Honey on Pancakes: Toppings, Honey Butter and Batter Swaps
Honey on pancakes is a simple pleasure that goes back generations. A warm drizzle of honey soaks into fluffy pancakes, adding floral sweetness and a glossy finish. Honey also works inside the batter, in honey butter and in fruit syrups. This article covers how to serve honey on pancakes, honey butter, warm honey syrups, honey-sweetened batter, how honey compares with maple syrup and which honeys taste best. For waffle and toast ideas, see honey and ricotta.
For general education only, not medical advice. Our honey is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Why honey on pancakes works
Pancakes are mild and soft, so they welcome a flavorful topping. Honey soaks in just enough while still pooling on top, and its flavor changes with each jar: light and floral with clover, citrusy with orange blossom, malty with buckwheat. Honey also pairs naturally with butter, fruit and nuts.
Warming honey for drizzling
Thick or crystallized honey drizzles better when warm. Set the jar in a bowl of hot tap water for a few minutes, or warm a small amount in a saucepan over low heat. Avoid boiling, which dulls flavor. Mix with a little melted butter for an easy syrup.
Whipped honey butter
Beat half a cup of softened butter with three tablespoons of honey, a pinch of salt and a pinch of cinnamon until fluffy. Spread on warm pancakes and let it melt. Keep extra in the fridge for up to two weeks.
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 3 tablespoons honey
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
- Beat until fluffy
Warm berry honey syrup
Simmer one cup of berries with two tablespoons of honey and a squeeze of lemon for five minutes until saucy. Spoon over pancakes with Greek yogurt. Our article on honey and berries has more compote ideas.
Topping combinations
Mix and match these toppings:
| Combo | Honey to use |
|---|---|
| Banana and walnuts | Wildflower or buckwheat |
| Blueberries and lemon zest | Blueberry blossom |
| Ricotta and orange zest | Orange blossom |
| Apple and cinnamon | Buckwheat |
| Peanut butter and banana | Clover |
Honey in pancake batter
Replace the sugar in your pancake recipe with honey, using about three quarters as much. Whisk honey into the milk and eggs so it disperses evenly. Reduce milk by about a tablespoon per two tablespoons of honey. Honey pancakes brown faster, so cook over medium-low heat.
Our baking with honey guide explains substitutions.
Honey vs maple syrup on pancakes
Maple syrup is thinner and has a woody, caramel flavor. Honey is thicker, sweeter and floral or malty. Nutritionally they are similar sugars. Many people alternate or combine them. Our honey vs maple syrup guide compares them in depth.
Protein pancakes with honey
Blend cottage cheese, eggs and oats for high-protein pancakes, then top with honey and fruit. Our article on honey and cottage cheese has the recipe.
Waffles and French toast
Everything that works with honey on pancakes works on waffles and French toast. Honey butter melts into waffle pockets beautifully. For French toast, add a teaspoon of honey to the egg mixture.
Which honey for pancakes
Raw Wildflower Honey, harvested in New York State, is a versatile everyday choice. Raw Blueberry Blossom Honey, also from New York State, is perfect with blueberry pancakes. Raw Buckwheat Honey gives a malty, maple-like richness. Raw Sunflower Honey spreads like butter when set.
How much honey
A teaspoon or two per pancake is usually plenty. A tablespoon of honey has about 64 calories and 17 grams of sugar, so a generous pour on a tall stack adds up quickly.
Kids and honey pancakes
Children over 12 months can enjoy honey on pancakes. Never give honey to babies under 12 months, including baked into pancakes, as the CDC advises. Use mashed banana or fruit for babies.
The takeaway on honey on pancakes
Honey on pancakes can be a warm drizzle, a whipped honey butter or a fruit syrup, and honey can sweeten the batter too. Choose a honey to match your toppings and keep portions in mind.
Honey on pancakes from around the world
Honey on pancakes is not just an American tradition. In Morocco, spongy baghrir pancakes are soaked in warm honey butter. In Greece, tiganites are fried and drizzled with honey, cinnamon and walnuts. In Russia, thin blini are served with honey and sour cream. In the Middle East, qatayef are filled with cheese or nuts and finished with syrup or honey. Each shows how naturally honey and butter belong with warm batter.
Keeping pancakes warm for a crowd
Set the oven to 200°F and keep cooked pancakes on a rack over a baking sheet so they stay warm without steaming. Warm the honey in a small pitcher in a pan of hot water so it pours easily at the table. Set out bowls of fruit, nuts and honey butter and let everyone build their own stack.
Sheet pan pancakes
For an easy brunch, pour pancake batter into a greased sheet pan, scatter berries on top and bake at 425°F for about 15 minutes. Cut into squares and drizzle with honey.
Honey for your weekend stack
Try Raw Wildflower Honey or Raw Blueberry Blossom Honey this weekend. Save with a 3 jar or 6 jar pack of any honey, and orders over $50 ship free. Visit our shop.
Sources
Outside health sources we used for this article. They open in a new tab.
- Honey: nutrient profile · USDA FoodData Central
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit (infants and toddlers) · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- How much sugar is too much? · American Heart Association
Frequently asked questions
- Is honey good on pancakes?
- Yes. It soaks in nicely and adds floral sweetness.
- How do I make honey butter?
- Beat softened butter with honey, salt and cinnamon until fluffy.
- Can I put honey in pancake batter?
- Yes. Use about three quarters as much honey as sugar.
- Why do honey pancakes burn?
- Honey browns faster. Cook over medium-low heat.
- Is honey or maple syrup better on pancakes?
- Both are similar sugars. Choose by flavor.
- Which honey is best for blueberry pancakes?
- Blueberry blossom honey.
- Can babies have honey pancakes?
- No. Never give honey to babies under 12 months.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor about any health concern. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.
