These Pumpkin Pancakes are the perfect sweet and delicious fall breakfast! Made with real buttermilk, pumpkin puree, and topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce, you are not going to be able to resist this pumpkin pancake recipe!
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
These Pumpkin Pancakes are such a great fall alternative to our healthy buttermilk pancakes – this recipe is super simple and the pancakes are SO delicious. We make these pancakes often on the weekends and we love enjoying them with fresh fruit (apples or bananas are great!) and maple syrup, but if you’re looking for something a little more decadent, go ahead and enjoy a stack with a swirl of freshly whipped cream and a generous drizzle of caramel sauce!
The pumpkin in these pancakes makes them super moist and dense, but because they’re made with buttermilk, they’re fluffy and airy at the same time! And they’re great the second day too… we usually double the recipe for a big batch and throw a couple in the toaster the next morning for a delicious fall breakfast on the go! Trust us, if you’re into Pumpkin Spice you are going to LOVE these Pumpkin Pancakes!
Here are a few reasons we love these Pumpkin Pie Pancakes!
- They are EASY to MAKE: This recipe is easy to follow and ready in only 20 minutes!
- The recipe is VERSATILE: Add fresh fruit or crushed nuts, top with whipped cream and drizzle, or whatever toppings or add-ins you would like. The serving options are endless!
- It contains REAL PUMPKIN: The 100% pumpkin added into these pancakes makes them a healthy breakfast or meal option!
- They’re perfect for THANKSGIVING: We love serving these all fall long, but a holiday breakfast or brunch is the BEST time to serve them!
Follow these tips to make the best tasting pumpkin pie pancakes for any occasion!
Read the recipe in its entirety before you begin, making sure you understand the process and that you have all the ingredients. You can even measure out all the ingredients in advance before you combine them.
Make sure to use fresh baking soda and baking powder, which help the pancakes rise and become fluffy.
Make sure to use a dry measuring cup for flour and don’t pack it down. Use the back end of a knife to level out the flour and get rid of the excess.
Ingredients like milk and eggs combine together to give a smoother texture when they are at room temperature.
When mixing wet and dry ingredients together, mix only until the flour has disappeared. This helps the pancakes stay light and fluffy.
Make sure to mix the batter until the flour is incorporated. If it is under-mixed, the flour clumps will change the consistency and affect the taste.
It is important to use what the recipe calls for. Fresh or canned pumpkin puree has 100% pumpkin. Fresh pumpkin puree would need to be drained so excess liquid isn’t added to the flour mixture. Pumpkin pie filling should not be used as it has added spices and sugar added.
Make sure to preheat the pan to medium heat and spray the pan before baking. Watch the pancakes as you cook them on medium low heat. If it is cooked on too high a heat, the edges will burn before the insides are cooked. If it is cooked on too low of a temperature, they can lack flavour and become too dry.
If you are having trouble with this recipe, follow the solutions we recommend below.
The pancakes can become dense if they are over-mixed so make sure you mix just until the flour is incorporated. Another reason could be that too much liquid was added. Make sure to use a liquid measuring cup for wet ingredients and measure correctly to avoid dense and heavy pancakes.
Don’t add too much pumpkin puree. Too much can make the batter runny, while if the pumpkin is not incorporated properly, the batter can be lumpy, causing the pancakes to cook unevenly.
If the temperature is too high, the pancakes will burn while cooking. Also, if the pancakes are not the same sizes, then smaller ones may cook sooner than larger ones and run the risk of burning. It is important to watch for bubbles to show up and then flip them before the pancakes cook too long.
It is important to use fresh baking soda and baking powder to make sure the pancakes rise properly. Be sure to use buttermilk in this recipe not just regular milk, as the buttermilk helps create the fluffy texture.
