Is there anything better than waking up to jack o’lantern pancakes on Halloween morning? I still remember my kids’ faces lighting up when they saw their breakfast plates transformed into grinning pumpkin faces. That “Wow, Mom!” moment is exactly why I make these every October. These aren’t just pancakes – they’re edible Halloween magic that turns an ordinary breakfast into something special. The best part? They’re shockingly simple to make with basic ingredients you probably already have. A little food coloring, some chocolate chips for the face, and suddenly you’re the coolest parent on the block. Trust me, if my chaotic morning routine can handle these, yours definitely can!
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Jack O Lantern Pancakes
These pancakes aren’t just food – they’re a whole Halloween experience! Here’s why they’ve become our family’s October tradition:
- Maximum festive vibes – Nothing screams Halloween breakfast like edible jack-o’-lanterns staring up from your plate
- Kid-approved magic – My kids go wild for these (and may actually eat breakfast without complaining)
- Easy-peasy – Uses basic pancake batter with simple food coloring tricks
- Customizable faces – Make them silly, spooky, or sweet with different chocolate chip arrangements
- Perfect for crowds – Whip up a whole pumpkin patch of pancakes for Halloween brunch
Seriously, the first time you flip one of these and see that perfect pumpkin face smiling back at you? Chef’s kiss.
Ingredients for Jack O Lantern Pancakes
Here’s everything you’ll need to create your pumpkin patch of pancakes – nothing fancy, just good old pantry staples with a Halloween twist:
- 2 cups pancake mix (I use the “just add water” kind – my secret for busy mornings)
- 1 1/4 cups water (or amount specified by your mix)
- 1/2 teaspoon orange food coloring gel (or 10 drops liquid)
- 1/4 teaspoon green food coloring gel (or 5 drops liquid)
- 36 chocolate chips (about 9 per pancake – mini chips work great for little faces)
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
No orange food coloring? Mix equal parts red and yellow – I’ve done this in a pinch and it works perfectly! For allergy-friendly versions: use dairy-free chocolate chips and a gluten-free pancake mix. Pro tip: gel food coloring gives vibrant colors without thinning your batter. If your kids are picky about “green stuff,” you can skip the stems – but trust me, that little touch makes all the difference!
Equipment Needed for Jack O Lantern Pancakes
You won’t need any fancy gadgets for these – just the usual pancake-making suspects with one fun twist:
- Large skillet or griddle – My trusty cast iron works perfectly
- Thin spatula – For those delicate flips
- Plastic sandwich bag – Our makeshift piping bag (no need to get fancy!)
- Cookie scoop or 1/3 cup measure – For perfect pumpkin shapes
- Scissors – To snip that bag corner just right
That’s it! See? I told you this was easy. Now let’s make some magic!
How to Make Jack O Lantern Pancakes
Okay, let’s get spooky! Making these jack o’ lantern pancakes is easier than you think – I’ll walk you through each step like I’m right there in the kitchen with you. Just follow along and you’ll have a plate full of grinning pumpkins before you know it!
- Mix it up: In a large bowl, prepare your pancake batter according to the package directions (or your favorite recipe). That familiar smell already has me excited!
- Divide and color: Scoop out about ⅕ cup of the batter into a small bowl. Now the fun begins – tint the big bowl orange and the small bowl green. Stir gently until the colors are vibrant and even.
- Bag it: Pour the green batter into a plastic bag and snip a tiny corner – about ⅕-inch. This is your “piping bag” for the stems. Pro tip: roll down the top edges so it doesn’t ooze everywhere!
- Pumpkin time: Heat your skillet over medium and lightly grease it. Pour ⅓ cup of orange batter to form your pumpkin shape. Let it set for about 30 seconds before adding the stem.
- Face it: When bubbles form on top (about 2 minutes), press in chocolate chips to make a face. Pointy ends in – just like real jack-o’-lantern carvings!
- The big flip: Wait until the edges look set, then gently slide your spatula underneath. One quick motion and… voila! Cook just 15 more seconds on side two.
Shaping the Pancakes
The secret to perfect jack o’ lantern pancakes? Patience with the batter! Let your orange circle set slightly before piping the stem – this keeps them from blending together. For the face, work quickly once bubbles form but don’t press chips too deep or they’ll disappear. Want scary or silly? Triangle eyes are classic, but my kids love making winky faces with one chip up and one down. Just remember – thicker batter holds shapes better, so don’t over-mix!
Cooking Tips for Perfect Jack O Lantern Pancakes
Oh honey, I’ve burned my share of pumpkin faces to learn these lessons! First, medium heat is KEY – too hot and the chocolate melts into a blob, too low and you lose definition. Watch for the edges going from shiny to matte – that’s your cue to add the face. And here’s my #1 tip: cook the face-side first! That way when you flip, the chips just get warm enough to stay put without becoming a melted mess. If batter starts thickening, stir in a teaspoon of water to keep it pipeable. You’ve got this!
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Jack O Lantern Pancakes: 6 Spooky Steps to Halloween Magic
Fun and festive Jack O Lantern pancakes perfect for Halloween breakfast or any spooky occasion.
