National Pancake Day is coming! Here are some healthy options for celebrating!
IHOP is celebrating National Pancake Day on March 1 this year. The holiday celebrates the fluffy, delicious stacked cakes; often drenched in syrup and butter and piled with your favorite toppings. While they have become a staple in American households, they have a rich history stemming from ancient Greece and Rome.
Pancakes go by many different names — johnnycakes, hotcakes, griddle cakes — and they can be made with many different variations that differ across cultures. The classic breakfast dish may be the oldest breakfast food in history; dating back more than 30 thousand years to the Stone Age. Researchers even found pancakes in the stomach of Ötzi the Iceman, famous human remains that date back more than 5,000 years.
In ancient Greece and Rome they were made with wheat flour, olive oil, honey and curdled milk. During the English Renaissance they were flavored with spices, rosewater, sherry and apples. Now, they can be seen in different variations whether as French crepes, Swedish pannkaka, Indian poori and more!
IHOP announced on Feb. 1, its first “Month of Giving”, which will culminate in the return of National Pancake Day. Guests can dine-in at participating restaurants from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and enjoy a free Short Stack of Buttermilk pancakes. Guests are encouraged to round up on their checks and all change and donations will go to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other charities. IHOP will be accepting donations throughout the month of February.
While the classic take on pancakes is an often a sugary, fluffy treat, there are a number of ways to make pancakes a healthier option. Try out these recipes to celebrate National Pancake Day!
BANANA OATMEAL PANCAKES
Banana pancakes are a classic breakfast meal, but you can make them even healthier by adding oatmeal into the mix. Follow the instructions below, turn on Jack Johnson’s “Banana Pancakes” and enjoy your tasty and hearty breakfast!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 ripe bananas
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 1 ¼ cup oats
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Dark chocolate chips (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Blend all ingredients until completely smooth.
- Heat up your pan or griddle to medium-low heat.
- Coat the pan or griddle to make it non-stick (coconut oil, vegan butter or olive oil preferred).
- Once the pan is hot, pour batter onto the pan for each pancake. Flip pancake when the batter starts to bubble. Pancakes are finished once golden brown.
VEGAN PANCAKES
Using vegan ingredients can be a really simple way to make pancakes a healthier breakfast option. The ingredients are basic and most likely consist of items you already have in your pantry!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup of non-dairy milk (almond, soy, oat, coconut, etc.)
- 2 teaspoons of an acidic liquid (apple cider vinegar or lemon juice)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup of flower
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter or oil
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a medium bowl mix your dry ingredients except for sugar.
- Tip: sift your dry ingredients to help make the pancakes fluffy.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix the non-dairy milk and lemon juice/apple cider vinegar. Set aside for roughly 3 minutes. (This will create a vegan buttermilk.)
- Add sugar, melted butter/oil and buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients.
- Combine ingredients, but be careful not to overmix. Lumps in the batter will make fluffier pancakes.
- Heat your pan or griddle to medium heat and coat in vegan butter or oil.
- Once the pan is hot, pour batter onto the pan for each pancake. Flip pancake when the batter starts to bubble. Pancakes are finished once golden brown.
PROTEIN PANCAKES
Incorporating protein into your pancakes is a great way to make a breakfast that is simultaneously sweet and healthy. Protein pancakes are my go-to breakfast after a morning workout.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 banana, ripe
- 3 eggs
- 2 scoops vanilla protein powder
- 1 cup oats
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of cinnamon
- 1-2 tablespoons of oil or vegan butter for cooking
INSTRUCTIONS
- Mash the banana in a medium bowl. Then whisk in eggs, protein powder, oats, baking powder, vanilla extract and cinnamon. Combine until only a few lumps remain.
- Heat your pan or griddle to medium heat and coat in vegan butter or oil.
- Once the pan is hot, pour batter onto the pan for each pancake. Flip pancake when the batter starts to bubble. Pancakes are finished once golden brown.
Top all of these recipes with fresh fruit, peanut butter or your preferred brand of maple, naturally sweetened or sugar-free syrup. Serve as a healthy breakfast in honor of National Pancake Day!
RELATED ARTICLES
Try Our Easy and Healthyish Pancake Recipe
5 Nutritious Egg-Less Breakfast Ideas
Breaking Down the Bowl: Choosing a Healthy Cereal
Forget Everything You Know About Your Metabolism
