Denny’s Pancake Puppies: Bite-Sized Breakfast Bliss

The first time I tried Pancake Puppies at Denny’s, I wondered why no one had thought of this genius creation sooner. These delightful little bites combine the fluffy sweetness of pancakes with the fun, poppable nature of donut holes. Born in Denny’s test kitchen, these innovative treats have become a breakfast sensation for all the right reasons. Now, you can recreate this iconic breakfast appetizer at home in just 20 minutes – perfect for satisfying morning cravings without waiting at the restaurant!

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What are Pancake Puppies? 

What do you do when you’re craving the sweet, filling doughiness of pancakes but are a little bored with the same old flapjacks? The answer comes from a true icon of the breakfast world: Denny’s. “America’s Diner” invented these unique treats and gave them their adorable name, a play on the traditionally savory hush puppies.

But if you don’t feel like heading out for breakfast, you can enjoy these original pancake puppies at your own table with this simple copycat recipe. 

What makes Pancake Puppies so good?

The magic of Pancake Puppies lies in their simplicity and technique. By using premade pancake mix as the base, you get the perfect consistency every time with minimal effort. The higher ratio of mix to water creates a thicker batter than traditional pancakes, allowing these bites to hold their round shape when dropped into hot oil. The quick-frying method creates a crispy exterior while maintaining a fluffy, cake-like interior that’s impossible to resist – giving you the perfect sweet bite that’s neither too dense nor too light.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Few recipes can offer this amount of delicious flavor with this few ingredients. By using your favorite store-bought pancake mix, you save the time and hassle of making your own. Other than water for mixing the batter, the only other must-have is a bit of neutral oil for frying.

This simplicity also means there’s no long wait to enjoy them. In just minutes, you’ll be chowing down on piping hot, perfectly cooked pancake puppies for breakfast, snack, or even dessert.

Ingredients

• Pancake mix – Provides the foundation with perfect sweetness and leavening already included
• Water – Activates the pancake mix and creates proper batter consistency
• Vegetable oil – Creates the ideal frying medium for golden, crispy exteriors
• Powdered sugar – Adds the perfect finishing sweetness and visual appeal
• Maple syrup – Complements the pancake flavor with classic breakfast sweetness

How to make Pancake Puppies

Those who’ve made pancakes or deep-fried anything before will be familiar with the following steps, but even newbies will find it easy:

1. Heat a few inches of oil in a deep fryer or pot to 350°F.
2. Add water and pancake mix in a large bowl and mix to combine. It will have an extra thick pancake batter consistency.
3. Using a cookie scoop, drop balls of pancake batter into the hot oil, being careful to avoid splashing the oil. Do this in small batches so you won’t overcrowd the fryer.
4. Cook until the balls of batter have browned on the bottom, then flip and cook for another 30 seconds. They should be golden brown.
5. Remove the puppies from the oil and drain the excess oil on paper towels or a wire rack over a baking tray.
6. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve immediately with maple syrup.   

Deep frying tips

Deep frying can be a bit intimidating to first-timers, but it’s a relatively straightforward process when done carefully. You should use high smoke point oils like vegetable oil or similar blends, which can be bought in cost-effective quantities at Costco. 

Those looking to buy their first deep fryer should try out the T-fal fryer, which offers easy temperature control and a basket to strain the oil for future reuse. 

What to serve with them

Think of these pancake puppies as either pancakes or donuts and pair them with your favorite breakfast meals. They serve as an excellent companion for eggs and breakfast meats such as bacon, sausage, or ham and can also complement lighter fare like fresh fruit.

Offer a mix of your favorite sauces or syrups, from traditional maple to more unusual options like blueberry, strawberry, caramel, and more. Cream cheese icing is another option.

Instead of powdered sugar, you can sprinkle cinnamon sugar on them for a sweet coating.

Don’t forget a piping hot cup of coffee or tea to wash it down, or, alternatively, a cold glass of milk or juice. 

Storage and Reheating

Storage: Allow puppies to cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag once solid. Frozen puppies will keep for up to 2 months.

Reheating: For best results, reheat refrigerated puppies in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until warmed through. From frozen, heat for 8-10 minutes. While microwave reheating works in 10-15 second bursts, the texture will be softer than freshly made.

Make-Ahead Tips: You can prepare the batter up to 1 hour ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. The cold batter will actually hold its shape better when dropped into the hot oil.

Love Denny’s? Try these copycat recipes!

• Strawberry Pancake Puppies
• Blueberry Pancake Puppies
• Red Velvet Pancake Puppies
• Moons Over My Hammy
• Denny’s French Toast
• Mozzarella Stick Grilled Cheese

Favorite Breakfast Recipes

• Burger King Egg-Normous Breakfast Burrito
• Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
• IHOP Birthday Pancakes
• Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
• Buttermilk Pancakes
• Homemade Waffles
• Strawberry Pop Tart Recipe

Be sure to check out more of my easy breakfast recipes and the best restaurant copycat recipes.