Pancakes doused in maple syrup are a Canadian staple for breakfast, but they're much more versatile than that! Enjoy them sweet or savoury, and for any meal of the day with some of our all-time favourite pancake recipes.

What's not to love about the humble pancake? A handful of pantry staples come together to make a delectable breakfast in no time. And if you don't have time to make them on weekdays, you can flip up a double batch on the weekend and freeze them for future use. They don't even need defrosting; just stick them straight in the toaster and voilà: breakfast in minutes!

But perhaps the greatest thing about pancakes is how adaptable the recipes are. Do you have some frozen berries in the fridge, or browning bananas on the counter? Into your batter they go. Did you run out of maple syrup? They're also great with honey, jam, or any kind of nut butter! Don't have much of a sweet tooth? Omit the sugar, add some savoury ingredients, and you've got lunch or dinner in minutes.

So whether you're looking for breakfast or dinner, we've got you covered with these terrific pancake recipes from our test kitchen:

1. The Ultimate Buttermilk Pancakes

Looking for a homemade version of the classic box mix pancakes? These buttermilk pancakes fry up like giant, fluffy clouds and will quickly become a family staple.

2. Chocolate Cherry Pancakes with Cherry Syrup

Mascarpone cheese and cherry syrup add a touch of elegance to this otherwise humble recipe, making them a very indulgent breakfast or a great late-night dessert.

3. Smoked Cheddar Pancakes with Pickled Beets

These adorable mini pancakes might be small in stature, but they're still huge in the flavour department. Store-bought pickled beets make a super-quick and tasty garnish, so you can spend less time prepping for your guests and more time enjoying the party!

4. Okonomiyaki

This savoury Japanese pancake derives its name from the phrase "okonomi," meaning "how you like," because they are topped with whatever of your favourite foods you have lying around! Okonomiyaki makes a great starter for a small group or a hearty meal that serves one or two people.

5. Gluten-Free, Dairy-free Banana Pancakes

These flourless pancakes taste a bit like the centre of a piece of French toast. They're rich enough that no one would ever guess they were gluten- and dairy-free!

6. Broccoli and Ham Cakes with Cheese Sauce

Pancakes for dinner? Don't mind if we do! Kids will get a kick out of turning classic broccoli with cheese sauce into pancakes. Adding ham makes this breakfast-for-dinner a protein-rich meal.

7. Dutch Baby Pancake

You probably have all of the ingredients for these puffy pancakes in your fridge and pantry right now! And since they're both delicious and quite quick to make, they're an ideal last-minute brunch dish for any season, plus they can be easily customized to be sweet or savoury, depending on your mood.

8. Pork and Kimchi Pancakes

Napa cabbage kimchi is the secret ingredient in these savoury little pancake bites. Its spicy heat is subtle, so even people sensitive to chilies will enjoy the salty tang from this dish. 

9. Fluffy Oatmeal Pancakes

Oat flour has a mild, slightly sweet and nutty flavour that makes these pancakes a hearty, satisfying breakfast.

10. The Ultimate Crepes

Ultra-thin French crêpes are also a classic form of pancake! They make an ideal base for everything from veggies and meat to fruit and chocolate.

11. Johnnycakes

Thought to be the precursors to today's pancakes, johnnycakes (also called hoecakes) are made with cornmeal. They date back to the early 1700s, when frontiersmen cooked the unleavened batter over an open flame on the base of a metal hoe!