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Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes combine a classic buttermilk batter with the best swirl of cinnamon and sugar. Top these with a pat of butter and some maple syrup for the best breakfast ever!

We love our Classic Buttermilk Pancakes and Blueberry Lemon Pancakes too!

A stack of cinnamon swirl pancakes with butter.

Cinnamon Pancakes

Adding cinnamon to sweet recipes is just SO good. The Best Cinnamon Rolls, Cinnamon Sugar Candied Pecans, Honey Cinnamon Zucchini Bread, Cinnamon Nut Granola, Chunky Cinnamon Applesauce, and the list goes on.

In my book, you can never go wrong with a little extra cinnamon. It’s the secret (but not so secret) ingredient in these pancakes. Some melted butter, a little brown sugar, and a pinch of this amazing spice are what make these extra tasty.

I’ve made SO MANY pancakes in my day. Our boys loved them and it was always convenient to have a stash in the freezer at all times. Making them homemade is worth it, and I’ve always doubled recipes because they keep so well. Little boys and pancakes…such great memories!

Side shot of a stack of swirl pancakes with butter.

Ingredients Used

All of these are pantry staples, so there is never a reason to NOT make them, right? This particular recipe is on the smaller side, so I encourage you to double it!

Flour – Use all-purpose flour for these pancakes. You could also try substituting other flours, but I haven’t tested that. All-purpose will yield the lightest, fluffiest pancakes.
Sugar – You’ll only need three tablespoons of sugar for these waffles. If you like a sweeter taste, then you can add a bit more.
Baking Soda, Baking Powder, and Salt – These three are vital components for pancakes.
Vanilla – A couple of teaspoons of our go-to vanilla extract.
Butter – Using unsalted butter is the perfect fat for these! You could also substitute an oil of your choosing.
Egg – I used one large egg.
Buttermilk – You can make your own buttermilk by adding vinegar to milk. See below for more details.

For the swirl

Just three ingredients are required for the best swirl! You’re gonna love it.

Butter – Melted butter is the liquid for the swirl.
Brown Sugar – Brown sugar AND cinnamon. Yes please.
Cinnamon – I used one teaspoon of cinnamon for the swirl.

The ingredients for the pancakes in bowls.

A squeeze bottle of the cinnamon mixture.

How to make Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes

I used to make pancakes on a large griddle for our boys. But now that our nest is empty, it’s simpler to make them in a non-stick skillet. I made these large, filling up a pan, but you can definitely make them any size you like.

Combine dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients – the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to combine.
Add wet ingredients. Add the melted (and slightly cooled) butter, the buttermilk, vanilla, and egg to the bowl. Whisk again, but don’t over-mix. A few small lumps are ok.
Make the swirl. In a small measuring cup, microwave the butter until melted. Then add in the brown sugar and cinnamon and mix well. Pour this mixture into a squeeze bottle (linked below).
Make pancakes. Use a non-stick pan (or a pancake griddle) and heat over medium heat. Add a pat of butter, and when melted, add some pancake batter to the pan. I made these rather large, but you can make them as big or as small as you’d like.
Add swirl. When the pancake gets bubbly on top, add the cinnamon swirl (as seen below). You will want to keep shaking the swirl so the ingredients don’t separate. Let it cook for a bit longer, and then carefully flip. Cook another minute or so, and remove from the pan. Repeat with remaining pancakes.
Serve. Serve pancakes hot with some extra butter and maple syrup.

A pancake cooking in a pan with a swirl.

Storing and Freezing

Storing – These can be stored in the refrigerator for several days. Simply warm them up in the microwave to get them warm.

Freezing – I’m always looking for meals that are freezer friendly for a grab-and-go meal. Pancakes freeze up great, and I’ve been doing that for years. You just place them in freezer bags, separated by parchment paper, and freeze up to three months. Grab one on your way out the door, or eat them at home with some butter and syrup.

Some syrup drizzling on a stack of pancakes.

How to make your own buttermilk

I rarely buy buttermilk at the store, because it usually expires before I get a chance to use it. It’s far easier to just make your own buttermilk with two simple ingredients.

Pour milk into a measuring cup. You can use 1%, 2%, or whole milk. Stay away from skim because it’s watery.
For every cup of milk, add about one tablespoon of vinegar. I normally use a regular distilled white vinegar but you can use rice vinegar or another clear version in a pinch. You can also use lemon juice instead of vinegar.
Stir and then let the mixture sit. You’ll see it start to curdle and thicken. That’s buttermilk!

A plate of a stack of pancakes, with a section cut out.

What to serve with these pancakes

Overnight Omelette Breakfast Casserole – Our go-to egg casserole, and a great one to make in advance. Prep it the night before, bake in the morning, and then whip up the pancakes while it’s baking!
Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole – Another delicious egg casserole and great for a smaller group of people.
Bacon and Egg Breakfast Muffins – These are portable and can be baked and frozen for later.
Coffee – You also may want to make a batch of Cold Brew Coffee or the best Caramel Lattes!

Try our Cinnamon Brioche French Toast next!

A plate of pancakes, with a triangle out.

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

xoxo ~Sue