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Easy Santa Pancakes: Kid-Approved Strawberry Banana Beard Recipe

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Fluffy banana pancakes topped with a strawberry beard and banana hat, creating a festive Santa face that kids love. This easy, budget-friendly recipe turns a simple breakfast into a fun holiday tradition.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (180g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (240ml) milk (whole, 2%, or oat milk)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 medium ripe banana, mashed (about ½ cup)
  • 4–5 medium strawberries, sliced into thin rounds
  • 1 large banana, sliced into rounds (for hat and eyes)
  • 2–3 blueberries or mini chocolate chips (for eyes)
  • Whipped cream or Greek yogurt (for hat pom-pom and beard fluff, optional)

Instructions

  1. Mash the ripe banana with a fork until mostly smooth with a few small lumps. Set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
  3. In a separate bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together milk, egg, melted butter (cooled slightly), and vanilla extract. Whisk in the mashed banana until well incorporated.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or whisk until just combined (a few lumps are fine). Let the batter rest for 5 minutes.
  5. Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add a small pat of butter or drizzle of oil. When the butter is melted and bubbly, pour about ¼ cup of batter per pancake onto the skillet.
  6. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and edges look set (about 2-3 minutes). Flip carefully and cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining batter (makes 6-8 medium pancakes).
  7. While pancakes are still warm, assemble Santa faces: Place a banana slice at the top center for the hat. Arrange strawberry slices in a fan shape below the banana for the hat brim and beard. Use two small banana slices or blueberries for the eyes. Add a dollop of whipped cream or Greek yogurt at the tip of the banana hat for the pom-pom. Optionally, add small dollops of cream around the strawberry slices for extra beard fluff.
  8. Serve immediately. Drizzle with maple syrup if desired.

Notes

Don’t overmix the batter; lumps are okay. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes for fluffier pancakes. Use a hot but not screaming hot pan (medium heat). Prep fruit ahead so you can assemble while pancakes are warm. Keep pancakes warm in a 200°F oven if making a big batch. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. For dairy-free, use oat milk and coconut oil. For vegan, use a flax egg and plant-based milk/butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: Santa pancakes, strawberry banana pancakes, holiday breakfast, kid-friendly pancakes, easy pancake recipe

Find it online: https://dinadishes.com/easy-santa-pancakes-kid-approved-strawberry-banana-beard-recipe/