Popeye Pancakes Recipe With A Secret Trick
Today, I’m sharing my Popeye Pancakes recipe and our family’s secret trick when we make these. When my girls were younger, I made these in a nine-by-13-inch cake pan. They still talk about this treat and made sure I served it when they had friends over for a sleepover.
Here’s the deal: when this recipe first came out in our neighborhood about 50 years ago, it was made in a cake pan. Well, I made it that way for years.
Then, when my grandkids came along, I wanted all of them to get a “muscle.”
This recipe fluffs up and has muscles throughout the cake pan just like Popeye after he ate spinach. Well, the muscles would soon disappear as the pancakes would cool down.
Popeye Pancakes Secret Trick
So, several years ago, I thought I would see if I could make these in a muffin tin so each child would get a “muscle.” Of course, the grandkids loved it. Now, this is the only way I make them.
This is our little secret when we make this excellent breakfast.
Kitchen Items You Need
- Blender
- Cake pan or muffin tin
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Step One
Preheat the oven to (425°F) = (218°C) degrees. Grease the cake pan or muffin tin, whichever one you want to use.
Step Two
Assemble the four ingredients: milk, flour, melted butter, and eggs. A blender works best because we need the batter to be whipped up and fluffy. Today, I used my muffin tin. Pour the batter into the cake pan or muffin tin as shown. It’s similar to a pancake mix, but not quite the same.
You don’t need to fill the muffin tin completely full since the batter fluffs up as it’s cooked.
Step Three
Place your pan in the oven and bake your Popeye pancakes at (425°F) = (218°C) degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown. You’ll love the muscles that pop up, I promise. My grandkids love watching through the oven’s glass door as they bake.
Step Four
Place them on a plate to serve.
Step Five
You can serve these Popeye pancakes with butter, syrup, powdered sugar, cinnamon, or jam.
What can I serve with these?
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Sliced bananas
- Applesauce
- Sliced peaches
- Blackberries
- Hot chocolate
- Hot cocoa
- Milk
- Chocolate milk
- Sliced oranges
- Orange juice
- Bacon
- Ham
- Sausage links
- Sausage patties
- Avocado
How do I store the unused Popeye pancakes?
Please store them in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container.
How long can I store these in the refrigerator after baking them?
To be safe, I would only store these for 3 days in the refrigerator because of the combination of eggs and milk. When in doubt, throw it out is my motto.
Can I cook this recipe in cast iron?
Yes, you can. You’ll bake it at (425°F) = (218°C) degrees for 20 minutes using a 10-12-inch skillet. Grease the pan just like any pan you would use.
Popeye Pancakes Recipe
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup flour
- 1/4 cup melted butter
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Preheat the oven to (425°F) = (218°C) degrees.
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Grease a nine by-13-inch cake pan or use a muffin tin like I did today.
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Add the ingredients into a blender and whip until very fluffy.
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Now add the egg mixture to the muffin tin or cake pan.
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It's all about the fluff right now. Bake for 20 minutes. Serve with butter and syrup, powdered sugar, or cinnamon and sugar. Enjoy.
Final Word
Do you love to cook from scratch as much as I do? This Popeye Pancakes recipe is one you’ll want to print out. There is something extraordinary about cooking from scratch with family and friends. We must teach our offspring to cook with ingredients in the pantry, freezer, and garden. Make some fun recipe items like this one so the kids will enjly the process and the final result! Note that I find these to be a little more filling than regular pancakes, so you won’t need to make as many. May God bless this world, Linda
Hi Linda,
Can you add chocolate chips or fruit to the batter before baking?
Thanks
Lisa Miles
Hi Lisa, I have never tried that. It’s worth a try, the worst thing that can happen it will not rise and poof up. Linda
Those look yummy. I’ll have to try them. When the grands stay over, we make “magical” pancakes in the morning. Grandma cheats and uses pre-measured mix in a bottle. I mix it up per instructions. Then I split it into small bowls (one per child), the kids get to pick out what color they want and I add the appropriate food coloring to the mixes. I pour a bit on the griddle and sprinkle with the colored cookie sugar sprinkles they want, flip over when ready and add a sprinkle to the back side of the pancake.Voila, “magical ” pancakes. The grands “help” out and we always make enough for mom and dad to take home with them LOL
Hi Kathy, oh my gosh, now I have to do the magical pancakes! I have all different colors of sprinkles, I love this idea!! Grandkids are so much fun! I cheat too on the pancake mix. When I have a big crew here (family) I use the Costco Krusteaz pancake mix, just add water. Life is easier when I just have to add water! Happy Saturday! Linda
Linda, Yes the pre mix pancake is quick and easy to use. Don’t forget the food coloring too. I also find if I oil the cast iron griddle a bit it keeps the sugar sprinkles from sticking too much. I hope you have as much fun as I do making the magical pancakes.
Hi Kathy, oh yeah the food coloring, I forgot that I can’t wait to make some!! Thanks again for the idea!! Linda
sounds like DUTCH BABY ? only in muffin tin s ! sounds awesome ! easy ! thanks !
I’ve had a version of this recipe for decades and we love them! Mine are called German Pancakes but they are also called Dutch Baby & Pannekoeken depending on the country. I make them in a 9×13″ pan and put pie filling on the top. I never thought of making them in individual muffin tins. We make them at least once a month – so yummy!
Hi Kay, now I want to put pie filling on top, great tip!! I have heard German pancakes, it’s so fun!! Linda
It is so tasty! I would always buy apple or cherry pie filling when they would go on a good sale. Decadent!
I also have recipes with apple baked in them that are wonderful. Those I sprinkle powdered sugar on top.
Hi Kay oh I will have to try baking apples in them. Yummy! Linda
Yum! I crave pancakes/waffles, so will be giving this a try. Kay, do you put the pie filling on top before baking? We love fruit pies and this would be so quick and easy. Thanks!
I put the pie filling on them after baking. It is kind of like a fruit pie! I also love fresh strawberries mixed with a little powdered sugar to taste which dissolves into a light glaze. I love all the eggs in this recipe so it feels healthier than regular pancakes. Plus you don’t have to flip them! My grandkids adore German Pancakes so much their mother has to make TWO 9×13″ pans for a family of five!
LOL at first I thought they had Spinach in them (Popeye). I’ve got to try these!
Hi Deborah, thank you for the 5 stars, my sweet friend! I got the giggles over the spinach!!! Good one!! I love it!! You’re the best! Linda
Perfect for grandsons!!!!
Hi Chris, thank you for the 5 stars, my sweet friend! They are perfect for grandsons! Linda
Looks exactly like a German puff pancake.
Hi Lori, I have heard that as well. Linda