There’s something magical about weekend mornings when the smell of pancakes fills the kitchen, isn’t there? Now imagine that cozy moment made even better with the warm, comforting sweetness of sweet potato pancakes. These golden beauties have been my family’s Sunday tradition for years – ever since I first experimented with leftover roasted sweet potatoes one sleepy morning. After dozens of test batches (and very happy taste-testers), I’ve perfected these fluffy, spiced pancakes that are just sweet enough without being dessert-like.
What makes these sweet potato pancakes special? They’re packed with all the vitamin-rich goodness of sweet potatoes, balanced with just the right blend of cinnamon and nutmeg. The natural sweetness means you can go lighter on syrup, though nobody’s judging if you want an extra drizzle! It’s the kind of breakfast that makes you linger at the table just a little longer.
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Why You’ll Love These Sweet Potato Pancakes
Trust me, once you try these pancakes, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for plain ones! They’ve got everything you could want:
- A gorgeous golden color that makes breakfast feel special
- Just-the-right-amount-of-sweet flavor that doesn’t need loads of syrup
- Super simple ingredients you probably already have
- That amazing fluffy texture we all crave in pancakes
Nutritious and Flavor-Packed
Here’s my favorite part – these taste indulgent but are actually good for you! The sweet potatoes pack vitamin A, fiber, and antioxidants. Combined with cinnamon’s health benefits, it’s basically breakfast that loves you back.
Perfect for Meal Prep
Sunday mornings can be chaotic in my house. That’s why I double batch these beauties – they freeze like a dream! Just pop them in the toaster for instant weekday breakfasts that taste fresh-made.
Sweet Potato Pancakes Ingredients
Grab these simple ingredients – I bet most are already in your pantry! The magic happens when they all come together:
- 1 cup mashed cooked sweet potato (cooled completely, skin removed – I use leftovers from last night’s dinner)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled, don’t pack it!)
- 2 tablespoons sugar (just enough to enhance the natural sweetness)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder (check it’s fresh – this gives the perfect lift)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (balances all the flavors)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (my secret – a heaping teaspoon for extra warmth)
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (freshly grated if you’re feeling fancy)
- 1 cup whole milk (the richness makes all the difference)
- 1 large egg (room temperature blends better)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (plus extra for the griddle – because butter makes everything better)
See? Nothing crazy – just good, simple ingredients that make something extraordinary. Now let’s get mixing!
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Delectable Sweet Potato Pancakes: 1 Simple Weekend Treat
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 pancakes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Sweet potato pancakes are a delicious and nutritious twist on traditional pancakes. They combine the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes with warm spices for a comforting breakfast.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed cooked sweet potato
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients in a bowl
- Whisk wet ingredients in another bowl
- Combine wet and dry ingredients
- Heat a lightly greased griddle over medium heat
- Pour batter onto griddle
- Cook until bubbles form on surface
- Flip and cook other side
- Serve warm with toppings
Notes
- Use leftover roasted sweet potatoes
- Adjust spices to taste
- Keep pancakes warm in oven while cooking batch
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Griddle
- Cuisine: American
How to Make Sweet Potato Pancakes
Okay, let’s get cooking! I promise these come together faster than you’d think – just follow these simple steps for pancake perfection every time.
Mixing the Dry and Wet Ingredients
First, grab two bowls – one for dry, one for wet. In the larger bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Tip: sift them if you want extra fluffy pancakes! In the other bowl, whisk the milk, egg, and melted butter until smooth, then gently stir in the mashed sweet potato. Now here’s the golden rule – pour the wet into the dry and stir just until combined. Some small lumps are totally fine! Overmixing makes tough pancakes, and we want light, fluffy clouds of goodness.
Cooking to Golden Perfection
While you’re mixing, heat your griddle or skillet over medium heat – this is crucial. Too hot and they’ll burn; too low and they won’t get that perfect golden brown. Test it’s ready by flicking a few water droplets – they should dance across the surface. Lightly butter the griddle, then pour about 1/4 cup batter for each pancake. Watch for those telltale bubbles forming on the surface – that’s your cue to peek underneath. When they’re golden (about 2-3 minutes), flip! The second side cooks faster, usually just 1-2 minutes. Keep finished pancakes warm in a 200°F oven while you cook the rest. Pro tip: Resist pressing them down with the spatula – we want them light and airy!
