My family loves pancakes and bacon for a Saturday morning breakfast.  I was so excited when I found a recipe floating around Pinterest combining the two in a cute little item called the Bacon Strip Pancake.

I also learned that you could bake bacon in the oven and do away with all the mess that frying makes on your stove.  I liked how the strips of bacon cooked flat when baked in the oven, so that is when I thought about using the baking technique for the Bacon Strip Pancakes.  My family really enjoyed these and I plan to make them again soon.

Baking Bacon

I have read several baking methods for bacon but this is the one I have liked the best.  Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.  Next, arrange the bacon slices on top of the foil.  Place the baking sheet into the center rack of your oven.  Make sure your oven is cold, so DO NOT preheat.  Set oven at 400 degrees for 17 to 20 minutes.  When the bacon is golden brown but not too crispy then it is done.  Immediately remove bacon from the cookie sheet as it will continue to cook.

Pancake Batter

While my bacon is cooking, I start to prepare my pancake batter.  You can use any pancake batter recipe or even a store bought boxed pancake mix.  I like to use my own prepared pancake mix.  I place the dry mix in zip lock baggies and store them until needed.  This saves me time.  My pancake batter is also cheaper than buying the boxed versions at the store.

Place in a baggie the following ingredients:

¾ cup all-purpose flour

¾ cup whole wheat flour (Or you can use all white flour)

3 Tablespoons sugar

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

Note: If I use any wheat flour, I grind my own and place the pancake mix in the refrigerator and only make enough that I would use within the month.

 

When you are ready to make the pancake batter, you will need to place 1-½ cups buttermilk, one Tablespoon canola oil, and 2 eggs in a small bowl.  Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until you form the batter.  I think that buttermilk cost too much so I use the milk I have on hand and add 1 Tablespoon white vinegar per cup of milk.  I then let it sit for 5 minutes. After the 5 minutes, I stir and then use it in the recipe just like buttermilk.

 

Preparing the Oven Baked Bacon Strip Pancakes

 

Spray a hot griddle with butter flavored cooking spray.  Place 4 slices of bacon on the griddle.  Take a small pitcher, I used a creamer container, and pour the prepared pancake batter over each piece of bacon.   When the batter is bubbly flip and cook on the other side as you would regular pancakes. Serve them with warm syrup.  My family loves Buttermilk Syrup which you prepare and will be warm.  I also had some extra batter so I just made regular pancakes with it.

Freezing Bacon Strip Leftovers

 

If you have leftovers, you can easily freeze them.  I like to flash freeze my pancakes first.  I place them on a wax paper (I get mine at the Dollar Tree for $1 a roll) lined cookie sheet.  I also place an extra sheet between the layers and then when they are frozen, I place them in a Ziploc baggie.  To reheat, place them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until hot.