Welcome to the ultimate fall breakfast experience! These homemade Pumpkin Spice Pancakes are an absolute dream, marrying the rich, earthy warmth of pumpkin puree with the sweet indulgence of semi-sweet chocolate chips and a kiss of fragrant pumpkin spice. Imagine waking up to the irresistible aroma of autumn, knowing a stack of fluffy, golden-brown pancakes awaits. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s an invitation to create new cherished memories around the breakfast table. Get ready, because these delightful pancakes are about to become your family’s new super favorite fall tradition!
The combination of pumpkin and chocolate is nothing short of magical, creating a symphony of flavors that is both comforting and exciting. Each bite of these Pumpkin Spice Pancakes offers a burst of creamy pumpkin, subtle spices, and molten chocolate goodness. What’s even better? You can have these delectable pancakes ready from scratch in as little as 20 minutes, making them an ideal choice for a busy weekend morning or a special fall holiday breakfast. They are truly a perfect fall recipe for your family to enjoy together.
If you’re eager to explore more delightful pancake creations beyond this pumpkin spiced masterpiece, be sure to check out my other popular recipes. Why not try the classic comfort of my Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes for a timeless breakfast, or boost your morning with my energizing Healthy Banana Protein Pancakes?
Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
There are countless reasons why these pumpkin spice pancakes will earn a permanent spot in your recipe collection, especially during the autumn season. From their incredible flavor profile to their ease of preparation, they truly hit all the marks for a perfect fall breakfast.
- Irresistibly Loaded with Chocolate Chips! The pairing of sweet pumpkin and rich chocolate is a match made in heaven. These pancakes are generously packed with semi-sweet chocolate chips, which melt into gooey pockets of happiness with every bite. The chocolate provides a delightful contrast to the warm spices, making these pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes truly exceptional.
- Perfectly Spiced for Autumn Comfort. Our homemade pancake batter is infused with the quintessential warming spices of fall. A balanced blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves (or a convenient pumpkin spice blend) creates an inviting aroma and a cozy flavor that instantly evokes the spirit of autumn. These spices are carefully measured to enhance, not overpower, the natural sweetness of the pumpkin.
- A Decadent Cream Cheese Topping. Elevate your pancake experience with an optional, yet highly recommended, fluffy cream cheese topping. This creamy, slightly tangy topping perfectly complements the sweet and spiced pancakes, adding a layer of luxurious texture and flavor. It’s a simple addition that transforms a great breakfast into an extraordinary one.
- Effortlessly Quick & Easy. Don’t let their gourmet taste fool you; these pumpkin spice pancakes are surprisingly simple to make. With a total time of just 20 minutes from start to finish, you can whip up a batch of these fluffy delights even on a busy weekday morning. The straightforward instructions make this an ideal recipe for both seasoned cooks and beginners alike.
- A Versatile Fall Treat. While perfect for breakfast or brunch, these pumpkin pancakes are also a fantastic option for a dessert or a special snack. Serve them hot with your favorite toppings, and watch them disappear in minutes. They are wonderfully adaptable to various tastes and occasions.
- Family-Friendly Fun. Get the whole family involved in making these delicious pancakes! Kids will love helping to mix the batter and, of course, adding the chocolate chips. It’s a wonderful way to spend quality time together in the kitchen, creating a meal that everyone will eagerly anticipate.
Essential Ingredients for Fluffy Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
Crafting the perfect batch of homemade pumpkin spice pancakes requires a thoughtful selection of staple pantry items and fresh ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that signature fluffy texture and rich, spiced pumpkin flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our pancake batter, providing structure and body.
- Pumpkin Spice: The key to infusing that characteristic fall flavor. If you don’t have a pre-made blend, see our tips below for a homemade alternative.
- Baking Powder: Essential for giving these pancakes their incredible lift and fluffy texture.
- Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to complement the pumpkin and spices.
- Large Eggs: Act as a binder, adding richness and contributing to the pancake’s structure.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla enhances the overall flavor profile, adding warmth and depth.
