WHAT’S FOR Breakfast?
Pancake Stackers
Rated 0 out of 5
COOK TIME
TOTAL TIME
10 min
SERVINGS
6-8 skewers
If breakfast needs a fun little boost, then these easy to make Pancake Stackers are about to save your morning! Warm mini pancakes, creamy nutella, and fresh strawberries get stacked onto a hands on treat that can be enjoyed for breakfast or brunch. They come together in minutes with ENDLESS flavor combinations!
Leah asks for waffles and sausage every single morning without fail. The girl is committed to her breakfast routine and honestly I can’t even blame her. I’ve tried everything to switch it up. Oatmeal, eggs, cereal, toast. Nothing stuck. But the second I put these pancake stackers in front of her, she was hooked!
She devoured them and I mean devoured. It was messy, a little chaotic, and completely worth it. I think the real win here was that she got to help build them herself which made it way more exciting. There’s just something about letting a kid stab pancakes onto a straw that instantly turns breakfast into an activity. Suddenly it’s not just food. It’s fun!
This pancake on a stick breakfast is easy to throw together and honestly feels a little more like dessert than breakfast but who cares. Warm mini pancakes layered with Nutella and strawberries. You already know they’re going to be good. I used frozen mini pancakes to keep things simple and they worked perfectly. This was a huge hit across the board.
If your mornings are starting to feel a little repetitive this is such a fun way to shake things up. They also double as a great snack or when you need something quick to keep kids busy. You can set everything out and let everyone build their own which makes it even better. Grab what you have, get a little messy, and have fun with it!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Mini Pancakes – These are the base of the stackers and keep things quick and easy, especially if you use frozen mini pancakes that just need a quick warm-up in the microwave. You want them soft and flexible so they slide onto the skewer without cracking.
Nutella Spread – This adds sweetness and acts like the glue that holds everything together between layers. A thin, even layer works best so it doesn’t get overly messy but still gives that rich chocolate hazelnut flavor.
Cream Cheese – This adds a creamy, slightly tangy contrast to balance out the sweetness from the Nutella. Let it soften a bit before spreading so it goes on smoothly without tearing the pancakes.
Strawberries– Fresh strawberries bring brightness and a little acidity that cuts through the richness. Slice them thin enough so they layer easily without making the stacks unstable.
Straws or Skewers – These hold everything together and turn it into a fun, hands-on breakfast or snack. Paper straws are great for kids while wooden skewers work well if you want something a bit sturdier.
How To Make Mini Pancakes
You can usually find frozen mini pancakes at most grocery stores, but if you can’t it’s easy to make your own!
Start by preparing your favorite pancake batter, either from a boxed mix or from scratch, and let it rest for a few minutes so it thickens slightly.
Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat and lightly grease it so the pancakes don’t stick. Using a spoon, squeeze bottle, or small cookie scoop, drop small rounds of batter about 1 to 2 inches in size onto the pan, keeping them uniform so they cook evenly.
Once you see bubbles forming on the surface and the edges look set, flip them carefully and cook for another minute or so until golden and cooked through.
Transfer to a plate and cover loosely to keep them warm while you finish the rest.
How To Make Pancake Fruit Skewers
Warm the pancakes: If using frozen mini pancakes, place them on a microwave-safe plate and heat according to package directions until warm and soft. You want them pliable so they don’t crack when threading onto the skewer.
Prep the fillings: Wash and slice the strawberries into even pieces so they layer neatly between the pancakes. If using cream cheese, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes so it spreads easily without tearing the pancakes.
Spread the layers: Use a butter knife or small spatula to spread a thin, even layer of Nutella onto one side of each pancake. Add a light layer of cream cheese if using, keeping it smooth so the stacks don’t slide apart.
Assemble the skewers: Take a straw or skewer and carefully thread on one pancake, followed by a slice of strawberry. Continue layering pancakes and strawberries, gently pressing down as you go so everything stays secure and evenly stacked.
