The Most Popular Pancake Topping in Every State (Besides Syrup, of Course)
The Top Toppings
Even though they date back to ancient Greece (and possibly earlier), there aren’t many things in the U.S. food scene more American than a pancake. Every person has their way of dressing them up, but how does that change from state to state?
Thanks to a vital study on pancake toppings done for National Pancake Day, we now know what people are tossing on top of their cakes (there’s data for every state except Hawaii, Idaho, and… Vermont???). Nobody chose syrup, so we’re gonna assume that was an implied topping. Read on to see where your state landed.
Editor's note: This story was updated in March 2024
1. Butter
Alabama
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Washington DC
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
I’m gonna need to agree on this one. In fact, because butter is so crucial and the vast majority of states chose it, I wonder if for the rest of the preferred toppings on this list, each respective state meant, “Besides butter.”
2. Strawberries
Arizona
Arkansas
Delaware
Kentucky
Michigan
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Arizona is playing for two teams here, listing both strawberries and chocolate chips as their favorite toppings. The two are a natural pairing, so I can see why it’d be tough to choose between ‘em. I’d go for both.
Related: Do You Know Your Official State Food?
3. Chocolate Chips
Arizona
New Hampshire
North Dakota
South Carolina
Utah
Every kid on the planet will agree, and every adult in the states of Arizona, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Utah will too. That said, skip them as a topping and put them right in the batter. Now we’re talking.
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4. Fruit
Alaska
Massachusetts
South Dakota
Utah
Strawberries still sort of count here, I guess, but Alaska, Massachusetts, South Dakota, and Utah are a little more open-minded than that. Any fruit will do, I guess.
Related: 45 Best Homemade Pancake Recipes
5. Peanut Butter
Iowa
Kansas
Utah
Peanut butter isn’t exactly the most common pancake topping, but it makes perfect sense. Regular butter definitely needs to be involved as well though, because this seems like a recipe for the driest pancake you’ll ever eat.
6. Whipped Cream
Mississippi
South Carolina
West Virginia
The people of South Carolina also chose chocolate chips as one of their favorite toppings, and paired with the whipped cream, this is very reminiscent of the happy face pancakes at IHOP.
7. Pecans
Louisiana
South Carolina
As one of the only non-sweet toppings on this list, pecans and nuts didn’t show up very often as the number one topping. Even so, it’s not surprising to see them listed in states where pecan pie is popular.
Related: The Most Popular Southern Comfort Foods
8. Chocolate Syrup
New Jersey
New Mexico
When you mix this with syrup this just seems like… too much.
9. Bacon
Rhode Island
Wyoming
Wyoming and Rhode Island are the only states that listed bacon as their preferred topping. Big shout-outs to both of you on that one. Y’all are keeping it real over there.
Related: Mouthwatering Bacon Dishes Across America
This article was originally published on Cheapism
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