Want another creative way to enjoy sweet potatoes? Don’t miss these crispy sweet potato totchos — a fun twist that’s perfect for snacking or sharing.
Expert Tips for the Best Sweet Potato Pancakes
After making hundreds of batches (yes, really!), I’ve picked up some game-changing tricks for sweet potato pancake perfection. First, roast your sweet potatoes the night before – the caramelized flavor beats boiling any day! Just poke holes in them, bake at 400°F for 45-60 minutes until tender, then scoop out the flesh once cooled. Second, let your batter rest for 5 minutes after mixing – this gives the flour time to hydrate for fluffier results. And here’s my secret weapon: a splash of vanilla extract in the wet ingredients adds incredible depth. If your batter seems too thick, don’t panic! Just add a tablespoon more milk at a time until it flows smoothly off the spoon.
Sweet Potato Pancakes Variations
One of the best things about these pancakes? They’re crazy adaptable! Playing with different versions is half the fun in my kitchen. Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free blend – I’ve had great results with a 1:1 substitute. Dairy-free? Almond milk or oat milk work beautifully instead of regular milk. Want extra protein? Try replacing half the flour with whole wheat or buckwheat flour. And for pumpkin spice lovers, add a pinch of cloves and ginger to the cinnamon-nutmeg mix. Seriously, once you master the base recipe, the customization options are endless!
Serving Suggestions for Sweet Potato Pancakes
Oh, the fun part! These sweet potato pancakes are like a blank canvas for all your favorite toppings. My family goes wild for warm maple syrup with toasted pecans – the crunch against the fluffy pancakes is *chef’s kiss*. For something fresher, try a dollop of Greek yogurt with honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon. And if you’re feeling extra indulgent (weekends call for it!), a smear of whipped cinnamon butter melts into every nook perfectly. My kids love making “pancake sandwiches” with a layer of peanut butter in between – messy but totally worth it!

Storing and Reheating Sweet Potato Pancakes
Here’s the beautiful thing about these pancakes – they’re just as good on Wednesday as they were on Sunday! Let them cool completely, then stack them between sheets of parchment paper before storing. For the fridge, they’ll stay fresh in an airtight container for about 3 days. But my favorite trick? Freezing them! Pop the parchment-separated stack in a freezer bag, and they’ll keep for up to 2 months. When the craving hits, just toast them straight from frozen – about 1-2 minutes in the toaster brings them back to warm, fluffy perfection. No soggy microwave pancakes here!
Sweet Potato Pancakes Nutrition
Now, I’m no nutritionist, but I do love knowing what’s going into my family’s breakfast! These sweet potato pancakes pack some pretty great nutrition for something that tastes this indulgent. Based on my recipe (remember – your exact numbers may vary with ingredient brands or tweaks), each golden pancake gives you about:
- 120 calories
- 5g sugar (mostly from the sweet potatoes!)
- 3g protein
- 1g fiber
Plus all that vitamin A from the sweet potatoes – not bad for a cozy weekend treat, right? Just goes to show good food can taste amazing AND make you feel good.
For more weekend-worthy recipes and seasonal favorites, dive into our collections on Pinterest and get inspired to try something new.
Sweet Potato Pancakes FAQs
Over the years, I’ve gotten all sorts of questions about these sweet potato pancakes – here are the most common ones with my tried-and-true answers!
Can I use canned sweet potato puree instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Just make sure it’s plain puree, not the pie filling kind. Drain any excess liquid and use the same amount. Though I’ll admit – roasted fresh sweet potatoes give the best flavor.
How do I make my pancakes extra fluffy?
Two tricks: First, don’t overmix the batter – lumps are good! Second, let it rest 5 minutes before cooking. The baking powder needs time to work its magic.
My batter seems too thick – what should I do?
No worries! Sweet potatoes vary in moisture. Just add milk a tablespoon at a time until it’s pourable but still thick – like a slow-moving lava consistency.
Can I make the batter ahead?
For best results, cook right away. But if you must, refrigerate for up to 2 hours max. The baking powder starts losing its oomph after that.