You’ll need these items on hand to make these delicious pumpkin spice pancakes (paid links):
- a large bowl
- a medium bowl
- a whisk
- measuring cups and spoons
- a rubber spatula
- a liquid measuring cup
- a non-stick frying pan or electric griddle
- a ladle
You’ll need these ingredients to make this pumpkin spice pancake recipe (paid links):
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 6 tablspoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2/3 cup pureed pumpkin
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- vegetable oil or cooking spray for frying
Try these add-ins to customize the pancakes to your tastes and preferences.
- Chocolate Chips – Add in chocolate chips for a sweet twist on this recipe.
- Pecans – Add in chopped pecans to the batter and sprinkle a few on the top.
- Banana – Add in mashed banana to the batter for a soft textured pancake.
- Apple – Chop or grate apple into the batter for the best fall combination: pumpkin and apple!
- Pumpkin Spice Latte – Add a shot of espresso to the batter for pumpkin spice latte tasting pancakes.
Time needed: 20 minutes
Follow these steps to make Pumpkin Spice Pancakes in 20 minutes!
- Combine dry ingredients.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, making sure to break up all the chunks of brown sugar.
- Add wet ingredients to separate bowl.
To a separate bowl, add the pureed pumpkin, buttermilk, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Whisk these ingredients together until everything is incorporated.
- Fold wet and dry ingredients together.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and fold them together with a rubber spatula, making sure you don’t over-mix (stop folding when no streaks of flour remain).
- Preheat and grease pan.
Preheat a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat and grease it with a little bit of vegetable oil or cooking spray.
- Ladle out the batter.
Once the oil has heated for a few seconds, turn the heat down to medium-low heat and carefully ladle about 1/3 cup of batter into the pan for each pancake, trying to disturb the batter as little as possible to maintain a fluffy texture.
- Watch for brown edges.
Once you see the edges beginning to brown slightly and a few bubbles breaking the surface of the batter, flip the pancakes over.
- Continue to make pancakes.
Repeat this process until all your batter is gone. This recipe yields about 8 medium pancakes, but if you’re looking for more than that, feel free to double the recipe!
- Garnish and serve.
Serve the pancakes hot off the pan with a dollop of fresh whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce!
Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of fresh pumpkin puree or canned pumpkin puree?
No, we don’t recommend doing that. Pumpkin pie filling is different than pumpkin puree. Pumpkin puree (either fresh or canned) is 100% pumpkin. Pumpkin pie filling has other ingredients like spices and sugar added.
Can I freeze and reheat the pancakes?
Yes, you can freeze the pancakes on a baking sheet and then place in an airtight container or plastic freezer bag. Pull out and reheat in an oven, toaster, or microwave.
Can I use a pumpkin pie spice instead of each individual spice?
Yes, feel free to substitute the individual spices with your favourite pumpkin pie spice blend.
Can I grease the pan with melted butter instead of cooking spray?
Yes, melted butter can be used, although butter causes the pancakes to brown more than cooking spray or oil.
If I don’t have buttermilk, what can I use as an alternative?
If you don’t have buttermilk, then make your own by mixing 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice into enough milk to make 1 cup and let it sit for 5- 10 minutes.
Can I make the batter ahead of time?
It is not recommended to make the batter ahead of time as the baking powder starts to activate once it is combine and this affects the rise of the pancakes.
We hope you like this recipe! Let us know in the comments below, what’s your favourite way to enjoy pumpkin spice in the fall?
- Healthy Pumpkin Oat Bread
- Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins
- Pumpkin Spice Streusel Muffins
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Muffins
- Best Ever Starbucks Pumpkin Scones
- Best Ever Pumpkin Spice Bread
- Healthy Pumpkin Oat Muffins
- Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls
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Watch the video below to see exactly how we make this fall breakfast recipe. You can find more delicious recipe videos on our YouTube channel.
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Pumpkin Pancakes
Recipe: Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2/3 cup pureed pumpkin
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- vegetable oil or cooking spray for frying
Recipe: Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, making sure to break up all the chunks of brown sugar.
