The Ultimate Christmas Breakfast: 11 Best Pancake Recipes

Is there anything more magical than waking up to a stack of fluffy pancakes on Christmas morning? Whether you’re decking the halls or wrapping the last-minute gifts, these 11 best Christmas pancake recipes will add a little extra joy to your holiday mornings. From gingerbread-spiced to bright red velvet creations, these pancakes are designed to make breakfast feel like the most festive part of the day!

As a self-confessed pancake connoisseur (and Christmas fanatic), I’ve flipped my way through countless recipes to bring you the best of the best. These pancakes aren’t just delicious—they’re fun, creative, and packed with holiday cheer. They’re perfect for the big day itself, festive brunches, and getting the kids involved in the kitchen (my little ones are too young to use the stove just yet, but they LOVE mixing the ingredients together and adding the toppings!). 

If you like, whipping up a batch of Christmas themed pancakes could even become one of your annual festive traditions. Let’s get going with the recipes… 

1. Gingerbread Pancakes

Bring the warmth of Christmas spices straight to your breakfast table with these fluffy gingerbread pancakes. With notes of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, they taste just like your favorite gingerbread cookies—only fluffier. Perfect for Christmas morning or any chilly winter day.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1 egg
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 2 tbsp molasses
• 2 tbsp melted butter

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
2. In a separate bowl, beat the egg and mix in buttermilk, molasses, and melted butter.
3. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until combined.
4. Heat a non-stick griddle over medium heat and pour 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake.
5. Cook until bubbles form, then flip and cook until golden brown. Serve with syrup and whipped cream.

2. Eggnog Pancakes

These Eggnog Pancakes are rich, fluffy, and taste like Christmas in every bite. Made with real eggnog, they have that warm, spiced flavor that makes the holidays feel extra special. If you’re an eggnog lover, these pancakes are a must. Plus, they’re easy to whip up for a festive holiday breakfast. Who says that the kids have to have all the fun?! 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 egg
• 1 cup eggnog
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tbsp melted butter

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and nutmeg.
2. In a separate bowl, beat the egg and mix in eggnog, milk, and melted butter.
3. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until combined.
4. Heat a griddle over medium heat and pour 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake.
5. Cook until bubbles form, flip, and cook until golden brown. Top with powdered sugar and a drizzle of maple syrup.

3. Grinch Pancakes

Bright green, fluffy, and a little mischievous, these Grinch Pancakes are perfect for adding a playful twist to Christmas morning. Top them with red heart candies for that classic “Grinch” look. They’re fun, kid-friendly, and a great way to bring a little Whoville spirit into your home.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 egg
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• Green food coloring
• Red heart-shaped candies for topping

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda.
2. In another bowl, beat the egg and mix in buttermilk, butter, and green food coloring until you reach a “Grinchy” shade.
3. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until just combined.
4. Heat a griddle over medium heat and pour 1/4 cup of batter per pancake.
5. Cook until bubbles form, then flip and cook until golden. Top with whipped cream and a single red heart candy.

4. Red Velvet Pancakes

These Red Velvet Pancakes are decadent, vibrant, and topped with a dreamy cream cheese glaze. Perfect for a Christmas brunch that feels extra indulgent. They’re as festive as it gets, with a rich, chocolatey flavor that’s perfect for the holidays.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 egg
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• Red food coloring

For the cream cheese glaze:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2-3 tbsp milk

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda.
2. In another bowl, beat the egg and mix in buttermilk, butter, and red food coloring.
3. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until combined.
4. Heat a griddle and pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form, flip, and cook until done.
5. For the glaze, whisk together cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth. Drizzle over pancakes.

5. Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

Sweet and spiced, these Apple Cinnamon Pancakes are perfect for a warm, comforting Christmas morning breakfast. The combination of tart apples and warm cinnamon will make your kitchen smell like amazing!

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 egg
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1 apple, peeled and grated
• 2 tbsp melted butter

Instructions:

1. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon in a bowl.
2. Beat the egg and mix in milk and melted butter. Stir in the grated apple. Combine all ingredients. 
3. Cook pancakes on a griddle over medium heat until bubbles form, flip, and cook until golden. Serve with maple syrup.

6. Hot Chocolate Pancakes

If you love hot chocolate, these Hot Chocolate Pancakes are about to become your new favorite breakfast. Topped with marshmallows and whipped cream, they’re like a warm hug in pancake form. They’re rich, chocolatey, and a little bit indulgent—perfect for Christmas morning.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 egg
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• Mini marshmallows, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream for topping

Instructions:

1. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and baking powder.
2. Beat the egg and mix in milk and butter. Stir into dry ingredients until combined.
3. Cook pancakes on a griddle, then top with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and mini marshmallows for the full hot chocolate effect.

7. Classic Chocolate Chip Pancakes

These Classic Chocolate Chip Pancakes are a fan favorite and a must-have for any Christmas morning breakfast spread. They’re warm, fluffy, and filled with gooey chocolate chips. Always a good choice if you’re feeding a crowd! 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 egg
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda.
2. In a separate bowl, beat the egg and mix in buttermilk and butter.
3. Stir wet ingredients into dry, then fold in chocolate chips.
4. Cook pancakes on a griddle until golden. Serve with syrup and extra chocolate chips.