Are you looking for something a little different for breakfast? If so, you must try these Greek style pancakes. I actually use pancake a bit loosely because they are closer to loukoumades, which are Greek doughnuts topped with warm honey, cinnamon, and nuts. These pancakes are slightly crispy on the outside with a soft doughnut texture inside, and then smothered in a tantalizing honey syrup and finished with nuts. They are perfect for a special breakfast.
Up until two years ago, I didn’t know they existed. I participated in a blogger contest focusing on rare international dishes. I was excited to learn about a Greek dish I wasn’t familiar with. I immediately called my mom and it turns out her mom used to make them on special occasions growing up. She helped me get started on a recipe, and after a few tries, I came up with this recipe. I love special dishes that are linked to family and have a history to them.
Notes
# 1 Save the leftovers for a snack later. They are just as delicious cold!
# 2 Make the syrup a day or two before and store in the fridge. Warm through when ready to use.
Ingredients
Pancakes
- 2 cups all purpose flour (I use unbleached)
- 1 1/2 tsp. active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 tsp. sugar
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 1 cup warm water (not hot)
- 1 cup warm milk (not hot)
- Neutral oil for frying
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts for topping (optional)
Syrup
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Sift the flour and then add the sugar and salt and mix well. Set aside.
- Add the yeast to warm water and let sit for a few minutes and then stir to completely dissolve.
- Add the warmed milk, followed by the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Cover with a piece of plastic wrap and let sit for 20 to 25 minutes.
- At this point, you will want to make the syrup. Add the sugar and water to a pot (I use stainless) over medium heat. Once the sugar has dissolved, add the cinnamon stick and boil for 5 minutes. Add the honey and stir well. Return the syrup back to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. The syrup will foam, so place a spoon resting inside the pot to keep it from foaming over. Watch it closely and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and keep the syrup warm.
- Add enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan and just cover the bottom of the pancakes (you will need more oil during this process). I use an enameled cast iron 5 qt braiser when pan frying. Heat the oil over medium heat. Get your batter and give it a couple of stirs. It will be sticky and fairly thick. Once the oil is heated enough to hear a sizzle when you drop in a little batter, you are ready to make the pancakes.
- Using a small ladle or cookie scoop, add enough batter to make medallion-sized pancakes. Don't overcrowd the pan. Once the pancakes are golden on the bottom, flip over until golden on the other side. Remove to a dish lined with paper towels to absorb some of the oil. Add more oil to the pan as needed and adjust the heat as the oil cools and heats. Try and keep it as consistent as possible.
- As the pancakes come out and you have removed the excess oil, drizzle them with the warm syrup while they are still warm. Add either chopped pecans or walnuts and enjoy!
I am super excited to be co-hosting Fiesta Friday #214 , with Abbey of Three Cats and a Girl, and I am bringing my pancakes with me to the party!
Wow these look so yummy! I think I remember that challenge as well!
Thank you Lynn! It was a fun challenge!
Those look really good. I need some pancakes.
Thank you Jacqui! 😀
These look so delicious Antonia! You can even make them into a dessert by topping with ice cream!! 🙂
Thanks Linda! That is a great idea! 😀
I studied the photo first and they did look a little like donuts! So, of course, I had to read the recipe. They sound delicious, Antonia. I’m going to have to give these a try even though they aren’t on my “diet.” Ha ha. I’ll use the grandson as an excuse. Thanks for the treat!
They really do look like doughnuts! That’s a wonderful excuse to make them! I hope you are enjoying your break! 😀
<3
Creating food from PASSION inspired by family is a wonderful attribute. Obviously, not the healthiest choice, but recognizing that healthy living is about BALANCE qualifies this in the scheme of life. Food should be about fun, taste, nutrition and quality information the body needs to remain healthy. This does NOT mean every bite entering one’s mouth must come from a sense of fulfilling ONLY nutritional needs. If people accepted this balanced belief, more people could enjoy less healthy products WITHOUT guilt. You share so many quality meals, I’m glad you chose to share this one (more for taste) as well. I’ll bet your grandmother would have enjoyed your rendition.
