Easy Savoury Pancake Recipe Ideas That Are Flippin' Brilliant

Shrove Tuesday (or Pancake Day) may only come once a year but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy a savoury pancake in June or on a Saturday for that matter.

We say why can't any day be pancake day? We're rather partial to knocking up a bunch of pancakes and serving them up for tea for the kids, and there are loads of easy recipes for savoury pancakes out there to try. There's the easy crowd-pleasing cheese and ham combo or the more adventurous breakfast stack - we've even managed to sneak a bit of spinach into our toddler by rolling it into a pancake.

Pancakes are a great recipe for kids to try and help you with – after all, what could be more fun than the thrill of secretly hoping your pancake will be the one to stick to the ceiling when you flip it! Get the kids involved and encourage them to make their own pancake recipes, hopefully, if they pick the food that goes in it they're more likely to actually eat the food you put in front of them. And if they ask for sausage and chip pancakes, why not try it! You might even find a new favourite recipe if you incorporate a familiar food.

So start with this easy savoury pancake recipe and then add any savoury fillings you like or try one of the recipes below for something new.

The recipe will make 10 pancakes depending on the size of your frying pan.

Ingredients:

200g of plain flour

Two large eggs, beaten

500ml of milk

A little oil

Pinch of salt

Method:

1:Whisk together the flour, eggs, salt and milk in a large bowl.

2: Heat a small frying pan until it's very hot. Swirl a small amount of the oil into the pan so that it evenly coats the bottom.

3: Ladle in a small spoonful of the pancake batter and tilt the pan so that the mix settles into a thin layer.

4: Allow to cook for around 30 seconds – you can lift up the edge of the pancake to check it's browned. Flip the pancake over and cook the other side for the same amount of time.

You can't beat a good ham and cheese savoury pancake - so make this the first variation you master. Kids, in particular, will love this classic dish.

How to: Follow the basic recipe above. Once you've flipped it over top the pancake with 130g of grated hard cheese and 130g of ham cut into small chunks. Leave it to cook until the cheese has started to melt.

This is just what you need for a filling breakfast or a lazy brunch. You can switch up the ingredients to whatever you'd usually have with your cooked breakfast too.

How to: Start by making a stack of pancakes using the basic recipe - allow two per person. Remove the skin from sausages (two per person) and reform the meat into patties then cook until golden. Grill rashers of bacon and fry baby plum tomatoes and mushrooms. Make fried or poached eggs. To assemble, sandwich the cooked items between two pancakes and serve with tomato ketchup or brown sauce.

The basic savoury pancake recipe can be used as the basis of this dish. It's finished off in the oven with a creamy sauce over it.

How to: Use the basic recipe to make eight savoury pancakes. Sprinkle each one with grated cheese, cooked spinach and chunks of ham then roll up and place in a baking dish. In a bowl mix together 100ml creme fraiche, three chopped spring onions and 25g of grated cheese. Spread this mix over the rolled-up pancakes, top with a handful of breadcrumbs and cook in an oven at 200c (180c fan/gas mark 6) for 30 minutes.

Image: © BBC Good Food

This is one of our favourite savoury pancake recipes for a light and easy brunch. Try adding a favourite food to tempt kids. Plus it's an easy way to sneak some extra veggies into little tummies.

How to: Make-up 6-8 pancakes to start. In a large pan brown off one yellow pepper, one small aubergine and one small courgette. Fry one onion and add to the pan along with two cloves of finely chopped garlic, 220ml vegetable stock, four tablespoons of tomato puree and a teaspoon of sugar. Simmer for five minutes. Stir in two chopped tomatoes, season and bring to the boil then allow to simmer for five minutes. Blend to a sauce then add 350g of Quorn pieces and cook on a low heat for five minutes. Divide the Quorn and sauce between your pancakes, roll up and place in a baking dish. Scatter with four tablespoons of breadcrumbs and three tablespoons of cheese and cook for 20 minutes until golden brown.

We've got light lunches covered with this tasty recipe. Serve with wilted spinach on the side.

How to: Make your pancakes as above and set aside. Lightly fry four handfuls of chopped broccoli. Add 600g sour cream and heat until it's bubbling. Stir in sliced red onion, 200g of smoked salmon and four tablespoons of capers. Spoon the mixture between four pancakes and fold each one over.

This pancake recipes uses a classic flavour pairing and is just right for an easy family brunch.

How to: Gently fry one chopped onion until soft. Add one crushed garlic clove and cook for a further minute then add a grating of nutmeg and 300g of baby spinach. Stir in 50g of feta and season well. Divide this mixture between four pancakes and fold them in half to serve.

Image: © Olive

If you're cooking a batch of pancakes you can pop them on a plate as they cook and cover with tin foil to keep them warm while you finish cooking.

You can make the pancakes batter mix up in the morning and leave on the side until you're ready to cook.

How you flip is up to you – we favour the thrill of a swift toss in the air. More cautious types can use a spatula to flip it over for an easy option.

Making pancakes is something of an art form but it's easy when you get the hang of it. In our house, the first pancake always goes in the bin because all subsequent pancakes are much better.

Experiment with the savoury pancake recipes you use. The basic recipe is nice and easy to make and can be used for both savoury and sweet pancakes. Stuff with savoury food for quick dinners or top with sweet food for puddings and treats.

For Shrove Tuesday fans, why not start your pancake day with a breakfast pancake recipe, enjoy one of these savoury recipes for brunch and finish your Shrove Tuesday with something sweet... on a pancake!

Try making vegan pancakes with this recipe. Switch out the dairy for 300ml of water and one tablespoon of oil. Whisk the water and oil together before adding to the dry food ingredients to make an easy batter.

Make double when following recipes for a basic pancake and freeze half. Allow them to cool then wrap them individually in cling film and pop in the freezer. Easy, low-effort pancakes!