- Pumpkin Puree: The star ingredient, providing moisture, color, and that unmistakable pumpkin taste. Ensure you use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Oil or Melted Butter: Adds moisture and helps to create a tender crumb. Vegetable oil, canola oil, or melted unsalted butter all work wonderfully.
- Milk: Adds liquid to the batter, creating the perfect consistency. Whole milk is recommended for richness, but any milk will work.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: These melt into delightful pockets of chocolate, complementing the pumpkin beautifully.
- For the Cream Topping (Optional, but highly recommended):
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Forms the base of our light and airy topping.
- Cream Cheese (softened): Adds a delightful tang and stability to the whipped cream.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: Sweetens the topping and helps to create a smooth, pipeable consistency.
How to Craft These Perfect Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
Making these delightful pumpkin spice pancakes is a straightforward process, resulting in a stack of golden, fluffy goodness perfect for any fall morning. Follow these simple steps for a breakfast that will impress everyone.
- Prepare the Batter: Begin by combining all your wet ingredients—eggs, vanilla extract, pumpkin puree, oil (or melted butter), and milk—in a blender. Blend until smooth and well combined. In a separate large bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, pumpkin spice, baking powder, salt, and granulated sugar. Ensure there are no lumps and the spices are evenly distributed.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet mixture from the blender into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a whisk or spoon until just combined. It’s crucial not to overmix the batter; a few small lumps are perfectly fine and will lead to fluffier pancakes. Overmixing develops the gluten, resulting in tougher pancakes.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips & Rest: Carefully fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the pancake batter. Transfer the batter to a bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rest for about 5 minutes. This resting period allows the gluten to relax and the baking powder to activate, contributing significantly to light and airy pancakes.
- Cook the Pancakes: Heat a non-stick griddle or large frying pan over medium heat. Lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray or brush with a little oil or butter. Once the griddle is hot (a drop of water should sizzle and evaporate quickly), scoop about 1/2 cup of pancake batter onto the griddle for each pancake. Cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side, or until bubbles start to form on the surface and the edges look set.
- Flip and Finish: Carefully flip the pancakes using a spatula and cook for another 1-2 minutes on the second side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Avoid pressing down on the pancakes, as this will deflate them and make them less fluffy. Remove the cooked pancakes to a plate and keep them warm while you cook the remaining batter.
- Prepare the Cream Topping: While the pancakes are cooking, if you’re making the optional cream cheese topping, combine the softened cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, and confectioners’ sugar in a mixing bowl. Whip with an electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. This will create a light, airy, and delicious accompaniment for your pancakes.
- Serve and Enjoy! Stack your warm pumpkin spice pancakes high, generously dollop with the cream cheese topping, drizzle with your favorite syrup, and perhaps sprinkle with a little extra pumpkin spice or candied pecans. Serve immediately and savor every delicious bite!
Expert Recipe Notes and Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
Achieving the perfect fluffy pumpkin spice pancakes is all about technique and a few helpful tricks. Keep these expert tips in mind to ensure your breakfast creations are consistently delicious and impressive:
- Embrace Your Blender (or Stand Mixer): While a whisk works, I highly recommend using a cake mixer or a blender for mixing the wet ingredients. This ensures a perfectly smooth liquid base, free of any lumps, which contributes to a more uniform batter and ultimately, better pancakes. Blend the liquids first for about 30 seconds to a minute.
- Watch for Bubbles: The key to knowing when to flip a pancake is observing the surface. Allow the pancakes to cook on one side until the top starts forming plenty of small bubbles and the edges appear slightly dry and set. This indicates that the bottom is golden brown and ready for flipping.
- Resist the Urge to Press: Once you’ve flipped your pancakes, it’s crucial not to press down on them with your spatula. This action releases the air bubbles that contribute to their fluffiness, resulting in dense, flat pancakes. Let them cook undisturbed on the second side.
- Homemade Pumpkin Spice Blend: If you don’t have a ready-made pumpkin spice blend, you can easily create your own. A common and delicious mix includes 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, and a pinch of ground cloves. Adjust to your preferred spice level.
