101 Pancake Toppings: Ideas for the Best Breakfast Ever

Welcome to The Storied Recipe, a podcast about food, culture, and love.

I've curated this list of 101 Pancake Topping Ideas in conjunction with recipes for pancakes shared by guests all around the world. I hope you choose one of their episodes to listen to while you prepare for your own personal pancake party!!!

P.S. If you're here for National Pancake Day, make sure you check out my comprehensive list of National Food Days!!

P.P.S If you're here for Shrove Tuesday, consider trying this Finnish chef's recipe for Semla, the traditional Shrove Tuesday dessert of Scandinavia.

CREAMY PANCAKE TOPPINGS

Saturday mornings are a great time to fire up the griddle, whip up a double batch of pancake batter, and pile your plate high with fluffy, sweet pancakes. In my opinion, the best way to bring your breakfast to the next level is to add something creamy and decadent to the top of your pancakes - you've got LOTS of options, from sweet to tangy, dairy to vegan. Here we go...!

CREAMY - Traditional Dairy Toppings

Perfect pancakes are almost guaranteed to be smothered in one of these 4 toppings.

• Butter
• Whipped Cream
• Reddi Whip
• Cool Whip (non-dairy)
• Ice Cream

If you have a sweet tooth like my husband, your stack will be dripping with sweet pancake toppings... ice cream is a great companion to any sweet topping!

CREAMY - Ice Cream

Neopolitan Ice Cream (which contains sections of all 3 of the following in one container) - When you buy Neopolitan for your Pancake Topping Bar, you have the three options that will work for almost *any* 

• Strawberry Ice Cream
• Chocolate Ice Cream
• Vanilla Ice Cream

CREAMY - Savory, Sour, or Tangy

These will work best for your savory or healthy pancake combinations. Curious about what you'll use!

• Plain Greek Yogurt - tangy flavour
• Flavored Greek Yogurt
• Sour Cream (Savory pancakes below)
• Ricotta Cheese
• Tahini or Tahini yogurt
• Goat Cheese

CREAMY - Cream Cheeses

For a rich and tangy flavor, try cream cheese 

• Strawberry Cream Cheese
• Herb Cream Cheese

CREAMY - Non-Dairy and/or Vegan

If you're Vegan or Non-dairy, you already know - of course, you can still have sweet treats! Here are a few ideas:

• Chocolate Hummus
• Coconut Cream
• Coconut Whipped Cream
• Sauteed Onions
• Olive oil
• Vegan Butter

CREAMY - Nut Butters

Nut Butters are some of my absolutely favorite toppings for pancakes - they pair perfectly with so many other things, from crunchy, to sweet or savory. Each one of these is especially perfect when paired with a bit of honey!

• Nutella
• Almond Butter
• Peanut Butter
• Peanut Butter and Cinnamon
• Cashew Butter
• Pumpkin Seed Butter
• Sunflower Seed Butter

CRUNCHY PANCAKE TOPPINGS

You started with a creamy choice - next, balance that with a crunchy topping! I've organized the crunchy options into 6 categories - classic, cereals, cookies, nuts, seeds, and candies. 

CRUNCHY: Classic Options

Some of the most popular pancake toppings are your classic crunchy toppings. Here's a list of a few traditional picks that didn't fit into any other category  

• Coconut Flakes
• Sprinkles or Non-Pareils for a pop of color
• Glittery Sanding Sugar
• Mini Chocolate Chips
• Cacao Nibs 
• Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans

CRUNCHY: Cereals

It makes sense to pair a delicious pancake with another popular breakfast food: crushed crunchy cereals. Here are my best picks:

• Granola (Homemade)
• Frosted Flakes
• Crushed Fruit Loops
• Reeses Puffs
• Cocoa Puffs

CRUNCHY: Cookies

Our palates love contrast, so the perfect topping for fluffy pancakes - nice crunchy cookies. The key is to crunch them, so the flavors and textures stay in balance. Favorite pancake cookie toppings:

• Crushed Oreos
• Crushed Choc Chip Cookies
• Gingersnaps
• Nilla Wafers
• Frozen Yogurt Covered Blueberries

CRUNCHY: Nuts

Nuts and pancakes are a no-brainer - a classic topping for warm pancakes - especially when using pancake recipes with strong flavors, like cottage cheese or ricotta pancakes. I could list any nuts here, but these are the most affordable and easiest to find:

• Walnuts
• Pistachios
• Pecans
• Honey roasted peanuts
• Almonds
• Hazelnuts

CRUNCHY: Savory Options

• Pomegranate Arils 
• Crumbled Bacon
• Spicy Candied Bacon (Brown Sugar Bacon)

CRUNCHY: Seeds

Seeds are a great alternative to sweet toppings on top of pancakes, particularly for savoury pancakes. Here are 3 of my favorites:

• Flax Seeds (super healthy!)
• Sesame Seeds (best lightly toasted!)
• Pumpkin Seeds

CRUNCHY: Candy

Again, the trick to using super sweet toppings like candy is to chop them very small and use them as a sparing garnish. 

