Who says pancakes are just for breakfast? These delicious savoury pancake recipes prove they can easily earn a spot on the dinner table too. Packed with classic flavour combinations, there’s something wonderfully comforting about bite-size meals you can pick up with your fingers — so it’s worth making a few extra for nibbling on while you cook the rest!
Whether you’re planning a full pancake-themed dinner for Pancake Tuesday, or just fancy some comfort food on a plate, these savoury pancake ideas are well worth a try.
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Savoury Pancake Recipes
Classic Potato Latkes
Latkes are a Jewish potato pancake or fritter traditionally served with sour cream to celebrate Hanukkah. This recipe for classic potato latkes from The New York Times has thousands of glowing reviews from home cooks who swear by it.
Top tip: always make more than you think you’ll need — they go fast!
Boxty Potato Pancakes
Boxty potato pancakes are a traditional Irish recipe that varies from region to region, but they all use grated raw potato. This boxty recipe from Donal Skehan is a firm family favourite, and it’s just as good served alongside a full Irish breakfast.
Ham, Cheese and Egg Pancakes
Simple, quick and endlessly adaptable, these crepe-style savoury pancakes from Taming Twins can be on the table in about 10 minutes. Use grated cheddar, ham and an egg for something really satisfying — or swap in whatever fillings you have to hand.
Korean Seafood Pancake (Haemuljeon)
Korean seafood pancakes, known as haemuljeon, combine fresh seafood and spring onions with plenty of flavour from chilli, fish sauce and sesame oil. This popular recipe from Maangchi walks you through the method step by step, and they’re delicious served with rice — or simply on their own.
Crispy Duck Pancakes
Crispy duck pancakes are a family favourite, but ordering them out can get expensive. This recipe from BBC Good Food shows you how to make your own using duck breasts, a honey and Chinese five-spice marinade, and a rich plum sauce. Making your own pancakes doesn’t need to be a chore, either — serve everything with shredded spring onion, cucumber and carrot and let everyone build their own.
Masala Dosa
Dosa is a popular South Indian thin crepe made with a fermented rice and lentil batter. Traditionally served for breakfast, dosas are substantial enough for dinner when paired with this spiced potato masala filling from Swasthi’s Recipes. Crisp, aromatic and packed with flavour, they’re seriously moreish.
Spanakopita Pancakes
Inspired by the classic Greek dish spanakopita, this savoury spin on traditional pancakes brings Mediterranean flavour to your dinner table. Whip up a batch of these spanakopita-style pancakes from Tesco Real Food and load them with a gorgeously creamy spinach, ricotta and pine nut mixture.
Creamy Chicken, Spinach and Pancetta Pancakes
Got leftover roast chicken? Put it to good use in these creamy chicken, spinach and pancetta pancakes from Delicious. They’re the absolute definition of comfort food and just need a simple salad or some green veg alongside for a complete meal.
Watch: More Pancake Inspiration
Fancy seeing a savoury pancake recipe in action? Watch this short video for more inspiration you can try at home:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can savoury pancakes be made ahead of time?
Many of these recipes, including the potato latkes, boxty and dosa, can be prepared in advance and reheated in a hot pan or oven to crisp them back up. Crepe-style pancakes (like the ham, cheese and egg version) are best made fresh but can have their batter mixed ahead of time.
Are savoury pancakes suitable for freezing?
Potato-based pancakes such as latkes and boxty tend to freeze well once cooled. Layer them with baking paper before freezing, then reheat from frozen in a hot oven until crisp and piping hot throughout.
What can I serve with savoury pancakes to make a full meal?
A simple side salad, some steamed greens or a bowl of soup will round out any of these recipes into a complete dinner. For the crispy duck pancakes, a side of shredded vegetables works perfectly.
Can I make these savoury pancakes gluten-free?
Some recipes, like the potato latkes, boxty and dosa, are naturally gluten-free or close to it depending on the exact ingredients used. For crepe-style pancakes, a gluten-free flour blend can usually be swapped in — just check the original recipe source for specific guidance.
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Fancy More Dinner Ideas?
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