10 sweet and savoury pancake topping ideas

Ellie Donnell

Ellie is a strong believer that peanut butter makes everything better

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Whether you’re a die-hard endorser of lemon and sugar, nutty for Nutella or prefer a smidgen of smoked salmon on top of your pancake stack, we have pancake topping ideas to suit both your sweet and savoury tooth.

Browse our top 10 pancake topping ideas for some classic and not-so-classic pancake day inspiration. And if your favourite isn’t included below, then tell us all about it on X/Twitter – or drop a comment at the bottom of the page.

10 sweet and savoury pancake topping ideas

1. Jam (and cream)

The jam? Strawberry. And the cream? Clotted, obviously. Try our giant pancake stack layered with this classic combo for an afternoon tea-inspired treat.

Giant pancake stack with jam and clotted cream

2. Ice cream and fruit

We love the combination of hot and cold in these ice cream-topped pancake waffles. Finish with pomegranate seeds for a pretty, bejewelled dessert.

Pancake waffles with ice cream and pomegranate

3. Chocolate sauce

Roasted hazelnuts, cream, amaretto and milk chocolate combine in this nutty and boozy sauce of dreams. It’s just like Nutella – but better.

Pancakes with caramelised banana and homemade Nutella-style sauce

4. Lemon and sugar

Prefer to keep it simple on Pancake Day? We’re not judging you one bit. There’s a reason it’s a classic: lemon and sugar on wafer-thin crêpes will always hold a special place in our hearts. Follow our perfect pancakes recipe to let this simplest of toppings shine.

5. Maple syrup and bacon

Living in a world where salted caramel is everywhere and miso seems to make its way into more and more desserts, the sweet and salty combo is clearly a crowdpleaser. Make way for the all-American favourite: maple syrup and crispy bacon.

Rachel Allen’s pancakes with bacon and maple syrup

6. Eggs

How do you combine two brilliant breakfasts in one? Opt for pancakes AND eggs for brekkie, of course. These lightly-spiced dosa pancakes are a brilliant way to do it.

7. Fruit

Does it count if the fruit is doused in booze and sugar? Of course it does. Try our coconut pancakes with rum-roasted pineapple or go for something a little lighter with strawberries and ricotta or a spiced apple compote.

8. Toffee sauce

Unapologetically sweet and downright delicious, smother your stack in homemade toffee sauce. You’ll just need butter, light muscovado sugar, golden syrup and a dash of double cream to create it at home.

9. Smoked salmon

Feast like a royal with this treat-yourself topping: smoked salmon and a fiery horseradish sauce are what an epic savoury pancake breakfast calls for. Want to go all out? Add a soft-poached egg and slices of avocado.

Horseradish pancakes with smoked salmon and dill sauce

10. Butter

We’re all about the good stuff here at delicious. and good old fashioned butter is one of them. Slightly salted and whipped together with a good quality honey, it’s the topping you didn’t know you needed.