From cranberry to Oreo, from salmon to squash, here are the best sweet and savoury pancake toppings and fillings.
Once you’ve made your favourite pancake recipe (opens in new tab), it’s time to decide on the filling. As pancakes are made simply from three ingredients; milk, eggs, and flour, they are perfect served with both sweet and savoury toppings. Traditionally on Pancake Day, pancakes are seen as a sweet dessert drizzled with lemon or served with a scoop or two of ice cream. However, savoury pancakes (opens in new tab) can be served instead stuffed with chicken or sprinkled with cheese for dinner.
As pancakes are quite plain in flavour you can really experiment and be adventurous with toppings and fillings. You can try extravagant pancakes topped with your favourite chocolate bar or keep it simple and satisfying with classics such as lemon and sugar. If you want to wrap your pancakes you're best to choose soft, thin pancakes like crepes. Or if you want to stack your pancakes, thicker ones like Scotch pancakes or American-style are best for this.
"If you're struggling for inspiration, I like to think of my favourite cakes or desserts and then see which elements I could transfer to a pancake," says Food Writer Jessica Ransom (opens in new tab). "For example, lovers of sticky toffee pudding might want to try a rich caramel sauce, some dates, and finish with a scoop of ice cream. The same applies when it comes to savoury options, think of the pancake like a pizza. One of my favourite pancake dinners is using pancakes instead of wraps for fajitas or if I'm feeling more classical, I'll soften leeks in butter then sprinkle with grated gruyere and ham and serve with a dollop of mustard on the side."
Pancake toppings and fillings
1. Joe Wicks' pancakes
Serves: 2 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 25 mins
The sweetness of the maple syrup and the saltiness of the bacon pair perfectly together with pancakes. Joe Wicks has made his pancakes with banana and peanut butter for a much healthier, yet filling option. However, the maple syrup and bacon flavour combo would work just as well on classic pancakes or crepes.
Get the recipe: Joe Wicks' pancakes (opens in new tab)
2. Italian crespelle pancakes
Serves: 8 | Skill level: Medium | Total time: 45 mins
This simple Italian dish is ideal as a sharing dinner, especially on Pancake Day. Spinach and ricotta fill each pancake with a rich, creamy texture and flavour. Topped with plenty of cheese and baked for 30 mins, this is one of our favourite ways to serve pancakes. Add strips of cooked meat like chicken to make this pancake filling even more versatile.
Get the recipe: Italian crespelle pancakes (opens in new tab)
3. Rhubarb pancakes with custard
Serves: 6 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 50 mins
Thick chunks of sweet, sticky rhubarb complete with a light custard drizzle. We’d recommend making thick, spongey American-style pancakes for this combo to absorb all the flavours. For ease, this recipe uses readymade custard but you could always have a go at making your own.
Get the recipe: Rhubarb pancakes with custard (opens in new tab)
4. Vegan blueberry pancakes
Serves: 4 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 15 mins
The zingy orange marmalade and the sweet bursts of fresh blueberries work wonders together. Piled high on top of a generous stack of pancakes and you’ve got a simply delicious breakfast. This recipe is for vegan pancakes made with almond milk, however, the tangy marmalade and blueberry combo can top traditional pancakes or crepes just as well. Sprinkle with flaked almonds and serve.
Get the recipe: Vegan blueberry pancakes (opens in new tab)
5. Avocado pancakes
Serves: 2 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 10 mins
Give your pancakes a twist by making them with avocado. The creaminess of the avocado mashed and cooked in the batter makes the pancake extra soft in texture and rich in flavour. Drizzled with lime and served with goats' cheese and salsa verde, this is a great savoury option.
Get the recipe: Avocado pancakes (opens in new tab)
6. Bacon and cheese pancakes
Serves: 4 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 35 mins
We just love this unique pancake topping of salty bacon, creamy blue cheese, and earthy walnuts. These pancakes are made with rye flour, which really complements the flavours of the pancake toppings. Finish with dill before serving to really enhance the taste.
