Have you ever had IHOP Grinch pancakes? If not you’re missing out, but you don’t have to! These Grinch pancakes are green fluffy, sweet, vanilla, with icing and sprinkles. Grinch pancakes are the best for the holidays. Your heart will grow 3x after eating these delicious Grinch pancakes. And the best part is, you can make them at home!

how do you make copycat ihop grinch pancakes?

“He’s a mean one…” and I’m talking a mean stack of fluffy and delicious Copycat IHOP Grinch Pancakes–complete with green whipped cream! There’s no need to bundle the kids, load everyone into the car, and trudge through the snow to get your buttery, rich Grinch Pancake fix, when it’s so easy to make them at home from basic pantry ingredients.

Whipping up a batch of homemade Grinch Pancakes is even easier than it was for the Grinch to steal all of the Whos’ Christmas decorations! {giggle}. If you’ve made homemade pancake mix (and even if you haven’t) you’ve got this! There are just a couple of extra steps to make the glaze and green whipped cream, but you will make this in way less time than an actual IHOP trip would take–especially during the busy holiday season! (This post contains affiliate links).

This Copycat IHOP Grinch Pancakes Recipe

• Yields: 6-8 pancakes, depending on size
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 8-10 minutes

ingredients needed

Pancakes 

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• ¾ cup milk or buttermilk
• 2 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
• Green food coloring

Glaze 

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract  **see notes
• 2-3 tablespoons milk 

Green Whipped Cream (enough for pancakes and hot chocolate or chocolate milk)

• 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream 
• ¼ cup powdered sugar 
• 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract  **see notes
• Green food coloring 

Decoration

• Red heart sprinkles 

 

instructions to make copycat ihop grinch pancakes

Glaze

Step 1

Beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.

Step 2

Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency.

Step 3

Set aside.

Whipped Cream

Step 1

In a large bowl or a bowl of the stand mixer, beat whipping cream until soft peaks form.

Step 2

Add powdered sugar and vanilla and continue beating until stiff peaks form.

Step 3

Stir in a few drops of food coloring at a time until desired consistency.

Step 4

Transfer to piping bag fitted with a large star tip or round tip.

Pancakes

Step 1

Add flour, sugar, baking powder and salt to large measuring cup or mixing bowl and whisk together.

Step 2

Add egg, milk and oil to dry ingredients and whisk until well combined.

Step 3

Stir in a few drops of food coloring at a time until desired color is reached.

Step 4

Heat griddle and spray with cooking spray.

Step 5

Scoop pancake batter onto hot griddle and cook 4-5 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 6

Flip and cook on other side 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 7

Remove from griddle and keep warm while repeating with remaining pancake batter.

Step 8

When all the pancakes are done, assemble them by stacking 2-3 pancakes, then spoon glaze over top, and pipe on whipped cream.

Step 9

Decorate with red heart sprinkles.

Step 10

Serve immediately.

Step 11

Store leftovers in refrigerator.

Note:

Serve with hot chocolate, chocolate or white milk.

Decorate with remaining whipped cream and more heart sprinkles. 

Clear Vanilla Extract – using clear is best if you want the glaze to be white. You can also use regular vanilla extract.

Pro-Tip: Christmas morning is chaotic and busy–the last thing you want is to be tied up in the kitchen. Cut some steps out by making the pancakes ahead of time and storing them in the fridge overnight.

Then, you can make the glaze and whipped cream fresh on Christmas morning while reheating the pancakes to save yourself some time!

How to make gluten free copycat ihop grinch pancakes

If you (or your kiddos) have a gluten sensitivity or allergy, you haven’t been able to enjoy IHOP’s Grinch Pancakes in the restaurant, unfortunately.

The good news is that you can totally make gluten free Grinch Pancakes at home by swapping out a couple of ingredients!

Opt for a good gluten free flour to start. Also, double check that you have gluten free baking powder.

Make sure that the vanilla extract (the one linked above is gluten free!), and all of your other ingredients are gluten free, and are not made in a facility where they might be exposed to wheat or gluten (it should tell you this on the package label).

How do you store grinch pancakes

If you even have any leftovers {giggle}, properly package your Grinch Pancakes in airtight storage containers, and then you can keep them in the fridge for 2-3 days.

If stored in airtight containers or freezer bags, pancakes last in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Pro Tip: Separate pancakes with pieces of wax paper before freezing to help with breaking them apart when you want to reheat them. I love these precut wax paper squares! SO convenient!

More grinch crafts, activities, & Recipes:

• 25+ Grinch Crafts, Decorations, & Sweet Grinch Treats
• This Grinch Baby Costume Will Have Your Heart Growing Three Sizes
• Dr. Seuss Handprint Art for Kids 

More christmas breakfast ideas:

• 17 Festive Christmas Breakfast Ideas to Start a Merry Christmas
• 50 Amazing Pancake Ideas for Breakfast
• 15 Yummy Christmas Trees to Eat
• Homemade Merry Christmas Tree Waffles
• Try this delicious eggnog French toast recipe!
• You have to try these pancake roll ups.

How did your Grinch pancakes turn out? Were they delicious?