Best Pumpkin Pancakes Recipe for Fall Mornings in 2025

If fall had a flavor, it would be pumpkin: warm, comforting, and full of spice. And what better way to celebrate that cozy feeling than with a stack of fluffy pumpkin pancakes?

Whether you’re welcoming a crisp October morning or just craving something sweet and seasonal, this pumpkin pancake recipe will make your breakfast feel like a warm hug.

Let’s dive into a delicious, cinnamon-kissed, syrup-drizzled recipe that has become a year-round obsession in many kitchens (including ours).

🧡 Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Pancakes

These pumpkin pancakes are the kind of breakfast you make once… and then dream about every morning after.

Here’s why they’re worth obsessing over (and yes, people do make these every single day, even when it’s not fall anymore):

• Unbelievably Fluffy: Thanks to the baking powder and pumpkin puree, these pancakes puff up like little golden clouds. Every bite is soft and pillowy in the center.
• Perfectly Spiced: With a cozy blend of cinnamon, ginger, and allspice, they taste like your favorite fall candle and dessert. But better because you can eat them. Customize it with your favorite spices or stick with classic pumpkin spice.
• Rich Pumpkin Flavor: This isn’t one of those recipes that barely tastes like pumpkin. One full cup of pumpkin puree gives every pancake a deep, earthy flavor and gorgeous autumn color.
• Simple Pantry Ingredients: Everything you need is probably already in your kitchen. No fancy mixes, no hard-to-pronounce ingredients — just real food.
• Freezer-Friendly & Make-Ahead Approved: Want to enjoy pumpkin pancakes any day of the week? Make a big batch, freeze the extras, and pop them in the toaster for a fast fall breakfast.

Whether it’s a crisp October morning or a cozy Sunday in June, these pancakes deliver on flavor, texture, and pure comfort.

🎃 Ingredients You’ll Need

Below is a breakdown of all the ingredients you’ll need to make these pumpkin pancakes, along with notes to help you customize or swap if needed:

📝 Tip: Want more pumpkin flavor? Increase the puree slightly and reduce milk a bit to keep consistency balanced.

🥞 Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Pumpkin Pancakes

These pumpkin pancakes are simple to make, but the process is crucial if you want them to be light, fluffy, and full of fall flavor. Here’s exactly how to do it, no fancy tools required, just a bowl, a whisk, and a skillet.

Let’s get flipping!

🔸 Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the following:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup sugar (or 3 tbsp for a slightly less sweet version)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon allspice

This is your flavor foundation. The baking powder gives the pancakes their signature fluffiness, while the spice blend infuses the batter with a delightful fall scent.

👩‍🍳 Customization Tip: You can mix up the spices to your liking — more cinnamon for extra warmth, or substitute with a pre-mixed pumpkin spice blend.

Give it all a good whisk to ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed. Set this aside while you proceed to the wet mix.

🔸 Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl (preferably a medium-sized one), combine:

• 1 cup milk (any kind)
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 1 cup pumpkin puree

Whisk everything together until smooth and well-blended.

The pumpkin makes the batter thick, rich, and velvety; it’s like a golden orange! The melted butter adds a depth of flavor and helps the pancakes get those slightly crisp edges when cooked.

💡 No egg? No problem! Pumpkin puree is a natural substitute for eggs. You can skip the egg and add a little more pumpkin if you’re avoiding eggs.

🎃 Pro Flavor Tip: Don’t skimp on the vanilla, it gives the batter a warm, rounded finish that enhances the pumpkin and spice notes.

🔸 Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Now it’s time to bring it all together!

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry mixture. Using a whisk or spatula, gently stir until the ingredients are just combined.

⚠️ DO NOT overmix! This is one of the golden rules of pancake making. Stirring too much activates the gluten in the flour, which can make your pancakes dense and rubbery instead of light and fluffy.

You’ll know the batter is ready when it’s mostly smooth but still has a few small lumps. The texture should be thick and rich, almost like a thick carrot cake batter (and yes, the color will give you carrot cake vibes!).

🔸 Step 4: Heat the Pan or Griddle

Now that your batter is ready, let’s talk heat.

Place a skillet or griddle over medium to medium-low heat. Let it warm up for a minute or two.

Add a small amount of butter to the surface and let it melt. Swirl it around to coat the pan evenly.

🧈 Why butter? Not only does it prevent sticking, but it adds flavor and helps give your pancakes beautifully crisp, golden-brown edges.

⏳ Too hot? If the butter sizzles wildly or burns quickly, reduce the heat. Slow and steady wins the pancake game, especially when there’s sugar in the batter, which browns faster.

🔸 Step 5: Cook the Pancakes

Using a 1/3 cup measuring scoop or ladle, pour batter onto the hot, buttered pan.

Gently spread the batter into a circle with the back of a spoon if needed — these pancakes are thick and won’t spread much on their own.

Let the pancake cook undisturbed for about 2–3 minutes.