Get the recipe: Bacon and cheese pancakes (opens in new tab)
7. Cinnamon roll pancakes
Serves: 12 | Skill level: Medium | Total time: 10 mins
Whether you choose to sprinkle your pancakes with cinnamon or add a teaspoon to the pancake mix, cinnamon is one of the simplest pancake toppings. It can transform a standard batch of pancakes into something more, warming with a hint of spice. This recipe takes it to the next level turning pancakes into sweet, sticky cinnamon rolls.
Get the recipe: Cinnamon roll pancakes (opens in new tab)
8. Cornmeal pancakes with spicy peanut curry
Serves: 4 | Skill level: Medium | Total time: 2 hrs
Another of our best pancake fillings, this savoury option transform your pancakes into a fiery dinner. The cornmeal pancakes and peanut-infused curry match perfectly. This nutty filling would work with thicker pancakes too such as American or Scotch. Garnish with spring onion, chillies, and serve.
Get the recipe: Cornmeal pancakes with spicy peanut curry (opens in new tab)
9. Lemon blueberry pancakes
Serves: 4 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 20 mins
Lemon, blueberries, and mascarpone make one deliciously sweet flavour combo to top and fill your choice of pancakes. We'd recommend stacking thick pancakes, such as American pancakes (opens in new tab), with the mascarpone and blueberry filling and then drizzling with lemon syrup. This recipe makes a great dessert.
Get the recipe: Lemon blueberry pancakes (opens in new tab)
10. Banoffee pancakes
Serves: 6 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 15 mins
If you're looking for one of our more indulgent pancake fillings, these banoffee pancakes are sure to impress. With warmed banana slices, drizzled in a classic banoffee sauce and piled high with ice cream and cream. We've used Scotch pancakes, but you could swap for crepe-style pancakes and wrap the ingredients inside the pancake instead.
Get the recipe: Banoffee pancakes (opens in new tab)
11. Lemon cheese crepes
Serves: 4 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 20 mins
It takes just three ingredients to fill these pancakes; mascarpone cheese, fresh lemon, and lemon curd. These pancakes are like little cheesecake parcels with a creamy texture and zingy kick of lemon. This recipe would work just as well with orange curd instead.
Get the recipe: Lemon cheese crepes (opens in new tab)
12. Creme Egg pancakes
Serves: 8 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 25 mins
In this recipe, the Creme Egg is broken up - the 'goo' is warmed to make a sweet, melted marshmallow topping and the chocolate coating is melted and added to the pancake mix for chocolate flavoured pancakes. Another great way to get the flavor of the Creme Egg on your pancakes is by gently melting the egg as a whole and drizzling over your freshly made pancakes or crepes.
Get the recipe: Creme Egg pancakes (opens in new tab)
13. Chicken and spring onion pancakes
Serves: 1 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 10 mins
At just 298 calories, these chicken and spring onion pancakes make the perfect filling lunch or light dinner option. Tender chunks of chicken, paired with fresh spring onions and a good pinch of ground mace or grated nutmeg transform simple pancakes. Great for using up leftover meat too.
Get the recipe: Chicken and spring onion pancakes (opens in new tab)
14. Gordon Ramsay’s chocolate crepes
Serves: 6-8 | Skill level: Medium | Total time: 45 mins
Indulge in these chocolate crepes by celeb chef Gordon Ramsay. Adding cocoa powder to the pancake batter (opens in new tab) makes these pancakes extra rich in flavour and texture. Top with a homemade chocolate sauce and crème chantilly and you've got one of the best pancake fillings. Sprinkle with flaked almonds, grated orange zest, and serve.
Get the recipe: Gordon Ramsay's chocolate crepes (opens in new tab)
15. Cranberry pancakes
Serves: 4 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 25 mins
If you’re looking for one of the simplest ways to add a punch of flavour to your chosen pancake recipe, cranberry sauce is a great option. With a drizzle of orange and grated zest, cranberry sauce adds a sweet, yet tart taste to pancakes. It’s one of our speediest pancake fillings.
