How to Make Sweet Potato Pancakes (Soft, Fluffy & Easy)

These sweet potato pancakes are soft, fluffy, and full of warm, cozy flavor thanks to mashed sweet potato and a blend of cinnamon and nutmeg folded right into the batter. They come together with pantry staples you already have on hand, no special ingredients required, and cook up just like your regular pancakes with a golden, tender bite. Whether you're using up leftover sweet potato or making a batch from scratch, these pancakes are a simple way to turn an ordinary breakfast into something special. Serve them warm with butter and maple syrup and watch them disappear fast.

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I love breakfast for dinner, and I especially love omelets and pancakes.

We make all kinds of pancakes - chocolate chip pancakes, pumpkin pie pancakes, carrot cake pancakes, apple ring pancakes, bananas foster pancakes, coconut pancakes, peanut butter pancakes, cottage cheese pancakes, orange pancakes, baked pancakes, banana protein pancakes, and even scrambled pancakes! (Your kids will know what they are.)

Pancakes make a perfect breakfast or dinner (or lunch, I suppose) because they're quick and easy, and paired with eggs or ham and some fruit, they make for a satisfying and filling meal.

Why this is the best Sweet Potato Pancakes recipe

It's a simple recipe. These sweet potato pancakes use basic ingredients like flour, sugar, baking powder, an egg, milk, sweet potato puree, and a few warm spices, so you probably already have most of what you need in your pantry.

Sweet potato pancakes are quick and easy. The batter comes together in just a few minutes, and the pancakes cook on a griddle just like regular pancakes. From start to finish, you can have a warm stack on the table in about 25 minutes.

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These pancakes taste amazing. Mashed sweet potato gives the pancakes a soft, tender texture and subtle sweetness, while cinnamon and nutmeg add warm flavor without overpowering them. Serve them with butter, maple syrup, and chopped pecans for an extra-special breakfast.

Sweet potato pancakes are a great way to use leftover sweet potatoes. If you have cooked sweet potatoes from dinner or a holiday meal, you can puree them and turn them into an easy breakfast the next morning. These pancakes work just as well for breakfast, brunch, or breakfast-for-dinner.

What you'll need to make the best Sweet Potato Pancakes

Equipment

• Whisk
• Stovetop griddle

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See the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for all measurements and nutritional information.

Ingredients

Flour - All purpose flour or a cup-for-cup gluten-free baking mix will work.

Sugar - Only granulated sugar has been tested, but most granulated sugar substitutes should also work.

Baking Powder - Do not omit or reduce. This is necessary for the pancakes to rise.

Spices - Adjust as you prefer. You can replace the cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice if you prefer that flavor.

Egg: Do not omit. The batter won't work without it.

Sweet Potatoes - If using canned, you need 100% pure pumpkin, NOT pumpkin pie filling. If you do not have ready-to-use sweet potato puree, then you can make your own. Start with 2 small to medium sweet potatoes, or about ½ pound of sweet potatoes. Peel and dice the potatoes, then boil them until fork tender, or slightly softer, and then mash with a potato masher until soft and smooth.

Oil - Only vegetable oil has been tested, but any neutral and flavorless oil should be fine.

Milk - Whole milk and almond milk were both tested with good results.

How to make easy Sweet Potato Pancakes

1. Stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg with a whisk.
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   Then stir in the egg, pureed sweet potatoes, oil, and milk.
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2. Preheat the griddle over medium heat. Melt a little bit of butter. Drop the batter onto the melted butter on the griddle using a ⅓ cup measuring cup. Cook the pancake for 1-3 minutes or until the bottom starts to firm up.
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   When bubbles begin to form on the tops, flip them over and cook another minute or so, until both sides are slightly browned. Repeat cooking the batter like this until there is no more batter.
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3. Enjoy with maple syrup and chopped pecans.

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Cook's Tips

If you need help getting your pancakes right, read my post on the secret to making perfect pancakes.

Wait until the batter is made to start heating up the pan. Allowing the batter to rest for a few minutes makes fluffier pancakes.

Feel free to customize the spices as you prefer. You could even add in chopped pecans or walnuts if you would like, up to ¼-⅓ cup.

Substitutions & variations

You can use all-purpose flour or a cup-for-cup gluten-free baking mix in these sweet potato pancakes. Either option will work well, so you can choose what works best for your family.

Whole milk and almond milk have both been tested with good results. You can also use another mild, unsweetened milk, although the texture may vary slightly depending on what you choose.

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Feel free to adjust the spices to suit your taste. Replace the cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice for even more warm fall flavor, or add a little extra cinnamon or nutmeg if you like your pancakes more heavily spiced.

You can also stir ¼ to ⅓ cup chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter for a little crunch. Chocolate chips would make them sweeter, while blueberries would add a fresh, fruity flavor.

If you don't have sweet potato puree ready to use, cook peeled sweet potatoes until very tender and mash them until smooth before adding them to the batter.

Serve these sweet potato pancakes with butter and maple syrup, chopped pecans, fresh fruit, whipped cream, or a dusting of cinnamon.

Storing leftover pancakes

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave until warm or in the toaster. See our guide to reheating pancakes.

You can also freeze pancakes. Freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet for 1-2 hours, until no longer sticky. Then place the frozen pancakes in a zippered freezer bag with parchment paper in between the layers.

There is no need to thaw frozen pancakes before reheating.

If you liked this recipe, you're going to love these:

• Baked Apple Pecan Pancakes
• Apple Ring Pancakes
• Banana Pancakes with Chocolate Chips
• Bananas Foster Pancakes
• Carrot Cake Pancakes
• Pumpkin Pie Pancakes
• German Pancake (AKA Dutch Baby Pancake)

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Recipe