Blueberry Buttermilk Pancake Casserole brings together everything you love about weekend breakfasts in one pan. Think fluffy buttermilk pancakes layered with juicy blueberries and a buttery, cinnamon-scented crumb topping. It bakes golden, smells amazing, and comes out ready to slice and serve. Perfect for feeding a crowd or making a cozy morning extra special, this casserole saves you from flipping pancakes at the stove. Whether it’s a holiday breakfast, Sunday brunch, or just a make-ahead weekday treat, it delivers comfort and convenience in every bite.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Blueberry Buttermilk Pancake Casserole combines the best parts of classic pancakes with the ease of a casserole. You’ll love the contrast of soft, tangy buttermilk pancakes under a crunchy crumb topping.
The blueberries add bursts of sweetness, while the hint of lemon zest keeps it bright and fresh.
Another reason to love it is practicality. You can prepare the dry and wet parts ahead of time, then bake fresh in the morning. Leftovers also reheat beautifully, so it’s a great choice for meal prep.
It’s versatile too, since both fresh and frozen blueberries bake well. Plus, it easily serves 12, making it ideal for brunch gatherings or family holidays.
If you’ve ever wished pancakes were less fussy and more shareable, this Blueberry Buttermilk Pancake Casserole is the answer.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this Blueberry Buttermilk Pancake Casserole, divided into sections for easy prep.
For the crumb topping
- Flour (½ cup): creates the base of the crumb.
- Light brown sugar (3 tablespoons): adds caramel-like sweetness.
- Granulated sugar (2 tablespoons): sharpens the flavor.
- Cinnamon (½ teaspoon): brings warmth and coziness.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): balances sweetness.
- Melted butter (4 tablespoons): binds everything into buttery crumbles.
For the pancake batter
- All-purpose flour (2½ cups): the foundation of the pancake layer.
- Granulated sugar (2 tablespoons): adds a light sweetness.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): keeps the flavors balanced.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): lifts the batter.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): works with buttermilk for fluffiness.
- Eggs (2 large): give structure.
- Buttermilk (2 cups): the secret to tender texture and tangy flavor.
- Milk (½ cup): loosens the batter.
- Melted butter (4 tablespoons): adds richness.
- Lemon zest (1–2 teaspoons): brightens the flavor.
- Vanilla extract (1½ teaspoons): rounds out sweetness.
- Blueberries (1⅔ cups): juicy bursts in every bite.
For serving
- Maple syrup: classic finishing touch.
- Optional blueberry sauce: for extra berry flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps to bring this Blueberry Buttermilk Pancake Casserole together with ease.
Prepare the crumb topping
Mix flour, sugars, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Stir in melted butter until clumps form. Refrigerate while you prepare the batter so the topping firms up.
Make the pancake batter
In one bowl, whisk flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. In another bowl, whisk eggs with buttermilk, milk, melted butter, lemon zest, and vanilla. Stir the wet mixture into the dry gently. Lumps are fine and expected; they make the casserole fluffy.
Assemble the casserole
Grease a 9×13 baking dish. Pour in the batter, spreading it evenly. Scatter blueberries across the top. Break apart the chilled crumb topping and sprinkle it over the batter.
Bake and serve
Bake at 350°F for 35–45 minutes until the center is set and the top turns golden. Test with a toothpick for doneness. Let it rest a few minutes, then slice and serve warm with maple syrup or blueberry sauce.
Recipe Tips and Notes
Avoid overmixing the batter, as it toughens pancakes. If your crumb topping firms too much in the fridge, break it into chunks with a fork. The casserole tastes best fresh but reheats well in single portions. Using pancake mix is an option if you’re short on time, though it creates puffier results with sunken toppings. Frozen blueberries work, though they may add a little extra baking time and more color bleeding. For a boost of flavor, drizzle with blueberry sauce alongside maple syrup.
Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating
You can prep the dry and wet ingredients separately the night before and combine them in the morning. Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat single portions in the microwave or oven until warm. This dish isn’t ideal for freezing fully baked, but frozen blueberries can be used in the batter with great results.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
Use pancake mix instead of the dry ingredients for a quicker version, but expect a puffier texture. Frozen blueberries are fine straight from the freezer, though they may tint the batter. For a dairy-free option, swap buttermilk with almond milk and a splash of lemon juice, and replace butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine.
Serving Suggestions
Serve warm with maple syrup for the classic pairing. For extra berry goodness, spoon on blueberry sauce. For a brunch spread, pair it with savory options like eggs or breakfast sausage. It also goes well with fruit salad on the side. Try it alongside biscuits and gravy breakfast casserole for cozy, crowd-pleasing brunches, or pair with berry french toast casserole if you’re serving multiple sweet options.
Related Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed this casserole, you’ll also love blueberry cottage cheese muffins for a protein-packed breakfast. Another cozy idea is baked protein pancake bowls as a healthy twist on morning comfort food. For savory lovers, biscuits and gravy breakfast casserole for cozy, crowd-pleasing brunches makes a perfect addition. And for another fruity bake, try berry french toast casserole for a fruity baked breakfast alternative.
Conclusion
Blueberry Buttermilk Pancake Casserole makes mornings easier, cozier, and more delicious. It saves you from flipping pancakes, yet gives the same fluffy texture, tangy flavor, and sweet berry bites. With a buttery crumb topping that turns crisp in the oven, this Blueberry Buttermilk Pancake Casserole is both satisfying and simple. Perfect for holidays, lazy weekends, or anytime you want breakfast to feel special, it’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again. For more cozy breakfast inspiration, don’t miss my Pinterest boards packed with casseroles, muffins, and morning favorites.
PrintBlueberry Buttermilk Pancake Casserole
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Fluffy buttermilk pancake batter baked with juicy blueberries and a buttery cinnamon crumb topping. Cozy, crowd-friendly, and perfect for make-ahead brunch.
Ingredients
Crumb Topping:
1/2 cup flour
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Pancake Batter:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 large eggs
2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup milk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1–2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 2/3 cups blueberries
For Serving:
Maple syrup
Optional blueberry sauce
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Make the crumb: mix flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in melted butter until clumpy. Chill while you make the batter.
3. Whisk dry ingredients: in a large bowl combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
4. Whisk wet ingredients: in another bowl mix eggs, buttermilk, milk, melted butter, lemon zest, and vanilla until combined.
5. Combine: gently stir wet into dry until just mixed. Lumpy batter is good.
6. Assemble: pour batter into the dish. Top evenly with blueberries. Crumble the chilled topping over the surface.
7. Bake 35–45 minutes until golden and the center is set. Rest a few minutes, then serve warm with maple syrup (and blueberry sauce, if desired).
Notes
Do not overmix; small lumps keep the texture fluffy.
Let the crumb topping sit a few minutes at room temp before crumbling, or break it apart if too firm.
Frozen blueberries may bleed color and can add a few minutes to bake time.
Recipe tastes best freshly baked but reheats well in single portions.
Make-ahead: mix dry and wet components separately the night before; combine and bake in the morning.
Pancake mix can replace the dry ingredients; expect a puffier texture with slightly sunken topping.
Storage: refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/12 of pan)
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 329 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 52 mg