- Chocolate Chip Creativity: While semi-sweet chocolate chips are fantastic, don’t hesitate to experiment! Dark chocolate chips offer a deeper, richer flavor, white chocolate chips provide a creamy sweetness, and cinnamon chips can intensify the spice profile. Butterscotch chips or even mini marshmallows can also be surprisingly tasty additions.
- Go Choiceless (No Chocolate): If you’re not a fan of chocolate or prefer a simpler pumpkin pancake, you can certainly omit the chocolate chips entirely. These Pumpkin Spice Pancakes still taste wonderfully spiced and delicious on their own.
- The Importance of Resting Batter: Letting the batter rest, covered with a kitchen towel, for about 5-10 minutes is a crucial step. This allows the flour to fully hydrate and the gluten to relax, which is essential for incredibly fluffy and tender pancakes. Don’t skip this step!
- Pumpkin Puree, Not Pie Filling: Always double-check your can to ensure you are using pure pumpkin puree. Pumpkin pie filling contains added sugars and spices, which will alter the flavor and sweetness of your pancakes. Pure pumpkin puree allows you to control the exact spice and sugar balance.
- Preheat Your Griddle Properly: Ensure your griddle or pan is very hot before adding the pancake batter. A properly heated surface helps the pancakes cook evenly, achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust, and prevents them from sticking. Test with a tiny drop of water – it should dance and evaporate quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
How to Best Serve These Delicious Pumpkin Spice Pancakes?
These pumpkin spice pancakes are best served hot, directly from the griddle to your plate. There are numerous ways to elevate your serving experience. Classic pancake syrup or rich maple syrup are always excellent choices, drizzled generously over a warm stack. For those with a sweet tooth, particularly children, chocolate syrup can be a fun and indulgent addition, though it might be a tad sweet for some palates. Personally, I adore whipping up a batch of the recommended cream cheese topping; its fluffy, tangy sweetness provides a perfect counterpoint to the spiced pancakes. To add an extra touch of autumnal flair, I often sprinkle a little extra pumpkin spice over the whipped cream. You can also get creative with other toppings: fresh berries, sliced bananas, a dusting of confectioners’ sugar, or even a handful of crushed candied pecans for an added crunch and nutty flavor.
Can I Freeze Pumpkin Spice Pancakes for Later?
Absolutely! Pumpkin Spice Pancakes freeze exceptionally well, making them perfect for meal prepping a quick breakfast on busy mornings or having a delightful treat ready at a moment’s notice. To prevent the pancakes from sticking together and ensure they retain their quality, it’s important to briefly freeze them individually. Lay the cooked and cooled pancakes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and freeze for about 30 minutes. Once they are firm, you can transfer them to a large, resealable freezer-safe plastic bag or an airtight container, layering them with parchment paper if desired. The pancakes will keep beautifully in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat, you have a few options. For a quick thaw, microwave a pancake for 60 seconds (adjust time for multiple pancakes). For a crisper edge and warmer center, finish them in a toaster or toaster oven for another minute or two until heated through. You can also reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes, or warm them gently in a non-stick pan on the stovetop over medium-low heat.
Is Canned Pumpkin Puree a Must, or Can I Use Fresh?
While you certainly can use fresh pumpkin puree if you have the time and inclination to roast and puree a pumpkin yourself, canned pumpkin puree is generally recommended for convenience and consistent results. Canned pumpkin puree typically offers a more uniform texture and moisture content, which can be crucial for baking and achieving the desired pancake consistency. Freshly made pumpkin puree can sometimes be more watery, requiring adjustments to the liquid in the recipe. However, if you enjoy the process of making your own and prefer the taste, by all means, go for it! Just be sure to drain any excess liquid from your homemade puree to prevent a thin batter.
Explore More Delightful Pumpkin Recipes
The magic of pumpkin extends far beyond pancakes! If you’ve fallen in love with these pumpkin spice pancakes, you’ll be thrilled to discover other wonderful ways to incorporate this versatile fall favorite into your baking repertoire. Here are a few more delicious pumpkin recipes that are sure to bring warmth and flavor to your home:
- Inviting Pumpkin Coffee Cake: Perfect for a cozy morning or an afternoon treat, bursting with cinnamon and pumpkin goodness.
