut butter or yogurt spread on top or with a fruit puree to dip the pancakes in.
- Cool the pancakes completely on a wire rack before storing in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to a month.
Video
Notes
- Batter thickness: If the batter thickens too much as you’re cooking the pancakes, add a splash of milk to thin.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Not sure if I made these too big but they were burnt but still raw in the inside? Did not cook like a normal pancake
Oh no! I am so sorry to hear these did not turn out for you. I recommend cooking these low and slow. What was the texture of the batter?
Made these today for my 11 month old and he enjoyed them so much! Love how easy they are!
Aw yay! I am excited these turned out great for you and your little one, Nancy. Thank you for sharing your review + star rating, I appreciate it!
I tried your pancakes mixture for my 1 year old and it was easy to do. Thank you ☺️
Aw yay! I am so glad you are loving this recipe and it turns out great. Thank you for sharing your review + star rating, I truly appreciate it!
Hi! Would these work with a flax egg? Little one allergic to eggs. Thanks!
Hi Nicole – I haven’t tried an egg substitute so I’m not 100% sure how they’d turn out, but I think a flax egg should work, but let me know if you try it! Another person who made them shared that they used Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free egg replacer and they turned out well for her, so that might be another good option for you!
Made these with chia egg replacement (1 tbsp chia + 3 tbsp water and let sit for 15min) and it worked amazing! They taste great. My 10 month old loved them!
Ah yay! I am so glad this recipe turned out great for you and your little one, Liz. Thank you so much for sharing your review + star rating, I truly appreciate it!
My 10 month old loves these! I put Greek yoghurt with blueberry compote on top
These are a regular now, thank you!!
YUM! Sounds absolutely amazing, I am so glad this recipe is a hit. Thank you for your review + star rating, I so appreciate it!
Is the texture of the pancake supposed to be mushy a bit after cooking? I think that’s right cus of the banana but just want to make sure
Hi Jenny – When you say mushy, are they still wet inside? The pancake should be fully cooked through.
Babe loves these 🙂 perfect for prepping breakfast for the week after mat leave.
Yay! I am excited to hear this recipe is a hit, Jessica. Thank you so much for sharing your review + star rating, it means so much to me!
Can you make the batter and store it in the fridge for 5 days ? I rather make fresh pancakes for my little .
Hi Lisa – Yes, that should be fine. I think it will stay fresh in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Let me know how these turn out for you! Enjoy!
worked so well, and I’ve made a bunch of batches with things like a few handfuls of spinach thrown in, applesauce instead of milk, nut butter added, etc. perfect every time!
Yum, sounds delicious. I am so glad this recipe is a hit, thank you for your review + star rating, I so appreciate it!
Made these for my 10 month old and he loved them! As did I! so easy to make and yummy! Thank you for sharing ☺️
Ah yay! I am excited to hear that these pancakes are a hit, Lu. Thank you so much for coming back and sharing your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
Can you freeze these?
Hey Sara! Yes, these will freeze well if stored in a freezer-safe container for abut 3 months!
My baby is almost 8 months old, what milk should I use? I assume no cow’s milk as he is still under one year old. Should I use formula?
Hi Jenny – I use unsweetened plain or vanilla almond milk, but you could use any dairy-free milk, cow’s milk, breast milk or formula should work too. Hope you enjoy this recipe!