13 Creative Pancake Toppings To Elevate Your Mornings

There might just be a crisis brewing in the pancake-topping world. Statistics indicate that maple syrup is on its way out, despite its longtime popularity. According to a recent Google Consumer Survey panel (via The Washington Post), most Americans prefer their pancakes dressed with pancake syrup that doesn't come from actual maple trees. This could very well mean that traditional pancake toppings are out, making room for new ways to serve one of the world's favorite breakfasts.

Shocking? Maybe. But the good news is that folks who aren't too keen on traditional maple syrup have plenty of alternatives to choose from. If you're sick of drowning your flapjacks in the same old sticky stuff, consider branching out and trying some more unusual toppings. From thick, rich custard to cool matcha cream, there are many different ways to dress up your breakfast without ever having to buy a jug of liquid gold. Cooks who are willing to dedicate a little bit of extra time and effort to their platters of hotcakes will quickly reap the rewards. These creative pancake toppings will transform the classic breakfast into a full-blown delicacy.

Bubble tea may be able to trace its origins to Tainan and Taichung, but the sweet beverage is now an international sensation. Originally a combination of black tea, simple syrup, and tapioca spheres, bubble tea has come to encompass a wide variety of variations. One of the most popular ones involves adding brown sugar to the tapioca "bubbles" to create a smooth and sweet mixture reminiscent of caramel or toffee. This tantalizing combination is so rich that you can find it on everything from ice cream to cakes. And, of course, it can make a mouthwatering addition to your flapjacks. 

To create the perfect brown sugar boba topping, start out by boiling your tapioca spheres. Once they become soft — but not mushy — remove them from the stove and mix them into a small bowl of brown sugar. As your stir, the heat from your boba should melt the sugar, making it soft and somewhat reminiscent of caramel. These flavors add a homey, country-esque element to your dish. 

When you finally add a few spoonfuls to your pancakes, the melted brown sugar should drizzle across the surface, calling to mind classic maple syrup. But in terms of texture, brown sugar boba will seriously elevate your pancakes from the typical maple-infused mush. This combination interrupts the monotony of your plate with chewy, gel-like bursts that spice up every other bite.  

Cannoli cream isn't just for the beloved tubular dessert — it can also add complex flavors to your breakfast routine. Topping your pancakes with a decadent Sicilian cannoli cream is the perfect way to elevate them. The mixture of ricotta and sugar offers a delightful contrast between nutty cheese and sweet, sugary overtones. The ricotta also adds a smooth yet heavy consistency to this pancake topping, which adds a wonderfully substantial note atop fluffy flapjacks. 

One of the biggest benefits of spreading cannoli cream on your pancakes is the versatility of this ingredient. Not only can you pair it with the traditional garnish of vanilla, cinnamon, and chocolate chips, but you can also use it as an elevated substitute for whipped cream. Pair it with raspberries or freshly-sliced peaches; the relative mildness of the ricotta permits the tart flavors of the fruit to shine through. 

As an added bonus, cannoli cream is much thicker than whipped cream, meaning you can also pair it with heartier toppings, like toasted granola or nuts. One especially good execution of this idea is to sprinkle crushed pistachios and dried apricots over your pancakes to add a woodsily sweet flavor. 

To give your pancakes a boozy kick, try topping them with Bailey's-infused chocolate mousse. This delectable ingredient combines the fire of Irish whiskey with the softer flavor of cream to create a uniquely balanced pancake topping. The addition of chocolate also brings a slight bitterness into the mix, upping the overall complexity of the flavors, making these pancakes more like a dessert than a breakfast food. 

In terms of texture, this light, airy mousse gives your flapjacks a cloud-like feel — especially if they're served at room temperature. But serving a hotter plate of pancakes has its advantages too. Specifically, such heat melts the mousse, allowing it to transform into a gooey, chocolatey sauce that seeps wonderfully into the dough.

Do you like chocolate-dipped strawberries? Thinly slice a few strawberries and toss them on top for a sweet and fruity counter to the rich chocolate mousse.

Not all pancake toppings are reminiscent of dessert. In many cultures, pancakes are a savory dish to be enjoyed with a little bit of spice. Chinese pancakes, for example, often contain scallions in the batter and can be served with a hot crisp dip. If you are planning on making a batch of these peppery crepes, be sure to place a jar of chili crisp at the center of the table. This incredible topping can contain ingredients, like ginger, fermented black beans, and plenty of hot chilies. When spread over the top of Chinese pancakes, chili crisps often turn up the heat, all while providing funky undertones that can really elevate your dish.

Compellingly, you can combine your spicy crisp with plenty of other savory ingredients — especially proteins. Throw some pork, duck, or even shrimp onto the frying pan, and then serve it hot over your pancakes with a side of dipping sauce. The burn from the crisp will highlight the deep umami of your meat. Not only will this transform your casual breakfast into a hearty meal, but it will also add a sophisticated twist to your final creation.

This might just be the ultimate pancake topping. A popular menu item at the creperie Pastel et Sarrasin in Toulouse, France, this combination of ingredients pairs high-quality cured ham from Spain with a small scoop of basil sorbet. Although this pairing is rather unusual, something about it just works. The gamey yet salty flavors from the Serrano ham bring a sense of umami to the dish, while the basil sorbet prevents the richness of the ham from becoming overwhelming. If anything, the sorbet serves as a palate cleanser, allowing you to return to the meatier portion of your plate with a fresh perspective on the flavors.

You can combine these two ingredients with a number of other elements to dress your pancakes up even more. At Pastel et Sarrasin, these toppings are also served with a red pepper compote and pesto. However, you can experiment with other options. Good-quality Spanish olive oils and grated cured cheeses both taste famously wonderful with Serrano ham. Tomatoes also pair well with this ingredient; however, be sure to select sun-dried ones so that the juices don't turn your pancakes into an acidic pile of mush.

In the United States, avocados are largely considered a savory item. You can often find them served in spicy guacamole or over a meaty hamburger patty. Even so, it is still not too common to find them on a dessert menu. 

In Brazil, however, nothing could be further from the truth. In the "Land of the Palms," as the Guaraní people once nicknamed it, avocados are generally served with sweetened condensed milk to create a creamy dish full of sugary goodness. Here, the smooth consistency of the avocado shines, especially when paired with the milky tones of the sweetener. To preserve the gorgeous green shade of the fruit, Brazilian cooks often add a spoonful of citrus juice. This can also add a sour tinge to the dish, preventing the condensed milk from becoming overwhelming.

To enjoy avocados the Brazilian way, mash up two medium-sized avocados and throw them in the food processor along with a small can of condensed milk and a bit of lime juice. Grab the resulting avocado cream and pour it liberally over your pancakes. Similar to maple syrup and butter, this combination involves highly sweet and deeply fatty ingredients. However, as an added bonus, this mixture provides nuttiness undertones too.