Mini Pancake Cereal 

I just tried the viral TikTok mini pancake cereal, and I’m totally smitten!

Though it’s not really “cereal” in the traditional sense, this recipe is even better. Dozens of tiny, perfectly golden pancakes swim in a pool of maple syrup. 

I was hooked from my very first bite!

It’s the tastiest, cutest, most satisfying breakfast I’ve had in a long time. But fair warning: you may never want regular pancakes again. 

Why You’ll Love This Mini Pancake Cereal

Fun to Eat: These tiny, adorable pancakes transform regular breakfast into an entertaining experience.

Crispy Yet Soft Texture: The miniature size creates pancakes that are uniquely crispy outside but soft inside. It’s an ideal texture combination.

Customizable: Personalize your bowl with a variety of toppings like fruits, syrups, or sprinkles. Use whatever you like to suit your taste or occasion.

Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: The pancakes’ foundation. It provides structure and creates a tender crumb. 

• Granulated Sugar: For sweetness and golden-brown caramelization on the surface.

• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: They work together to create tiny air bubbles, making the pancakes light and fluffy. 

• Salt: A simple flavor enhancer. 

• Milk: For moisture, richness, and a smooth batter. 

• Egg: The binding agent helps the pancakes hold their shape. 

• Butter: For a rich flavor and tender texture.

• Vanilla Extract: It adds warmth and depth. 

• Optional Toppings: Use whatever you like. Some of my favorites include fresh fruit, syrup, whipped cream, crushed nuts, etc. 

How to Make Mini Pancake Cereal

This recipe is a bit more time-consuming than regular pancakes. But watching them bubble, rise, and form is so satisfying, you almost won’t notice. 

1. Prepare the wet and dry ingredients. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Then, whisk the milk, egg, butter, and vanilla in a second bowl. 

2. Combine. Slowly add the wet ingredients (second bowl) to the dry ones. Mix until just combined. Lumps are ok!

3. Prepare the cook. Transfer the batter to a squeeze bottle or piping bag. Lightly grease and heat a non-stick skillet over low-medium heat. (If you don’t have a squeeze bottle or piping bag, use a teaspoon to drop the batter.)

4. Cook. Squeeze or spoon small dots of batter onto the hot skillet. Leave space between each and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Once bubbles form and the edges are set, flip and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute. 

5. Keep warm. Transfer the finished pancakes to a plate or baking tray. Keep them warm with a towel or in a low-heated oven while you finish cooking the others. 

6. Assemble and serve. Serve the mini pancakes in a bowl (like cereal). Drizzle with syrup and add any additional toppings. Enjoy! 

Tips for the Best Mini Pancake Cereal

TikTok creators all over the world have shared tips for this recipe. These are the ones I’ve found to be most helpful.

• Aim for smooth and pourable. The batter shouldn’t be thin and runny. But it also shouldn’t be so thick that it won’t pour easily. Adjust the consistency by adding more flour or milk as needed. 

• Give it a rest. Just like when making full-size buttermilk pancakes, the batter needs to rest. After combining the wet and dry ingredients, set the batter aside for several minutes. This allows time for bubbles to form, resulting in fluffier pancakes. 

• The smaller, the better. Each drop of batter should only be about the size of a nickel or a quarter at most. Make them as close in size as possible for more even cooking, as well.

• Grease things up. Butter might taste better, but oil works best for greasing the pan. It has a higher smoke point and will reduce the risk of burning.

• Flip with care. Remember, these pancakes are super small, so a regular-sized spatula may not do the trick. Use chopsticks or an extra-small spatula to flip the pancakes without damaging them. 

• Flip only once. Just like full-size pancakes, these should only be flipped once. Wait until the edges look set and you see bubbles forming on the surface. Then, flip and cook for another 30 seconds to a minute until they’re done. 

• Try fun flavor variations. Experiment with flavors by adding cinnamon, cocoa powder, or almond extract to the batter. You can also make chocolate or strawberry versions by incorporating flavored powders.

How to Eat Pancake Cereal

You can eat your pancake cereal however you like! Some people use a fork and make tiny stacks of pancakes. Others prefer scooping with a spoon like real cereal. 

The most important thing is to load them up with toppings! Here are some of my favorites.

• Maple syrup
• Honey
• Chocolate syrup
• Fresh berries
• Banana slices
• Whipped cream
• Sprinkles
• Chocolate chips
• Chopped nuts
• Yogurt
• Peanut butter
• Nutella

How to Store

Once you add toppings to these mini pancakes, they don’t store as well. Try to be cognizant of how many you add to your bowl. 

To Store: Place cooled, untopped mini pancakes in an air-tight container. Refrigerate them for up to 3 days. 

To Freeze: Arrange the pancakes on a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them until they’re frozen through (about 30 minutes). Then, transfer them to a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. 

To Reheat: Microwave for 20 to 60 seconds (depending on quantity) or reheat the pancakes in the oven. You need about 10 minutes at 350 degrees.