Some of my favorite kitchen memories come from making something silly and fun, just because. That’s exactly how these Monster Pancakes came to be. One Saturday morning, I wanted to make breakfast a little more exciting for my family, and the idea of spooky, googly-eyed pancakes popped into my head. The result was a stack of vibrant green pancakes, peering up from the plate with a dozen little candy eyes. It was pure joy and laughter a recipe that’s less about perfection and more about having fun.
You’ll love making these because they are ridiculously easy and bring so much character to the breakfast table. The “secret” to their monstrous green hue isn’t food coloring, but fresh spinach, which blends right into the batter without a trace of vegetable taste I promise! It’s a wonderfully sneaky way to add a little goodness to a fun treat. These pancakes are perfect for a special Halloween breakfast, a quirky birthday surprise, or just any morning you feel like being a little silly.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh spinach, packed down
- 1 cup whole milk, more if needed
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups pancake mix
- Mini candy eyeballs
Bringing Your Monsters to Life: The How-To
Step 1: Create the Green “Monster Mix”
This is where the magic happens! In a blender, combine the packed spinach, whole milk, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract. Blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth and a vibrant green color, with no visible spinach flakes. This is the base of your monster pancake batter.
Step 2: Whisk Up the Batter
Pour your green monster mix into a large bowl. Add the dry pancake mix and whisk everything together until it’s just combined. It’s totally fine if there are a few lumps; over-mixing can make your pancakes tough, and we want fluffy monsters! If the batter seems too thick, add another splash of milk until you get a good, pourable consistency.
Step 3: Cook Your Pancakes
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once it’s hot, pour about ¼ cup of batter onto the griddle for each pancake. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until you see little bubbles forming on the surface and the edges look set. Flip carefully and cook for another 1-2 minutes on the other side until golden brown.
Step 4: Decorate and Serve!
Now for the best part. As you take the pancakes off the griddle, immediately press the mini candy eyeballs into the warm surface. They’ll stick right on as the pancake cools slightly. Get creative! Give some monsters one eye, some three, some a whole bunch. Serve your goofy creations right away with a side of your favorite syrup.
My Tips for the Best Monster Pancakes
Here are a few little tricks I use to make these turn out perfectly.
My Secret for the Brightest Green
To get that really vibrant, almost cartoonish green color, I like to use baby spinach. It has a milder flavor and a more brilliant color when blended. Also, make sure you blend the wet ingredients until they are completely, totally smooth before you add them to the pancake mix. This ensures your color is even and there are no surprise green specks.
Timing the Eyeballs is Key
Don’t wait too long to add the candy eyes! The pancakes need to be warm so the surface is soft enough for the eyes to stick. I like to have my little bowl of candy eyeballs right next to the stove so I can press them on the moment the pancakes come off the heat.
Make it a DIY Monster Station
The most fun way to serve these is to let everyone decorate their own. I put out bowls of candy eyeballs, maybe some sprinkles for “monster hair,” and a few different syrups. It turns breakfast into a fun, creative activity, and the kids absolutely love designing their own unique monster.
Fun Variations to Try
While the green spinach version is my classic, you can create a whole monster mash-up! For purple monsters, try blending in a handful of blackberries or blueberries with the milk. For a pinkish-red monster, a few raspberries or a cooked beet will do the trick. You can also add mini chocolate chips to the batter for a “warty” monster look. It’s all about having fun and getting creative in the kitchen.
Your Monster Questions, Answered
Can you actually taste the spinach?
Honestly, no! The spinach completely disappears into the batter. The vanilla extract and the natural sweetness of the pancake mix completely mask any hint of a vegetable flavor. It’s my favorite trick for a fun and slightly healthier pancake.
Where can I find candy eyeballs?
You can usually find mini candy eyeballs in the baking or seasonal aisle of most grocery stores, especially around Halloween. They are also widely available online or at craft stores that have a baking section.
Can I make this with a from-scratch pancake recipe?
Absolutely! Simply prepare the “Monster Mix” (the blended spinach and wet ingredients) as directed, and then add it to your favorite recipe’s dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, etc.). It works perfectly.
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Monster Pancakes
- Total Time: 25
- Yield: 12 pancakes 1x
Description
Make breakfast exciting with these fun and easy Monster Pancakes! Naturally colored vibrant green with fresh spinach (that you can’t taste!), these fluffy pancakes are a silly, joyful treat perfect for Halloween, birthdays, or any morning that needs a little fun. Decorate with candy eyeballs to bring your quirky monster creations to life.
Ingredients
1 cup fresh spinach, packed down
1 cup whole milk, more if needed
2 eggs
2 tablespoons oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups pancake mix
Mini candy eyeballs
Instructions
Create the Green “Monster Mix”:
In a blender, combine the packed spinach, whole milk, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract. Blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth and vibrant green.
Whisk Up the Batter:
Pour the green mixture into a large bowl. Add the dry pancake mix and whisk until just combined. Do not over-mix; a few lumps are okay. If the batter is too thick, add a splash more milk.
Cook Your Pancakes:
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or non-stick skillet over medium heat. Pour about ¼ cup of batter onto the griddle for each pancake. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
Decorate and Serve:
Immediately after removing each pancake from the griddle, press mini candy eyeballs into the warm surface so they stick. Serve your monster pancakes right away with your favorite syrup.
Notes
Storage:
These pancakes can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. They also freeze well, making them a great option for a quick future breakfast.
DIY Monster Station:
Turn breakfast into a fun activity by setting out bowls of candy eyeballs, sprinkles for “hair,” and different syrups, allowing everyone to decorate their own monster.
Frozen Spinach:
If you don’t have fresh spinach, you can substitute it with about 1/2 cup of frozen spinach that has been thawed and squeezed of all excess water.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Griddle
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pancake
- Calories: 111
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 283mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 33mg
Keywords: monster pancakes, spinach pancakes, green pancakes, kids breakfast ideas, fun pancakes, Halloween breakfast, recipe with candy eyeballs
