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Transform your breakfast leftovers into fun and tasty lunchbox pancake sandwiches that will wow your kids!
If you’re tired of your kids groaning about boring lunches, then wow them with these easy lunchbox pancake sandwiches!
You know those whiny grumbles… “Oh, turkey on wheat again?” “I’m not into vanilla yogurt anymore.” and my favorite passive aggressive complaint, “Um, that type of bread really isn’t my favorite.”
Instead of sending them off to school (or the kitchen table) with coal in their lunchboxes (which I may or may not have considered before), I thought why not pack them a lunch that will not only stop the complaining, but really knock their socks off.
Say hello to pancake sandwiches!
We have an ongoing debate about bread in our house. Me, explaining the benefits of whole wheat bread for their sandwiches and them, wanting just about anything else.
So I’m always thinking of little tweaks to the basics and alternating those with their usual whole wheat sandies. I made these cute little corn muffin sandwiches which definitely received two thumbs up and now I give to you the pancake sandwich.
My younger (and far pickier) son Max is a lover of all things pancake. He would eat them daily if I let him and loves to order a breakfast pancake sandwich at the diner.
He’ll pile bacon and eggs inside two pancakes, cut it into wedges and dunk it into syrup. Genius? Maybe. Delicious? Definitely.
So, I decided to apply the same basic concept to lunch. Their favorite sandwich fixings layered between two homemade pancakes.
Do yourself a favor and make a double batch of pancakes over the weekend and freeze the leftovers for easy breezy weekday breakfasts and now lunch.
Try these combinations
- Ham + cheddar + apple butter
- Creamy peanut butter + banana + honey
- Turkey + apples + honey
It’s really a win/win in the packed lunch department. Delighted children and a happy mom. Now I just need to work on my whole wheat pancake recipe. 😉
Pancake Love
Transform your breakfast leftovers into fun and tasty lunchbox pancake sandwiches that will wow your kids!
- 2 pancakes
- 2 slices ham
- 2 slices cheddar cheese
- 1 Tbsp apple butter
- 2 pancakes
- 2 Tbsp peanut butter
- 1/2 banana, sliced
- 2 tsp honey
- 2 pancakes
- 2 slices roasted turkey
- 1/2 apple, thinly sliced
- 1 Tbsp honey
-
Layer the sandwich fixings between the two pancakes.
-
Cut in half or into wedges to serve if desired.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in October 2016 but was updated in June 2020.
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Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
Love, love this idea! So cute and I think my kids would love a bit of a lunchbox change too!
Cathy says
Thanks Karen! Anything to combat the packed lunch blues!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
This is such a great idea, Cathy! I can totally understand where your boys are coming from, though. We’ve all been there so tired of the same breakfast or lunch day in and day out. I know I had to recently change up my breakfast routine because of that. What a great way to repurpose those pancakes and who doesn’t love a sandwich make of pancakes?! My niece and nephew would love these (and so would I….hehehe 😉 )
Cathy says
I’m such a creature of habit, I end up with the same breakfast and lunch day in and day out when it’s just me. Too bad my boys have higher expectations and so glad I had some extra pancakes!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
What a great idea! My kids would have flipped to open their lunchbox and find these 🙂
Cathy says
Thanks Jennifer! Yes, for that one day I was a lunchbox hero!
Annemarie @ justalittlebitofbacon says
My daughter used to eat whole wheat sandwich bread! Now she won’t touch it. Kids. 🙂 I know she’d be happy to eat a pancake sandwich, though. Even a whole grain one. This is a genius idea.
Cathy says
Kids! I really to have to start making whole grain pancakes.
annie@ciaochowbambina says
This is so clever and cute! Though my kids no longer require a school lunch – I need to make this the next time they’re home (for lunch)! They will love it!
Cathy says
Even the grown up ones love these. I speak from experience 😉
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Awesome idea Cathy! My boys would have loved this when they were younger!
Cathy says
Right Mary Ann? My boys are suckers for anything pancake.