I made these for my son’s birthday breakfast when he was six, and they became a tradition that we never managed to stop. You make a batch of banana-oatmeal pancakes, then assemble them to look like monkey faces: a large circle for the head, a small one for the snout, Nutella spread on top, peanut butter for the mouth area, banana slices for the ears, and chocolate chips for the eyes and nostrils. They look ridiculous and he still asks for them at thirteen.
The pancakes themselves are good even without the face. The batter has mashed banana and oatmeal mixed with flour, buttermilk, and egg. They are denser and sweeter than regular pancakes. But the assembly is the whole reason this recipe exists. It is breakfast and a craft project in one.
How to Make Monkey Pancakes
Make Two Sizes
Mix the dry ingredients: flour, oatmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the egg, buttermilk, oil, and mashed bananas until just combined. 
For each monkey, cook one large pancake (about 10cm / 4 inches) for the head and one small pancake (about 5cm / 2 inches) for the snout. Cook on a medium-heat griddle until golden on each side.
Assemble the Face
Place the large pancake on a plate. Spread Nutella over the top. Position the small pancake near the bottom of the large one for the snout. Spread peanut butter on the snout area.
Slice a banana into rounds. Place two rounds at the sides for ears. Use chocolate chips for the eyes on the large pancake and two more for the nostrils on the small one. Serve immediately before the Nutella melts and the face slides off.
Monkey Pancakes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
These fun pancakes are a guaranteed hit with kids. Top with Nutella and peanut butter for a playful monkey face!
Ingredients
- 1 cups (237 ml) flour
- 1 cups (237 ml) oatmeal
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp baking soda
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 1 cups (237 ml) buttermilk
- 2 Tbsp oil
- 2 bananas, mashed
- Peanut butter
- Banana
- Nutella
- Chocolate chips
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients.
- Stir in the wet ingredients.
- Heat a griddle to medium heat and cook the pancakes until they are golden brown on each side, making one large circle and one small pancake.
- Spread Nutella on the large pancake.
- Spread peanut butter on the small pancake, and place the small one on top of the large one.
- Use banana slices as ears, use a toothpick to draw a Nutella smile and nostrils for the monkey face.
- Use banana slices and chocolate chips for the eyes.
- Serve plain or with syrup.
Notes
- For fluffier pancakes, let the batter rest for 5-10 minutes before cooking.
- If buttermilk is unavailable, substitute with 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar (let sit for 5 minutes).
- Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat gently in a pan or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Griddling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pancakes
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 200
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 60
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 50
Find it online: https://honestcooking.com/monkey-pancakes-recipe/
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the batter ahead?
Mix the dry ingredients the night before. Add the wet ingredients in the morning. The baking powder and soda activate on contact with liquid, so mix and cook within 10 minutes for fluffy pancakes.
What if my child does not like Nutella?
Use more peanut butter, or chocolate sauce, or melted chocolate. The Nutella is there for colour and flavour on the face. Any spreadable chocolate works as a substitute.
Can I make these without oatmeal?
Replace the oatmeal with an equal amount of flour. The pancakes will be lighter and less chewy. The oatmeal gives them a heartier texture that holds up well under the toppings.
monkey pancakes = KID-APPROVED birthday hit!!
I set out to make these for my daughter’s ninth birthday breakfast and by the end of it she was directing nutella placement and banana-ear angles. The oatmeal-banana base is denser than plain pancakes and holds the toppings up. Craft breakfast for a kid who eats with her eyes is a win I didn’t know I needed :)