✔ Updated · 45 sides, toppings + drinks, sweet and savory
Weekend pancakes are a big deal in our house, and the stack is only half the fun. Here are 45 sides and toppings to turn it into a full breakfast, sweet or savory.
The best things to serve with pancakes are crispy bacon or sausage, scrambled or fried eggs, hash browns, fresh berries and fruit salad, Greek yogurt, and a drink like orange juice or coffee. Top the stack with maple syrup, whipped cream, berry syrup, nut butter or lemon and sugar. For savory pancakes, try smoked salmon, goat cheese or mushrooms.
- Salty sides: bacon, sausage, ham.
- Protein: eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese.
- Fresh: berries, bananas, fruit salad.
- Toppings: maple syrup, whipped cream, jam, nut butter.
Breakfast Meats
1. Crispy Bacon
The ultimate salty partner for sweet, syrupy pancakes. Bake it on a sheet pan at 400°F so it cooks evenly with no splatter.
2. Breakfast Sausage
Links or patties, maple or spicy. A drizzle of syrup that wanders over to the sausage is a happy accident.
3. Ham Steak
A quick pan-seared slice of ham with crisp, caramelized edges. Feeds a crowd with almost no effort.
4. Turkey Bacon
A leaner swap that still brings the smoky crunch. Cook it until crisp at the edges.
5. Fried Chicken
Chicken and pancakes is a sweet-and-salty brunch classic. Drizzle with hot honey or maple syrup.
6. Smoked Salmon
Silky smoked salmon with cream cheese, capers and dill on savory or potato pancakes.
Eggs
7. Scrambled Eggs
Soft, creamy scrambled eggs add protein and keep everyone full past 10am. Take them off the heat while still a little glossy.
8. Fried Eggs
Sunny-side up or over easy. A runny yolk mingling with syrup is surprisingly delicious.
9. Poached Eggs
Tender poached eggs on top of savory pancakes make a lighter, brunch-worthy plate.
10. Egg Bites
Custardy, make-ahead egg bites you can reheat while the pancakes cook.
Get the recipe →11. Cheese Omelet
Fold in cheddar, ham or spinach for a hearty savory side when the pancakes are the sweet part of the plate.
Potatoes
13. Home Fries
Diced potatoes fried with onions, peppers and paprika until crisp and tender.
14. Potato Pancakes
Crispy, creamy potato pancakes are a savory side that loves sour cream or applesauce.
Get the recipe →15. Hash Brown Casserole
Cheesy, creamy and bakes while you flip pancakes. Great for holiday brunch.
Get the recipe →Fruit Sides and Toppings
16. Fresh Berries
Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries add pops of tangy juice. Stir blueberries into the batter, too.
17. Banana, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips
Sweet, salty and crunchy. Sliced banana, a swipe of peanut butter and a sprinkle of chocolate chips.
18. Fruit Salad
A bright bowl of melon, grapes, pineapple and berries balances a rich stack.
19. Rhubarb Compote with Crème Fraîche
Roast rhubarb with sugar and lemon until soft, then spoon over pancakes with tangy crème fraîche.
20. Cinnamon Fried Apples
Warm apples cooked in butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Like apple pie filling on your pancakes.
Get the recipe →
21. Caramelized Bananas and Nuts
Bananas cooked in butter and brown sugar, with toasted Brazil nuts or pecans for crunch.
Syrups and Sweet Toppings
22. Maple Syrup
The classic for a reason. Pure maple syrup has a deep, caramel flavor that pancake syrup cannot match.
23. Homemade Berry Syrup
Simmer berries with sugar and a squeeze of lemon for 10 minutes. Fruity, glossy and so easy.
24. Whipped Cream
Light, airy and lightly sweet. Whip it yourself with a splash of vanilla.
25. Honey
Floral and sweet. Warm it slightly so it drizzles easily.
26. Jam or Preserves
Strawberry, raspberry or apricot. Warm a spoonful with a splash of water for an instant syrup.
27. Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
Spread it on warm pancakes so it melts, then add sliced strawberries or banana.
28. Lemon and Sugar
The classic British pancake-day topping: a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of sugar. Simple and bright.
29. Cinnamon Honey Butter
Whipped butter with honey and cinnamon melts into every layer of the stack.
Get the recipe →30. Peanut or Almond Butter
Rich, creamy and a little salty, with extra protein. Thin with a little warm syrup to drizzle.
