The Breakfast Boost Your Pancakes Need Starts With A Muffin Tin

Pancakes are usually reserved for weekend brunch or those mornings when you have a little more time. But what if you didn't have to watch them carefully or flip them on the stove and could instead pop them in the oven, knowing they wouldn't lose their shape? It turns out all you need for this breakfast boost is a muffin tin.

Yes, you can make pancake muffins that bake perfectly in the oven, whether you're using a classic homemade buttermilk pancake batter or a store-bought boxed mix — though the latter keeps it easier. Line the muffin tins with cupcake holders for easy removal; colorful cupcake holders also make these pretty for plating as a brunch dish and more convenient as a grab-and-go breakfast on busy weekday mornings. Simply pour your batter into each holder and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, though the exact baking time will differ depending on how large the pancake muffins are. For the best results, check the batter with a toothpick once you take it out, the same way you would with a cupcake, to make sure it comes out clean and the pancake muffin is fully cooked in the center. 

Perhaps the best part about making pancakes in a muffin tin is the ability to vary the delicious toppings and unexpected upgrades. In standard pancakes, the right way to add mix-ins is to fold them into the batter itself, so all come out the same. But with these mini bowls of batter, add any mix-ins you want to each muffin individually — chocolate chips to one, blueberries to another, etc.

While this concept is straightforward, there are a few tips to consider. Pancakes naturally fluff up as they bake, so don't fill the muffin tin with batter right to its edge because it needs a little extra room to rise. From there, eat these pancake muffins the same way you would a cupcake, or top them with butter and warm syrup. As for reheating, it's best to place these in the oven or toaster oven if you want to get slightly crispy edges, or else microwave them if you don't mind them a little softer and spongier.