If you have a sweet-tooth like me, Sunday mornings are never complete without a high stack of flapjacks for breakfast. I mean, who can say no to warm, fluffy, and buttery pancakes? These sweet hotcakes are heaven in a bite. They’re a breeze to make, to boot, making them such an ideal breakfast item. Plus, it’s so easy to add personality to pancakes, too! Whether it’s classic, creative, sweet, or savory flavors, the possibilities are endless. I consider myself a pancake topping expert, so I’ve got you covered. These pancake toppings are great on their own, but you can also mix and match to create even more spectacular combos!
1. Maple Syrup
I don’t know about you, but with pancake toppings, nothing stacks up to classic maple syrup. You can’t go wrong by drizzling this sweet and sticky syrup all over those warm cakes! Drenched in maple syrup, every pancake bite will be guaranteed perfection.
2. Fresh Fruit
Want a refreshing topping for hot pancakes? How about some fresh fruit? The keyword here is fresh. The freshest, ripest fruits will elevate your pancakes to new heights! And it doesn’t even matter what fruit you pick. Whether it’s slices of sweet bananas, juicy peaches, or tart kiwi, fruits and pancakes are always a hit. Or how about a combo of flavors? Feel free to let your creative juices flow! Whatever fruit/s you choose, be sure to arrange the slices nicely for a prettier presentation. Trust me, nothing is more appetizing than neatly layered mango slices on top of your pancakes!
3. Whipped Cream
I have another classic topping up next: whipped cream. Mildly sweet and super creamy, it’s the perfect addition to your fluffy flapjacks. While canned whipped cream is perfect for when you’re in a rush, nothing beats fresh. So, if you have time, whip your own batch! Homemade whipped cream is so easy to pull off. All you need is whipping cream and a mixer! And it’s a million times lighter, fresher, and tastier than Cool Whip.
4. Fresh Berries
Whether it’s strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, or raspberries – berries are the ultimate pancake topping. Berries make pancakes even more fabulous than they already are! Not only do they add a juicy burst of flavor to every bite, but they’re also colorful and nutritious. You even have the freedom to add berries post-cooking or into the pancake batter itself. For the most ultimate, berry-packed pancakes, do both!
5. Bananas and Chocolate Chips
We already know that bananas make a wonderful pancake topping. Not only do they add sweetness to the dish, but they’re packed with potassium and protein, too. Bananas and pancakes are the perfect breakfast combo to get you going. But you know what makes pancakes and bananas even more delightful? Add morsels of chocolate chips on top! Bananas and chocolate are such an iconic duo. They pair together perfectly! Pancakes, bananas, and chocolate chips will give you such a powerful explosion of flavor and texture.
6. Nutella
Now, this one’s a no-brainer! Sweet, creamy, and hazelnutty, Nutella is one of the easiest ways to elevate your pancakes. Spreading it all over your cakes will make the most stunningly sweet breakfast-dessert! The only downside to this topping is the calories. It’s impossible to have just one serving of Nutella pancakes! Consider yourself warned.
7. Blueberry Sauce
Got a hankering for blueberry pancakes, but all you have is frozen blueberries? Well, then make the next best thing: a blueberry sauce. It’s sweet, sticky, and it looks stunning drizzled all over those flapjacks.
8. Nuts
Add a crunch to your tender pancakes with some nuts. Whether it’s cashews, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, macadamias, or pecans, nuts taste great with pancakes, so pick your favorite! Aside from that lovely crunchy contrast, nuts also add a creamy flavor to your pancakes. They’re nutritious too, so go nuts! Just a tip: be sure to toast the nuts for 1-2 minutes beforehand. Toasting releases more flavor and aroma in the nuts, making them even tastier than before.
9. Ice Cream
Pancakes and ice cream: it’s every kid’s dream! Apart from the flavor and pop of color, ice cream also provides a contrast in temperature, giving you that perfect balance of hot and cold. And there’s no one perfect ice cream flavor here, so just pick whichever one’s your favorite! Chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry are popular choices. Personally, though, I love butter pecan with pancakes. Its nutty and buttery flavor complements the cakes magnificently.
10. Fruit Compote
Want fruit and syrup on your pancakes? Well, I suggest a fruit compote! Sure, fresh fruits on flapjacks are always great, but sometimes they can be too tart. Fruit compotes have all the fruity goodness, but they’re much sweeter. They’re like fruit and syrup combined, which is perfect for pancakes! And if you think fruit compotes require expert cooking skills, think again. For instance, a blueberry compote only requires you to cook blueberries, sugar, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan. In 10 minutes, it’s done!
11. Blueberry Syrup
Boil frozen blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and water, and what do you get? This sweet, luscious, blueberry syrup! Not only is blueberry syrup sweet and tart, but it’s also good for the body. Loaded with vitamins A and C, these tiny berries are definitely big on both flavor and nutrition. And oh, that deep and gorgeous color. It adds such a stunning contrast to the cream-colored pancakes.
