These Leprechaun Pancake Bites came out of a very practical situation, I wanted something fun, green, and easy that didn’t involve cookie cutters, chill time, or a sink full of dishes.
Something you can throw together quickly but still feels festive enough for St Patricks’s Day!
They’re basically mini pancakes with a little Lucky Charms crunch mixed in, bright green, fluffy, and stackable, which already makes them more exciting than regular pancakes.
Kids get excited, adults don’t have to overthink it, and everyone’s happy.
Why You’ll Love It
- They’re fluffy in the middle with just a tiny crisp edge from the pan.
- No fancy steps, no resting time, just mix and cook.
- Kids love the color, adults love the nostalgia.
- They’re perfect for little hands and St Patrick’s Day!
Ingredients For Leprechaun Pancake Bites
- All purpose flour, about 2 cups, spooned and leveled so it stays light.
- Lucky Charms cereal, roughly 1/2 cup of the oat pieces only, crushed a bit. I pick the marshmallows out by hand, very scientific.
- Granulated sugar, 1/4 cup, just enough sweetness without going dessert level.
- Baking powder, 1 tablespoon, this is what keeps them fluffy.
- Salt, 1 teaspoon, don’t skip it, it makes everything taste better.
- Eggs, 2 large ones, room temperature if you remember.
- Butter, 1/4 cup, melted and slightly cooled so it doesn’t scramble the eggs.
- Milk, about 1 1/2 cups, give or take, pancake batter is forgiving.
- Green food coloring, a few drops at a time until it looks fun to you.
- Whipped cream or maple syrup, for serving.
- Green Lucky Charms marshmallows, for topping, the best part.
How To Make It
Step 1: Blend The Cereal
Pick out the marshmallows from the Lucky Charms and set them aside for later.
Take the remaining cereal pieces and pulse them in a blender or food processor a few times until they’re lightly crushed (hand blenders work for this or you can just bash it up with a rolling pin).
You’re not turning them into a fine powder, just breaking them down so they mix easily into the batter.
Set that aside the marshmallows and use them as the finishing touch right at the end!
Step 2: Whisk Ingredients
In a big bowl, I whisk together the flour, crushed cereal, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
In another bowl, I beat the eggs lightly, then stir in the melted butter and milk.
Pour the wet mixture into the dry and stir until it comes together.
A few small lumps are totally fine!
Step 3: Add Your Food Coloring
Now the fun part.
Add a drop or two of green food coloring and stir.
Check the color. Add more if you want it brighter.
I always say “just one more drop” about three times.
Step 4: Add Your Batter To The Pan
Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease it.
Scoop small spoonfuls of batter onto the pan, think bite-sized pancakes.
Let them cook until little bubbles form and the edges look set, then flip and cook the other side until golden.
Stack them on a plate and keep going until the batter is gone.
Step 5: Serve Your Leprechaun Pancake Bites
To serve, I pile them into short stacks, add a swirl of whipped cream or a drizzle of syrup, and scatter the leftover marshmallows from step 1 over the top.
Kids love them!
Tips & FAQs For Leprechaun Pancake Bites
Can I skip the cereal?
You can, but the Lucky Charms oats add a subtle flavor and texture that makes these feel extra fun. If you do skip it, just add a tablespoon or two more flour.
How green is too green?
Honestly, there is no such thing here. Go pale mint or full leprechaun green, whatever makes you happy.
Do they reheat well?
Yep. Pop them in the microwave for about 15 seconds. They stay soft and fluffy.
Can I make these ahead?
You can cook them earlier in the day and reheat before serving. Add the whipped cream and marshmallows at the last minute so they don’t melt.
What if I don’t have whipped cream?
Maple syrup, honey, or even a dusting of powdered sugar works just fine.
Recipe Card
Leprechaun Pancake Bites
Description
These Leprechaun Pancake Bites are fluffy, bright green mini pancakes with a fun cereal crunch, perfect for St Patrick’s Day breakfasts, school mornings, or party trays. Easy to make, kid approved, and honestly hard not to snack on straight from the pan.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Start by picking out the marshmallows from the Lucky Charms and setting them aside for later. Lightly crush the remaining cereal pieces using a blender, hand blender, or rolling pin.
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In a large bowl, mix together the flour, crushed cereal, sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, then stir in the melted butter and milk until smooth.
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Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and gently mix it up until just combined. A few lumps are totally fine.
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Add green food coloring a few drops at a time, stirring between each, until you reach your preferred shade of green.
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Heat a lightly greased nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Scoop small spoonfuls of batter onto the pan and cook until bubbles form and the edges look set, then flip and cook until golden.
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Stack the pancake bites, top with whipped cream or syrup, and scatter the reserved green marshmallows over the top before serving.