Watch for these signs:

• Bubbles forming on the surface
• The edges are starting to look dry
• A golden-brown underside (you can gently peek with a spatula)

Once it’s ready, carefully flip with a spatula. Cook the other side for an additional 1–2 minutes, until both sides are golden brown and the center is cooked through.

🥄 Hot Pan Warning: As you cook multiple pancakes, your pan may get hotter. If the pancakes start browning too fast, lower the heat to avoid burning the outside while the center stays raw.

Repeat the process for the remaining batter. Add more butter to the pan as needed between batches.

✅ Final Pancake Check

When cooked just right, these pancakes will be:

• Fluffy and tender inside
• Crisp and golden on the outside
• Perfectly spiced and sweet
• So good you’ll want to eat them straight off the pan

🍽️ How to Serve Pumpkin Pancakes

Pumpkin pancakes are a meal in themselves, but with the right toppings? They turn into a breakfast celebration.

Whether you’re feeding your family on a chilly weekend morning or making a cozy brunch for yourself, here’s how to serve them so they shine:

🥞 Classic & Simple

• Pure maple syrup is a no-fail option. The warm, earthy sweetness pairs perfectly with the flavors of fall.
• Add a pat of butter on top right after stacking so it melts into all the little crevices. That golden glow? Chef’s kiss.

🍦 For a Dessert Vibe

• Whipped cream — light, fluffy, and indulgent. Especially fun for kids (or your inner child).
• A dusting of cinnamon sugar gives that cozy, sweet bakery touch.
• Drizzle with cream cheese glaze for a carrot cake energy boost. Yes, dessert for breakfast is allowed.
• Sprinkle with chopped pecans or walnuts for a toasty crunch.

🍓 Fresh & Fruity

• Sliced bananas or apples bring natural sweetness.
• A handful of fresh berries adds tartness and color contrast.
• Serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt for a protein boost.

💬 Fun idea: Set up a pancake bar with different toppings for a weekend brunch! Everyone can build their own perfect stack.

✨ Variations to Try

This pumpkin pancake recipe is super adaptable. Once you master the base, feel free to experiment with these cozy and creative twists:

🔄 Batch cooking? These freeze beautifully! Just separate layers with parchment paper, freeze, and reheat in the toaster or oven for a quick fall breakfast any day.

📝 Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Not sure what to use or looking to tweak for dietary needs? Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients and their possible swaps:

🥛 Milk

• Use any milk you like — dairy, almond, oat, soy, or coconut.
• Want extra richness? Use buttermilk or half-and-half for a creamier texture.

🎃 Pumpkin Puree

• Make sure you’re using 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling (which is already sweetened and spiced).
• You can also use homemade pumpkin puree, make sure it’s thick and not watery.

🍳 Egg

• Not a fan of eggs? Replace it with:
  • ¼ cup more pumpkin puree
  • 1 flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water)
  • ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce

🧈 Butter

• Swap with melted coconut oil or vegan butter for a dairy-free option.
• Neutral oils, such as canola or avocado oil, work in a pinch but won’t add the same flavor richness.

🌾 Flour

• Stick with all-purpose flour for the best texture.
• For a whole-grain boost, you can substitute up to ½ the flour with whole wheat flour (note: pancakes will be denser).
• Gluten-free? Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for easy swapping.

🍬 Sugar

• Regular granulated sugar works great.
• Brown sugar adds a richer, molasses-like depth.
• For a lower sugar content, reduce to 2–3 tablespoons or use a sugar alternative, such as monk fruit or coconut sugar.

🔄 Flavor note: Every ingredient plays a role in both texture and taste — but this recipe is super forgiving. Feel free to make it yours!

🧡 Final Thoughts: Your New Favorite Fall Breakfast

Pumpkin pancakes aren’t just a seasonal treat; they’re a whole experience. The smell of cinnamon, the sizzle of butter on the pan, that first forkful of fluffy, golden perfection… It’s cozy, comforting, and a little nostalgic.

These pancakes are easy enough for a lazy Sunday morning, but special enough to serve at a fall brunch with friends.

Whether you keep it simple with syrup or go full dessert-mode with cream cheese and whipped cream, this recipe is guaranteed to bring warm, fall vibes to your breakfast table.

So go ahead, save this one, share it, and come back to it every time you want breakfast that feels like a hug in pancake form. 🍂

🍁 More Cozy Fall Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re into soft textures, warm spices, and all things pumpkin, don’t stop here. These are perfect pairings for your fall kitchen lineup:

• 🥣 Easy 30-Min Pumpkin Soup Recipe for Fall – Warm, creamy, and perfect for chilly nights.
• 🍰 Tasty Fall Pumpkin Roll Recipe You Must Try – That cream cheese swirl? Irresistible.
• 🍰 Cozy Pumpkin Cake Recipe Perfect for Fall – Moist, spiced, and layered with luscious frosting.

Your fall cravings = handled.

Ella Foster

Ella Foster, co-founder of FoodBears.com, is a skilled writer whose love for cooking fuels her creative work. Her passion for experimenting in the kitchen brings authentic flavor and culinary inspiration to every piece she crafts for the platform.