Is there anything better than waking up on a Sunday morning and having pancakes? Only if said pancakes have matcha and are topped with a delicious pumpkin glaze!
Matcha pancakes themselves are light and perfectly chewy without being overly sweet. The batter recipe we've come up with has no added sugar, so they almost take on a savory flavor. But when you top these matcha pancakes with the pumpkin glaze we've concocted, we promise you'll have a satisfyingly sweet breakfast without it being over-the-top sugary.
Not only do these matcha pumpkin-glazed pancakes taste amazing, but they also look stunning and make an incredible addition to your breakfast table.
You probably already know that matcha green tea has a long list of health benefits -- though maybe you didn't know that pumpkin also has numerous health benefits and is high in many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. For example, it's an excellent source of vitamins A, C, E, and iron. Pumpkin is also a rich source of fiber.
Ingredients you will need
For your pumpkin glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/12 tablespoon milk
- 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon pumpkin puree
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
For the pancakes:
- 1 cup flour (sifted all-purpose flour is best)
- 1 tablespoon sifted culinary-grade matcha
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup of milk (we used almond but any type will due)
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons unsalted melted butter (salted is also fine, just leave out the additional salt in the recipe)
- Optional: white chocolate chips (for those who enjoy a sweeter twist)
- Optional topping: pumpkin seeds or fruit of choice.
- Optional: additional butter on top of the pancakes when served.
Directions to make matcha pumpkin glazed pancakes:
- Prepare your glaze by adding all your pumpkin glaze ingredients into a large mixing bowl and whisk until smooth. If you'd like your glaze thinner, you can always add in a bit more milk. Set aside.
- In another mixing bowl, combine your dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined. Make a well in the center (you can use the back of a measuring cup and press it down). In your well, then pour in your milk, egg, and melted butter. Mix until smooth. If you want a more decadent pancake with an extra kick of sweetness, feel free to stir some white chocolate chips into your pancake batter.
- Heat a lightly oiled griddle or pan over medium-high heat. Pour or scoop your pumpkin matcha pancake batter onto the pan to the pancake size of your liking (and that your spatula is able to flip!). Brown both sides. Look for tiny bubbles to form, and that's when you'll know it's time to flip!
- Top with pumpkin glaze, a sprinkle of culinary matcha powder, and a slice of butter. You can also sprinkle on top some pumpkin seeds or add in the fruit of your choice.
- Serve and enjoy while warm. You can also store your matcha pancakes in the fridge for up to 5 days and reheat them for 30 seconds in the microwave.
A few tips to keep in mind when shopping and preparing your ingredients
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For the powdered sugar called for in this recipe, feel free to adjust the amount of powdered sugar in this recipe. We always recommend starting with a bit less and working your way up based on your taste preferences.
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For the milk used, feel free to use any milk you like or have in your refrigerator. We used almond milk for the glaze and pancakes, which turned out wonderfully.
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Pumpkin Puree. There are great store-bought pre-made pumpkin purees you can often find at Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. Though If you're feeling ambitious and really in the fall mood, try roasting your own pumpkin at home!
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Pumpkin Pie Spice- This is a spice mix that you should be able to find at most stores, but you can make your own as well. It usually contains cinnamon, ginger, allspice, as well as nutmeg.
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Opt for quality vanilla. We promise you won't regret investing in a high-quality pure vanilla extract. Always check and be sure to avoid any vanilla extracts that say "imitation vanilla." It makes a big difference in your recipes!
- Don't have time or the ability to find pumpkin puree? You can always opt to top your matcha pancakes with some honey and cinnamon to give them a sweeter note of flavor!
Combining matcha with pumpkin for a sweet yet savory flavor
We weren't quite sure about combining matcha with pumpkin, but this recipe has us fully converted. We're saying goodbye to summer and hello to fall over here, and that means one thing… it's pumpkin season. So obviously, we had to try our hands at a pumpkin and matcha recipe. The earthy and complex flavor of matcha is perfectly complemented by the sweet, nutty flavor of the pumpkin glaze. Interestingly, both pumpkin and matcha are incredibly versatile foods and can be sweet or savory, depending on the dish.
The bottom line: You can enjoy these matcha pumpkin pancakes at any hour of the day
This recipe is quick and easy to prepare and will have you saying goodbye to boxed pancake mixes for good.
Is this dessert or breakfast? We're not sure, but we are confident of how delicious these pancakes are. So give them a try and let us know what you think!
Check out more of our savory and sweet recipes using matcha
This post and recipe is By Diana Weil, Matcha.com's Integrative Nutritionist and Food Relationship Specialist.
