WHAT’S FOR BREAKFAST?
Pancake Donuts
Array/5
COOK TIME
8 min
TOTAL TIME
18 min
SERVINGS
8-10 donuts
What’s even better than pancakes for breakfast? Pancake Donuts! This fun, baked breakfast combines the fluffy taste and texture of pancakes with donuts! Perfect for busy mornings or lazy weekends. Top them with sprinkles, chocolate chips, or fresh fruit, and have breakfast ready in just 20 minutes!
I’m always on the hunt for breakfasts that check all the boxes: easy to make, kid-approved, and a little bit fun! This easy recipe for pancake donuts made with pancake mix checks all those boxes and more. They’re quick, easy, and feel like a treat, but they’re really just pancakes with a twist. My kids love picking out their favorite toppings (we like sprinkles, chocolate chips, or fresh strawberries), and it’s so fun to see their excitement when they realize breakfast is shaped like a donut. These are great for a busy school day, a relaxed weekend morning, or any time you need a quick breakfast that is ready in just 20 minutes or less!
Donuts From Pancake Mix
My favorite thing about this breakfast is that all you need is your favorite pancake mix and a nonstick donut pan, and you’re halfway there. I mix up the batter according to the box instructions, spoon it into the donut pan, and sprinkle on toppings before popping them in the oven. In just about 8 minutes, you’ve got perfectly baked, fluffy pancake donuts! They’re delicious dipped in syrup, and if you’re meal-prepping for the week, they freeze well for a quick heat-and-eat breakfast.
And if you love having pancakes for breakfast, you’ll love trying my recipes for Bourbon Maple Granola Pancakes (gluten-free), Blueberry White Chocolate Chip Pancakes, and these fun Pancake Skewers!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Budget-Friendly: Made with an affordable box of pancake mix and a few pantry staples, this recipe is a cheap way to serve up a delicious breakfast for the whole family!
Quick to Make: With just 10 minutes of prep and 8 minutes in the oven, you can have warm, fluffy pancake donuts ready to enjoy in under 20 minutes.
Customizable: Add your favorite toppings like fresh fruit, chocolate chips, or sprinkles to create a variety of flavors and textures.
Fun Shape for Kids: The donut shape adds a playful twist to breakfast, making it more exciting for kids.
Perfect for Meal Prep: These pancake donuts freeze well and reheat quickly, making them a great option for busy mornings when you need breakfast on the table.
Easy Cleanup: Baking them in a nonstick donut pan means no sticky griddle mess like when cooking pancakes on the stovetop.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Boxed Pancake Mix – This is the base of the recipe and keeps things simple. You can use any brand you love or even a homemade pancake mix if you have the time.
Toppings – Strawberries, chocolate chips, blueberries, sprinkles, or even nuts flavor and fun. Let the kids get creative here!
Nonstick Spray – Help the donuts from sticking to the pan, so you can pop them out easily.
Syrup – Perfect for dipping these pancake donuts and taking the flavor up a notch. Warm syrup works best, and you can use any flavor you enjoy.
How To Make Donuts With Pancake Mix
Prepare for baking: Preheat your oven to 375°F and spray a nonstick donut pan with cooking spray.
Mix the batter: In a mixing bowl, prepare your pancake batter according to the instructions on the box. Make sure the batter is smooth and free of lumps.
Fill the donut pan: Spoon the pancake batter into the greased donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full. Don’t overfill, as the batter will rise while baking.
Add toppings: Sprinkle your favorite toppings, such as chocolate chips, blueberries, sprinkles, or nuts, onto each donut. Mix and match to create a variety of flavors.
Bake the pancake donuts: Place the donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 7-8 minutes. The donuts are ready when they are springy to the touch and no longer look wet on the surface.
Cool and serve: Remove the pan from the oven and let the donuts cool for a couple of minutes before carefully removing them. Serve immediately with syrup for dipping or store them for a quick breakfast later.
Expert Tips
Grease the donut pan generously to prevent sticking, especially if your pan isn’t fully nonstick.
Use a piping bag or a resealable plastic bag with the corner snipped off to fill the donut pan neatly without spills.
Tap the filled donut pan lightly on the counter before baking to settle the batter and remove any air bubbles.
Avoid overmixing the pancake batter to keep the donuts light and fluffy. A few small lumps in the batter are perfectly fine.
Let the donuts cool in the pan for a couple of minutes before removing them to avoid breaking them while they’re still too hot. Use a silicone spatula or small offset spatula to gently lift the donuts out of the pan if they’re slightly stuck.
Don’t overfill the donut cavities. Leaving room for the batter to rise will keep the donuts from spilling over and losing their shape.
For best results, bake the donuts right after mixing the batter. Letting the batter sit for too long can affect the rise and texture.
Keep an eye on the baking time, as oven temperatures can vary. Check for doneness by lightly pressing a donut. It should spring back when it’s fully baked.
More Topping Ideas
Shredded coconut
Crushed Oreos
Mini marshmallows
Powdered sugar
Cinnamon sugar
Toffee bits
Lemon zest
Caramel sauce
Chopped pecans
Granola
White chocolate chips
Crushed pretzels
Chocolate shavings
Dried cranberries
Raspberry jam
Honey drizzle
Chopped almonds
Maple glaze
Colored sugar
Crushed graham crackers
Melted Nutella
Pumpkin seeds
Pistachios
Sprinkled chai spice
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Keep leftover pancake donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or in the refrigerator for up to four days. Let them cool completely before storing them to prevent moisture buildup.
Freezing: Place cooled pancake donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to three months.
Reheating: Reheat pancake donuts in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a toaster oven at 350°F for 3-5 minutes until warmed through. Avoid overcooking.
FAQ
Can I use a homemade pancake mix for this recipe?
Yes, a homemade pancake mix works perfectly. Just make sure the batter consistency matches what you’d use for traditional pancakes.
Do I need a special donut pan for this recipe?
Yes, a nonstick donut pan is ideal for getting the classic donut shape. If you don’t have one, a muffin tin can be used, though the shape will be different.
Can these pancake donuts be made gluten-free?
Yes! Use a gluten-free pancake mix and double-check that any toppings you use are also gluten-free.
What’s the best way to prevent the donuts from sticking to the pan?
Spray the pan generously with nonstick spray, and let the donuts cool for a couple of minutes before carefully removing them.
Can I make mini pancake donuts instead of regular-sized ones?
Yes, a mini donut pan works great for smaller portions. Adjust the baking time to about 5-6 minutes, checking for doneness.
How can I tell when the pancake donuts are fully baked?
Gently press the top of a donut; if it springs back and the surface isn’t wet, they’re ready to come out of the oven.
More Easy Breakfast Recipes
Print
Baked Pancake Donuts
Easy and quick Baked Pancake Donuts made with a box pancake mix and you can add your favorite toppings. Perfect to make ahead and heat up on a busy morning.
Ingredients
Box Pancake Mix- mix according to directions
Favorite Toppings- strawberries, blueberries, chocolate chips, nuts, sprinkles, etc.
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a donut pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
2. Mix pancake batter according to box instructions. Spoon batter into the donut pan about 3/4 full. Place or sprinkle your topping of choice on each donut.
3. Bake for about 7-8 minutes until springy and no longer moist on top. Remove from oven and enjoy right away with some syrup to dip them in or freeze until ready to eat.
Notes
To reheat, place in the microwave and heat on power level 7 for 1 minute.
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4 Responses
Whats your go to store pancake mix?
My favorite is usually Krusteaz but I love good old Bisquick too!
My kids just loved this, thank you
So happy they loved these! My daughter does too.