Sweet & Savory Sausage Pancake Bites: Your New Favorite High-Protein Breakfast

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a mini muffin tin or a baking sheet with non-stick spray or a little melted butter.
2. 2

   In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
3. 3

   In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, 2 tbsp melted butter (or oil), and vanilla extract (if using) until smooth.
4. 4

   Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spoon or spatula until just combined. A few small lumps are fine; avoid overmixing.
5. 5

   Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground breakfast sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it's browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease. (Optional: Drizzle 1 tsp maple syrup over the cooked sausage and stir.)
6. 6

   Spoon about 1 tablespoon of pancake batter into the bottom of each mini muffin well. If using a baking sheet, drop small, silver-dollar-sized dollops of batter.
7. 7

   Place a small pinch of the cooked breakfast sausage on top of the batter in each well or dollop.
8. 8

   Sprinkle a small amount of shredded cheddar cheese over the sausage.
9. 9

   Carefully spoon another small amount of pancake batter over the cheese and sausage, just enough to cover them and create a mini pancake sandwich.
10. 10

    Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the pancake bites are golden brown, puffed, and a toothpick inserted into the pancake portion comes out clean. The cheese should be melted and bubbly.
11. 11

    Let cool in the tin for a minute or two before carefully removing. Serve warm with additional maple syrup for dipping, if desired.