I complete agree, and balance is key! Thank you so much. Sometimes you have to share a special treat! I agree, I think she would. 😀
They look delicious. I think it’s really neat that you discovered a dish your Grandmother made your mom.
Thanks Deborah! I agree, it was such a cool dish to discover and it brought up some wonderful memories for my mother.
I am a pancake and waffle lover. This dish has a delicious looking crunch and taste.
Thank you so much! 😀
Oh my goodness Antonia, these look divine and sound so delicious. I could quite happily sink my teeth into one of these right now 🙂 And, topped with nuts and honey syrup…yum !!!! x
You are so sweet Lynne, thank you! Everything is better with nuts and honey! 😀
These look lovely 🙂 and I think i remember the challenge too. It was really fun and learnt so many new dishes. We should have one of those again. Thanks for sharing at FF.
Thank you Trupti! That challenge was so fun, and I loved learning about all of the dishes too. I agree! 😀
These look amazing. I haven’t heard of them before but I definitely want to try them.
Thank you Cat! They are really tasty! 😀
I’ve never heard of these but I’m so glad you shared them! They sound wonderful, I definitely plan on trying them.
Thank you! I hope you enjoy them!
They look delicious and so fluffy! Yum.
Thank you for co hosting Fiesta Friday and have a great weekend 🙂
Thank you Petra! Happy Fiesta Friday and have a wonderful weekend too! 😀
This sounds yummy! Visiting your blog always makes me hungry… 😀
Ha ha, thanks Maniparna! 😀
Yummers! Thanks!
Thank you! 😀
Count on the Greeks to give us what we need. Philosophy, the Olympics…now Doughcakes. Doughnuts and pancakes combined. Excellent! Thanks so much for cohosting, Antonia!😘
Ha ha, right! Thank you so much Angie, and I am glad to co-host! 😀
I always feel I have enough pancake recipes until I see a new one like yours Antonia. A favorite breakfast treat 🙂
Ha ha, thank you Judi! 😀
These pancakes sound so good!
Thank you Nancy! 😀
You know how much I love this. 🙂
Thank you Krystina! Me too 😀 My mom had almost forgotten about them. She told me my yiayia used to make them as a treat when she had extra yeast starter.
Oh so yummy!! I love seeing recipes like these esp made from yiayia. 🙂
😀
We are always looking for new pancake recipes in our house! These look very interesting and delicious! I will keep this recipe in mind for a special weekend morning!
Thank you so much Jenny! I hope you enjoy them! 😀
Wow, I’ve never had pancakes made with yeast before! They look wonderfully yummy:)
Thank you so much Lily! 😀 It is a very cool recipe!
Hey Antonia!! That blogger challenge with rare recipes sounds fun!! I love crispier pancakes to be honest! I also tried pancakes from scratch for the first time within the past six months. How did I live before? I never want to go back to the pancake mix with water ever again! Fun to host with you this weekend! 🙂
Hi Abbey! Right, from scratch pancakes are so different and good. It’s been great to host with you too! 😀
I have really enjoyed it😀
😀
They look so good!
Thank you Kat! 😀
I am loving the sound of these pancakes! Thanks for co-hosting this week’s FF, Anotnia. x
Thanks Jhuls! It is always fun to co-host! 😀
I am always in for some pancake with sugar syrup yes pls:-)
They are a wonderful treat! 😀 Nice to see you Vidya!
Hi Antonia! What fun to find a new Greek dish– and to have your mother’s input from her own mom! They look delicious! I love that they have yeast– would smell so good and be light and yummy! And with tthat syrup!! You kids are so lucky to have you cooking for them… Hope you’re in the middle of a good weekend. What are you all up to? hugs hugs.
Thank you so much Rhonda! It was a nice weekend, except for the cold the little ones had. I hope you had a nice one!
So many colds this winter!! Hope they are doing better by the time you get this Antonia! Loved the pancakes! xox
I know, it’s been crazy! We are, thank you! Thanks, and have a great weekend Rhonda! 😀
These sound so yummy Antonia!!
Thanks Paula! Have a nice end to your weekend!