Pancake puffs are the most fun breakfast, ever! Light and fluffy, fun to make, and even more fun to eat! These pancake bites are gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and paleo friendly, but you’d never guess they’re more wholesome! Rolled in a cinnamon sugar coating, these are the perfect fall treat!
I have been so excited to share this recipe, because it is just so fun. I recently tried Aebleskiver which is a Danish dessert of sweet, puffy pancake balls cooked in an aebleskiver pan and served hot with syrup, honey, jam, or powdered sugar. Seriously, so simple but absolutely insane. So these cute tiny pancake bites are loosely inspired by them, because there’s no way I could make something as perfect as those!
Honestly, what isn’t to love about soft, pillowy pancakes? I was never a big fan of classic pancakes growing up, but these little balls of delight have changed me. Not only are they incredibly easy to make, but they’re so fun to eat. You can even make stuffed pancake puffs – mind blown. You can stuff them with jam, homemade nutella, or even drizzle over some of my strawberry whipped honey!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Pancake puffs are gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo friendly! They are also refined sugar-free, sweetened naturally with maple syrup and monk fruit.
- They make a fun breakfast or brunch!
- Easy – These pancake puffs are incredibly easy to make. Mix the batter, pour into the pan, then bake!
- Great breakfast for kids and toddlers -They are so fun to dip and eat!
Pancake Puff recipe video
How to make pancake puffs
Full recipe & ingredients are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post!
What kind of pan works best?
Amazon does have a pancake puff maker, however I just used a donut hole pan! I think these would also work great in a silicone mini muffin pan.
Ingredients
- Almond flour: If you have an almond allergy, you can sub tiger nut flour as a nut-free option or cashew flour!
- Coconut flour: No subs will work 1:1, as coconut flour is used to thicken the batter.
- Maple syrup: You can also use honey!
- Plant-based milk: Any milk will work, you can use dairy milk as well! You can spice things up even more and sub apple cider for a fun fall treat!
- Eggs: I have not tested this recipe using flax eggs but egg replacer may work!
- Pantry staples: vanilla extract, cinnamon, sea salt
Steps to make pancake puffs
- Preheat oven to 350F. Grease your pancake popper, mini muffin pan, or donut hole pan.
- In a bowl, combine all of the pancake ingredients, mixing well. Divide the batter amongst the pan, filling each crevice a little more than 2/3 way full.
- Bake for 11-14 minutes, until golden and baked through. The tops should be set and spring back. Remove from the oven and allow to cool enough to remove them from the pan.
- Cinnamon sugar coating
- You can brush the donut holes slightly with melted butter (vegan or regular) or ghee or spray with oil spray before rolling in cinnamon sugar to help it stick better, but this is optional! In a small bowl, combine the monk fruit (or coconut sugar) and cinnamon. Roll each pancake popper into the cinnamon sugar mixture, then place on a plate.
- Serve with maple syrup, melted chocolate chips, nut butter, berries, whatever you like!
Pancake puffs variations
- Serve with maple syrup or whipped honey!
- Serve with strawberry whipped honey!
- Drizzle over some melted chocolate chips.
- Serve with fresh berries and monk fruit powdered sugar.
- Serve alongside breakfast sausage, scrambled eggs, etc. for some extra protein!
More healthy breakfast recipes to try
- 2 ingredient spinach wraps (Makes great breakfast wraps!)
- Pumpkin spice french toast
- Viral TikTok egg breakfast sandwich
- Banana foster chia pudding
- Breakfast cheesecake/souffle
- Cookie dough overnight oats
- Breakfast egg stuffed peppers
- Crunchy granola clusters
- Berry breakfast crumble
Cinnamon Sugar Pancake Poppers (Gluten & Dairy-free)
Ingredients
Pancake poppers
- 1 1/4 cups almond flour
- 2 tbsp coconut flour
- 1/3 cup milk, of choice *I used almond milk. Can sub apple cider for a little apple flare!
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract & pinch of sea salt
- 1 scoop collagen protein *optional. Don't sub other protein powders.
Cinnamon sugar coating
- 1/3 cup granulated monk fruit *can sub coconut sugar or regular white sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp melted butter or oil spray *optional! This just helps the sugar stick but you can skip it!
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Grease your pancake popper, mini muffin pan, or donut hole pan.
- In a bowl, combine all of the pancake ingredients, mixing well. Divide the batter amongst the pan, filling each crevice a little more than 2/3 way full.
- Bake for 11-14 minutes, until golden and baked through. The tops should be set and spring back. Remove from the oven and allow to cool enough to remove them from the pan.
Cinnamon sugar coating
- You can brush the donut holes slightly with melted butter (vegan or regular) or ghee or spray with oil spray before rolling in cinnamon sugar to help it stick better, but this is optional! In a small bowl, combine the monk fruit (or coconut sugar) and cinnamon. Roll each pancake popper into the cinnamon sugar mixture, then place on a plate.
- Serve with maple syrup, melted chocolate chips, nut butter, berries, whatever you like!
