Easy and Healthy Strawberry Pancakes for Baby-Led Weaning

Mornings with a baby and possibly additional kids move fast. You want a nutritious breakfast that’s quick and easy to make, and something the whole family will eat. 

These easy and healthy strawberry pancakes provide essential nutrients like vitamin C to support their immune system, healthy fats for brain growth, and fiber for digestion. They’re naturally sweet from frozen or fresh strawberries and overripe bananas, soft for baby-led weaning, and perfect for making ahead and even freezing for those extra busy mornings.

Below you’ll find the full pancake recipe, nutritional benefits, serving tips, and storage ideas!

Why Strawberry Pancakes Are Great for Baby-Led Weaning

• Soft texture makes them ideal finger foods for early self-feeding
  • Make sure all foods easily squish between your forefinger and thumb before serving to babies under 12 months
• Pancakes make a great “vehicle” to add nutrient-dense toppings
• Fresh fruit provides flavor, sweetness, and nutrients without added sugar
• Packed with vitamin C to help absorb iron 
• Easy to adapt—make mini pancakes, sheet pan pancakes, or pink pancakes for Valentine’s Day 

Ingredients for Baby Led Weaning Strawberry Pancakes

Base Pancake Ingredients

• 2 cups all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, or oat flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups almond milk, oat milk, or whole milk
• 2 large eggs or flax eggs
• 4 tbsp olive oil, coconut oil, or unsalted melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

More BLW Breakfast Ideas

Check out these posts and baby breakfast meal ideas:

• 25 Easy and Healthy Breakfasts for Babies
• Quick and Easy Pumpkin Pancakes
• Heart Shaped Pancakes

Flavor and Add-Ins

• 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped
• 1 medium overripe banana, mashed
• Optional: chocolate chips for older toddlers or special occasions (avoid added sugar and salt until closer to 2 years to maximize nutrients for babies and reduce preference for sweet and salty tastes)
• Optional: fresh berries for topping; squish blueberries for babies until 12 months of age; check out how to serve blueberries to babies, strawberries, and raspberries
• You may serve pure maple syrup for dipping for toddlers over 2 years 

Optional Nutrient Boosting Toppings 

I love adding a nutrient-dense spread to pancakes, waffles, or toast. These are some of my favorite: 

• Unsalted butter
• Plain, whole milk Greek yogurt
• Ricotta cheese
• Mascarpone cheese
• Smooth peanut butter
• Smooth almond butter
• Smooth cashew butter
• Smooth Sunbutter 

You may sprinkle chia seeds, hemp seeds, or flax seeds on top of the above spreads for more of a nutrient boost!

Supplies You’ll Need

• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Food processor or blender (for a smoother texture)
• Whisk or fork
• Spatula
• Nonstick pan, griddle, or iron skillet
• Metal sheet pan and parchment paper if doing sheet pan pancakes

Step-by-Step Strawberry Pancake Recipe

Prepare the Batter

1. Mash the overripe banana in a bowl, or blend with frozen or fresh strawberries for a deep red color.
2. In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients (flour, baking soda).
3. In another bowl, whisk together wet ingredients (milk, egg, vanilla extract, oil/butter).
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients until you have a thick batter—don’t overmix.

Cook the Pancakes in a Pan

1. Heat your choice of fat (olive oil, coconut oil, or melted butter) in a hot pan or on a pancake griddle over medium heat.
2. Pour batter for mini pancakes or larger sizes for the whole family.
3. Flip when small bubbles form on top, about 2–3 minutes per side.

Sheet Pan Baby Led Weaning Pancakes

1. Preheat oven to 425F.
2. Make batter following instructions above. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Pour batter evenly onto pan. Place toppings like sliced strawberries, raspberries, or flattened blueberries on top of batter. My toddler loves the variety of the toppings!
3. Cook until slightly brown (16-20 minutes).
4. Allow the pan to cool slightly and then slice pancakes into desired sizes.

Nutritional Benefits for Babies & Toddlers

• Vitamin C from strawberries boosts the immune system and helps with iron absorption.
• Bananas add potassium for heart health and muscle function.
• Whole wheat flour or oat flour adds fiber for healthy digestion.
• Healthy fats from oils or butter support brain development.
• Protein from eggs, milk, or the flax egg supports growth.
• Allows self feeding and a host of benefits of baby led weaning

Serving Tips for Baby-Led Weaning

• Cut into strips for babies under 9 months when the palmar grasp is still present
• Add nutritious toppings and spreads to boost nutrition and make it a meal (see “Optional Nutrient Boosting Toppings” above
• Offer with yogurt as a dip for toddlers 
• Pair with scrambled eggs or extra fresh fruit for a complete nutritious breakfast

Storage & Reheating

• Store cooled pancakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days
• Freeze in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag
• Reheat in a toaster or on the stovetop for the best taste and texture

FAQs

Can I use pancake mix?

Yes. Choose a mix with simple ingredients and preferably no added sugar, although this may be hard to find. Blend or fold in frozen or fresh strawberries.

Can I make them dairy-free?

Yes. Use almond milk, oat milk, or another plant-based milk.

Do I have to use bananas?

No. You can swap with unsweetened applesauce for moisture and natural sweetness. 1 banana equals 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce.

How do I make pink pancakes without food coloring?

Blend fresh strawberries into the batter for a natural pink pancake color.

Tips for the Best Strawberry Pancakes

• Use ripe fruit for flavor and sweetness
• Keep heat at medium heat—avoid high heat to prevent burning
• Avoid overmixing for fluffy pancakes
• Try sheet pan pancakes for an easy breakfast on busy mornings

Yield: 10-12 pancakes

No Sugar Strawberry Pancakes for Babies

Print

These pancakes are perfect for baby led weaning or if you're looking for a no added sugar pancakes recipe! These make a great nutritious meal for babies when toppings are added. Check out the blog post for topping suggestions.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 6 minutes

Total Time 16 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, or oat flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups almond milk, oat milk, or whole milk
• 2 large eggs or flax eggs
• 4 tbsp olive oil, coconut oil, or unsalted melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup frozen or fresh strawberries, chopped
• 1 medium overripe banana, mashed or 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

Notes

If making sheet pan pancakes:

1. Preheat oven to 425F.
2. Make batter following instructions above. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Pour batter evenly onto pan. Place toppings like sliced strawberries, raspberries, or flattened blueberries on top of batter. My toddler loves the variety of the toppings!
3. Cook until slightly brown (16-20 minutes).
4. Allow the pan to cool slightly and then slice pancakes into desired sizes.

For more meal and snack ideas for babies, visit the meal ideas for babies page.