Get the recipe: Cranberry pancakes (opens in new tab)
16. Orange syrup
Serves: 4 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 20 mins
It takes just four ingredients to make these sticky sweet orange syrup; clementines, caster sugar, Cointreau, and orange juice. The orange syrup would be perfect drizzled on a variety of pancakes including American, Scotch, French crepes, and more. Pair with creme fraiche for one tasty pancake topping.
Get the recipe: Orange syrup for pancakes (opens in new tab)
17. Oreo pancakes
Serves: 4 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 20 mins
A real showstopping pudding, Oreo pancakes. These Oreo pancakes taste just like the chocolaty biscuit and are sandwiched with plenty of cream and drizzled in chocolate. The pancakes themselves are made with crushed Oreos. Finish the pancake stack with more Oreos and Oreo Minis and you've got one indulgent dessert.
Get the recipe: Oreo pancakes (opens in new tab)
18. Salmon pancakes
Serves: 4 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 35 mins
Combine mushrooms, salmon, and rich Hollandaise sauce to make one of the ultimate savoury pancake fillings. This flavour-packed filling is infused with dill, black pepper and plenty of mushrooms. The pancakes absorb the creamy texture and flavour of the Hollandaise sauce making it one mouthwatering dish overall.
Get the recipe: Salmon pancakes (opens in new tab)
19. Squash pancakes
Serves: 6 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 40 mins
Combine soft butternut squash with rich Stilton cheese and fresh watercress to make one delicious pancake filling. The creaminess of the Stilton pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the butternut squash. We've served this filling with our classic pancake recipe, crepe-style pancakes are they're much easier to wrap than thicker pancakes.
Get the recipe: Squash pancakes (opens in new tab)
20. Salted caramel pancakes
Serves: 4 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 20 mins
If you're a salted caramel fan then you really much try one of our best pancake toppings. These salted caramel and pretzel pancakes balance the saltiness with ice cream and the sweetness with added pretzels - the perfect combination. Sprinkle with crushed sea salt and serve.
Get the recipe: Salted caramel pancakes (opens in new tab)
21. Chicken pancakes
Serves: 4 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 20 mins
If you're looking for a hearty pancake filling that will keep you fuller for longer, these chicken pancakes are a great choice. The creamy sauce is made with milk, butter, and leeks and has a luxurious, silky texture. Infused with wholegrain mustard, these chicken pancakes are guaranteed to please the tastebuds.
Get the recipe: Chicken pancakes (opens in new tab)
22. Snickers pancakes
Serves: 2 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 20 mins
These Snickers pancakes are piled high with homemade nougat, Carnation caramel, peanuts, hazelnut chocolate spread, whipped cream – and of course, Snickers bars. We've chosen to add this pancake topping to chocolate pancakes but plain pancakes would work just as well.
Get the recipe: Snickers pancakes (opens in new tab)
23. Mango pancakes
Serves: 6 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 40 mins
Layer your pancakes with a fruity combination of mango, passion fruit, runny honey, and Greek yogurt to make these tangy mango pancakes. Mango is a great pancake filling that you can find in most supermarkets. It's easy to prepare and will add a sweet, tangy flavor to the pancakes of your choice. Plus a portion of this recipe counts as one of your five-a-day.
Get the recipe: Mango pancakes (opens in new tab)
24. Strawberry pancakes
Serves: 8 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 15 mins
Indulge your sweet tooth with this strawberry, almond, and caramel pancake recipe. You can use the delicious mixture as a pancake filling by rolling the pancakes to serve or simply top with and sprinkle with almonds before eating. Swap half the strawberries for raspberries or blackberries for an even fruity pancake topping.
Get the recipe: Strawberry pancakes (opens in new tab)
25. Apple pancakes
Serves: 4 | Skill level: Easy | Total time: 40 mins
Best served with custard or ice cream, this apple pancakes recipe is one of our best pancake fillings. Like a warm apple pie filling but with added chocolate, it's the perfect dessert for Pancake Day. If you're a Nutella fan you could easily swap the chocolate sauce for warmed Nutella instead.
Get the recipe: Apple pancakes