• M&Ms (mini are best)
• Reeses pieces
• Chopped Reeses cups
• Chopped Snickers
• Chopped Butterfingers
• Butterscotch Chips
• Candy Canes
• Mini marshmallows

FRUIT PANCAKE TOPPINGS

Fruit is a classic choice to pair with pancakes!!! Depending on how you prepare it, the fruit toppings can work for something sticky or something crunchy as well. While I begin with a few ideas for fresh fruit, just to get you started, I quickly move on to prepared fruit recipes that enhance the fruit flavors or add a little sticky or crunchy texture. 

FRUITY: Fresh Fruit

Enhance your pancake stack with something healthy and a juicy burst of flavor. These fresh fruit options don't need a lot of prep. 

• Frozen or fresh berries - these are the easiest, obviously. No knife skills, no peeling. Highly recommend.
• Blood or navel oranges or grapefruit sections - this takes a little work to section, but they're so juicy in their own right, that no cooking or caramelizing is necessary. 
• Sliced Kiwi
• Fresh figs
• Sliced Mango
• Fresh, creamy banana slices

FRUITY: Recipes to Enhance Flavors

Some fresh fruits need a little cooking or acid to bring out their juices. Here are my favourite recipes for the easiest ways to turn your raw ingredients into elegant, delicious fruit toppings. 

• Mixed Berry Fruit Compote 
• Flambeed Bananas
• Cooked Cinnamon Apples
• Roasted Pears 
• Strawberries in Simple Sugar Syrup - sprinkle with sugar and just a dash of lemon juice for brightness
• Black cherries in syrup
• Maraschino cherries
• Roasted Grapes
• Mixed dried fruit
• Freeze-dried raspberries
• Sugared cranberries
• Dried cranberries

STICKY PANCAKE TOPPINGS

What's THE number one topping to pair with pancakes? Syrup! It turns out, of course, that there are dozens of sticky sauces you can pour over your pancakes. For the best pancake concoction, choose one of these sticky toppings that coordinates with your other choices. 

STICKY: Syrups

Of course, a drizzle of maple syrup is the most classic pancake pairing ever! Here is a whole plethora of sticky syrup and sauce options, from fruit syrup to spiced syrups to rich and thick sauces!

Add a little butter, a couple of fresh blueberries, and you'll have a hugely elevated weekend breakfast!

• Cinnamon Syrup
• Blueberry Syrup
• Strawberry Syrup
• Peach Syrup
• Spiced Prune Syrup
• Honey
• Real Maple Syrup OR Generic Pancake Syrup (if you grew up with it, you may like it better than maple syrup!)
• Cardamom Syrup
• Vegan Date Caramel Sauce
• Mango Coulis or Sweet Mango Sauce
• Pomegranate Molasses

STICKY: Fruity Curds and "Butters"

I debated between putting these in the creamy or sticky category - they're a little bit of both! However, since most are quite sweet, I wouldn't usually add an additional syrup on top - so I went for sticky. Either way, all of these are a perfect addition to your pancake toppings bar!

• Pumpkin Butter
• Apple Butter
• Blueberry Almond Butter
• Applesauce
• Lemon Curd - perfect with fresh strawberries

STICKY: The Classic Rich Sauces

For the most decadent Sunday mornings, pour one of these two classic sweet and sticky sauces over a tall tower of fluffy flapjacks!

• Hot Chocolate Sauce - or the runnier version, Hershey's chocolate syrup
• Hot Caramel Sauce
• Butterscotch Sauce

SPECIAL CATEGORIES & COMBINATIONS

Healthy Combination Toppings for Pancakes

​You'll be choosing healthy fats, toppings super high in protein, and fruits (or vegetables) full of nutrients. Here are 4 suggested combinations:

• Full fat Greek Yogurt, Any fresh fruit, Drizzle of honey
• Pistachio, Orange, Agave Syrup, and Coconut Yogurt
• Chopped Banana, Almond Butter, and Chopped Honey Roasted Nuts, Maple Syrup
• Cheese, Spinach and Pumpkin Seeds

Vegan Pancake Combination Toppings

Vegans can choose from almost any of the 101 best pancake toppings on the list. The only real restriction is that you'll choose nut butters for your creamy options. Here are just 4 suggested combinations go with your glass of orange juice - but feel free to go crazy!!

• Black Pepper, Balsamic Vinegar, Peaches
• Banana, Strawberries, Hazelnuts and Dark Chocolate
• Blood Orange with Ricotta Cheese and Orange Zest
• Sliced Kiwi, Passion Fruit & Sunflower Seeds

Savory Pancake Combination Toppings

Of course, sweet toppings are not your only option! These toppings will go with savoury pancake recipes - those with less sugar and perhaps even a few savory spices mixed in. Try these:

• Creamy, drippy egg yolks, bacon bits, cheese, sliced green onions
• Tahini, feta, olives, pomegranate seeds & fresh coriander
• Smoked Salmon, Dill, Lemon, and Sour Cream

Keto Combination Pancake Toppings

If you're doing Keto, I don't need to tell you the rules - you obviously know to avoid the sweet stuff and, if you choose fruit, to choose the options lowest in carbs. For you, whipped cream may be your best friend - rich and filling, with zero carbs. And of course, you may also tend toward the savory pancakes. Here are 3 options:

• Avocado, Pumpkin Seeds, Cherry Tomatoes, and Olive Oil
• Whipped Cream and Berries
• Scrambled Egg, Grated Cheese, and Chopped Ham

Try These Sweet and Savory Pancake Recipes from Around the World

Find More Global Lists for Inspiration

Recipe

101 Pancake Toppings: Ideas for the Best Breakfast Ever

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Recipes by guests and friends of The Storied Recipe.

