Fun pancake ideas

These creative, fun pancake ideas are as arty as they are tasty. We love making them almost as much as we love devouring them afterwards!

In this recipe, you’ll learn to make perfectly thin pancakes (crêpes) and then decorate them using fresh fruit to produce a floral scene and a cute crab!

Kids can help make the easy pancake batter and then once the crêpes are cooked, they can have great fun decorating them.

There’s a little bit of fiddly cutting of the fruit, so you might want to pre-cut some of the elements for your children or give them safe scissors to work with.

This recipe is from my debut cookbook Get Your Kids to Eat Anything, which contains 70 recipes and a 5-phase programme to help you and your kids become more adventurous with food.

So to start, let's make light, frilly, thin and tasty little pancakes, otherwise known as crêpes!

Instructions

To make the crêpes

Sift the flour and icing sugar into a bowl.

Make a well in the centre.

Add the eggs to the well.

Add the milk

Whisk, gradually drawing in the dry ingredients from the sides to make a batter. Leave to rest for 5 minutes.

Melt a little of the butter in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat.

Pour a small ladleful of batter into the pan.

Swirl to cover the base. Fry for about 1 minute,

Loosen the edges with a spatula and flip!

Fry for another 30 seconds or so until golden brown and speckled on both sides.

Repeat for the remaining crêpes. You should get 8-10 in total, depending on the size of your pan.

To make the crab

Slice one-third off the side of an apple and place it, skin side up, in the centre of your pancake. This will be the crab's body.

Arrange 2 long melon batons to form the stalks of the eyes and 2 shorter batons to form the “arms”.

Place 4 mandarin segments to form the pincers. Slice 2 grapes into quarters lengthways and arrange them to form the legs.

For the eyes, slice a grape thinly and place a disc at the end of each eyestalk.

Place 2 pomegranate seeds in the centre of the eyes to complete the scene.

To make the floral scene

Slice the edge of the remaining apple thinly to create 4–5 flower stalks and arrange on the pancake.

Slice 2–3 grapes into quarters lengthways and arrange in pairs to form the petals of the flowers.

And there you have it! Super cute pancake scenes that'll have the kids wolfing down their fruit!

Now you've got started, why stop there? What other animals and scenes can you create in crêpe topping form?

Want to explore this theme further? Take a trip to the supermarket and encourage your children to look for bright colours and unusual patterns to add to their scenes.

This aim is to create a positive, enthusiastic relationship with as wide a variety of foods as possible. Have fun!

Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect pancakes

Are these pancakes easy to make?

The batter is super simple to make and as long as you have a nonstick frying pan in good condition you shouldn't have any trouble cooking them.

As for the fun designs themselves? Well, they can be as simple or as complex as you want to make them!

To keep it fun, I'd recommend encouraging the kids to embrace their creativity and create their own interpretation rather than trying to perfectly replicate the designs you see here.

What is the difference between pancakes and crêpes?

The main difference between crêpes and pancakes is the shape and thickness.

Crêpes are flat and thin, made with plain flour and are usually the full width of the frying pan.

On the other hand, American-style pancakes (also known as Scotch pancakes or drop scones) contain a raising agent (usually baking powder) in the batter, which make them tall and fluffy. They're usually smaller in diameter too, although I have made ones the size of dinner plates before!

Both types of pancakes are totally delicious, of course, and it often simply a case of personal preference which one you opt for.

Are these pancake ideas suitable for vegetarians?

This recipe is totally suitable for vegetarians and can be made vegan by replacing the milk and butter with plant-based alternatives and replacing the eggs with any of the vegan alternatives listed elsewhere in this FAQ.

Are these pancakes ideas suitable for vegans?

The crêpes in this recipe are made using milk and egg, so they are not suitable for vegans.

However, you can make them vegan by replacing the milk and butter with plant-based alternatives, and replacing the eggs with one of the vegan alternatives detailed below.

Can I make pancakes without egg?

Yes, you can make pancakes without eggs!

The following is a list of egg alternatives that should work well with these pancakes. Each one is equal to 1 egg so you should multiply by four for this particular recipe.

