Breakfast Bento with Mini Pancakes

Keep reading to learn all the tips to build a delicious bento that stays fresh until lunch.

Mini Pancakes Breakfast Bento Box

Who doesn’t love breakfast food any time of day? This breakfast bento box with mini pancakes brings variety to the usual lunch routine. Your child will be eager to open the lunchbox!

It’s super quick to assemble, using leftover pancakes from breakfast over the weekend or from your freezer stash.

Toasting is optional and recommended on light toast, just enough to soften the pancakes. That said, sometimes I make this bento with frozen pancakes, which thaw by lunch!

Breakfast bento boxes are a kid-favorite lunch you can customize with their favorite toppings. This bento includes whipped cream cheese and jam, but I’m sure you’ll also want to try this Pancake Breakfast Bento with Fresh Fruit! And I mean YOU, because I know you want to pack one for you too!

What is in Breakfast Bento with Mini Pancakes

Make this breakfast bento with any classic or allergy-friendly pancakes you like, and spread the filling to find deliciousness in every bite! Even the kids can help you with this epic lunch. What you need to make this bento is:

• Pancakes: mini, regular-sized, frozen, or fresh pancakes (leftovers). Whichever works best for you! 
• Whipped cream cheese: a soft and super delicious topping! 
• Jam: other spreads like peanut butter or your favorite nut-free butter are also an option!
• Fruit: any fruit you have on hand is a great idea to add as a healthy side!

You’ll find the measurements in the recipe card below.

Watch this 2 minute video to see how I pack this breakfast bento:

How to pack Breakfast Bento with Mini Pancakes for Lunch

Keeping this breakfast bento with mini pancakes fresh until lunchtime is possible if you follow these easy steps. Here’s how I packed this bento for lunch:

1. Toast the pancakes
   Lightly toast the pancakes in a toaster. Or, use frozen pancakes which will thaw out by lunch, and they’ll keep the cream cheese chilled at the same time.
2. Add the filling
   Spread a little whipped cream cheese directly onto a pancake, top with a little jam, and use another pancake to form a pancake sandwich.
3. Assemble the bento box
   Place each pancake mini sandwich inside a bento box along with some fruit and favorite sides.
4. Pack it for lunch
   Pack inside a lunch bag, with an ice pack if necessary.

Try Next: Waffle Breakfast Bento

More Tips for Packing Breakfast Bentos

Follow these tips and this tasty lunch will stay fresh and intact until the very moment the kids open their lunchboxes:

Keep it simple
The easiest way to build bento boxes is to make the most of what you already have. In this case, any store-bought or homemade pancakes, any jam, and any fruit or snack will make a terrific bento for school!

Check the size
I pull together this breakfast bento using mini pancakes. If you pack regular-sized, I recommend 4 to 5-inch pancakes so they will fit in the lunchbox.

Save time
Pack fresh leftover pancakes lightly toasted in a toaster, or make these sandwiches with frozen pancakes. They will be thawed by lunchtime and help keep the cream cheese cool at the same time.

Separate wet from dry
If you are packing a “dry” side like nuts, almonds, or oatmeal breakfast cookies, place them in a separate compartment of the bento box, so they won’t absorb the moisture of the pancake sandwiches or the fruits.

Add more nutrition
There’s always room for more nutrition! Pack these breakfast bento with mini pancakes and delicious snacks that hungry bellies will enjoy eating, like banana chips or these homemade fruit cups.