Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes
Who doesn’t love homemade pancakes in the morning. Wake up to something sweet and swirly! These cinnamon swirl pancakes are like a cinnamon roll in pancake form. They’re soft, fluffy, and full of warm, gooey cinnamon flavor. Perfect for weekends, holidays, or anytime you want to treat yourself. Kids love them. Grown-ups do, too. Stack them high, swirl them up, and dig in!
Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes
- Cinnamon roll flavor: All the sweet, spiced goodness of a cinnamon roll in pancake form
- Fluffy texture: Light, airy pancakes that melt in your mouth
- Easy ingredients: Made with pantry staples you already have
- Fun swirl design: Eye-catching and delicious with every bite
- Kid-friendly: A breakfast the whole family will ask for again
- Versatile: Great for weekends, brunch, or even dessert
- Freezer-friendly: Make extra and reheat for a quick treat later
Recipe Tips
- Don’t overmix: Stir just until combined for light, fluffy pancakes
- Use a squeeze bottle or baggie: This helps swirl the cinnamon mix neatly
- Cook on medium heat: Prevents burning the swirl and ensures even cooking
- Wipe the pan between batches: Keeps the swirl from getting too dark or sticky
- Let the batter rest: A few minutes of rest makes the pancakes extra tender
- Flip carefully: Wait for bubbles and firm edges before flipping
Pancake Variations
- Add cream cheese glaze: Drizzle with a quick cream cheese icing for full cinnamon roll vibes
- Make them whole wheat: Sub half the flour with whole wheat for more fiber
- Go high-protein: Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder or sub with high-protein pancake mix
- Make it dairy-free: Use almond milk and vegan butter for a plant-based option
- Add chopped apples: Mix into the batter for apple-cinnamon pancake flavor
- Turn into minis: Make silver dollar pancakes for a fun, bite-size twist
Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes
These fluffy cinnamon swirl pancakes taste just like cinnamon rolls! Perfect for a cozy breakfast, they’re easy to make and loved by all ages.
Equipment
- pan or griddle
Ingredients
For the Pancakes
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp melted butter
For the Cinnamon Swirl
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Make the swirl: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Spoon into a small zip-top bag and snip off a tiny corner for swirling.
- Prepare the pancake batter: In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, whisk milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla. Combine wet and dry ingredient. Don’t overmix!
- Cook the pancakes: Heat a non-stick pan or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease. Pour ¼ cup batter onto the pan. Immediately swirl the cinnamon mixture on top of the pancake batter in a spiral shape. Cook until bubbles form on top, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook another 1–2 minutes.
- Serve warm: Optional drizzle of maple syrup, cream cheese glaze, or powdered sugar.
Notes
Nutrition Information (per serving)
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Sugars: 10g
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sodium: 280mg
FAQ: Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes
Can I use pancake mix instead of making it from scratch?
Definitely! Just prepare the mix as directed and add the cinnamon swirl step.
What’s the best way to swirl the cinnamon mix?
Use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped or a small squeeze bottle for control.
How do I keep the swirl from burning?
Cook on medium to medium-low heat and don’t overfill the swirl, less is more.
Do I have to flip them? Won’t the swirl get messy?
Flip gently once bubbles form and edges set. The swirl may smear slightly but still tastes amazing!
What if I don’t have brown sugar?
Use white sugar with a little maple syrup or molasses for a similar flavor.
Do I need to grease the pan between pancakes?
A light re-greasing between batches helps prevent sticking and keeps swirls clean.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, just use your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
Check Out These Breakfast Recipes:
- Fruity Pebbles Waffles: A colorful, crunchy twist on classic waffles, packed with Fruity Pebbles cereal for a fun breakfast treat.
- Maple and Brown Sugar Overnight Oats: A cozy and convenient make-ahead breakfast with warm maple flavor and brown sugar sweetness.
- Sourdough French Toast: A tangy, rich spin on traditional French toast using thick slices of sourdough bread.
- Strawberry Waffles: Fluffy waffles bursting with fresh strawberries, perfect for a fruity morning start.
- French Toast Bites: Bite-sized, cinnamon-sugary French toast pieces made for dipping and snacking.
- Chocolate Chip Pancakes: Fluffy pancakes loaded with gooey chocolate chips. Classic, sweet, and always a hit.