If you love cornbread and pancakes, why not combine the two? These easy whole wheat cornbread pancakes bring the best of both worlds—fluffy pancakes with the hearty, slightly sweet flavor of cornbread.

Made with whole wheat flour cornmeal, and honey, these pancakes have a wholesome texture and just the right amount of sweetness.

They pair beautifully with maple syrup and a pat of butter for a classic touch.

Whether you’re serving them alongside eggs and bacon or enjoying them on their own, this recipe is simple, delicious, and sure to become a new favorite!

Why you’ll love these easy whole wheat cornbread pancakes

If you love the cozy, slightly sweet flavor of cornbread but want something easy and quick for breakfast, these cornbread pancakes are just what you need!

Here’s why you’ll love them:

Perfectly fluffy with crisp edges – These pancakes strike the perfect balance between light and airy, with just the right amount of crispness on the edges for that classic cornbread texture.
Sweet and savory flavor – A touch of honey adds natural sweetness, while the cornmeal gives them a rich, slightly nutty taste.
Easy to make – No complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients—just a quick batter that comes together in minutes, making these perfect for a weekend breakfast.

A stack of whole wheat cornbread pancakes

Whole wheat cornbread pancake ingredients

Pancakes are such a magical food. With a little bit of a few pantry staples, you can feed a crowd. And when making these specific pancakes, you’re feeding that crowd well (imho).

Here’s a rundown on the specific ingredients for these pancakes:

White whole wheat flour: this type of whole wheat flour has a less pronounced flavor than the more common red whole wheat flour, but either can be used
Yellow cornmeal: the addition of cornmeal gives these pancakes their cornbread vibes and delicious crunch
Baking powder: the leavener in this recipe that puffs these pancakes up without leaving behind a metallic flavor (like baking soda does sometimes)
Salt: salt brings out the flavor and makes food taste more like itself
Avocado oil: this is one of the things that makes this recipe easier than a typical pancake recipe. Avocado oil doesn’t need to be melted and the other ingredients don’t need to be at room temp when using it
Honey: The combination of corn and honey is just *classic* plus honey browns more than other common sweeteners, so it gives these pancakes a beautiful golden color
Egg: The protein in the egg bind the ingredients together, making your pancake a cohesive cake instead of a pile of crumbs
Vanilla extract: a little flavor boosty-boost
Milk: you can use any type of milk you want or have on hand (I used whole cow milk, but again, use what you got)

Tips for cooking perfect pancakes

Making pancakes is simple, but a few small tweaks can take them from good to perfect.

Don’t overmix the batter. Mix just until the ingredients are combined—lumps are totally fine! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to dense and tough pancakes instead of light and fluffy ones.
Let the batter rest. Let your batter sit for 5-10 minutes before cooking. This helps hydrate the flour and allows any leavening agents to start working, resulting in fluffier pancakes. This is especially true for whole grain pancakes.
Use the right pan and temperature. A nonstick skillet or griddle works best. Cook pancakes over medium-low heat so they cook through evenly without burning on the outside. If the pan is too hot, the outside will brown too quickly while the inside stays raw.
Flip at the right time. Wait until bubbles form on the surface and the edges start to look set before flipping—this ensures they’re cooked enough to hold their shape. And, flip only once.
Don’t press down on the pancakes. It might be tempting to flatten pancakes with a spatula, but resist the urge! Pressing down forces out the air, making them dense instead of fluffy.

Follow these simple tips, and you’ll have perfectly cooked pancakes every time!

Conclusion

These easy whole wheat cornbread pancakes are the perfect blend of fluffy, hearty, and slightly sweet, making them so good breakfast or brunch.

With simple ingredients and a quick cooking time, they’re a great way to enjoy the comforting flavors of cornbread in pancake form.

Whether you top them with a drizzle of honey, a pat of butter, or a spoonful of jam, they’re sure to be a hit with the whole family.