The Blueberry Buttermilk Pancake Casserole brings together everything you love about pancakes in one simple, no-flip, baked dish. It’s a game-changer for busy mornings or when you’re feeding a crowd. Buttermilk gives the batter a rich, tangy depth while fresh or frozen blueberries burst with sweetness in every bite.
This casserole is especially wonderful for brunch gatherings, holiday breakfasts, or just a cozy weekend morning at home. It’s easy to prepare the night before and bake fresh the next day, making it perfect for make-ahead meal planning. Serve with powdered sugar, warm maple syrup, or a dollop of whipped cream to elevate this comforting dish to something truly memorable.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 tablespoon baking powder
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½ teaspoon baking soda
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½ teaspoon salt
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3 tablespoons granulated sugar
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2 cups buttermilk
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2 large eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
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1½ cups fresh or frozen blueberries
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Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
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Maple syrup, for serving
Directions:
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
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In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
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In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter.
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Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
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Gently fold in the blueberries.
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Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top.
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Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
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Let the casserole cool for 5–10 minutes before serving.
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Dust with powdered sugar if desired and serve with warm maple syrup.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes
Kcal: 290 kcal | Servings: 8 servings
The Ultimate Blueberry Buttermilk Pancake Casserole Guide: A Brunch Classic Baked to Perfection
Few breakfast dishes bring as much joy to the table as pancakes. Their soft, fluffy texture and comforting taste are unmatched when paired with warm maple syrup and seasonal fruit. But what if you could take that same pancake experience and bake it into a convenient, family-style dish that’s both comforting and fuss-free? That’s where the Blueberry Buttermilk Pancake Casserole comes in, a beautiful fusion of classic pancakes and a rich, custard-like breakfast bake that’s ideal for any morning occasion.
Whether you’re preparing for a slow Sunday brunch, a special holiday morning, or a busy weekday where meal prep is key, this casserole is a versatile crowd-pleaser. With its golden-brown top, bursting blueberries, and tender crumb thanks to the tangy buttermilk, this dish captures everything you love about traditional pancakes with none of the flipping or batch cooking.
Why You’ll Love This Blueberry Buttermilk Pancake Casserole
1. Effortless Yet Elegant
The standout benefit of a pancake casserole is that it’s easy to prepare and bake all at once. Traditional pancakes require standing at the stove, pouring batter, flipping, and repeating until all are cooked. With this version, you simply mix, pour, bake, and serve, ideal when entertaining or managing a busy morning.
2. Perfect for Meal Prep
This casserole can be made ahead of time and either baked fresh the next morning or reheated when needed. You can also slice it into individual servings and store it in the refrigerator for quick weekday breakfasts.
3. Flexible Ingredients
This recipe works beautifully with either fresh or frozen blueberries. Out of buttermilk? Use a DIY substitute (milk + vinegar or lemon juice). You can even add nuts, lemon zest, or cinnamon to suit your preferences. It’s also great for incorporating other fruits like raspberries, strawberries, or even diced apples.
4. Kid-Friendly and Crowd-Approved
This breakfast bake is both kid-approved and sophisticated enough to serve guests at brunch. The lightly sweet, moist crumb, paired with juicy berries, makes it appealing to all ages.
What Makes Buttermilk So Special?
Buttermilk is more than just a flavorful ingredient; it’s a functional one. The acidity in buttermilk activates the baking soda or powder in your batter, creating tender, fluffy textures in baked goods. In this casserole, it balances the sweetness of the berries and sugar with a light tang that cuts through richness without overpowering it.
It also helps keep the interior moist while ensuring the edges still get beautifully golden during baking. That perfect texture is part of what makes this casserole a winning recipe.
Blueberries: A Superfruit That Shines
Fresh or frozen, blueberries are packed with flavor and nutrition. They’re high in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which give them their vibrant color and health-promoting properties. Blueberries are linked to improved brain function, reduced inflammation, and better heart health.
When baked into this casserole, blueberries burst and release their sweet-tart juices into the batter, creating pockets of berry flavor that contrast beautifully with the tender pancake base. If you’re using frozen berries, just be sure not to thaw them before mixing into the batter, as this can affect the texture and cause streaking.
How to Serve Blueberry Buttermilk Pancake Casserole
This casserole is delicious straight out of the oven but can be elevated with toppings or sides:
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Classic Style: Dust with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup.
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Whipped Cream: Add a dollop of freshly whipped cream or vanilla yogurt.
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Citrus Zest: Sprinkle a bit of lemon or orange zest on top for a bright flavor contrast.
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Nutty Crunch: Add toasted almonds or pecans on top before serving for added texture.
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Side Suggestions: Serve alongside scrambled eggs, bacon, or sausage for a full brunch spread.
Tips for Success
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Do Not Overmix
Overmixing the batter can lead to a dense casserole. Stir just until the dry and wet ingredients are combined. -
Room Temperature Ingredients
Using room temperature eggs and buttermilk helps the ingredients incorporate more easily and ensures even baking. -
Let it Rest Before Serving
Give the casserole 5–10 minutes to rest after baking. This makes slicing easier and gives it time to set. -
Make It Overnight
You can prepare the batter and pour it into the baking dish the night before. Cover and refrigerate overnight, then bake it in the morning. Just add 5–10 extra minutes to the baking time if starting from cold.
Variations and Add-ins
Don’t be afraid to tweak the recipe to suit your preferences. Here are some tasty variations to try:
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Lemon Blueberry – Add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest and a teaspoon of lemon juice for a citrus burst.
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Cinnamon Streusel Topping – Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter for a crumbly top.
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Banana Blueberry – Fold in 1 mashed banana with the wet ingredients for added sweetness and moisture.
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Maple Glaze – Drizzle a maple glaze (powdered sugar + maple syrup) over the top instead of syrup.
Storage and Reheating
Storing:
Once fully cooled, cover and refrigerate the casserole for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze individual portions wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Reheating:
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Microwave: Warm individual servings for 30–45 seconds.
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Oven: Reheat the full dish at 325°F (160°C) for 10–15 minutes, covered with foil to prevent drying out.
Dietary Notes and Substitutions
This casserole can be made to suit various dietary needs with a few simple swaps:
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Dairy-Free: Use almond or oat milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice instead of buttermilk. Use plant-based butter or coconut oil.
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Gluten-Free: Substitute the flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend designed for baking.
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Low-Sugar: Reduce the sugar or use coconut sugar, maple syrup, or your preferred sugar substitute.
Conclusion
The Blueberry Buttermilk Pancake Casserole is everything breakfast should be, warm, comforting, nourishing, and a little indulgent. It takes the nostalgic flavors of weekend pancakes and transforms them into a baked dish that’s effortlessly elegant and surprisingly simple.
This recipe fits perfectly into any morning routine, from holiday brunch spreads to busy school mornings. Its fluffy texture, bright blueberries, and buttery richness deliver homemade comfort in every bite. Plus, it stores and reheats beautifully, making it as practical as it is delicious.
Whether you’re looking for a new breakfast tradition or simply want to treat yourself and your loved ones to something special, this casserole is sure to become a favorite. Add it to your recipe rotation, you’ll be glad you did.