Pancake Caterpillars

(4 servings)

  • 2 cups prepared pancake batter (from a mix or from scratch)

  • Recommended Ingredients:
  • bananas slices - for the eyes
  • chocolate chips - for the eyeballs
  • dried cranberries or raisins - for the nose
  • sliced strawberries - for the mouth
  • toothpicks or mint sprigs - for the antennae
If you're looking for a from-scratch pancake batter, here's one that we really like.

On a greased griddle over medium-high heat, prepare 12 to 14 small pancakes. Start by dolloping batter from a tablespoon to create a pancake about 1-inch in diameter. Gradually increase the size of each pancake until your final pancake (the face) is about 4-inches in diameter. You'll probably want to switch to a small measuring cup to dollop the batter for the last 4 or 5 pancakes.

As with all pancakes, cook the undersides until the tops are covered with bubbles. Flip and cook the other sides to a golden brown. You'll likely have to work in two batches, so transfer any finished pancakes to an oven preheated to 225 degrees.


Pancake Caterpillar


Once all the pancakes are ready, arrange them on a large plate in a caterpillar formation. Start with the largest pancake (the face) and slightly overlap subsequent pancakes to form the body.

For the face, place two slices of banana where the eyes should be and place a chocolate chip on each banana slice to make eyeballs. Place a raisin or cranberry in the middle for a nose. For the mouth, use a large strawberry slice to make a smile or two thin strawberry slices to make two lips. Finish your caterpillar by placing toothpicks or mint sprigs to act as antennae. (Toothpicks can be fun if you serve a side of maple syrup in a small bowl... the toothpicks can be used to dip the smaller pancakes in syrup.)

Makes 2 pancake caterpillars. Serves 4 to 6.


Pancake Caterpillar - Just Pancake Batter

Pancake Caterpillar - Close-Up On Face


In the picture directly above, you can see how to make a pancake caterpillar with only pancake batter - no other ingredients necessary. The trick to making pancake pieces for the face is to drizzle and drop batter randomly on the griddle using a small spoon. Flip all the random pieces at once. Among the pieces, find shapes to make a face. If you've ever made a pancake and if you know the basic concept of Mr. Potato Head, you can make a pancake caterpillar. Have fun!


Bugs for breakfast? Only if it's this giant, friendly pancake caterpillar. What's better than a pancake? 12 pancakes!


Mr Breakfast would like to thank Mr Breakfast for this recipe.

Recipe number 3028. Submitted 6/2/2011.