- To a separate bowl, add the pureed pumpkin, buttermilk, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Whisk these ingredients together until everything is incorporated.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and fold them together with a rubber spatula, making sure you don’t overmix (stop folding when no streaks of flour remain).
- Preheat a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat and grease it with a little bit of vegetable oil or cooking spray.
- Once the oil has heated for a few seconds, turn the heat down to medium-low heat and carefully ladle about 1/3 cup of batter into the pan for each pancake, trying to disturb the batter as little as possible to maintain a fluffy texture.
- Once you see the edges beginning to brown slightly and a few bubbles breaking the surface of the batter, flip the pancakes over.
- Repeat this process until all your batter is gone. This recipe yields about 8 medium pancakes, but if you're looking for more than that, feel free to double the recipe!
- Serve the pancakes hot off the pan with a dollop of fresh whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce!
Recipe: Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
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I am craving a tall stack of these right now!
It’s a great recipe and they’re SO yummy! 🙂
I made these this morning and man they were delish! Probably one of the best pancake recipes I’ve ever had!!
Thanks so much for the feedback!! Glad you enjoyed them!
Omg these were so so good!!! Some of the best pancakes I’ve ever had!!! Will be making these alot
So glad you loved them! Thanks for the positive feedback!
I made these this morning and they were amazing! (Using homemade mashed pumpkin) Going to make your pumpkin cinnamon roll recipe next.
That’s great Lisa! So glad you loved them! Bet sure to let me know how you like the cinnamon rolls! 🙂
I made these for supper this evening and everyone loved them. I doubled the recipe and there’s lots left over. I didn’t have any buttermilk so I put lemon juice in with the milk for 10 minutes or so.
I have this printed out and we’ll be enjoying them in the future. Thank you!!
So glad you all loved them! Thanks for the feedback!
So glad you liked the recipe! Thanks for your feedback!
My pumpkin pancakes always end up being too wet or not pumpkiny enough. Maybe I need more sweetness like you have. These are beautiful, and I love that you make your own pumpkin puree! It’s definitely different than the canned stuff (and by different, I mean better). Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much Felicia! I hope you enjoy the pancakes!!
Tried it for the first time and it was excellent. thanks so much for the recipie.
So glad you liked them! Thanks!
Made them this morning and they are delicious!! My daughters, who hardly ever agree on anything, loved them!
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the positive feedback!
Delicious!!! I added a pumpkin spice cream cheese filling and it was over the top!!
That sounds like a delicious addition!🙂
Hi which vanilla extract did unused for this recipe. The brown or clear?
I use the brown extract, but either will work fine.
These are amazing, I was looking for a recipe to use up some pumpkin puree. Because I love cream cheese icing with my pumpkin baked goods, I mixed some cream cheese together with some maple syrup and put it in the microwave for 30 sec, to make a glaze for the pancakes, It tasted amazing!!!! Thank you for this recipe.
You’re welcome Natalie!!🙂
Fantastic!!
Thank you Holly!!
The best pancakes my husband and I have ever had. I used ginger instead of nutmeg, but these are mouth watering delicious. Easy to make. I make a double batch and freeze them. You cannot tell they are frozen. Scrummy yum goodness.
So glad you loved them!
Good morning, I just made these for breakfast and there are delicious, thank you. I will use it again.
We’re so happy you enjoyed them! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
It is one of the best recipes I have ever had for breakfast.
We’re so happy you enjoyed them! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
Omg I made this recipe step by step but added chopped pecans and boy, was it delish!
We’re so happy you enjoyed our recipe! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
Delicious, light and fluffy. One of the best pancake recipes I have come across. Substituted some spelt for the reg flour and they turned out perfect!
We’re so happy you enjoyed our recipe! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
Made these this morning and they are absolutely delicious!! I added a maple pumpkin sauce on top with pecans and whipped cream. Wow!!
Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback!