May 26, 2025

A Breakfast Must-Have: How to Make Belizean Johnny Cakes (Recipe)

What do you like in your Belizean breakfast? While the options are plentiful—eggs, refried beans, avocado, cheese, and maybe even stew chicken—there are some breakfast staples that are simply too good to pass up. That includes the quintessentially Belizean Johnny Cake.

What Are Johnny Cakes

Soft, fluffy, and buttery on the inside, Belizean Johnny Cakes are a go-to breakfast food that’s as easy to make as they are delicious. While some may compare it to an English muffin or maybe even a biscuit, this beloved baked good is unique in its own way. It’s made with basic ingredients: flour, baking powder, butter or oil, salt, and coconut milk. The resulting dough is then rolled off into balls and flattened. It’s also often pricked with a fork for aesthetic purposes. And while it can be baked in an oven, traditionalists will tell you that there’s nothing better than a Johnny Cake made on an open fire hearth.

The best way to enjoy your Johnny Cakes? Slice it down the middle and fill it with whatever delicious ingredient you choose. Popular favorites include ham and refried beans, sliced cheese, and even plain butter. You can also opt for the full works and enjoy a delicious Johnny Cake stuffed with all the fixings, like scrambled eggs and bacon.

Fun Fact: while Johnny Cakes are typically eaten as a breakfast food, in many Belizean homes they are also a favorite for dinner (aka “tea time”). 

No matter where you are in the world, treat yourself to a taste of Belize with our Johnny Cake recipe.

Belizean Johnny Cake Recipe

Preparation Time: 25 minutes | Bake Time: 20 minutes 
Total Time: 45 minutes 
Servings: 12 Johnny Cakes 

Ingredients: 

  • 4 cups of all-purpose flour 
  • ½ cup softened butter, cut into pieces 
  • 1 ½ tsp salt 
  • 1 tsp sugar 
  • 1 cup coconut milk  
  • 4 tsp baking powder 

Tip: Have specific dietary restrictions? Feel free to swap in these alternatives: 

  • gluten-free flour  
  • vegetable shortening/vegan butter 
  • Water instead of coconut milk 

Directions: 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F or 176°C. 
  2. Mix the all-purpose flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder in a large bowl.  
  3. Slowly cut in the butter pieces, and then add the coconut milk  
  4. Knead for 6 minutes or until a smooth dough is formed. 
  5. Divide the dough into golf-sized balls and place them on a lightly greased baking pan or one with parchment paper. 
  6. Allow them to rest uncovered for 10 minutes, then lightly flatten the dough balls. 
  7. Use a fork to poke holes on top. 
  8. Bake for 20 minutes or until the bottom is lightly browned. 
  9. Serve while hot. 

Of course, if you’re visiting Belize, you can also enjoy this breakfast specialty at a restaurant like Umaya Resort’s Restaurante Laguna. Perched beside the tranquil Placencia Lagoon, our waterside restaurant specializes in delectable dishes from sunup to sundown. Choose from a variety of menus, each boasting unique and flavorful culinary offerings. It’s the perfect place to indulge in all things Belizean cuisine. Book your stay at Umaya today—and be sure to try the Johnny Cakes!