- Delicious Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins: A delightful on-the-go snack or breakfast, combining the best of pumpkin and chocolate in a handheld form.
- Crispy Pumpkin Waffles With Candied Walnuts: For those who prefer a waffle iron, these deliver all the pumpkin spice flavor with a satisfying crunch.
I genuinely hope you find immense joy in all the recipes I share with you, and this delightful Pumpkin Spice Pancake recipe is no exception. It’s designed to bring warmth, comfort, and deliciousness to your table. I highly encourage you to try it, savor every bite, leave a rating, and share this wonderful fall breakfast with your cherished friends and family!
If you whip up this recipe and absolutely love it, please consider sharing your creation on INSTAGRAM using my hashtag #CookinWithMima for a chance to be featured in my story! Don’t miss out on my latest social posts and exciting new recipes; make sure to follow Cookin’ With Mima on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST. Happy cooking!
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes
By: Mariam Ezzeddine
A delightful pancake recipe generously packed with semi-sweet chocolate chips, moist pumpkin puree, and gently spiced with a touch of pumpkin spice to create the ultimate fall breakfast for your family.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. pumpkin spice
- 1 3/4 tbsps. baking powder
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup oil or melted butter
- 1 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
CREAM TOPPING (OPTIONAL)
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 tbsps. softened cream cheese
- 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- In a blender or a large mixing bowl (if using a stand mixer), combine all the wet ingredients: eggs, vanilla extract, pumpkin puree, oil or melted butter, and milk. Blend or mix until completely smooth.
- In a separate large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, pumpkin spice, baking powder, salt, and granulated sugar. Whisk thoroughly to ensure all dry ingredients are well combined and there are no lumps.
- Pour the blended wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix gently with a whisk or spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few small lumps are perfectly acceptable for fluffy pancakes.
- Carefully fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let the batter rest for 5 minutes. This resting period is key for achieving light and airy pancakes.
- While the batter rests, heat a non-stick griddle or large frying pan over medium heat. Lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray or brush with a small amount of oil or butter. The griddle is ready when a drop of water sizzles and evaporates quickly.
- Without stirring the batter further, scoop about 1/2 cup of pancake batter onto the hot griddle for each pancake. Cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side, until numerous bubbles appear on the surface and the edges begin to look set. Gently flip the pancakes and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes on the second side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Do not press down on the pancakes, as this will remove their fluffiness.
- Remove cooked pancakes to a plate and repeat with the remaining batter, keeping the finished pancakes warm until ready to serve.
- To prepare the optional cream topping: In a bowl, combine the heavy whipping cream, softened cream cheese, and confectioners’ sugar. Using an electric mixer, whip on high speed until stiff peaks form, creating a light and airy topping.
- Serve the warm pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes immediately with your preferred syrup and a generous dollop of the cream topping.
Notes
- For the smoothest batter, consider using a blender or a stand mixer to thoroughly combine the wet ingredients before adding them to the dry mix.
- Always wait for bubbles to form on the surface and the edges to set before flipping your pancakes. This indicates they are ready for the other side.
- Avoid pressing down on the pancakes with your spatula once flipped, as this will flatten them and reduce their desirable fluffiness.
- If you don’t have a pre-made pumpkin spice blend, you can create your own by mixing ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, and ground cloves to taste.
- Experiment with different types of chocolate chips like dark, white, or even cinnamon chips for varied flavor profiles.
- These pancakes are equally delicious without chocolate chips if you prefer a simpler pumpkin flavor.
- Allowing the batter to rest for 5-10 minutes helps the gluten relax and ensures extra fluffy pancakes.
- Always use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to control the sweetness and spice of your recipe.
- Ensure your griddle or pan is thoroughly heated before adding the batter for even cooking and a beautiful golden-brown finish.
Nutrition
Calories: 252kcal |
Carbohydrates: 36.2g |
Protein: 5g |
Fat: 10.5g |
Saturated Fat: 4.4g |
Sugar: 16g