These St. Patrick’s Day Green Pancakes are festive without the fuss. They come together in under 30 minutes, use ingredients you probably already have, and add just enough green cheer to feel special.

These pancakes are your golden ticket to bringing everyone together around the breakfast table even if it’s just for a few magical minutes before the leprechaun traps and green glitter take over.

St. Patrick's Day Pancakes on a glass cake stand

Why We Love These Pancakes

Let’s talk about why these pancakes are absolute winners:

Quick & Easy – You can whip them up in the time it takes for your coffee to kick in.
Festive Vibes – That bright green color is just the right amount of holiday fun. No need to dye the milk or make rainbow syrup (unless you want to, of course).
Kid-Approved – Soft, fluffy, slightly sweet, and topped with whipped cream and sprinkles? What’s not to love?
Customizable – Make them dairy-free, double the batch, or add in chocolate chips (I see you, tired mamas who need a treat too).

Here’s What You’ll Need

For the Pancakes

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 ¼ cups milk (or any non-dairy alternative oat milk works great!)
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 large egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Green food coloring (a few drops go a long way)

For the Toppings

Whipped cream (store-bought or homemade, we don’t judge)
Green sprinkles for that extra sparkle

If you’re anything like me, you’ll be tempted to sneak a few chocolate chips in there or maybe some festive Lucky Charms marshmallows if you’re feeling really wild. Totally optional, but hey, it’s a holiday.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make Your “Buttermilk”

In a small bowl, mix your milk and vinegar and let it sit for about 5 minutes. This creates that tangy buttermilk vibe without having to run to the store. It also helps give the pancakes that perfect fluffy texture we all love.

Tip: If you’re using non-dairy milk, it still works beautifully. I’ve done it with almond and oat milk, and no one was the wiser.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Stuff

Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, combine your milk-vinegar mixture with the egg, vegetable oil, vanilla, and green food coloring. Add just a few drops of the food coloring at first stir and check. You can always add more to reach that leprechaun-approved shade of green.

Real Talk: My kids like it neon green. I prefer a more subtle pastel. So we compromise. Or, you know, I just hand the bottle to them and embrace whatever shade we get.

Step 4: Combine It All

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ones, gently stirring until just combined. Don’t overmix! A few lumps are totally okay they actually help keep the pancakes light and airy.

Fun Tip: Want to make it a little more exciting? Let the kids stir in some green or gold sprinkles into the batter. Instant sparkle.

Step 5: Cook ‘Em Up

Heat a lightly greased griddle or non-stick pan over medium heat. Pour about ¼ cup of batter per pancake. When bubbles start to appear on the surface (after about 2–3 minutes), flip them over and cook the other side until golden brown.

Kid Hack: Use cookie cutters (shamrocks, hearts, stars whatever you’ve got!) to make fun shapes. Just grease the inside and pour the batter in slowly. It’s a tiny bit messy, but SO worth the giggles.

Step 6: Time to Top and Serve

Stack those beauties high on a plate, load them up with whipped cream, and sprinkle on the green sprinkles. Bonus points if you add a drizzle of maple syrup or a dollop of green yogurt.

Make It Your Own

This recipe is super adaptable depending on your crew and what’s in your pantry:

Gluten-Free? Use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
No Egg? Try a flax egg or one of those egg replacers from the store.
Going All Out? Add a few drops of peppermint extract for a minty twist, or dye the whipped cream green too!

And if you have leftovers, these freeze and reheat beautifully. Just pop them in a toaster or warm them in a skillet. It’s like a mini celebration all over again.

So this St. Patrick’s Day, give yourself a break. Pour another cup of coffee, whip up these green beauties, and soak in those small, sweet moments.

Happy St. Paddy’s Day, friend. May your pancakes be fluffy, your coffee strong, and your day filled with a little extra luck.

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