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 pancakes 1x
Ingredients
- pancake batter made from mix or recipe of choice
- orange food coloring or red + yellow food coloring
- green food coloring
- chocolate chips 9 per pancake
Instructions
- In large bowl, prepare pancake mix of choice as instructed in pancake recipe or on pancake mix box.
- Remove approximately ⅕ of the prepared batter and transfer it to small bowl.
- Add very small amount of orange food coloring (or red + yellow food coloring) to remaining batter in large bowl. Stir thoroughly to tint batter, adding additional food color in very small increments as needed to achieve desired shade of orange.
- Repeat above step using green food coloring for pancake batter in small bowl.
- Transfer green pancake batter from small bowl into plastic sandwich bag (or piping bag). Work batter down into one corner of sandwich bag and snip off corner tip, leaving small hole (approximately ⅕-inch wide). Prop cut corner of bag up when not actively in use to prevent batter leaking everywhere.
- Preheat large skillet over medium heat and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Use cookie scoop or measuring cup to ladle approximately ⅓ cup of orange pancake batter into hot skillet. Let orange batter set.
- Pipe green pancake batter into skillet, drawing a square/rectangle at top of orange circle to make stem. Fill in shape with additional green batter. Make sure green better actually touches orange batter, or stem won’t stay connected to pumpkin.
- Let pumpkin-shaped pancake cook until set on sides (it’ll be more matte rather than glossy) and bubbles appear on side of pancake facing up. When bubbles appear, press chocolate chips onto orange circle to form jack-o-lantern face, with pointy ends of chocolate chips pointing toward green stem to resemble triangular cut-outs.
- Once chocolate chips are placed, very carefully flip pancake over with spatula (pancake should be mostly cooked through before flipping). Cook approximately 15 seconds on second side. Be careful not to overcook this side or the jack-o-lantern face will be brown and the chocolate chips melted.
- Transfer finished jack-o-lantern pancake to plate and keep warm. Repeat process with remaining batters. Serve warm as-is or with desired toppings.
Notes
- Use non-stick spray for easy flipping.
- Adjust food coloring amounts to get your desired shade.
- Keep pancakes warm in oven at low temperature while making the batch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pancake
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Serving Suggestions for Jack O Lantern Pancakes
Now comes the best part – making these jack o’ lantern pancakes look extra spooktacular on the plate! A drizzle of maple syrup makes perfect “pumpkin guts,” while a dollop of whipped cream creates ghostly clouds. For a healthier twist, arrange sliced strawberries or bananas in a spiderweb pattern. I love serving these on orange plates with Halloween napkins – it’s those little touches that make my kids squeal with delight. And if you really want to go all out? Add some candy eyes or gummy worms on the side for the full Halloween breakfast experience!
Storing and Reheating Jack O Lantern Pancakes
Got leftover jack o’ lantern pancakes? No problem! Let them cool completely, then stack them with parchment paper between each one (trust me – this keeps the chocolate chip faces from sticking together). Pop them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, just pop them in the toaster or microwave for about 20 seconds – they’ll come back to life almost as good as fresh! Pro tip: If you want to freeze them, they’ll keep for about a month – perfect for sneaking in one last Halloween breakfast surprise!
Nutritional Information for Jack O Lantern Pancakes
Here’s the skinny on these spooky treats – each jack o’ lantern pancake clocks in at about 220 calories. Remember, these are estimates and will vary based on your specific ingredients (especially that pancake mix you grab from the pantry). The chocolate chips add a little sugar, but hey – it’s Halloween! Everything in moderation, right?
FAQs About Jack O Lantern Pancakes
Got questions about making these festive pancakes? I’ve got answers from all my trial-and-error Halloween breakfasts!
Can I make jack o’ lantern pancake batter ahead of time?
Absolutely! Mix the batter (without food coloring) the night before and store it covered in the fridge. Add colors and stems fresh in the morning – this keeps the green from bleeding into the orange. Just give it a quick stir before using since it might thicken overnight.
How do I keep jack o’ lantern pancakes warm for a crowd?
My secret? Preheat your oven to 200°F and line a baking sheet with parchment. As pancakes finish, pop them in single layers – they’ll stay perfect for up to 30 minutes while you cook the rest of your pumpkin patch!
What if my chocolate chips melt too much?
Been there! Try refrigerating the chips for 10 minutes before using, and don’t press them in too deep. If they still melt, wait until the pancake’s almost done cooking to add them – just long enough to stick without losing shape.
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of food coloring?
You bet! Substitute 1/4 cup pumpkin puree for some liquid in your batter. The color will be more subtle, but the flavor is amazing. You’ll still want a touch of orange coloring for that classic jack-o’-lantern look though.
Share Your Jack O Lantern Pancakes
I’d love to see your spooky creations! Tag me @FrostyRecipes or use #JackOLanternPancakes so we can all admire your pumpkin-faced masterpieces. Nothing makes me happier than seeing your kitchen filled with Halloween joy! You can also follow us on Facebook for more fun recipes.
