Quick and Easy Pumpkin Pancakes for Babies

I love these simple pumpkin pancakes for babies! They are super easy to whip up and work perfectly for baby-led weaning and kids. As a dietitian, I especially love pancakes and waffles because there are tons of nutritious topping options!

Why I love these pumpkin pancakes for babies

• Perfect for baby-led weaning
• 5 common ingredients
• Quick and easy
• No salt or added sugar
• Easily add nutritious toppings
• Make ahead of time and take out of the freezer for busy days!
• Can be egg and dairy free if your baby hasn’t been introduced to these top allergens yet

Ingredients for pumpkin pancakes for babies

• Wheat flour: you can use all-purpose or whole wheat to add extra fiber and vitamins
• Pumpkin puree: use 100% store bought puree (make sure it’s only pumpkin in the ingredients) or homemade pumpkin puree works too!
• Baking powder: for extra fluff!
• Egg: this provides moisture and structure in the recipe but also provides a ton of nutrients important for growing babies. Eggs are the best food source of choline which is a vital nutrient for growing brains. Most babies and pregnant and breastfeeding moms don’t get enough choline. Eggs are also a top allergen which research has shown eggs should be offered early and often to reduce development of food allergies!
• Milk: I used dairy milk but you can use dairy alternatives if needed
• Vanilla extract: for flavor
• Spices: I love pumpkin pie spice in this recipe. I always add spices and herbs to my baby’s food any chance I get. Why? Because most food is seasoned and a goal of baby-led weaning is to offer a variety of tastes so babies will be more likely to try a variety of food as they grow! It is a myth that babies can only have bland food.

Equipment

• 1/2 cup dry measuring cup
• 1 cup liquid measuring cup
• 1 tsp measuring spoon
• Medium mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Large skillet or electric griddle

Step-by-step instructions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg, pumpkin puree, and vanilla together.
2. Add the flour, baking powder, and spices to the wet ingredients and gently stir until combined.
3. Slowly add in the milk and stir until desired consistency is met.
4. Heat a large non-stick skillet on medium heat on a stove top. An electric griddle works too! I melt butter in the skillet or use nonstick spray to be extra sure my pancakes won’t stick.
5. Add 1/4 cup batter to the skillet and let cook for 3-4 minutes or until bubbles appear and the pancake is golden brown on the backside.
6. Flip and cook another 2-3 minutes. Repeat until batter is gone.
7. Serve with the topping suggestions below.
8. Cut into strips for babies with palmar grasp or into squares for babies with pincer grasp.

Baby-led weaning pancakes

My baby is doing baby-led weaning which is a method of starting solids. Pancakes and pumpkin are some of her favorite foods so I thought why not combine the two?! I love pancakes for baby-led weaning because you can cut them into strips which makes it easy for your baby to pick up.

What is baby-led weaning

Baby-led weaning (BLW), also known as baby-led feeding, is a method of starting baby on solid foods. Finger foods (with modifications) and purees are introduced as baby’s first foods and the traditional parent-led spoon feeding is skipped. Your baby is allowed independence during mealtimes which allows them to explore new textures, smells, and tastes at their own pace. 

Be sure to watch your baby for the signs of readiness for solids which usually emerge around 6 months of age.

Baby-led weaning pancake recipe

It is recommended to avoid added salt and sugar for babies and toddlers under the age of 2. This pumpkin pancake recipe has no added sugar or salt and is packed with nutrients perfect for your growing baby. Pancakes also have a soft and squishy texture ideal for babies.

How to relieve baby constipation with pumpkin

Constipation is a common problem in babies when starting solids. Another reason I love these pumpkin pancakes is because they are a good source of fiber which helps relieve constipation.

These pancakes are also high in other important nutrients for baby. The flour and egg contain iron and the pumpkin contains vitamin C which helps absorb the iron.

To add more fiber to this meal you can get creative with toppings. Scroll down to see a list of nutrient-dense toppings for pancakes.

Serving

It is up to you if you want to serve these pancakes on their own or add yummy, nutritious toppings.

How to serve pancakes for baby-led weaning

To safely serve pancakes for babies who are doing baby-led weaning you’ll want to make sure the pancakes are soft and squishy.

If your baby has the palmar grasp (usually 6-9 months of age) cut pancakes into strips the length of an adult pinky finger and width of two fingers. If your baby has the pincer grasp cut pancakes into 1/2 inch squares or make mini quarter-sized pancakes. You can make mini pancakes, AKA pancake cereal, by using a squeeze bottle or by cutting the tip off a Ziploc baggy.

Nutrient-dense toppings for pancakes

Another reason I love pancakes is because of all the yummy topping options! My favorite high-fat toppings (fat is an important nutrient for babies!) are mashed avocado, cream cheese, thinly spread nut butters, and plain, full-fat yogurt.

Along with vitamin C and iron, babies need fat. Fat is energy dense which means it provides a lot of calories per gram. Babies need fat for their developing brain and energy because they are growing fast and furiously!

Learn more about the 3 key nutrients babies need by reading my post on healthy baby meal ideas for your 6-12 month old.

Keep in mind to safely introduce the top 9 allergens. This is done by introducing them one at a time and early in the day in case your baby has a reaction. You can check out my post on how to reduce food allergies in babies when starting solids for more info on introducing food allergens to babies.

On top of whatever you spread on your baby’s pancake, you can add mashed berries, ground nuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, or hemp hearts.

I LOVE adding chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp hearts, and ground nuts to my baby’s food. They last a long time in the fridge or pantry and they’re so easy to add to almost any dish for your baby. I roll slippery fruit or sprinkle them on yogurt or hot cereal.

Every tiny bite counts for babies so having these nutrient-dense foods on hand does wonders for boosting the nutritional value of your baby’s food!

Serving pumpkin pancakes for babies with no eggs or dairy

If your baby hasn’t been introduced to eggs or dairy, or if they have allergies to these foods, then they can be substituted.

You can use a dairy milk alternative like oat, soy, or almond milk. Keep in mind soy and almond are also top allergens!

If you don’t have eggs in the house or you want to make these pancakes without eggs you can substitute 1 egg for 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce.

Storage

Can you freeze pancakes?

Yes! Another thing I love about pancakes or waffles is that they freeze well and they don’t take up much room when frozen flat in a baggy. You can double the recipe and put the extra batch right in the freezer to save for a busy day.

Any leftovers can be frozen up to 2 months or they can be stored in an airtight container up to 5 days.

Did you make these quick and easy pumpkin pancakes for your baby? Leave a comment and rating and let me know if you and your baby liked them!