How to host a pancake party (with menu ideas)

Make some pancakes!

Whip up some pancake batter to feed the masses with these essential recipes:

• Easy traditional pancakes
• American buttermilk pancakes
• Fluffy Japanese-style pancakes
• Fluffy vegan pancakes

Follow our top tips for making perfect traditional pancakes, including:

• Invest in a good crepe pan made of cast iron – it conducts heat well, meaning the pancakes will cook evenly. A handle that stays cool is vital, too.
• Cook the pancakes in a mild oil – it’s better than using butter, which burns easily.
• Less is more when making pancakes – the less batter you add to the pan, the more likely you are to end up with beautifully thin pancakes. Fill in any gaps with more batter if you need to.
• Use a palette knife to flip pancakes over. It’s much easier and less messy than tossing them.

Create a toppings bar

Your pancakes of choice can be dressed up with whatever toppings you and your guests desire. Create a sweet and/or savoury toppings bar, which could include:

• Berries, such as blueberries, raspberries and sliced strawberries
• Exotic fruit, such as sliced bananas, pineapple or kiwi
• Caramelised bananas or apples
• Classic lemon wedges and granulated sugar
• Honey for drizzling
• Homemade Nutella-style chocolate sauce
• Caramel sauce – try our salted caramel whisky sauce (for adults only)
• Mini marshmallows
• Nuts such as pistachios, hazelnuts or walnuts, roughly chopped
• Favourite chocolate bars, roughly chopped, or good quality chocolate, grated
• Whipped cream
• Fruit compotes – try our DIY berry, spiced clementine or rhubarb and rose compotes
• Slices of cheese and ham
• Soft cheeses, such as mascarpone, ricotta or Boursin
• Fresh herbs, such as parsley

Browse our favourite sweet and savoury topping ideas →

Pancake games ideas

• Ask younger guests to create a pancake portrait: think berries for eyes, a banana nose and chocolate sauce smile!
• Older pancake fans can compete to create the most original (and best-tasting) pancake filling. From ‘nduja and ricotta to caramelised pineapple, let your imagination run wild.

Design a pancake menu

Make a full meal out of pancakes and try one of our menu ideas below, whether you’re a party of two having a midweek pancake dinner or hosting breakfast for a crowd.

The pancake brunch for four

Cottage cheese and chive pancakes with hot-smoked trout
Fluffy and light, these cottage cheese pancakes are packed with protein. Pile them high and top with crème fraîche and smoked trout for a centrepiece pancake stack.

Strawberry dutch baby
A dutch baby is a like a sweet yorkshire pudding, puffing up in the oven to create a pillowy, soft, edible bowl. Fill it with strawberries and ice cream, dust with icing sugar and bring it to the table so everyone can dig in.

The crowdpleasing pancake party

Cheese and onion crepes
These easy, cheesy crepes pair a universally popular flavour duo with a traditional pancake. The simple batter is stuffed with cheddar, red onion and chopped herbs – and the recipe is easily doubled.

Double chocolate pancake stack
Behold this chocolate pancake stack drizzled with chocolate sauce! The cocoa-enriched batter delivers something a bit different but still with mass appeal. Simply scale up the recipe to feed more hungry mouths.

The midweek pancake dinner for four

Spinach florentine pancakes
The spinach and basil batter gives these parcels a fragrant flavour and charming bright-green hue. It’s finished off just like a florentine pizza with mozzarella, parma ham and an egg.

Cinnamon-swirl pancakes
These eye-catching cinnamon swirl pancakes bring a sweet warmth – the addition of cinnamon is oh-so comforting. Think cinnamon bun transformed into a pancake!

The pancake dinner for two

Korean kimchi pancake
Kimchijeon is a delicious Korean pancake. Chef Dana Choi shares her recipe for this much-loved dish, loaded with kimchi and thin strips of pork belly.

Soufflé pancakes
These airy pancakes require just a touch more love and attention than the standard recipe and need to be eaten immediately, making them a great shout for a pancake dinner à deux. Top with butter and syrup, diner-style.

The three-course menu for six

Goat’s cheese pancakes
These golden pancakes filled with goat’s cheese and herbs make a delicious nibble. Serve on a platter with smoked salmon and lemon wedges.

Pulled pork with okonomiyaki
Impress your guests with a Japanese-style spread of melt-in-the-mouth pulled pork on top of a crispy, savoury okonomiyaki (savoury cabbage pancake). Drizzle with mayonnaise and sriracha and scatter with coriander for a dish with layers of flavour.

Tiramisu crepe cake
Tiramisu meets crepe in this decadent yet surprisingly easy layer cake. Best of all, it can be made up to 12 hours in advance and chilled in the fridge before decorating and serving. There’s enough for seconds – or to send guests home with delicious leftovers…

Browse more flippin’ fantastic pancake recipe ideas.