You can't have a ghoulish Halloween-themed breakfast without Halloween Pancakes! These are simple pumpkin spice pancakes that are colored with activated charcoal to be a scary black. If you are looking to level up Halloween this year, it doesn't have to be only parties and trick-or-treating!
Sometimes, it's fun to celebrate holidays like Halloween! From the decorations to all the festive treats and snacks. These pancakes are great for fall as well, just skip the charcoal. I love the flavor and texture of these pancakes because they are so tender in the middle, while the outside gets a little crisp. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.
Try pumpkin dirt cups, Halloween Spider Donuts and candy corn fudge for even more sweet Halloween treats to try.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's quick and easy: These spooky pancakes are super simple to make. Just combine and mix all of the ingredients, and the batter is ready to cook.
- It's inexpensive: This is a cheap recipe as well. It consists mostly of all the items that you can find at the grocery store or in your pantry.
- It's versatile: There are so many ways to serve these Halloween pancakes. From a variety of toppings to mix-ins and sides, you can create a different meal with them every time.
Ingredients
These are the most important ingredients for this recipe, to make these pancakes delicious, fluffy, and spooky.
- Apple cider vinegar: I like to use apple cider vinegar in this recipe because it helps break down the gluten in the flour, resulting in much more tender and airy pancakes. It adds a lovely tangy/acidic note that complements the spices, too. (It's combined with milk to make homemade buttermilk!)
- Brown sugar: The depth of the brown sugar works perfectly in these Halloween pumpkins. It works together with the pumpkin pie spice to provide the best fall flavor.
- Charcoal powder: This is how you get that midnight black color. Ensure that you are using food-grade activated charcoal powder so it's safe to eat. Don't worry, this is for aesthetics and doesn't add flavor.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Caramel apple: Fold in some diced apples and then finish the pancakes with caramel drizzle to give them that classic caramel apple inspiration.
- Chocolate: Add some cocoa powder to make them rich and chocolatey. Chocolate chips work, too!
- Maple pecan: Swap some of the brown sugar for maple syrup and fold in chopped pecans for a twist.
- Switch the color: If you have other Halloween pancake ideas, this is your chance to shine! Try another color, like purple, by using violet food coloring.
How to Make Halloween Pancakes
Here are the instructions on how to make these easy Halloween pancakes. Grab and measure the ingredients before you get started.
Step 1: Combine milk and vinegar. Combine the milk and cider vinegar to create homemade buttermilk.
Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients. Add the dry ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk them until they're fully incorporated.
Step 3: Add wet ingredients. Next, add all of the wet ingredients to the bowl and whisk them into the dry mixture.
Step 4: Stir in the charcoal. Divide the batter in half. Then, add the activated charcoal powder to one of the bowls.
Step 5: Cook the pancakes. Heat your skillet over medium heat and add a little butter or oil. Scoop ¼ cup of batter and cook until bubbles form and pop. Then, flip it and cook for 30 more seconds. Repeat this process until all the batter is used.
Step 6: Serve. Stack your warm pancakes and enjoy them with butter and syrup!
Recipe Tips
- Don't overmix the batter: Only mix the pancake batter until all of the ingredients are combined and there are no streaks of flour. Overmixing can cause too much gluten, resulting in tough pancakes.
- Use an electric griddle: I use a skillet, but an electric griddle is perfect to cook them faster, and if you're making more than one batch.
- Watch the heat: Keep the heat from getting too high to keep the pancakes from burning. Set it around medium-low.
- Rest the pancake batter: Allow your batter to rest for about 5 minutes before making the pancakes, to ensure that the pancakes are as fluffy as possible.
This German apple pancake is another delicious pancake recipe with fall-inspired flavors or try this Fluffy mango pancakes recipe!
Storage Directions
- Storing: Store leftover pancakes in a Ziploc bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You may freeze them for up to 4 months.
- Reheating: Place them on a microwave-safe plate and reheat a portion for 15-20 seconds on high heat.
Serving Suggestions
- Try a fun homemade syrup like this butter pecan syrup or a fruity version like blueberry syrup.
- Some savory sides to enjoy with these Halloween pancakes for kids are bacon-wrapped sausage and cloud eggs.
- Enjoy an adult beverage like this breakfast shot with a stack of Halloween pancakes.
Recipe FAQs
You can try black cocoa powder or food coloring instead. I just like the darker color that you get from the activated charcoal.
Of course! Add your favorite blend of festive sprinkles to the batter.
If you over-measured the flour, it may make the batter thick. Add a splash of milk at a time until you get the right consistency.
Video
More Delicious Pancake Recipes
Do you like pancake recipes? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Halloween Pancakes
Equipment
- wooden spoon or whisk
- large skillet or griddle
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 2 Tablespoons food grade activated charcoal powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a bowl or measuring cup add the milk and the two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, Let this mixture sit for 5 minutes. The milk and vinegar are mixed together to create a faux buttermilk.
- In a mixing bowl, place all of the dry ingredients and mix together.
- After your milk mixture has rested for 5 minutes, add it to the mixing bowl with the dry ingredients.
- Add in the vanilla extract and the eggs, mix everything together until just combined, but do not over mix.
- Split your batter in half, pouring the second half of the batter into a separate bowl. In the second half of your batter, add two tablespoons of activated charcoal.
- Add additional charcoal or food coloring gel if needed to reach the color or colors you desire.
- Heat a skillet to medium low heat and spritz with oil or a little butter. Pour in about a quarter cup of pancake batter. Let the pancake cook for a couple of minutes until the bubbles that begin to appear start to pop. When the bubbles start to pop, use a spatula to flip the pancake over and cook for another 30 seconds to a minute until cooked through. Then remove from the pan and set aside.
- Continue this process with both colors of batter until all of the pancakes have been made.
- Serve. If pancake topping ideas are needed have a look at our suggestions. And it's always a great idea to have a list of delicious pancake side dishes on hand!
Video
Notes
- Keep leftover Halloween pancakes in a Ziploc bag for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
- Add a little bit of milk at a time if your pancake batter is too thick until you get the right consistency.
- Don't overmix the batter to prevent the development of too much gluten, so you don't have tough pancakes.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in August 2021. It has been updated with new content and images.
Rose says
The halloween pancakes were great! My kids and I enjoy making them together. We use food colouring and made the charcoal pancakes and we're thinking of doing this for Christmas as well plus it tastes amazing. Covered in syrup they were eaten by all. Love the idea. Thank you
Karin and Ken says
It’s so easy to change colors for whatever holiday or occasion you want to celebrate. Thank you for letting me know. I’m glad you loved these pancakes! Enjoy the rest of your day! Karin