Healthy enough for breakfast, sweet enough for dessert, this individual Dutch baby pancake with berries & maple yogurt is easy & delicious.
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Until our latest phase of banana oatmeal for breakfast pretty much every day, pancakes were a common breakfast choice in our house. I have to say, I kind of miss having them more often. The kids do sometimes want pancakes for lunch and I'm happy to join in with them, but it's still not all that often given my eldest son's like-the-same-thing-all-the-time phase.
I've seen Dutch baby pancakes around and kept meaning to give them a try, but so often the recipes are meant for a few people.
So I adapted to make this individual Dutch baby pancake which is perfect when you're the only one feeling the pancake vibe. Or if there are more of you, multiply up to make a few and everyone has their own pan to eat from. Either way, it's a winner.
What is a Dutch baby pancake?
A Dutch baby pancake goes by a few names, but is basically the same idea. You might know it as a German pancake or a baked pancake. Whatever you call it, it's somewhere between a traditional pancake and a popover or Yorkshire pudding where you bake a simple batter in a hot skillet in the oven.
This method makes it really easy to make as you don't need to stand over it as it's cooking. It puffs up as it cooks making it nice and fluffy (though it collapses a bit not long after you take it out the oven).
Dutch baby pancakes are often served plain, with a little powdered sugar over the top. You can bake fruit right into them, with apple being common, but here I've cooked them separately so it's more like a warm fruit compote on top.
This version is made using maple syrup rather than sugar so that it's a little healthier, being refined sugar free. I've also cut back on the sweetness in the pancake since the topping is sweet enough.
Tips for the perfect pancake
As I said, this is really easy to make, but I have a couple tips to help you along. First, you need to make sure your pan is hot ahead of time. I find it easiest to just put it in the oven as it's warming up. Then the butter should be hot too, so give it a minute or two to warm before you add the batter.
Whisk the batter until smooth and let it sit while the oven heats up. Then carefully pour it into the hot pan and put it back in the oven. Just pour it into the middle of the pan and let it spread rather than swirling. Leave it to rise to a lovely, lightly brown pancake.
See how easy it is in the short video!
This individual Dutch baby pancake is healthy and easy enough to be a tasty brunch, and sweet enough to be dessert. Whether you cook a few for a crowd or just one for yourself, no judgement, it's delicious. Give it a try and you'll see what I mean.
Like pancakes? Try these!
- Kaiserschmarrn (Austrian torn pancakes)
- British pancakes with lemon and sugar
- Apple crepes
- Chestnut pancakes with honey-rose mascarpone (gluten free)
- Plus get more breakfast and brunch recipes in the archives. You might also like my chocolate Dutch baby pancake with cherry compote for a more indulgent take on this tasty idea.
Tools for this recipe
I'd recommend a small skillet, such as a Lodge 8in Cast Iron Skillet and a small Roasting Dish for this recipe (affiliate links).
See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store.
Individual Dutch baby pancake with berries and maple yogurt
Ingredients
Fruit topping
- 5 oz mixed berries (I used a mix of strawberries, blackberries, raspberries & cranberries)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil approx
- ½ teaspoon balsamic vinegar approx
Pancake
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup all purpose flour plain flour
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 pinch salt
- ½ tablespoon butter
Yogurt topping
- 2 tablespoon Greek-style yogurt
- ½ teaspoon maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F/200C. Put an 8in/20cm cast iron skillet/frying pan in to heat up as the oven heats.
- Meanwhile, cut any larger strawberries and toss the fruit with the oil and balsamic vinegar in a small roasting dish. Whisk together the pancake ingredients (egg, flour, milk, maple syrup and salt - note NOT the butter) until smooth. Mix the yogurt and maple syrup together and set aside.
- Once the oven has reached temperature, add the butter to the pan. Put it back in the oven to melt and heat for a minute. At the same time, add the dish with the fruit to the oven.
- Once the butter has melted and starting to brown very slightly, pour the pancake batter into the middle of the pan. Immediately put the pan back in the oven and leave to bake for approx 15-18min until the pancake has puffed up and is lightly brown.
- Remove the fruit from the oven at the same time and pour into the middle of the pancake and top with the maple yogurt. Enjoy warm.
Video
Nutrition
Remember to pin for later!
Monica Safreed
Can I pan this in a small 5inch casserole dish. That pan makes 2 perfect servings ??
Caroline's Cooking
So I'm not sure what exactly you mean by a 5 inch casserole as that can be interpreted a few ways (round, square, how deep?), but I typically make this in an 8 inch skillet, as mentioned in the recipe, so that has an area of approximately 50 square inches. A 5 inch square dish would be 25 square inches, so half. Yes, it can go up the sides a bit more in a casserole but even still, that feels much smaller than I could recommend.
Cherry
Very easy to prepare and delicious to eat!
Caroline's Cooking
So glad you enjoyed! And yes, I love how easy this is (just what I for one need in the morning!)
Susan Babbitt Hall
Fabulous!
I typically do not leave reviews but I have to for this - it was really good! I made it as written, except that I used fresh strawberries and frozen peaches because I had no other fresh fruit. And I added a little cardamom to the batter because I love it and never get to use it!
Just sweet enough, just enough for 1 person, great blend of flavors. I would make this again and again!
And really, folks, saying how good it looks isn’t a review - make it first, then comment. We all know it looks good. That’s not helpful.
Caroline's Cooking
I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it so much - it's one we make regularly! And yes, definitely something you can adapt the fruit with it.
Hannah Lewis
This looks divine! I'm the only one in my family who likes dutch babies, so this is so perfect for me.
Julie
That's a beautiful pancake Caroline! I just love how easy they are to put together and delicious to eat!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks Julie, and yes! They are easy and so good.
ICSbyAnugya
These Dutch baby pancakes look gorgeous, Caroline! The addition of berries and maple yogurt is like icing on the cake. I would love to start my day with this beauty 🙂
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, they definitely work really well!
heather (delicious not gorgeous)
dutch babies are one of my favorites for breakfast! i usually do lemon juice + powdered sugar on top, but berries + maple yogurt sounds just as good :3
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks Heather. Lemon and sugar is how I was brought up having crepe-like pancakes for shrove Tuesday, so I felt like something different here. Both are good, and you should definitely try this!
Sarah James @ Tales From The Kitchen Shed
Oh my, your baby Dutch pancakes look delicious especially with the berries. I haven't made them before, need to rectify this. Thanks for sharing, popping over from Fiesta Friday 🙂
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks Sarah, they are really easy to make and the berries and yogurt go so well with them.
Margy
I wouldn't mind being a baby and having your dutch pancake! Thanks for sharing this at FF!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks Margy, it's so good!
Ginger
I had never heard of these Dutch pancakes and feel like I have been missing out - this baby looks absolutely stunning!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks Ginger, I feel like I missed out for a while, too - do give them a try, they are so good, and the fruit and maple yogurt go so well.
Bethany @ athletic avocado
One giant dutch baby all for me? This sounds like a deal because I hate sharing! This looks so fluffy and delish!
Caroline's Cooking
In fairness, it's not giant, but it is all for you! And it's definitely delicious 🙂