31. Caramel Sauce
Buttery caramel with a pinch of sea salt turns pancakes into dessert.
32. Orange Butter Sauce (Crêpes Suzette-Style)
A buttery orange sauce inspired by crêpes Suzette. Lovely on thin pancakes.
Yogurt, Nuts and Lighter Sides
33. Greek Yogurt
Thick and tangy, it adds protein and cuts the sweetness. Top with berries and honey.
34. Cottage Cheese
Creamy, mild and high in protein. A spoonful with fruit makes a balanced plate.
35. Toasted Nuts and Seeds
Walnuts, pecans, almonds or chia seeds add crunch. Toast nuts for 5 minutes for more flavor.
36. Granola
Sprinkle on top for crunch, especially with yogurt and berries.
Savory Pancake Toppings
37. Goat Cheese and Rosemary
Tangy goat cheese and woodsy rosemary on a plain pancake. Grown-up and delicious.
38. Tomato and Mushroom
Pan-fried mushrooms and cherry tomatoes with garlic and herbs, spooned over savory pancakes.
39. Smoked Fish and Cheese Sauce
Inspired by the British omelette Arnold Bennett: flaked smoked haddock in a cheesy sauce, broiled on top.
40. Spicy Veggie Fajita Filling
Peppers and onions with chili and lime, rolled in thin pancakes with sour cream.
41. Ham and Melted Cheese
Fold thin pancakes around ham and Swiss and warm until melty. Like a breakfast crêpe.
Drinks to Serve with Pancakes
42. Orange Juice
Fresh and bright, it cuts through syrup and butter beautifully.
43. Coffee or Iced Coffee
A must for the grown-ups. Iced coffee is lovely on warm weekend mornings.
Get the recipe →44. Fruit Smoothie
A strawberry-banana smoothie doubles as a fruit serving for kids.
Get the recipe →45. Hot Chocolate
For cold weekend mornings and pajama brunches. Extra marshmallows encouraged.
How to Build a Great Pancake Plate
Pancakes are soft, sweet and buttery, so the best plates balance them with something salty (bacon, sausage, ham), something with protein (eggs, yogurt) and something fresh (fruit). In our house, weekend pancakes are a whole production: Lucy is in charge of making blueberry smiley faces on top, and Max counts the bacon strips to make sure everyone gets a fair share.
- Classic diner: pancakes + bacon + scrambled eggs + maple syrup.
- Lighter: pancakes + Greek yogurt + fresh berries + a drizzle of honey.
- Brunch crowd: pancakes + hash brown casserole + sausage + fruit salad.
- Sweet treat: pancakes + whipped cream + strawberries + chocolate hazelnut spread.
- Savory: plain pancakes + smoked salmon + poached eggs.
Pancake Recipes to Start With
Need a batter? Try our old-fashioned pancakes, buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup or copycat IHOP buttermilk pancakes and Cracker Barrel pancakes. Flat stack? Here's why pancakes turn out dense, and how to reheat pancakes so leftovers stay fluffy. Feeding a crowd? See our breakfast potluck ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is good to eat with pancakes?
Bacon, sausage, ham, scrambled or fried eggs, hash browns, fresh fruit and Greek yogurt are all great with pancakes. A salty side and some protein balance the sweet stack, and fresh fruit keeps it from feeling too heavy.
What meat goes with pancakes?
Crispy bacon and breakfast sausage are the classic meats with pancakes. Ham steak, turkey bacon and fried chicken also work well. For savory or potato pancakes, smoked salmon with cream cheese and dill is a lovely choice.
How do you eat pancakes?
Stack them warm, add a pat of butter and pour maple syrup over the top, then cut through the whole stack with a fork. Add fruit, whipped cream or nut butter on top, and serve with eggs and bacon on the side for a full breakfast.
What can I put on pancakes instead of syrup?
Try honey, jam warmed into a quick sauce, fresh berries with whipped cream, Greek yogurt and fruit, peanut butter and banana, chocolate hazelnut spread, lemon and sugar, or a homemade berry syrup. Cinnamon honey butter is a favorite too.
Are pancakes healthy for breakfast?
Pancakes can be part of a balanced breakfast. Serve a smaller stack with eggs or Greek yogurt for protein and fresh fruit instead of lots of syrup. Whole wheat or oat flour batters add fiber.
