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When you’re out of things to pack for lunch these mini pumpkin pancakes are always a winner with the kids. Here, you’ll learn how to pack them for school.
Mini Pumpkin Pancake School Lunch
What do my kids love more than these fluffy pumpkin pancakes for breakfast? Finding them in their lunchbox! I believe pumpkin should be enjoyed year-round and this mini pumpkin pancake bento is the ultimate school lunch that’s fun AND good for you.
One batch is never enough for my family so I always double it, but if you have leftover pumpkin puree, I’ve got you covered! These no-bake pumpkin pie snack bites are the perfect healthy treat to add to other lunches through the week!
What You Need for a Mini Pancake Bento
Fluffy pancakes, protein and fruit is all you need to put together a mini pancake bento! You can find the exact measurements for this one in the recipe card below or customize it for your child’s tastes with these easy swaps:
- Syrup: while these pumpkin pancakes are already sweet, maple syrup makes them even better!
- Mini Pancakes: this recipe uses mini pumpkin pancakes, but you can use any pancake recipe you love. You can even grab store-bought to save time.
- Raspberries: bright and full of vitamins, these are easy to pack and delicious. You can swap for strawberries, blueberries, or any favorite fruit.
- Hard-Boiled Egg: for a healthy protein boost. You can also opt for a cheese stick, some turkey slices, or even a yogurt cup if preferred.
How to Make a Pumpkin Pancake Lunch
This mini pancake school lunch is as easy to pack as it is to enjoy! Here are some tips to ensure success:
- Reheat Pancakes
A quick toast in the toaster keeps the pumpkin pancakes soft but warm, perfect for packing! - Assemble the Bento
Add pancakes, raspberries, and egg slices to separate sections of a lunch container with compartments to keep flavors distinct and fresh. - Pack the syrup
Keep syrup in a small, separate container so it’s ready to drizzle or dip when it’s lunchtime. This will prevent any stickiness from spilling into the rest of the lunch. - Pack it for school
Place pancake bento box along with any healthy sides in a lunch bag and keep refrigerated until ready for school.
How to Pack Pancake Syrup in a Lunchbox
To avoid a mess, pour a small amount of syrup into a tiny, leak-proof container with a tight lid. This way, your kids can enjoy dipping their pancakes without any sticky spills. Make sure smaller kids can easily open the container.
Keeping it Fresh for School Lunch
Follow these additional tips to keep your mini pancake lunch fresh, fluffy, and pumpkin-perfect all day long:
Prevent soggy pancakes
These pair great with a little maple syrup; which I recommend packing inside small leak-proof container so at lunch it can be drizzled on top or dipped into!
Save time
Packing lunches the night before can save you time in the morning! Keep dry ingredients in separate compartments to prevent them from picking up moisture from other foods or the fridge.
Choose the right container
The best way to pack bento lunches to keep everything from getting squished or flattened is to use a durable bento container with compartments.
Keep it safe
Add an ice pack inside the lunch bag to regulate the temperature inside and keep everything fresh and safe to eat by noon, especially if lunch bags sit out for a while.
More School Breakfast Bentos
If your kids are part of the breakfast for lunch crew like my family is, they’ll love this taco egg cup bento or a tasty waffle breakfast bento. Want more pancakes? Try this fruit and pancake bento – all are great for lunch or packed as a school breakfast box!
Mini Pumpkin Pancakes Lunch
Ingredients
- 4-5 small pancakes
- 1 cup raspberries, or fruit
- 1 hard boiled egg, sliced
- syrup for dipping
Instructions
- Toast the pancakes in a toaster or toaster oven and place them into a hard lunch container with compartments. Add the fruit and sliced egg to the empty compartments and top with the lid. Pack syrup separately in a small container.
Pack for school
- Pack container and syrup in a lunch bag with an ice pack.
Elizabeth says
Can I use this recipe to make waffles? or does it need to be tweaked a little?
Elizabeth says
Still wondering if this can be used to make waffles as the recipe is or are there modifications that need to be made?
MOMables says
you’ll need to add more liquid to make waffles. The batter is too thick for waffles – unless you like dense waffles.
Julia says
Searching for new recipes to try this fall. I am excited to try out these pancakes!
tasha says
How do u pack syrup? Do u just put it in a small container with a lid? Any suggestions for one that is easy for a 6 year old to open by themself?
MOMables says
Tasha, the syrup is packed in small lidded containers like these.
Cynthia says
How do you pack this in lunches with whipped cream? Whipped cream doesn’t hold up over time and turns to liquid…do you use stabilized whipped cream?
Lisa says
Actually, that was my question, too. My kids eat several hours after I pack their lunch (generally 6 hours or so). Also, is there a handy dandy way to make this recipe gf? Can I just sub gf all-purpose flour?
Thanks so much!
Lisa
MOMables says
Lisa, most kids eat room temperature pancakes without issues, the fact that they are getting pancakes… well, it’s a treat! As far as gluten free, I have not yet tested it. I’m working on a recipe as we speak.
Javi says
Thank you so much, ChefCorey! I used this recipe with some tweeks (bananas, coconut-almond milk, cinnamon & nutmeg and butter only as cooking oil) and my daughters loved it! It was a great late brunch to wind down from a long hurricane Sandy recovery week. We were pretty much fine in Brooklyn but my daughters residence in manhattan was without power or water or food! A great way to return to the normal hustle & bustle of the city madness.
Laura says
So glad you enjoyed them Javi!
Corey @ Family Fresh Meals says
That is so awesome Javi! Thank you so much for stopping by to share :)
Marisa says
Any spice or spice combo that could be used instead of pumpkin pie spice? Maybe cinnamon? Or apple pie spice?
Laura says
Marisa – apple pie spice will work great too. :)