Easy Chocolate Pancakes
There’s something undeniably comforting about starting the morning with a tall stack of warm, fluffy pancakes. And when those pancakes are infused with rich, chocolatey goodness? Well, that’s when breakfast becomes downright magical. That’s exactly what happened when I first made these Easy Chocolate Pancakes. I was looking for a way to shake up our usual weekend breakfast routine. My kids love pancakes, and my husband has a not-so-secret love affair with anything chocolate, so I thought, why not combine the two?
The first time I served them, the table fell completely silent — except for the happy hums of approval as everyone dug in. The pancakes are decadently soft, perfectly sweet, and packed with rich cocoa flavor. And that glossy chocolate syrup cascading down the sides? Absolute heaven. My husband even said they taste like dessert for breakfast, but somehow feel entirely acceptable to enjoy with your morning coffee. Since that day, these pancakes have become a weekend staple in our home. They’re quick enough for busy mornings yet feel indulgent enough for special occasions. Whether it’s a cozy Sunday or a celebratory birthday breakfast, these pancakes deliver every single time.
What I love most is how simple they are to pull together — no fancy ingredients or complicated techniques. Just pantry staples, a bowl, and a few minutes of your time. The end result is a stack of rich, tender pancakes that your whole family will swoon over. Trust me, once you try these, there’s no going back to plain pancakes.
Questions I Often Get Asked About This Recipe
Can I make these pancakes ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the batter the night before and store it covered in the fridge. Give it a gentle stir in the morning before cooking.
Can I freeze leftover pancakes?
Absolutely. Let the pancakes cool completely, then stack them with parchment paper between each one and freeze in an airtight bag. Reheat in the microwave or toaster.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute almond milk or oat milk for the regular milk, and use a dairy-free butter or coconut oil.
What kind of cocoa powder works best?
Unsweetened natural cocoa powder works perfectly. You can also use Dutch-processed cocoa for a deeper chocolate flavor.
Do I need any special equipment?
Not at all. A mixing bowl, a whisk, and a non-stick skillet or griddle are all you need.
What You Need to Make Easy Chocolate Pancakes
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1 cup milk (any kind)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (plus more for the pan)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup chocolate chips (optional, but recommended)
Chocolate syrup (for serving)
Special Equipment:
Mixing bowl
Whisk
Non-stick skillet or griddle
Spatula
How to Make Easy Chocolate Pancakes
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix; it’s okay if there are a few lumps.
Fold in the chocolate chips if using.
Preheat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with butter.
Scoop ¼ cup of batter onto the skillet for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set, about 2-3 minutes.
Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until cooked through.
Serve warm with a generous drizzle of chocolate syrup and extra chocolate chips if desired.
Tips for Making the Best Easy Chocolate Pancakes
Don’t overmix the batter — it will keep your pancakes light and fluffy.
Use room temperature ingredients to help the batter mix smoothly.
Control your heat — medium heat ensures the pancakes cook evenly without burning.
Add mix-ins — try mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even a swirl of peanut butter.
Double the batch — these pancakes freeze beautifully, so make extras for busy mornings.
Reader Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “These were absolutely amazing! The kids asked for seconds — and thirds!”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Perfect for my husband’s birthday breakfast. Super chocolatey and so easy to make.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Loved them, but I might add a little more sugar next time for extra sweetness.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Great for weekend brunch! The whole family devoured them.”
⭐⭐⭐ “They were good but a bit too rich for me. Next time, I’ll skip the extra chocolate chips.”
Printable Recipe
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Easy Chocolate Pancakes
These Easy Chocolate Pancakes are the ultimate breakfast treat your family will request again and again! Rich, fluffy, and loaded with deep chocolate flavor, they come together quickly with simple pantry staples. Whether you're making a special weekend brunch or a surprise weekday breakfast, this recipe delivers foolproof results every time.
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup milk (any kind)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (plus more for the pan)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup chocolate chips (optional, but recommended)
- Chocolate syrup (for serving)
- Special Equipment:
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Non-stick skillet or griddle
- Spatula
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix; it's okay if there are a few lumps.
- Fold in the chocolate chips if using.
- Preheat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with butter..
- Scoop ¼ cup of batter onto the skillet for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set, about 2-3 minutes.
- Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until cooked through.
- Serve warm with a generous drizzle of chocolate syrup and extra chocolate chips if desired.
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