Instant Pot Pancake Bites

Instant Pot pancake bites are a fun and tasty breakfast kids love (and so will you)! Made with pancake mix poured into Instant Pot egg molds, you can doctor these up with chocolate chips or strawberries, then topped with whipped cream for a fun and delicious breakfast treat.

These Instant Pot pancake bites are particularly awesome for a birthday breakfast or special occasion, but they’re easy enough for any morning when you’ve got 20 minutes to spare. Yup – just 20 minutes to make these easy pancake bites!

What are Pancake Bites?

Pancakes bites are mini versions of pancakes that are shaped like mini-muffins. You can make them really easily in the Instant Pot, and they will cook up fluffy and moist, unlike oven-baked recipes that can easily end up dry.

What Can I Put in my Pancake Bites?

Pancakes and pancake bites alike are awesome on their own. You can serve them with syrup or butter and they’ll have that classic flapjack flavor we all grew up on. But if you want to make your pancakes a bit more special, you can include fruit or other additives to the mix. Here’s some we’ve tried:

FRUIT

• Strawberries – chop into 1/4 inch pieces and dry off any water.
• Blueberries – can be added whole as long as they aren’t too big.
• Apples – chop up apples into 1/4 inch pieces and add to the mix. You can also sprinkle in a bit of cinnamon for apple cinnamon pancake bites.
• Banana – a slice of banana on the bottom of your pancake bites is delish!
• Pears – chop into 1/4 inch pieces and add to the mix.

OTHER YUMMY THINGS

• Flaxseed – add these in with your blueberries or strawberries for some extra nutrition and flavor.
• Chocolate chips – mini chocolate chips work best.
• Coconut – a little goes a long way, and pairs well with strawberries or chocolate.
• Cinnamon Sugar – if you love cinnamon sugar donuts, you’ll love cinnamon sugar pancakes. Just roll your freshly cooked pancakes in a bowl of cinnamon sugar (just stir together 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tbsp ground cinnamon)

When Does Pancake Batter Go Bad?

Unused pancake batter mix (dry in the cupboard) should last as long as the expiration date on the package says. However, in some cases, pancake mix can get bugs in it. This happens when the mix is left open to the outside air. It can also go moldy if any moisture gets in or on the box. To combat this, make sure you place the box inside a large, closed Ziploc or plastic grocery bag tied shut.

Mixed pancake batter will last in your fridge for 2-3 days. If your eggs or milk expire sooner, so will your batter, so take a look at their expiration dates, too. You can keep your batter in an airtight container or bowl that’s tightly covered with plastic wrap.

Instant Pot Pancake Bites Ingredients

Here’s what you need:

• 2 cups pancake mix made per box instructions use gluten-free if needed
• 1/2 cup diced strawberries
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup whipped cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• maple syrup, optional

How to Make Pancake Bites in the Instant Pot

STEP ONE: Prep the instant pot and the molds. Spray the instant pot molds with cooking spray. Place the trivet into the instant pot and pour 1 1/3 cups water into the bottom.

STEP TWO: Assemble the pancake bites. Add prepared pancake batter to the bottom half of the molds. Add strawberries or chocolate chips then add more pancake mix on top filling to the top of the mold. Cover with tin foil and place onto the trivet in the instant pot. Stack the molds on top of each other.

STEP THREE: Cook. Place the cover on the instant pot and turn the valve to seal. Turn to high pressure and set for 7 minutes. Do a natural release for about 5 minutes then let the rest of the pressure out by turning the valve to venting. Carefully remove the trivet from the Instant Pot. Place the molds on a cooling rack to cool slightly before removing from the molds.

STEP FOUR: Serve. Serve hot topped with whipped cream and powdered sugar.

Helpful Tips and Notes

• Don’t add too much fruit or your pancake bites won’t cook well. Just a taste will do!
• To save time, you can buy a spray whipped cream can. But if you have whipping cream or cool whip at home, you can use a Ziploc with a hole cut in the tip to make a piping bag.
• These are best served hot right out of the oven. If you’re making these in batches, put them in an oven-safe bowl and cover them with foil. Place in a pre-heated 200° F oven while the others cook.
• You can double this recipe to make more if needed, or you can half it to make less.

How Do I Store Leftover Pancake Bites?

In the fridge: You can store leftover pancake bites in the fridge for 3-4 days. Make sure they’re totally cooled, then place them in a Ziploc bag or airtight container.

In the freezer: You can freeze leftover pancake bites! Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-grade Ziploc bag. Freeze for 3-4 months.

To reheat: Reheat your pancake bites in the oven wrapped in foil at 300 for 5-10 minutes. You can also reheat them in the microwave. Reheat in 15-second increments just until hot.

FAQs