Finish and serve: Once assembled, place the skewers on a plate and serve right away while the pancakes are still warm. These are best enjoyed fresh so the spreads stay soft and the fruit stays juicy.
Expert Tips
Keep pancakes slightly underheated. Pull them from the microwave just before they get hot so they stay flexible and don’t tear when threading onto the skewer.
Use a serrated knife for strawberries. It gives you clean slices without crushing the fruit.
Pat strawberries dry. A quick blot with a paper towel removes excess moisture so the layers don’t slide around or soak into the pancake layer.
Use a thinner layer of spread than you think. It holds everything together without making the skewers heavy or messy to assemble.
Line up your assembly station. Set pancakes, spreads, and fruit in order before starting so the process moves quickly while everything is still warm.
Twist the skewer slightly as you push through. This helps it glide through the pancake layers instead of tearing them apart.
Build on a flat surface first. Start the stack on the counter and then push the skewer through.
Serve right after assembling. The texture is best when the pancakes are still soft and warm and the spreads haven’t had time to firm up.
Ways To Customize
The best part about making pancake skewers is that you can easily make them with whatever you have on hand to create so many different flavor combinations!
Peanut Butter Banana: stack banana slices with peanut butter
Strawberry Nutella: stack strawberries with Nutella
Blueberry Cream Cheese: stack blueberries with cream cheese
PB&J: stack strawberries with peanut butter
Banana Nutella: stack banana slices with Nutella
Raspberry Cream Cheese: stack raspberries with cream cheese
Apple Almond Butter: stack apple slices with almond butter
Cookie Butter Banana: stack banana slices with cookie butter
Berry Yogurt: stack mixed berries with Greek yogurt
Cherry Chocolate: stack cherries with Nutella
Peaches and Cream: stack peaches with cream cheese
Apple Peanut Butter: stack apple slices with peanut butter
S’mores: stack mini marshmallows with Nutella
Strawberry Yogurt: stack strawberries with Greek yogurt
Blueberry Almond Butter: stack blueberries with almond butter
Orange Cream: stack mandarin oranges with cream cheese
Cookie Butter Strawberry: stack strawberries with cookie butter
Peanut Butter Crunch: stack banana with peanut butter and granola
Double Chocolate: stack chocolate chips with Nutella
Raspberry Chocolate: stack raspberries with Nutella
Storage Instructions
Storing: These are definitely best enjoyed right after assembling while the pancakes are still soft and the spreads are creamy. If you do have leftovers, remove them from the skewers and store the components separately in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keeping everything assembled can cause the pancakes to dry out and the fruit to release moisture, which makes the texture a bit soggy.
Make-Ahead: For a smoother setup, prep everything ahead and assemble just before serving. Slice your fruit, portion out spreads, and warm the pancakes so everything is ready to go. You can also set up a build-your-own station with skewers, pancakes, and fillings laid out, which keeps things fresh and interactive. If you need to fully assemble them in advance, do it no more than 1 to 2 hours ahead and loosely cover them at room temperature.
FAQ
What size pancakes work best for skewers?
About 1 to 2 inches is ideal. Anything larger gets heavy and harder to eat, while smaller pancakes don’t give you enough structure to hold the layers together.
How do I keep the fruit from making the pancakes soggy?
Slice fruit right before assembling and avoid juicy pieces. A quick pat dry keeps the pancakes from absorbing extra moisture.
Why are my pancakes tearing when I add them to the skewer?
They’re either too cold or overcooked. Slightly warm, soft pancakes hold together much better and slide onto the skewer without cracking.
More Pancake Recipes
Print
Pancake Stackers
Quick, easy and delicious breakfast treat or a fun snack.
Ingredients
Mini Pancakes
Nutella spread
Cream Cheese
Strawberries, sliced
Straws or skewers
Instructions
1. I used frozen pancakes, so I microwaved my pancakes until warm.
2. Assembly: First, spread nutella layer onto mini pancakes. Then stack nutella covered pancakes and strawberries on your straw.
3. Add your own flair with other ideas too, peanut butter, bananas, sprinkles!
Notes
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