These Uncle Sam pancakes are shockingly simple and oozing with that festive 4th of July spirit. Baked in a sheet pan, these banana-based pancakes are decorated with tons of fresh berries and fruit. Without too much effort, they look like Uncle Sam!
Best of all, you don’t have to stand in front of the stove flipping pancakes. These come together in a food processor or blender, poured into one sheet pan, and baked for 20 minutes. It’s simple, light, and fun.
Looking for more pancake recipes? Here are other recipes you might enjoy: Easter Bunny Pancakes, Banana Cinnamon Pancakes, Protein Pancakes (No Banana), and Buckwheat Banana Pancakes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crowd pleaser: Whether you’re hosting a family breakfast or a brunch party, these Uncle Sam pancakes are sure to steal the show. Decorated with fresh produce and the tang of berries, it’s a recipe that can turn into breakfast favorites for all ages.
Easy preparation: Say goodbye to standing over a hot stove flipping pancakes one by one. Simply blend, pour, and bake! These pancakes free up your time to focus on the fun part – decoration!
Healthy and delicious: Made with fresh fruits, egg whites, and all-purpose flour, this recipe is a guilt-free pleasure that doesn’t compromise on taste. It’s the perfect balance of indulgence and healthy options.
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make these 4th of July-themed pancakes:
Ingredient Notes
Flour: We use all-purpose flour for this recipe. This is perfect for achieving that fluffy pancake texture.
Egg Whites: Egg whites are used in this recipe to help create the fluffy texture and hold the pancake together. You can substitute with whole eggs, but keep in mind the texture may be slightly different.
Maple Syrup: Choose a high-quality maple syrup for the best flavor. This is used as the primary sweetener, so quality does matter.
Berries: Fresh berries are recommended for their vibrant colors and fresh taste. You could also use frozen berries, but they may bleed color into the pancake more.
How To Make Uncle Sam Pancakes
Make the batter: Melt your butter. Allow it to slightly cool. In a food processor or blender, add the milk, banana, melted butter, sugar, and vanilla. Run for roughly 30 seconds, or until the banana starts to break down. Add in the eggs and pulse until the eggs are incorporated. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Blend for 30 seconds.
Prepare the fruit: Wash and dry your fruit. Cut off the tops of the strawberries and cut the strawberries in half. Cut the banana into ½-inch thick rounds, and then cut most of those into half moons, reserving 4-5 rounds.
Assemble the pancake: Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Pour the batter into a prepared sheet pan. Add the fruit into the shape of Uncle Sam.
From the top of his head: His hat has vertical stripes of red (raspberries) and white (half-moon-shaped bananas), a horizontal band of blue (blueberries), and a red brim (raspberries).
Trace his face with blueberries and use the banana rounds to create his beard. Use a few more blueberries to create his eyes and mouth, and a few strawberries to create the nose and bow tie.
Bake: Place in the oven for 20-25 minutes. Do not overbake.
Serve: Cut into squares, top with maple syrup and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Make sure to let the melted butter slightly cool before adding it to the batter. This will prevent the egg whites from cooking prematurely and ensure a smooth, uniform batter.
- To achieve a golden brown color, keep an eye on the pancakes in the oven. Do not overbake. They’re ready when they’re set but still soft in the middle.
- When reheating, use medium heat in the oven or microwave to maintain the pancake’s texture and prevent it from drying out.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, place the pancakes in a preheated oven or microwave on medium heat until they’re warmed through.
Additions & Substitutions
Feel free to experiment with other fruits. Cherries, apple slices, or even pomegranate seeds can be great additions. For a protein boost, you can serve these pancakes with crispy bacon or sausage gravy on the side.
To switch things up next time, try substituting the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour or almond flour for a gluten-free option.
Recipe FAQs
What should I serve with this 4th of July-themed pancake recipe?
Serve these festive pancakes with a side of sweet potato fries for a delightful contrast, or you can whip up some French toast for a full menu of breakfast favorites. Add a dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of hollandaise sauce for an extra tangy kick. If you prefer a bit of savory to balance the sweetness, consider a tortilla wrap filled with scrambled egg whites, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese, served with a selection of side sauces. Also, don’t forget your favorite hot beverage to complete the breakfast spread.
What other designs can I make?
While it wouldn’t be an Uncle Sam Pancake, it would be fun to do fireworks, a flag, stars, or really any shape or design with the different red, white, and blue colors.
Here are a few other 4th of July recipes you might enjoy!
Uncle Sam Pancakes
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 8 oz unsalted butter melted
- 2 ½ cups milk 1%, 2%, or whole
- 2-3 strawberries
- ¾ cup raspberries
- ¾ cup blueberries
- 2 bananas
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 large eggs
- Maple syrup for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 8 oz of unsalted butter. Allow it to cool slightly.
- In a food processor or blender, add the 2 ½ cups milk, 1 banana, melted butter, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Run your machine for roughly 30 seconds, or until the banana starts to break down.
- Add 2 large eggs. Pulse until the eggs are incorporated.
- Add the 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Blend for 30 seconds.
- Wash and dry 2-3 strawberries, ¾ cup raspberries, and ¾ cup blueberries.
- Cut off the tops of the strawberries and cut the strawberries in half.
- Cut the second banana into rounds, roughly a half-inch thick. Reserving 4-5 rounds, cut the rest in half.
- Pour the batter into a prepared sheet pan.
- Shape the fruit to resemble Uncle Sam (as described above).
- Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes.
- Cut into squares and top with maple syrup.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Arielle is a food and drink photographer based in Washington, D.C. She was previously a social science researcher before she fell in love with photography.