Probably most of us grew up eating pancakes smothered in butter and drowning in maple syrup. However, we now realized that they are not the healthiest breakfast option. Thankfully, in this article, we are going to teach you how to turn pancakes into an energizing, nutritious, and tasty meal that you and your kids can all enjoy.
Adding Fiber to Your Pancakes
For starters, store-bought pancake mixes typically lack fiber. A high in fiber diet is gratifying, and it is always associated with healthy cholesterol, weight, and blood sugar levels. But, how can you make a more nutritious pancake recipe? For starters, you should start by using whole grains instead of refined flour and go for mashed banana or applesauce instead of sugar. Add more fiber by putting in some shredded carrots or zucchini.
If you want to add some protein, you can try mixing in some Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and even protein powder to your pancake mix.
After you’re done with your pancake mix, you have to look for healthier toppings. You can try adding some warmed berries, fresh-cut fruits, or spices like cinnamon. Do not worry. You can still add some classic pancake toppings such as butter and maple syrup, but you just have to do it in moderation.
Recipes to Make Your Pancakes Healthy
Now that you know how to make your own healthy pancake mix and toppings, we are going to give you some healthy pancake recipes for you to try.
- Fluffy Buckwheat Pancakes – This recipe replaces your regular flour with buckwheat flour to give it that slightly nutty flavor. Not only that, but it also contains at least 15 grams of protein and 12 grams of fiber per cup. Buckwheat is not a type of wheat, and in fact, it is a gluten-free seed. Two pieces of pancakes made with buckwheat flour contain about 14 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of fiber, 10 grams of protein, and 40.5 grams of carbs.
- Sweet Potato Pancakes – This recipe calls for blends of coconut oil, sweet potato puree, cinnamon, whole-wheat flour, and nutmeg. What makes this pancake recipe healthy is that it is a rich source of vitamin A, helps improve immune function as well as reproduction. A piece of sweet potato pancake contains about 12 grams of carbs, 2 grams of protein, and 629 mcg of vitamin A.
- Flaxseed Meal Pancakes – These pancakes are gluten-free and they contain a fiber-rich ingredient called flaxseed, which also contains omega-3 fatty acids. This pancake recipe is perfect for people trying to lower their cholesterol levels and who want to support their heart health. Flaxseed meal pancakes are packed with 8 grams of fiber, 14 grams of fat, and 12 grams of protein. This is also the perfect pancake recipe for those who do not want to give up pancakes in the morning and wants to maintain a glamorous figure.
- Fluffy Quinoa Pancakes – This recipe calls for replacing your all-purpose flour with quinoa flour which is naturally gluten-free and rich in protein. One cup of cooked quinoa contains 5 grams of fiber, 8 grams of protein, and 118 milligrams of magnesium.
- Paleo Pancakes – These pancakes are made with coconut flour, almond flour, eggs, and banana. They do not contain any dairy, grains, or sugar which makes them the perfect pancakes for anyone that is on a paleo diet. The ingredients of paleo pancakes contain nutrients such as vitamin D and vitamin B12, which can help brain health, red blood cell formation, and good bone health. Each piece of paleo pancakes contains about 8 grams of carbs, 6 grams of fat, and 4 grams of protein.
- Blueberry Protein Pancakes – This pancake recipe calls for fresh blueberries, protein powder, whole-wheat flour, and mashed bananas. Each cup of berries that you add to this pancake can give you about 3.5 grams of fiber and 14.4 grams of vitamin C. According to experts, berries also contain high levels of antioxidants that can help with skin regeneration and good heart health. A serving of blueberry protein pancakes contains about 6 grams of fiber, 11 grams of fat, 305 calories, and 17 grams of protein.
- Green Smoothie Pancakes – This pancake recipe includes baby spinach, peanut butter, kiwi, vanilla yogurt, and maple syrup. The spinach gives the pancakes its green color and about 141 mcg of vitamin A. Because green smoothie pancakes contain peanut butter, you will also get vitamin E and protein fat. This is why this healthy pancake recipe can help you boost your immunity, scavenge free radicals, and give you vitamin E for that healthy and young-looking glow.