12. Strawberry Syrup
Apart from blueberry syrup, strawberry syrup also makes a fabulous topping to pancakes. The tartness of the red berries plus the sweetness of the sauce gives the most wonderful balance of flavors to your flapjacks. And yes, you can definitely make your very own strawberry syrup! All you need are strawberries, sugar, water, and a saucepan. Done in just 10 minutes, this syrup could not be easier to make.
13. Caramel Sauce
Okay, so I may be biased here, but caramel sauce is the perfect topping for pancakes. There, I said it. And I won’t take it back! There are just so many things I love about caramel sauce. The combination of butter and sugar gives it such a unique sweet flavor that you can’t get anywhere else. Plus, its lusciously thick yet silky smooth consistency is absolutely to die for. And then, when you mix it with a little bit of salt? Oh my goodness, you won’t believe the difference it makes! You’ll get this irresistible sweet and salty combo that is just phenomenal. You can end there, but you can also add more elegance to it by adding a bit of bourbon. The simple infusion gives it such a deeper, more wonderful flavor! And drizzled all over pancakes? It’s so good, I can eat it every day!
14. Jams
Just imagine jam-filled donuts, but instead of donuts, we’re using pancakes. That’s what this combination is all about! Because who has the time to make donuts from scratch?! Tart, sweet, and fruity jam slathered generously on top or in between pancakes sounds incredible, doesn’t it? And it’s so much easier than making donuts, too! All the sweet, fluffy donut goodness, minus the effort. Now that’s what I call the perfect breakfast!
15. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter and pancakes? Holy moly, how rich and creamy! It’s the perfect topping if you love a bit of saltiness and nuttiness to your pancakes. So go ahead, smear your pancakes with your favorite peanut butter for the ultimate breakfast experience. Peanut butter can be a little too thick, though. To make things easier, melt it in the microwave with corn syrup or honey for 30 seconds, and you’ll transform it into an irresistible syrup.
16. Bacon
I mean, how can you ever go wrong with pancakes and bacon? It’s the perfect combo of sweet, savory, tender, and crispy! It doesn’t get much better than this. Bacon is already a spectacular topping to pancakes, but when you drizzle it with maple syrup? Oh my. It creates that sweet and salty combo we all can’t get enough of. I also like topping bacon with grated cheese and scallions for the most mouth-watering savory breakfast. Whichever route you choose, one thing’s for sure: everything tastes better with bacon.
17. Apple Butter
Sure, butter tastes amazing with pancakes. But if you want to give your cakes the ultimate fall flavor, slather them with apple butter instead! There’s just something about apple butter that’s so cozy and heartwarming. The combination of sweet apples and warm spices is so irresistible! Apple butter on top of pancakes is comfort food at its finest.
18. Sausage
Savory sausage: it’s the smoky, meaty goodness you need in your pancakes. Sausage is a great way to give your pancakes a little extra kick. You can use whole links for this, but I prefer crumbles because I like the crunchiness they add to the pancakes! Oh, and I also highly recommend drizzling maple syrup over the sausage, too. It creates a sweet and savory combo that’s just way too good.
19. Fried Apples
Fresh apples fried in butter, sugar, and cinnamon are pure ecstasy on their own. But pairing them with fluffy pancakes will definitely take you to eternal bliss.
20. Burger Patty
Have you ever tried making a hamburger out of pancakes? If you haven’t, now is the time! What’s not to love? A juicy burger patty in between two sweet and fluffy pancakes makes the ultimate breakfast feast! And don’t forget to drizzle it with maple syrup, too, for even more lip-smacking goodness.
21. Salsa
This might seem weird, but wait until you’ve tried it. Salsa and pancakes work well together! You’ll need one tiny bit of modification, though. Instead of regular pancakes, make sweet corn pancakes instead. It’s what makes this combo so good! The sweetness of the corn plus the tanginess of the salsa is just fantastic. Plus, the crunch of the corn and the salsa adds a nice texture contrast as well. Shredded cheese on top makes this combo even more delightful. Ooh-la-la!
22. Fried Chicken
I mean, fried chicken tastes amazing with waffles, so why not pair it with pancakes? Together, chicken and pancakes make the most drool-worthy, sweet and savory, tender and crispy breakfast. Drizzled in sweet maple syrup or savory hollandaise sauce, you really can’t ask for more.
23. Crushed Candy Bars
I’m talking about Heath, Reese’s, and Snickers here. In fact, whatever your favorite candy bar is, just crush it into small pieces and sprinkle the pieces all over your pancakes. It’s definitely an indulgent breakfast, so you may want to reserve this for a special occasion!
24. Chocolate
Chocolate chips, chocolate shards, chocolate syrup, chocolate spread — chocolate, in any form, tastes awesome with pancakes! And whether you drizzle or spread it on top, or infuse it into the pancake batter itself, you can’t go wrong. Chocolate and pancakes together are pure love.
25. Fried Eggs
Last on our list is another iconic pancake pairing. A fried egg, with that perfectly runny yolk, is everything you need to make your pancakes savory and hearty. It may be a simple addition, but it makes a heck of a difference. I mean, just picture that golden yolk as it drizzles down the layers of pancake goodness. It’s pure heaven! Click on a star to rate it!
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