Strawberry Pancakes for Baby

Looking for a baby-friendly breakfast idea? Try these Strawberry Pancakes! Made with fresh, juicy strawberries and basic pantry staples, these pancakes are light, fluffy, and full of flavor. They’re easy to make and perfect for little hands to hold. Plus, they’re a great way to introduce your baby to new textures and tastes.

Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Egg
• Milk
• Unsalted butter
• Vanilla extract
• Fresh strawberries

How To Make Strawberry Pancakes For Baby

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Whisk them together to ensure they are well-mixed and to make the pancakes light and fluffy.

In another bowl, whisk together an egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. This mixture will add richness and flavor to the pancakes.

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently whisk them together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the pancakes soft.

Gently fold in diced strawberries into the batter. This will add sweet and fruity flavors to your pancakes.

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease it with a little butter or oil to prevent sticking and to add extra flavor.

Scoop 2-3 tablespoons of batter per pancake onto the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbles form on the surface.

Carefully flip the pancakes and cook for another 1-2 minutes until both sides are golden brown.

Repeat with the remaining batter, adjusting the heat as needed to avoid burning. Add more butter or oil to the skillet if necessary.

Let the pancakes cool slightly before serving, especially for babies, to ensure they are not too hot.

Pro Tips

1. Choosing the Right Flour:

Use Whole Wheat Flour: If you prefer a healthier option, you can swap the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour. Whole wheat adds extra fiber, which is great for digestion, but it may result in a denser texture.

Baby-Friendly Flour: For babies with allergies or sensitivities, oat flour or rice flour can be used as substitutes. These are gentle on tiny tummies and offer a naturally sweet flavor.

2. Adjusting the Sweetness:

Natural Sweeteners: Babies generally don’t need added sugar, so the natural sweetness of strawberries is enough. If you want to enhance the sweetness without sugar, you can add a little mashed banana to the batter for extra flavor and sweetness.

Avoid Artificial Sweeteners: Don’t use artificial sweeteners like honey for babies under 1 year old due to the risk of botulism. Stick to fruit for natural sweetness.

3. Using Fresh Strawberries:

Dice Small: Be sure to dice the strawberries into very small pieces or even mash them slightly. This ensures that they are soft enough for babies to eat without any choking hazards.

Use Frozen Strawberries: If fresh strawberries are unavailable, frozen strawberries work well too. Just thaw them and chop them into small pieces before adding them to the batter.

4. Cooking the Pancakes:

Cook Low and Slow: Since you want soft and fluffy pancakes for babies, it’s important to cook them on medium-low heat. This will allow them to cook through without becoming too crispy or hard on the outside.

Flip Gently: Use a spatula to flip the pancakes gently, as they can be delicate, especially if you’ve added a lot of fruit to the batter. Let the pancakes cook until they are golden brown on both sides but still soft in the middle.

5. Texture Adjustments for Babies:

Puree the Batter: For babies under 1 year old or those just starting solids, you can make the pancakes even softer by pureeing the batter with an immersion blender or food processor before cooking. This creates a smoother texture that’s easier for babies to chew and swallow.

Make Pancake Bites: If your baby is able to eat finger foods, consider making small pancake bites instead of regular-sized pancakes. This helps little hands grab and hold the pancakes better.

6. Let the Pancakes Cool:

Let Them Cool: Allow the pancakes to cool slightly before serving. Babies’ mouths are sensitive, and hot food could cause discomfort.

Variations and Substitutions

1. Dairy-Free Options:

Non-Dairy Milk: Substitute almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk for the regular milk to make these pancakes dairy-free.

Dairy-Free Butter: Use coconut oil or a plant-based butter alternative instead of unsalted butter for a dairy-free version.

2. Egg-Free Option:

Flax Egg: To make these pancakes egg-free, you can use a flax egg (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water, let sit for a few minutes to thicken) or applesauce (1/4 cup) as an egg replacement.

Mashed Banana: You can also use mashed banana (1/4 cup) as a substitute for eggs, which will also add a natural sweetness.

3. Gluten-Free Options:

Gluten-Free Flour: Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the blend includes xanthan gum or another binder to help the pancakes hold together. You could also use rice flour or oat flour if you’re looking for a lighter, more delicate texture.

Almond Flour: Almond flour provides a nice, soft texture and adds extra protein. If using almond flour, you might need to reduce the amount of liquid in the recipe as almond flour absorbs more moisture than regular flour.

4. Fruit Variations:

Other Fruits: If your baby isn’t fond of strawberries, you can swap them with other soft fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or mashed peaches. Just ensure the fruit is soft and diced finely to avoid choking hazards.

Mixed Fruit Pancakes: Combine strawberries with small pieces of banana, pear, or apple for a variety of fruit flavors.

5. Adding Spices:

Cinnamon or Nutmeg: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavor. These spices are great for introducing new tastes to your baby and are generally safe in small quantities.

Vanilla Extract: If you want to introduce more flavor, a dash of vanilla extract adds a lovely, warm flavor that complements the strawberries.

6. Serving Suggestions:

Yogurt Topping: For added creaminess, serve the pancakes with a dollop of unsweetened Greek yogurt or a dairy-free alternative. It adds protein and healthy fats.

Fruit Puree: Top the pancakes with a homemade fruit puree (such as apple or pear) for a naturally sweet topping.

Coconut Whipped Cream: For a special treat, you can make a little coconut whipped cream by chilling coconut milk and whipping it with a bit of vanilla and honey (for babies over 1 year).

More Recipes

• Strawberry Shortbread Pie
• Eggless Strawberry Shortcake
• Vegan Strawberry Frosting
• Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cookies