Light and Fluffy Lemon Maple Pancakes for Baby Led Weaning

One of my absolute favourite recipes to start baby led weaning is pancakes. They are just so super soft and easy for those little hands to manage. You can also pack in as much goodness as possible from veggies to fruit and they even work as a healthy treat too. Pancakes were, in fact, the very first dish I ever gave to my little dude and he has loved them ever since 🙂

This recipe is another pancake variation that one I know you are going to love! I have made them deliciously lemony, sweetened with just a teenie tiny amount of maple syrup for a treat. You can, however, leave it out for smaller babies and just add a mashed banana to the mixture to make them even healthier.

Can You Freeze Pancakes for Baby Led Weaning?

Aren’t all of us just looking for a little (or lot of) extra time in the day? I know I am! So when I find a recipe that is super easy to make, takes very little time, and is freezer friendly that meal becomes a staple in my home. Well you are just in luck because these baby friendly pancakes are all three! I have to say that pancakes are one of the best freezer friendly foods out there.

They keep so beautifully and taste just as good as when they were freshly made. I like to make a double batch of pancakes and freeze half of the batch for later use. Babies and toddlers won’t know the different between the fresh made pancake and the frozen one! 

How do I give my baby pancakes for baby led weaning?

1. Make the pancakes roughly the size of the palm of your babies hand (when their hand is stretched open). I use an ice cream scoop to measure them onto a pan. Cook both sides until golden brown, then leave on a plate to cool.
2. Make sure your baby is not hangry! This is probably the most important thing when it comes to baby led weaning. This is when your lovely little baby just wants food NOW! It can be really frustrating for them and it makes the experience really unenjoyable for everyone! Especially parents. I always breastfed Oscar about an hour before I gave him solid food. This way he wasn’t ‘hangry’ and the entire feed experience was fun with the screaming and crying!
3.  With your baby sitting upright, unaided in their highchair, place the cooled pancake on their tray.
4. Sit on your hands’ parents! I know that is a hard thing to do when it is your tiny 6-month-old baby and you think they couldn’t possibly be able to feed them self but trust me! Let your baby explore the food, touch it, smell it, pick it up and taste.
5. Take photos! lots and lots of photos. Your little baby will love it and watching how great he or she manages soft foods like pancakes will completely put your mind at ease when it comes to baby led weaning.

The Ingredients

Pancakes are an amazingly nutritious recipe to make for the entire family. I love that they are not only filling but are also high in protein from both the eggs and milk too. And, if your baby has a gluten allergy you can switch up the flour for buckwheat or oat flour which are both delicious too. I topped mine with a little pomegranate and an extra sprinkle of lemon zest. They were unreal and I just wish I had made more. Devoured on the spot!

Pancake recipes for babies

Birthday Pancake Cake

Breakfast

Birthday pancakes filled with coconut, banana ice cream & berries.

Butternut Squash and Goats Cheese Pancakes

Lunch

Roasted butternut squash, rosemary and goat cheese savoury pancakes

Egg-Free Pancakes with Pineapple Coulis

Breakfast

This healthy pineapple coulis only has 3 ingredients!

These Raspberry Buckwheat Pancakes are the best way to start your baby’s day.

Breakfast

These pancakes are super quick to make, easy for your baby to hold and are really nutritious.

I really can’t wait for you to try this recipe and if you do don’t forget to tag #babyledfeeding. Any comments and feedback would be amazing too!

Happy Pancake Tuesday (do you really need an excuse to make pancakes though? lol 😀

Love,

Aileen xoxoxox