We all heard of pancakes, how delicious they are, how they are made in diverse ways, and how good they are for breakfast and desserts. There’s no need for us to elaborate such things about pancakes. But there’s one variety of pancakes that people certainly want to know more about, the Healthy pancakes, that is.

Pancakes are basically made of ingredients that we couldn’t entirely consider healthy. Although they provide us a good amount of carbohydrates needed to start off the day, and some protein, pancakes remain to be a source of unhealthy fats. However, due to their nice texture and flavor, pancakes’ fame has reached everyone’s dining table. Somehow its popularity has led many chefs and culinary experts to discover healthier pancake recipes. Read this blog and learn how to make the healthiest pancakes ever. Let’s get healthier with these pancakes!       

All Healthy Pancake Recipes

The basic recipe of pancakes includes the usual ingredients, flour, baking powder, milk and sugar. However, there are many other ingredients that can be included in this usual, boring pancake batter. If you mix and mash additional ingredients, you’ll not just get yummier pancakes but also healthier ones! You can add your favorite fruits to flavor up your pancakes; vegetables are a good addition too. You can also try healthier alternatives like using whole wheat flour instead of the usual all-purpose.

Now, here are some of the most worth-trying healthy recipes of pancakes!   These recipes include diverse ways to turn the usual pancakes into a healthy dish, from substituting basic ingredients with healthier stuff to incorporating a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Whole Wheat Spiced Pumpkin Pancakes

Pancakes flavored with pumpkin and made with whole wheat. Experience all the nutrients in pumpkin and whole wheat flour by indulging into these pancakes!

Yields: 20 servings

Ingredients:

•      2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
•    4 tsp baking pwder
•          1 tsp baking soda
•          0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
•          0.5 tsp ground ginger
•          0.25 cup brown sugar
•          1 egg yolk
•          2 cups skim milk
•          1 cup canned pumpkin
•          3 tablespoons apple butter
•        3 egg whites

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spices. In another bowl, whisk egg yolk along with pumpkin, brown sugar, and apple butter. Pour milk and stir until well-blended.
 

Slowly pour milk mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients and beat to form a nice batter.

In a medium bowl, beat egg whites until light and fluffy using a fork, whisk, or electric beater. Fold egg whites into the batter.

Lightly spray a nonstick griddle with cooking spray and preheat over medium heat. Scoop the batter by 1/4 cup portions and lay in the preheated griddle.

Cook until evenly browned on both sides. Top with desired toppings and serve warm!

Carrot & Zucchini Pancakes

These pancakes are good even when in plain but they’re also great when topped with a bit of low-fat sour cream or applesauce! Carrots are rich in beta-carotene which would be converted into Vitamin A once inside the body. With these carrot zucchini pancakes, you'll get the benefits of this essential vitamin. 

Preparation time: 15 minutes    Cooking time: 12 minutes    Yields: 3 servings

Ingredients: 

•         1 c grated carrot
•          1 c grated zucchini
•          1/4 c chopped onion
•          1/2 tsp minced garlic
•          2 Tablespoon of dried parsley
•          1/4 c flour
•          1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
•          1/4 c egg substitute

Instructions:

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Heat a large griddle over medium to high heat for 1-2 minutes until hot. Coat the griddle with a small amount of cooking spray.

Scoop the batter measuring about ¼ cup portions for each pancake. Place into the hot griddle, spreading each pancake slightly. 

Cook for 3 minutes or until nicely brown underneath. Lightly spray the top of each pancake with cooking spray and then flip each pancake to cook the other side for another 3 minutes.

Remove the pancakes from griddle and lay into a warming platter while cooking the remaining pancake mixture.

Serve. 

Hearty Oatmeal Pancakes!

Pancakes can also be made with rolled oats, butter milk, whole wheat flour, and some other savory ingredients. Hearty oatmeal pancakes are indeed hearty plus they have wonderful taste and texture. These are perfect for breakfast!

Oatmeal Blueberry Pancakes!

If you haven’t tried pancakes that are superbly rich with antioxidants, you should try oatmeal blueberry pancakes. With just a cup of blueberries added into the pancake batter, you’ll surely love the dark blue colors of your pancakes which signify the abundance of flavonoids contained in blueberries! The rest of the ingredients, oatmeal, egg and honey are very healthy too.

Banana Applesauce Pancakes!

With just one ripe banana that's mixed and mashed into the basic pancake batter, you'll get potassium-rich pancakes! By using low fat milk and whole wheat flour, you'll only get the right amounts of fat and dietary fibers. 

Typical Pancakes Versus Pancakes from Scratch

Most of us really love pancakes because of the fulfilling sensation they give our tummies and tongues. I, the blogger, try my very best to give readers healthy pancake recipes and choices. Somehow I discourage people from eating the typical pancakes made from instant pancake mix and the basic recipe.

Why, because of two reasons. First, I love pancakes but I value my health and other people’s health as well. Secondly, pancakes especially those made from the basic recipe and those coming from pancake mixes have their disadvantages to our health. In this post, I’m going to show you the cons or disadvantages of basic pancakes as well as the advantages of making pancakes from scratch, particularly from healthy recipes. After reading, you will see the value of the healthy pancake recipes mentioned in the previous posts.

The Cons of Making Pancakes from Basic Recipes.

Basic pancakes are made with processed white flour that’s low in fiber, less filling and may come with unhealthy synthetic substances. Second, these pancakes are not significantly high in protein particularly those made from instant pancake mix. Protein is one of the essential nutrients that we need to start the day healthy and to make us energetic for longer periods of time. Maple syrup which is usually added as pancake topping is high in sugar but low in calories. It can’t provide us with enough energy so it’s another not so useful ingredient.

Typical pancakes are also high in fat and half of these fats are saturated, which are unhealthy. A 3.5 oz serving of pancakes contains 8.8 grams of fat and 3.9 g saturated fats. In a day, experts suggest that we must avoid consuming beyond 15 g of saturated fat. Otherwise, our risks to developing cardiovascular problems increase.

You may disagree with me and insist that you really feel full and energetic after eating typical pancakes. Think twice, because this filling sensation usually comes from sugars with empty calories. After a few hours, you’ll be hungry again and wasted.

So if I were you, don’t stick to instant pancake mix or the basic pancake recipe, always modify the recipe by substituting healthy ingredients and cutting down some stuff to make your pancakes at least, less unhealthy.

The Pros of Making Pancakes from Scratch.

Don’t get totally disappointed. The secret to healthy pancakes is making them from scratch based on the basic pancake recipe. This means that we could easily modify and experiment the basic recipe anytime we want and turn it into a healthy recipe. Avoid using pure white flour in making your pancakes. 

Reduce it as much as possible and replace with some whole grains such as whole wheat, rice, corn, quinoa flours and even oats. These can give your pancakes good texture and will also make them high in protein and fiber. Adding fruits and vegetables to the pancake batter is another way to boost the vitamin and mineral component of your pancakes. 

You may shred or mash any fruit or vegetable you like before incorporating into the pancake batter. Moreover, using vegetable oil instead of butter will also make your pancakes healthy. Skimmed milk also adds protein.