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Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Pancakes are quick and easy since you can make them right in your blender with your overripe bananas. Kids will love having mini chocolate pancakes for breakfast. You’ll love that they are healthy and naturally gluten free. Make a double batch and save the extras in the freezer!
Originally published on Feb 28, 2017
I think my little guy recently realized he only has a month left to milk the “three-nager” stage. As a two-year-old, he had those terrible twos tantrums, but the phase was short-lived. With it being my second time around the block, I was easily able to laugh off the nonsense.
But the second he turned three, he went through that moody, sullen phase. Every single morning he had to find a reason to get mad. He would be upstairs happy as can be, but once he made it to the landing near the kitchen, his face dropped.
Either I gave him yogurt for breakfast instead of cereal, or I didn’t sprinkle cinnamon on his yogurt, or I *gasp* gave him a banana. Then if I put the honey under the granola on his yogurt instead of on top of the granola so he couldn’t see it well enough.
Geez, how does he even put up with me?!
Heck, even if pancakes don’t meet his requirements I am in “bad mommy zone”. They can’t be “hard” (umm, not quite sure how to make pancakes “hard”, but whatever). Luckily these get his seal of approval…
Healthy Chocolate Pancakes
If you have overripe bananas on your counter, then you probably have everything to need to make these pancakes and enjoy chocolate for breakfast. But no guilt here because all the sweetness comes from those speckled bananas, and they are packed with other healthy ingredients. And they will certainly earn you Best Mommy (or Daddy or Grandma or Grandpa or Aunt or Uncle or Sister or Brother) status!
What do you need to make Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Pancakes?
Ingredients:
- Overripe bananas
- Eggs
- Oats
- Cocoa powder
- Ground flax seeds
- Baking powder
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
Equipment:
Obviously, you need a blender to make blender pancakes. I am a huge fan of my Blendtec blender. Thousands of smoothies, pancakes, salad dressings, soups, and more later, it is still going strong. In fact, I love it so much that I am now a Blendtec ambassador and would love for you to check out Blendtec’s line of products (note that should you make any purchases through that link, I will receive a small commission).
I like to use a small cookie scoop as it makes even pancakes in the perfect silver dollar size. For a single batch, I use my square pancake pan. But if I am making a double batch, I usually use my large electric griddle.
How do you make blender pancakes?
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Preheat your pan or griddle over medium-low heat.
- Scoop the batter about a tablespoon at a time onto the pan or griddle.
- Cook the pancakes until the pancakes are firm enough to flip, then cook for another minute or two on the other side.
- You can sandwich peanut butter between a couple or top with butter and give ’em a drizzle of maple syrup…
Can you freeze these healthy chocolate banana pancakes?
Yes, it is definitely worthwhile to double the batch and toss them in the freezer. Stack several together and wrap each stack in plastic wrap. Then place the stacks in an airtight container and pop it in the freezer. You can then grab a stack for each person the night before and let them thaw in the refrigerator. Or if you forget, you can unwrap the stack and defrost them on medium power in the microwave.
Are pancakes healthy? Are they gluten free?
Many traditional pancake recipes and even pancake mixes are made with white flour and white sugar. So they are high in carbohydrates and don’t offer a lot of nutritional value. They are also not gluten free. Even many gluten free mixes or recipes made with gluten free flour suffer from the same lack of health benefits.
However, these blender pancakes are packed with wholesome ingredients. They are flourless, so if you use certified gluten free oats, they are gluten free pancakes. The sweetness comes only from overripe bananas instead of added sugars. Well, unless you decide to top them with syrup, but you can use pure maple syrup for an unrefined sweetener.
Eggs not only bind the pancakes but also are a good source of protein. And flax seeds add fiber and heart-healthy omega-3s.
And yes, these are super chocolaty pancakes. But that chocolate flavor is from cocoa powder, which only adds a few calories along with the benefits of antioxidants.
Is it okay to eat chocolate for breakfast?
While a chocolate candy bar might not be the best choice to fuel your day, there are healthy ways to enjoy chocolate (and all of its antioxidants) in the morning. One option is these chocolate banana oatmeal pancakes, but here are a few more:
- Dark Cocoa Super Food Granola is a yogurt topper packed with nutrition that you can use to make these Chocolate Granola Parfaits.
- Chocolate Mint Smoothie is creamy and chocolaty, and even tastes like a minty milkshake.
- Mexican Chocolate Pudding Oatmeal starts your day with a kick of cinnamon, ginger, and just a hint of cayenne pepper.
- Healthy Flourless Chocolate Zucchini Muffins are super yummy and super sneaky with veggies, protein, and fiber.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Pudding from Crunchy Creamy Sweet is the healthy breakfast for peanut butter cup lovers.
What can you serve for breakfast with healthy pancakes?
- Mixed Berry Coconut Chia Pudding Parfaits are easy, sweet, and packed with wholesome ingredients.
- Waldorf Fruit Salad is always a fresh, crisp, and creamy addition to breakfast.
- Strawberry Cheesecake Breakfast Parfaits are also made in a blender.
- Hawaiian Scrambled Eggs with ham, cheese, tomatoes, and pineapple have the savory-sweet flavors you crave.
- Sage Breakfast Sausage is easy to make and better than storebought.
- Blended Iced Coffee will wake up mom and dad while the kids sip on Healthy Chocolate Milk.
Mini Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Pancakes Recipe
These healthy pancakes are a quick and easy breakfast the entire family will love. Flourless and naturally gluten free, these pancakes will satisfy your chocolate cravings first thing in the morning, but they are sweetened only with ripe bananas. Double the batch because they are also freezer-friendly.
I hope you’ll leave a comment and give it a FIVE STAR rating or share a photo on Pinterest!
Mini Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Pancakes
Ingredients
- 2 large overripe bananas
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup old-fashioned oats certified gluten-free, if needed
- 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup ground flax seed
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Preheat your pan or griddle over medium-low heat and lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray.
- Scoop the batter, a tablespoon at a time (I like to use a small cookie scoop), onto the hot pan. Let cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the edges start to look cooked, and the pancakes are firm enough to flip.
- Flip the pancakes and cook for 1-2 minutes on the second side, or until cooked through.
- Serve with butter, maple syrup, peanut butter, etc.
Notes
Did you make this?
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Enjoy!
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[…] Chocolate Banana Oat Blender Pancakes […]
Sounds great and healthy but how about without the cocoa? (allergy) Make the same, substitute, or pass? Thanks!!
Yes, it definitely works without the cocoa! Might want to toss in a little extra oats, and/or a little spoonful of peanut butter just for some more flavor.
I can’t wait to try this recipe! My blender is my BFF in the kitchen.