101 inspiring ideas of the Best Pancake Toppings Ever (plus recipes and combos)! Choose from 4 categories: Creamy, Sticky, Crunchy, and Fruit for the perfect pancake party!

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Ingredients

CREAMY - Traditional Dairy Toppings

1. Butter
2. Whipped Cream
3. Reddi Whip
4. Cool Whip (non-dairy)

CREAMY- Ice Cream

1. Neopolitan Ice Cream - Strawberry, Chocolate, Vanilla

CREAMY - Savory, Sour, or Tangy

1. Plain Greek Yogurt - tangy flavour
2. Flavored Greek Yogurt
3. Sour Cream (Savory pancakes below)
4. Ricotta Cheese
5. Tahini or Tahini yogurt
6. Goat Cheese

CREAMY - Cream Cheeses

1. Strawberry Cream Cheese
2. Herbed Cream Cheese

CREAMY - Non-Dairy and/or Vegan

1. Chocolate Hummus
2. Coconut Cream
3. Coconut Whipped Cream
4. Sauteed Onions
5. Olive oil
6. Vegan Butter

CREAMY - Nut Butters

1. Nutella
2. Almond Butter
3. Peanut Butter
4. Peanut Butter and Cinnamon
5. Cashew Butter
6. Pumpkin Seed Butter
7. Sunflower Seed Butter

CRUNCHY: Classic

1. Coconut Flakes
2. Sprinkles or Non-Pareils for a pop of color
3. Glittery Sanding Sugar
4. Mini Chocolate Chips
5. Cacao Nibs
6. Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans
7. Yogurt Covered Blueberries
8. Yogurt Covered Pretzels

CRUNCHY: Cereals

1. Granola (Homemade)
2. Frosted Flakes
3. Crushed Fruit Loops
4. Reeses Puffs
5. Cocoa Puffs

CRUNCHY: Cookies

1. Crushed Oreos
2. Crushed Choc Chip Cookies
3. Gingersnaps
4. Nilla Wafers

CRUNCHY: Nuts

1. Walnuts
2. Pistachios
3. Pecans
4. Honey roasted peanuts
5. Almonds
6. Hazelnuts

CRUNCHY: Savory

1. Crumbled Bacon
2. Spicy Candied Bacon (Brown Sugar Bacon)

CRUNCHY: Seeds

1. Pomegranate Arils
2. Flax Seeds (super healthy!)
3. Sesame Seeds (best lightly toasted!)
4. Pumpkin Seeds

CRUNCHY: Candy

1. M&Ms (mini are best)
2. Reeses pieces
3. Chopped Reeses cups
4. Chopped Snickers
5. Chopped Butterfingers
6. Butterscotch Chips
7. Candy Canes
8. Mini marshmallows

FRUITY: Fresh Fruit

1. Frozen or fresh berries - these are the easiest, obviously. No knife skills, no peeling. Highly recommend.
2. Blood or navel oranges or grapefruit sections - this takes a little work to section, but they're so juicy in their own right, no cooking or caramelizing is necessary.
3. Sliced Kiwi
4. Fresh figs
5. Sliced Mango
6. Fresh, creamy banana slices

FRUITY: Recipes to Enhance Flavors

1. Mixed Berry Fruit Compote
2. Flambeed Bananas
3. Cooked Cinnamon Apples
4. Roasted Pears
5. Strawberries in Simple Sugar Syrup - sprinkle with sugar and just a dash of lemon juice for brightness
6. Black cherries in syrup
7. Maraschino cherries
8. Roasted Grapes
9. Mixed dried fruit
10. Freeze dried raspberries
11. Sugared cranberries
12. Dried cranberries

STICKY: Syrups

1. Cinnamon Syrup
2. Blueberry Syrup
3. Strawberry Syrup
4. Peach Syrup
5. Spiced Prune Syrup
6. Honey
7. Real Maple Syrup OR Generic Pancake Syrup (if you grew up with it, you may like it better than maple syrup!)
8. Cardamom Syrup
9. Vegan Date Caramel Sauce
10. Mango Coulis or Sweet Mango Sauce Recipe
11. Pomegranate Molasses

STICKY: Fruity Sauces

1. Pumpkin Butter
2. Apple Butter
3. Blueberry Almond Butter
4. Applesauce
5. Lemon Curd - perfect with fresh strawberries

STICKY: The Classic Sauces

1. Hot Chocolate Sauce (or the runnier version, Hershey's chocolate syrup)
2. Hot Caramel Sauce
3. Butterscotch Sauce

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Instructions

Choose as many toppings as you want and add to your pancake feast!