5-Minute Snowman Pancakes (Cute, Easy Holiday Breakfast Kids Love)

In just five minutes, you can make cute snowman pancakes with a quick batter and smart toppings. Great for Christmas breakfast, class gatherings, or hectic winter mornings.

This recipe has been made, remade, and speed‑tested on hectic school mornings and lazy snow days alike. It’s a keeper.

“Cutest breakfast I’ve made all year. Fast, fluffy, and the kids begged for seconds!” –Kellisha Johnson. A winter storm once canceled school just as my coffee kicked in—and I needed a 5‑minute win. I grabbed my everyday batter, poured three quick circles for a head, body, and base, and raided the pantry for “accessories.” Pretzel arms, strawberry scarves, and chocolate‑chip buttons turned simple pancakes into cheerful snowmen before the kettle even boiled. The kids loved “designing outfits” and dusting powdered‑sugar “snow,” while I loved that everything cooked at once on the griddle with almost no mess. Now these 5‑Minute Snowman Pancakes are our go‑to holiday breakfast—festive enough for Christmas morning, easy enough for Tuesday.

5-Minute Snowman Pancakes (Cute, Easy Holiday Breakfast Kids Love)

Serves

• 2 snowmen (6 pancakes total). Scale as needed.

Time

• Prep: 1 minute

• Cook: 4 minutes

• Total: 5 minutes

  

Ingredients

1 cup (120 g) pancake mix (or 1 cup all-purpose flour,and 1 tbsp sugar + 1 tsp baking powder + pinch of salt)

• 3/4 cup (180 ml) milk (dairy or plant-based)

• 1 large egg

• 1 tbsp neutral oil or melted butter

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

• Oil or butter for the pan

Snowman decorations (mix and match)

• Chocolate chips or mini chips (eyes, mouth, buttons)

• A thin sliver of carrot or an orange sprinkle/candy (nose)

• Pretzel sticks (arms)

• Strawberry slices, fruit leather, or bacon strip (scarf)

• Whipped cream or powdered sugar “snow”

• Syrup, honey, or powdered sugar for serving

Equipment

• Large nonstick skillet or griddle (preheat to medium)

• Spatula

• Measuring spoons; optional squeeze bottle for tidy circles

  
  

Step-by-step (5-minute flow)

Preheat and mix (minute 0–1): Heat the skillet/griddle over medium; lightly grease. In a bowl, whisk pancake mix, milk, egg, oil, and vanilla just until smooth.

1. Pour all circles at once (minute 1–2): For each snowman, make three pancakes:

   • Head: about 1 tbsp batter (2-inch/5 cm)

   • Body: about 2 tbsp batter (3-inch/7.5 cm)

   • Base: about 3 tbsp batter (4-inch/10 cm) Cook both snowmen’s pieces at the same time if your surface allows.

2. Cook and flip (minute 2–4): When bubbles form and edges look set (about 60–90 seconds), flip and cook another 30–45 seconds.

3. Assemble and decorate (minute 4–5): Stack largest to smallest. Add chocolate-chip eyes and buttons, carrot sliver nose, pretzel-stick arms, and a strawberry or fruit-leather scarf. Dust with powdered sugar “snow,” add whipped cream if you like, and serve with warm syrup.

   

Pro tips

• Speed: Use a squeeze bottle or small ladle for quick, neat circles. Cook all pancake sizes simultaneously.

• Color contrast: Cook the “head” a touch lighter and the “base” a touch deeper for a cute snowman effect.

• Keep it tidy: Press chocolate chips gently into the warm pancakes so they adhere without melting messily.

Variations and swaps

• Gluten-free: Use a certified GF pancake mix.

• Dairy-free: Use plant milk and oil; skip butter.

• No-egg: Replace egg with 1 tbsp ground flax + 2.5 tbsp water (thickened 5 minutes) or an egg replacer.

• 2-minute hack: Use freezer mini pancakes or toaster silver-dollar pancakes, then decorate.

Make-ahead

• Batter: Mix dry ingredients the night before; add wet in the morning.

• Pancakes: Cook and cool; refrigerate 2–3 days or freeze up to 2 months. Reheat in toaster or skillet, then decorate.

Enjoy your cozy, camera-ready breakfast!