Fluffy, golden, and perfectly sweet—this pancake donuts recipe turns your favorite breakfast into a fun, bite-sized treat ideal for brunch or weekend mornings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient for Pancake Donuts is chosen for a reason, combining to create that signature tender crumb and wonderfully rich flavor. The beauty here? There’s nothing complicated — just honest pantry favorites teaming up for breakfast magic.
- All-purpose flour: This forms the soft, airy base for your donut-shaped treats — don’t substitute if you want the classic texture.
- Sugar: Not only sweetens the batter but helps get a gorgeous golden edge.
- Baking powder: Ensures your Pancake Donuts puff up light and fluffy in the oven.
- Baking soda: Reacts with buttermilk to add extra lift and perfect tenderness.
- Salt: Just a pinch wakes up all the flavors and keeps things from tasting flat.
- Buttermilk: Provides tang, tenderness, and moisture for that crave-worthy softness.
- Egg: Binds everything together and adds richness.
- Vanilla extract: Gives a warm, inviting aroma that makes these donuts sing.
- Melted butter: Adds flavor and a luxurious mouthfeel — don’t skip it!
- Optional toppings: Go wild with maple syrup, fresh fruit, powdered sugar, or drizzle on a simple glaze for extra fun.
How to Make Pancake Donuts
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Donut Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This gives you enough time to get everything ready, ensuring your Pancake Donuts bake up evenly and perfectly golden. Lightly grease your donut pan so your donuts pop right out without sticking — this also means less cleanup later!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisking thoroughly ensures that all the baking agents are evenly distributed, setting the scene for donuts that rise beautifully and taste balanced in every bite.
Step 3: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, egg, vanilla extract, and melted butter. Whisk until creamy and smooth — you want the butter to be fully incorporated for that unmistakable rich flavor in every Pancake Donut.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients, and gently stir until it’s just combined. It’s totally fine if there are a few lumps — overmixing will make your Pancake Donuts tough, so resist the urge to keep stirring!
Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan
Using a spoon or a piping bag, gently fill each cavity of your donut pan until it’s about three-quarters full. This helps guarantee nicely shaped donuts that don’t overflow in the oven. If you’re feeling fancy, a piping bag makes the process extra smooth and mess-free.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the donuts are lightly golden and the tops spring back when gently touched. Try not to overbake — a moist, springy crumb is what makes these Pancake Donuts truly irresistible.
Step 7: Cool and Dress Them Up
Let your donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them firm up and makes decorating extra easy. Once cooled, go wild with toppings — think syrup, fresh fruit, or a snow-dusting of powdered sugar!
How to Serve Pancake Donuts
Garnishes
One of the pure joys of Pancake Donuts is dressing them up just the way you like. Give them a classic brunch twist with a drizzle of maple syrup and a pat of butter, or scatter fresh berries for a beautiful burst of color. Powdered sugar is the ultimate quick-fix “snowy” topping, and a simple vanilla or chocolate glaze will take them straight into dessert territory.
Side Dishes
Round out your Pancake Donut feast with crispy bacon, sausage links, or a big bowl of colorful fruit salad. They’re also fantastic alongside a steaming mug of coffee or a fresh-squeezed glass of orange juice. For a true brunch spread, pair with creamy scrambled eggs or parfaits layered with yogurt and granola.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your Pancake Donuts high on a pretty cake stand for a brunch centerpiece that’s impossible to resist. You can even set up a “donut bar” with little bowls of toppings: everyone gets to customize their own. For something extra special, skewer them with strawberries or grapes as a playful party treat, or wrap up a few in wax paper for adorable breakfast favors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with a few leftover Pancake Donuts (though I bet they’ll disappear fast!), simply keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They’ll stay soft and ready for snacking, and you can always revive them with a quick reheat.
Freezing
Pancake Donuts freeze beautifully, making them perfect for busy mornings. Let them cool completely, then pack into a freezer-safe zip-top bag or container. They can hang out happily in the freezer for up to two months — just grab one whenever a craving strikes.
Reheating
To reheat, pop Pancake Donuts in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or warm them in a low oven until soft and just heated through. Add toppings after reheating for the freshest flavor — and enjoy them as if they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I make Pancake Donuts without a donut pan?
Absolutely! Use a muffin tin instead — the shape will change, but you’ll still get that same fluffy Pancake Donut flavor. Just reduce the baking time by a couple of minutes and keep an eye on them for doneness.
What’s the best way to pipe the batter into the pan?
You can scoop the batter with a spoon, but for picture-perfect Pancake Donuts, pour your batter into a zip-top bag, snip off a corner, and pipe it right into the pan. It keeps things tidy and fuss-free!
Can I make these dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute the buttermilk with any plant milk plus a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to mimic the tang, and use a dairy-free butter alternative. They’ll still bake up deliciously soft and fluffy.
Are Pancake Donuts good for kids’ breakfasts?
Kids love them — they’re the perfect size for little hands and fun to decorate. Set up a toppings bar and let little ones add their own maple syrup, sprinkles, or bits of fruit. It makes weekday breakfasts instantly special.
How can I make Pancake Donuts extra decadent?
Dip the tops in a quick glaze made from powdered sugar and milk, sprinkle with mini chocolate chips, or add a swirl of whipped cream. You can even sandwich sliced bananas or strawberries between two donuts for a playful treat.
Final Thoughts
Ready to bring a smile to the breakfast table? Give Pancake Donuts a try — they’re fun to make, delightfully tender, and endlessly customizable. There’s a whole world of possibilities packed into every batch, so go ahead and make them your own!
Try These Sweet & Easy Breakfast Ideas Next
If you loved these Pancake Donuts, you’ll definitely want to try our Fluffy Banana Oat Pancakes or take your morning treat to the next level with our Mini Pancake Cereal. Craving fruity flavors? The Cream Cheese Stuffed Blackberry Compote French Toast is a dream. Don’t miss the Blueberry Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bake or indulgent Apple Fritter Bread for more cozy, homemade goodness.
Print
Pancake Donuts Recipe
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These fluffy pancake donuts bring together the best of two breakfast favorites—soft, golden pancakes shaped like donuts! Easy to make in a donut pan and fun to top with syrup, fruit, or glaze.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- Optional toppings: maple syrup, fresh fruit, powdered sugar, or glaze
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a donut pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, vanilla extract, and melted butter until well combined.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just mixed—do not overmix.
- Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the tops spring back lightly when touched.
- Let donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Serve warm with your favorite pancake toppings like syrup, fruit, or powdered sugar.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the donuts light and fluffy.
- Use a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped to easily fill the donut pan.
- Customize with your favorite glazes or toppings for variety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg