Some mornings just call for something a little different, something that feels like a treat without the fuss. That’s where these Easy Breakfast Pancake Poppers come in. They’re small enough to pop in your mouth, but filled with a creamy, fruity surprise that makes waking up a little sweeter.
I remember one weekend when I was half-distracted by the morning news blaring in the background and my phone buzzing non-stop. Somehow, the batter was a bit lumpier than usual — not quite perfect, but it turned out fine because these poppers don’t demand perfection. The cream cheese and fruit filling melted into the warm pockets of pancake, creating a cozy burst of flavor that made me pause and really enjoy the moment, even if just for a few bites.
Why You’ll Love It:
- They’re easy, even if you’re juggling a million things in the morning.
- Portable and bite-sized, which means less mess and more fun.
- The cream cheese and fresh fruit filling adds a fresh twist, but you do have to wait a bit for them to bake.
- Great for kids or adults who love a sweet start without going overboard.
If you’re worried about baking in the morning, I get it. But these actually come together pretty quickly, and you can even make them ahead and reheat. Just don’t expect them to be crispy like fried pancakes—they’re more tender and fluffy, which is kinda the point here.
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Easy Breakfast Pancake Poppers
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
These Easy Breakfast Pancake Poppers are bite-sized pancakes filled with sweet cream cheese and fresh fruit, perfect for a fun and delicious breakfast or snack.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 cup fresh strawberries, diced
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
Cooking spray
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a mini muffin tin with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix; the batter will be slightly lumpy.
In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
Place about 1 tablespoon of pancake batter into each mini muffin cup, filling about halfway.
Add about 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture on top of the batter in each cup.
Sprinkle a few pieces of diced strawberries and blueberries over the cream cheese layer.
Top each muffin cup with an additional tablespoon of pancake batter to cover the filling.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until the pancake poppers are golden and a toothpick inserted into the batter (not the filling) comes out clean.
Allow the pancake poppers to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before removing.
Serve warm and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Kitchen Notes: Cooking these in a mini muffin tin helps keep their shape, so if you don’t have one, you might want to try a silicone mold or something similar. I usually serve them with a little drizzle of maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar. Sometimes I swap the berries for whatever fruit I have on hand—banana slices or chopped apples work okay, but the berries seem to keep the texture just right.
FAQ:
Can I make these gluten-free? I haven’t tested it fully, but swapping in a gluten-free flour blend might work if you adjust for moisture.
Can I freeze leftover poppers? Yes, just freeze them in an airtight container and reheat gently in the microwave.
Are these suitable for kids? Definitely! Their size makes them great for little hands, and the sweet filling is usually a hit.
These poppers are just one more reason to look forward to breakfast. Give them a try soon—you might find yourself making them on a lazy weekend or whenever you need a little cozy comfort in the morning.