Wake up to the warm aroma of cinnamon with these Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes—all the flavor of a gooey cinnamon roll, no baking required. Fluffy pancakes swirled with buttery cinnamon sugar create a caramelized, melt-in-your-mouth treat. Perfect for brunch, weekends, or any time you need comfort on a plate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cinnamon Swirl: Butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon create a rich, caramelized swirl with warm spice. Add nutmeg for extra depth.
- Dry Ingredients: Flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt ensure fluffy pancakes with crisp edges.
- Wet Ingredients: Milk and water keep the batter light and smooth—rich yet not too heavy.
- For Cooking & Serving: Grease the skillet lightly for golden-brown pancakes. Top with butter, maple syrup, or powdered sugar for the perfect finish.
Tips & Tricks
- Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: This helps create a smoother batter and fluffier pancakes.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: A few lumps are fine. Overmixing can make the pancakes dense.
- Keep the Heat at Medium: If your skillet is too hot, the cinnamon swirl may burn before the pancake is fully cooked.
- Easy Swirling: No piping bag? Use a zip-top bag with a tiny corner snipped off, or drizzle with a spoon.
Variations to Try
- Cream Cheese Glaze: Drizzle with cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk for true cinnamon roll flavor.
- Pumpkin Spice Swirl: Swap cinnamon for pumpkin spice or add 1 tbsp pumpkin purée for a fall twist.
- Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Pancakes: Stir in ¼ cup mini chocolate chips for a gooey, sweet bite.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use almond, oat, coconut milk, and vegan butter for a plant-based version.
What to Serve with Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes
- Savory Side: Crispy bacon or sausage balances the sweetness.
- Fresh Fruit: Sliced bananas, berries, or caramelized apples for extra flavor.
- Drinks: A glass of cold milk, hot coffee, or a chai latte.
Storage & Reheating
Let pancakes cool completely, then store in an airtight container with parchment between layers. Refrigerate for 3 days or freeze for 2 months. Reheat in the microwave (20-30 sec), skillet (low heat for crispiness), or oven (300°F for 5-7 min).
Love homemade breakfast treats? Try my rich Chocolate Pancakes, cozy Pumpkin Waffles, or keep it simple with my quick and fluffy Homemade Pancake Mix!
Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes
Perfect for a cozy weekend breakfast or a special brunch, Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes come together in under 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients. Serve them with butter and maple syrup for an extra indulgent touch!
Ingredients
For the Cinnamon Swirl Mix:
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- pinch of nutmeg
For the Pancake Batter:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
Prepare the Cinnamon Swirl Mixture
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using). Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Transfer the cinnamon swirl mixture to a piping bag, a zip-top bag (with a small corner snipped off), or a measuring jug for easy pouring. Set aside while you prepare the pancake batter.
Make the Pancake Batter
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk well to ensure even distribution.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk and water. Slowly pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently as you go. Avoid overmixing—small lumps are completely fine!
- Let the batter rest for 15 minutes before cooking. This helps create fluffier pancakes by allowing the ingredients to fully hydrate.
Cook the Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Test if it’s ready by flicking a few drops of water onto the pan—if they sizzle and evaporate, you're good to go!
- Lightly grease the skillet with butter or non-stick spray. Pour 1/4 cup of pancake batter into the pan for each pancake.
- Immediately pipe or drizzle the cinnamon swirl mixture onto the uncooked top side of the pancake. You can create a classic spiral pattern or have fun with creative designs!
- Cook for 2-3 minutes or until small bubbles appear on the surface. Carefully flip the pancake and cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Repeat with the remaining batter and cinnamon mixture.
- Serve your cinnamon swirl pancakes warm, with the swirl side facing up.
Nutrition
Calories: 214kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 4gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 205mgPotassium: 101mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 301IUVitamin C: 0.04mgCalcium: 115mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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