This Savory Pancake Tower with Tuna, Egg, and Vegetables is a beautiful layered dish made with soft homemade savory pancakes, creamy tuna filling, hard-boiled eggs, fresh vegetables, and herbs. It’s perfect for brunch, lunch, picnics, potlucks, or as a stunning appetizer for special occasions.
⏱️ Recipe Information
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 30 minutes |
| Cook Time | 20 minutes |
| Chill Time | 30 minutes |
| Total Time | 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Servings | 8 |
| Difficulty | Easy |
🛒 Ingredients
For the Savory Pancakes
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups (480ml) milk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives
- Butter or oil for cooking
For the Filling
- 2 cans (5 oz/140g each) tuna in water, drained
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- ½ cup cucumber, finely diced
- ½ cup grated carrot
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Sliced cucumbers
- Cherry tomatoes
- Fresh dill
- Fresh parsley
- Chopped chives
- Paprika
- Lemon wedges
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Make the Pancake Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
In another bowl, whisk:
- Eggs
- Milk
- Melted butter
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, whisking until smooth.
Fold in the parsley and chives.
Let the batter rest for 10 minutes.
Step 2: Cook the Pancakes
- Heat a lightly greased non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Pour about ⅓ cup of batter into the pan.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes per side until lightly golden.
- Repeat to make 8–10 pancakes.
- Cool completely.
Step 3: Prepare the Filling
In a large bowl, combine:
- Tuna
- Chopped hard-boiled eggs
- Mayonnaise
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Dijon mustard
- Lemon juice
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Carrot
- Red onion
- Dill
- Parsley
Season with salt and black pepper.
Mix until creamy.
Step 4: Assemble the Tower
- Place one pancake on a serving plate.
- Spread 3–4 tablespoons of the tuna filling evenly over the pancake.
- Top with another pancake.
- Repeat until all pancakes and filling are used.
- Spread a thin layer of filling over the top.
Step 5: Decorate
Garnish with:
- Sliced cucumbers
- Cherry tomatoes
- Fresh dill
- Chopped parsley
- Chives
- Paprika
Refrigerate for 30 minutes before slicing.
💡 Tips for Success
- Cool the pancakes completely before assembling.
- Drain the tuna well to avoid a watery filling.
- Dice the vegetables finely for easy slicing.
- Chill before serving to help the layers hold together.
- Use an offset spatula for smooth, even layers.
🌿 Variations
Mediterranean Style
Add:
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Kalamata olives
- Roasted red peppers
- Spinach
Smoked Salmon Tower
Replace the tuna with smoked salmon and add cream cheese.
Chicken Version
Use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of tuna.
Low-Carb Version
Replace the pancakes with thin egg wraps or low-carb crepes.
Spicy Version
Mix diced jalapeños and a dash of hot sauce into the filling.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Mixed green salad
- Coleslaw
- Pickles
- Potato salad
- Fresh fruit
- Roasted vegetables
- Soup
- Sparkling lemonade
🥡 Storage
Refrigerator: Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Not recommended, as the creamy filling and fresh vegetables may lose their texture after thawing.
🥣 Nutrition (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~385 |
| Protein | 20g |
| Carbohydrates | 23g |
| Fat | 24g |
| Saturated Fat | 6g |
| Cholesterol | 145mg |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 4g |
| Sodium | 510mg |
| Potassium | 340mg |
| Calcium | 12% DV |
| Iron | 10% DV |
| Vitamin A | 40% DV |
| Vitamin C | 12% DV |
Nutrition values are approximate and may vary depending on the ingredients used.
🧀 Weight Watchers (Estimated)
| Plan | Points (Per Serving) |
|---|---|
| WW Points® | 8–9 Points |
Using light mayonnaise, non-fat Greek yogurt, and whole wheat pancakes can reduce the points.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! This recipe is ideal for preparing ahead. Assemble the pancake tower up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Chilling helps the layers set, making it easier to slice.
Can I use canned salmon instead of tuna?
Absolutely. Canned salmon is a delicious substitute and adds extra omega-3 fatty acids. Be sure to drain it well and remove any large bones if present.
Can I make the pancakes gluten-free?
Yes. Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend for similar results.
How do I keep the tower from sliding?
Spread the filling evenly, avoid overfilling each layer, and chill the assembled tower for at least 30 minutes before slicing with a sharp serrated knife.
Can I add more vegetables?
Definitely! Finely chopped bell peppers, spinach, shredded zucchini (well-drained), radishes, corn, or avocado make excellent additions. Just avoid adding vegetables with too much moisture, as they can make the filling watery.
