Smash Burger Pancakes

Smash Burger Pancakes: A Fun and Delicious Fusion of Comfort Foods

If you’re looking for a creative and mouthwatering twist on two beloved comfort foods, look no further than Smash Burger Pancakes. Imagine a fluffy, golden pancake layered with all the juicy, savory goodness of a smash burger. It’s a surprising yet delightful combination of sweet and savory, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner. Whether you’re a fan of pancakes or burgers (or both!), this dish will hit the spot and leave everyone asking for more.

The beauty of Smash Burger Pancakes lies in their versatility. You get the rich, savory taste of a smash burger combined with the comforting fluffiness of pancakes. Add your favorite burger toppings, such as melted cheese, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a dollop of your favorite sauce, and you’ve got a one-of-a-kind dish that’ll make your taste buds sing.

Why You’ll Love Smash Burger Pancakes

1. Unique Combination: The marriage of pancakes and burgers creates a flavor explosion that is both surprising and satisfying. The fluffy pancakes balance out the richness of the burger meat, and the toppings add layers of flavor and texture.
2. Customizable: You can easily adjust this recipe to your taste preferences. Want to go all-out with cheese and bacon? No problem! Prefer a lighter version with just a simple burger patty and veggies? That works too!
3. Perfect for Brunch or Dinner: These Smash Burger Pancakes are great for any time of the day. They can be served for brunch with a side of crispy hash browns, or even for dinner when you’re craving something hearty but unique.
4. Fun and Interactive: This recipe is a fun way to get everyone involved in the kitchen. You can make the pancakes and smash the burgers together as a family or have each person customize their toppings. It’s a great way to get creative!

Ingredients for Smash Burger Pancakes

For the Smash Burger Patties:

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 is ideal for juicy burgers)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Cheese slices (optional, for cheeseburgers, such as American or cheddar)
• Burger toppings (lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, bacon, etc.)

For the Pancakes:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons melted butter (plus extra for greasing the pan)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Pancake Batter

Start by preparing the pancake batter. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—the batter should be slightly lumpy for the fluffiest pancakes.

Step 2: Cook the Pancakes

Preheat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly grease it with some butter or cooking spray. Once the pan is hot, pour about 1/4 cup of pancake batter onto the skillet for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges start to look set, about 2-3 minutes. Flip the pancakes and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes on the other side, until golden brown.

Set the pancakes aside and keep them warm while you cook the burgers.

Step 3: Make the Smash Burgers

Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over high heat. Once the pan is hot, form the ground beef into large, loose balls, about 1/4 pound each. Place the balls onto the skillet and immediately use a spatula to smash them down into thin patties. You want them to be crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Cook for 2-3 minutes until the edges start to crisp, then flip the patties and cook for another 1-2 minutes for medium doneness. If you’re making cheeseburgers, add a slice of cheese on top of each patty in the last minute of cooking to let it melt.

Step 4: Assemble the Smash Burger Pancakes

Now comes the fun part—assembling the dish! Place one pancake on a plate as the base. Add a smash burger patty on top of the pancake. Layer with your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, or bacon. For extra flavor, you can drizzle burger sauce or ketchup and mustard on top, or even a little barbecue sauce for a smoky twist.

You can also stack the pancakes for a fun, multi-layered effect, with more pancakes and patties in between. This makes the dish even more indulgent!