• Store-bought egg replacement powder (use as directed on the packet).
• 1 tablespoon of crushed chia or flax seeds mixed with 2 tablespoons of water and left for 10 minutes in the fridge.
• 3 tablespoons of aquafaba.
• 3 tablespoons of applesauce.
• Half of a medium-sized banana, very well mashed. It’s best to use fairly ripe bananas for this as they will mash a lot more easily and bind your ingredients together more effectively 

Note: I have not tested all of these replacements with this particular recipe, so let me know how you get on.

Are these pancake ideas gluten-free?

This recipe is not gluten-free as the crêpes contain plain flour.

However, if you replace the plain flour with the same quantity of good-quality gluten-free flour, the pancakes should still hold together well and be very tasty.

Are these pancake ideas healthy?

The recipes are made with fresh fruit and simple ingredients.

The purpose of this activity is to have fun and give families an opportunity to have a positive experience with creating and eating nutritious food.

Are pancakes safe to eat while pregnant?

There is nothing in this pancake recipe that should present a risk to pregnant people if the ingredients are in good condition and have been stored correctly, and the recipe is cooked hygienically and safely.

Egg safety varies from country to country and you should always seek country-specific advice. The NHS has a great resource that will help review the latest advice regarding foods that are safe to eat while pregnant in the UK.

However, this website does not offer medical advice and you should always check with your health professional.

What goes well with these pancakes?

The sweet, juicy fruit pairs really well with the delicate crêpes in this recipe, but if you'd like to try more ways to add decorations to your scenes then go for it!

You could try creating clouds with natural yogurt, sunshine with a slice of orange, or tree trunks with peanut butter.

Can I make this recipe ahead?

Pancakes are best served fresh out of the pan. However, because crêpe batter doesn't contain a raising agent (like the baking powder used to make fluffy, American-style pancakes) you can prepare the batter the night before, cover the bowl well and store it in the refrigerator overnight.

You may find that the batter darkens and separates a little but a quick whisk with a fork when you're ready to cook should bring everything back together.

I wouldn't recommend cutting up the fruit or using it to top the pancakes until you're ready to eat them. This is because cut fruit can go off quite quickly.

Can I make more/fewer pancakes

Yes, you can size this recipe up and down

Simply scroll down to the recipe card towards the bottom of this post and hover your mouse (or tap your finger) over the portion number.

You will then be shown a slider, which you can move up and down to change the number of portions the recipe will give. As you do so, all of the ingredient quantities will automatically change accordingly. Clever, right?

If you have any questions about changing the quantities, just ask!

Can I store pancakes in the fridge?

You can indeed store any leftover pancakes in the fridge.

Cool to room temperature and then place them in a sealed container or on a well-covered plate and into the fridge within two hours of making.

If properly chilled, your pancakes should be good in the fridge for 3-5 days.

Note: pancakes stored in the fridge can become a little bit tough. To soften them back up, I recommend reheating them either covered in the microwave in 10-second blasts until heated through or by briefly cooking on both sides in a hot, dry frying pan.

In either case, don't overcook as this will simply make them tougher.

Can I freeze pancakes?

Yes, you can freeze pancakes! In fact, whenever I make pancakes (either the crêpe kind or American-style pancakes) I always make more than we are likely to eat in that session so that I can freeze the spares to enjoy later!

To freeze pancakes, allow them to cool to room temperature and then place them flat in a large airtight container or ziplock bag with square of baking paper or freezer paper separating each pancake to stop them from sticking.

If you don't have room to store them fully flat, you can fold each crêpe into four and then stack them up with paper or freezer paper separating each folded pancake and pop them in a sealed container in the freezer.

Whichever method you use, make sure your pancakes are completely cold before you freeze them and aim to fill your container to leave as much empty space as possible. This is because the more air you leave in your container, the more likely your food is to suffer from freezer burn.

If properly frozen, your pancakes should be good for 1-2 months.

To reheat, either leave in the fridge to defrost and then cook as detailed in the section above, or place straight from frozen onto a plate (just one at a time) cover and reheat in the microwave in 10-second blasts until heated through or by briefly cooking on both sides in a hot, dry frying pan.

Crêpes are really thin so they should reheat really quite quickly. Don't overcook as this will make them tough, burned or crispy.

