8 ounces bacon, chopped
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cornmeal
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 1/3 cups milk
2 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
2 large eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 cup warm maple syrup, or to taste
1/8 teaspoon chipotle chile powder, or to taste
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon butter
Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes; remove from heat. Stir green onions into bacon and saute in hot fat until slightly softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer bacon mixture to a strainer to drain, retaining drippings.
Whisk flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper together in a large bowl. Add drained bacon mixture, milk, Cheddar cheese, eggs, melted butter, and sugar to flour mixture; whisk until batter is smooth. Let batter rest for 10 minutes.
Combine maple syrup and chipotle chile powder together in a small bowl; whisk until chile powder is completely dissolved.
Heat 1 teaspoon bacon drippings, 1 teaspoon oil, and 1 teaspoon butter on a griddle over medium-high heat. Drop batter by 1/4-cupful onto the griddle and cook until bubbles form and the edges are dry, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook until browned on the other side, 2 to 3 minutes. Repeat with remaining batter. Transfer pancakes to plate and top with maple syrup.
Recipe by Chef John