Mini Silver Dollar Pancakes

Better than IHOP!

These adorable mini pancakes are not made from your average lighter, thinner buttermilk pancake recipe. These are sturdier, which is important since this is an egg-free pancake batter! 

I can’t tell you how often these are requested for everything from sleepovers to brunches (can you imagine a mini pancake charcuterie board?!) to school lunch boxes! They’re quick to make and adorably cute, so who am I to say no?!

These bite-sized little dippers are soft and fluffy on the inside and slightly crispy around the edges. You can stack ’em, skewer them, or snack on them whenever you want. They’re great for adults and kids, and toddlers especially love them. 

You can add in what you like or top them just as you would your regular pancakes. Making them mini, however, just means you can have more on your plate at once. We love all mini desserts and breakfast items.

What are Silver Dollar Pancakes?

As the name states, these mini pancakes are the size of a silver dollar. I’m talking no more than a couple of inches in diameter. Back in the 1800s, these were invented and even though we no longer use a silver dollar, the name has stuck!

Why This Recipe Works

• Easily made from scratch. Skip the breakfast joint and make these at home. We’re using a handful of pantry staples, but if you’ve got a jar of homemade pancake mix, it’s even easier!
• Family fun. If you haven’t made a stack before the kids get up, get them involved in the process! Everyone can choose their own add-ins for a little extra pizzazz.  
• They are great on the go. Because of their size, they fit nicely in lunch box containers. You can even stack them in a thermos to keep them nice and warm.

Recipe Ingredients

I bet you already have all of the ingredients needed to make this silver dollar pancake recipe in your fridge and pantry. Nothing fancy required!

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

• Flour: Learn how to measure flour without a scale for amazing results every time. You don’t want too much flour, or your pancakes will end up too dry and dense. 
• Baking powder: Make sure your leavening agent is fresh and hasn’t expired. This is what will help give your pancakes a fluffy texture and a bit of height.
• Milk: The major liquid component of these pancakes. The higher the fat content, the richer the consistency of the batter. You can swap with buttermilk or learn how to make buttermilk as a substitute.
• Unsalted butter: Controlling the amount of salt in this recipe is crucial. These pancakes are small, so too much salt is going to be obvious.

Variations

I have so many pancake recipes on my blog that can inspire miniature versions! The measurements of my chocolate chip pancakes, blueberry pancakes, pumpkin pancakes, and apple cinnamon pancakes will be different, but the additional flavors and ingredients can all be used as optional add-ins for these mini pancakes!

You can also use any of my pancake recipes to make mini pancakes, include this banana pancake recipe.

How to Make Silver Dollar Pancakes

Ready in just 20 minutes, these mini pancakes are so easy to prepare! Follow the simple steps below to get started.

• Combine dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients. This includes flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
• Make the batter. Stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract using a wooden spoon. Mix until most of the lumps are gone. The batter shouldn’t be too thick, so if you find yours is, add 1 or 2 Tablespoons of extra milk.
• Add batter to griddle. Coat a preheated grill with a good amount of batter. Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to pour the batter onto the heated grill. Cook for 2 minutes until bubbles appear.
• Flip and serve. Then, flip and cook the other side for 1 more minute until golden brown.  Repeat until the batter is done and enjoy!

Expert Tips

• The mini-sized pancakes will cook faster, which means they’ll probably be crispier on the outside than your average fluffy pancakes. 
• Be generous with the butter on the griddle, for a nonstick surface, but to also help with those nice crispy edges.
• I would recommend a griddle over a skillet, but if you are using a skillet, make sure you don’t turn the heat any higher than medium-low. 
• To keep the pancakes warm while you wait for the remaining batter to be used up (or for your family to wake up!), keep them on a baking sheet in the oven at 175°F.
• Add butter to the skillet in between each batch. You don’t want to lose the nonstick surface or burn them.
• It’s important to keep them all similar sizes, at least within the same batch. Not only because it’s cute that way, but to make sure they can cook at the same time.

Our Favorite Toppings

• Butter
• Cinnamon pancake syrup
• Easy buttermilk syrup
• Homemade maple syrup
• Blueberry sauce or strawberry sauce
• Blueberries, strawberries or blackberries
• Bananas
• Nutella
• Chocolate chips
• Homemade whipped cream
• Nut butter

Ways to Serve Them

With mini silver dollar pancakes, the possibilities are endless. So many can fit on a plate, that if you’re not sacking them and sticking a fork in them, or skewering them on a stick, then you can use them to make designs! A little smiley face, Mickey Mouse’s face, a heart, you name it! 

Usually, I like to keep it simple with a stack of silver dollars surrounded by our favorite berry fruit salad or rainbow fruit kabobs. I’ll always have an array of syrups and sauces too. 

For larger crowds, I’ll serve scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon in the oven, and a peach smoothie or even a cinnamon roll breakfast smoothie to wash everything down!

Storing, Freezing + Reheating

Once the mini silver dollar pancakes have completely cooled, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Transfer any leftover pancakes to a zip-top freezer bag. Place them in a single layer, or stack them with parchment paper in between the layers so they don’t freeze in one lump. Keep them frozen for up 3 months. 

To reheat them, pop them in the microwave for a softer texture or the toaster for a slightly crispier bite.