Can I make this recipe in a stand mixer such as a KitchenAid or Kenwood Mixer?

While this recipe is pretty easy to whisk by hand you can also use a hand mixer or stand mixer to make your life a little easier.

Just be sure not to over whisk your batter once you've added the flour as this can stretch the gluten and make for tough pancakes.

Why did my pancakes stick to my pan or fall apart?

You can use pretty much any frying pan, but using a clean, nonstick pan that doesn't show any signs of flaking will make your life significantly easier!

If your pan is good quality, you might not even need much if any fat to fry them in, but if they're sticking, adding a decent amount of fat to the pan before each crêpe will really help.

It's also best use a medium heat and accept that each pancake will take a little longer to cook, rather than try to cook them as fast as possible which can lead to burnt, broken or stuck-on pancakes.

Can you give me any more inspiration for fun pancake ideas?

Here are some general tips for letting you and your child's creativity flow.

Create a fruity shape selection

Peel and slice your fruit into a range of strips, slices and wedges. You could even get out some cookie cutters to create unusual shapes.

Arrange the fruit in bowls alongside the crêpes and give your children an "invitation to play", which means you present them with a toolbox of elements to get creative with and then step back and let them take that opportunity wherever they wish!

You could also keep some bigger pieces of fruit on hand, ready to help to cut it into whatever shapes they request as inspiration strikes.

Re-create a story scene

Sit down with your children and have a look through their favourite books for inspiration. You could recreate a character, a scene, a world...animals, plants, objects or landscapes!

Bear in mind that unless you're an absolute food-art whizz, simple illustrations with large, solid blocks of colour will be easier to replicate.

Use Google images to find simple ideas

If your child has a particular creation in mind but you're at a total loss for how to create it, a quick search on the internet can be very useful in giving you a simplified image to work with. Try adding words like 'simple', 'cartoon' or 'illustration' to your search.

Try some standing creations

While scenes that are more or less 2D are easier to make, don't forget you can also have a go at creating foodie designs that burst off the plate! How about a peeled pear 'snowman' with stalks for arms and raisins for buttons?

Colour your crêpe canvases

A 'blank' canvas can often be daunting, so if you have any natural food colouring to hand, you can turn your pancakes into colourful backgrounds.

You can either dye the whole bowl of batter one colour or separate the pancake batter into smaller bowls and create a rainbow stack.

Once you're ready to serve them up, encourage your children to think about what sort of creatures might live on a bright orange 'sun' or a grey 'moon'. Could you go on a space adventure?

A yellow pancake could be turned into a tiger's face with an orange segment mane, while a blue 'sky' or 'sea' pancake could be decorated with birds or fish.

Create a multi-pancake scene

Decide on a theme for your pancakes and carry it on from plate to plate.

How about a rainforest scene, combining sweet and savoury toppings?

On one crêpe, raisins could be ants walking across a peanut butter 'log', while on another, broccoli trees could grow from a forest floor made from wilted spinach!

Have fun with the details

More traditional pancake toppings such as sugar and syrup can be used sparingly to add final touches to your designs.

Created a snowman made from apples with a red strawberry scarf? Complete the look with a sprinkling of icing sugar snow!

Made a volcano using red apple slices and watermelon? Finish your design off with a drizzle of maple syrup 'magma'!

Photograph your creations

Pancake art isn't the kind you can hang on the refrigerator door, so before you devour your creations, don't forget to take a picture to remember them.

I'd love to see what you come up with so do please Tweet, Facebook or Instagram me at @amummytoo!

Focus on fun not perfection!

Creating pancake art is a great opportunity for children to practice concentration and perseverance, but the activity should mainly be about having fun and creating a positive relationship with food - especially fruits and veggies.

Embrace the mess and encourage them to keep going if things don't go exactly as they had hoped for - I find that on my journey to creating something fun there are many happy little accidents along the way which inspire me to go in a completely different direction. One minute I'm making the beak of a bird only for it to turn into a star!

Don't be afraid to start again or simply go where your accidents take you!

Print these fun pancake ideas

Decorated pancake images by Tom Regester, step-by-step crêpe-making images by Emily Leary

Pin these fun pancake ideas

More pancake recipes to try