Skip to Content

Fluffy and Healthy Banana Pancakes Recipe

The classic American breakfast is made just a little bit healthier with these fluffy and healthy banana pancakes. No added sugar, but a sweet banana with a hint of cinnamony flavor (even though there is none!). The absolute best way to use those overripe bananas!

 

Stack of healthy banana pancakes seen straight on.

 

 

To make these banana pancakes fluffy, I opted for half and half of the filling and delicious whole wheat flour and the fluff master all-purpose flour.

 

It's amazing how few ingredients these pancakes have, yet they taste so much! I would swear they had at least cinnamon and nutmeg in them. But no, just banana. I also add a splash of vanilla, but that's optional.

 

They taste amazing on their own, however, I do enjoy maple syrup and butter on mine. I understand not everyone would add those extra calories. Don’t you worry, these healthy banana pancakes are yummy and guilt free on their own. For more healthier banana treats, try these pumpkin banana muffins!

 

Pouring maple syrup on top of a stack of small pancakes.

 

How to Cook Perfect Pancakes Every Time

 

It's about finding that perfect heat on your stovetop.

 

Pancakes need medium heat. The heat must be hot enough for the pancakes not to spread too thin, but rise up and become fluffy. The heat can't, however, be so high that the outsides cook faster than the insides, and the eggs scramble.

 

On my stovetop, which ranges in heat from 1-14, I use 10. But on the last few banana pancakes, I have to turn the heat a little down, maybe to 8 or 9.

 

Stack of healthy banana pancakes with butter and maple syrup.

 

You just need to test! So that's why I never make a recipe with pancakes just for the amount of people I'm serving, in case a few get burned. But if you keep your eyes on them, you should be fine.

 

To know when to flip a pancake, you have to look for bubbles bursting on top of the batter. The edges are a little set and you can flip the pancake over when it's golden brown. Let it cook for a few minutes on the other side, and it's done.

 

Fluffy and Healthy Banana Pancakes Recipe

 

Add your bananas to a medium bowl and mash them with a fork. I like to smash them well in order to get a smoother batter. Add in your eggs, vanilla extract, and milk of choice and mix until smooth. Add in flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Do not overmix.

 

As I mentioned in my whole wheat lemon ricotta pancakes, a few lumps are ok. Rest the batter for 10 minutes, and some of the lumps will smooth out.

 

Four steps to make banana pancakes batter.

 

In the lemon ricotta pancake recipe I've also troubleshot why you're pancakes aren't fluffy, but to summarize:

  1. Over-mixing the batter
  2. Expired baking soda or powder
  3. Too low heat when cooking them
  4. Making the batter too far in advance (but you still need to rest it for 10 minutes)
  5. The batter is too thin

 

Banana pancake batter in a glass bowl.

 

Heat a nonstick skillet to medium and scoop ¼ cup of batter into the skillet. If you want larger pancakes, you can use a ⅓ or even ½ cup.  This recipe makes about 12 pancakes using ¼ cup.

 

Flip once the bubbles on top of the pancakes burst and the underside are golden brown. Let cook for a few more minutes on the other side and you are d-o-n-e.

 

Enjoy with your choice of toppings. Delicious with maple syrup and butter, fresh berries and banana slices or even chocolate syrup if you're feeling feisty, also don't forget to serve it with a delicious dalgona coffee!

 

When you're ready for some serious brunching, I can highly recommend these French crepes with lemon cream cheese and blackberry jam, Japanese pancakes, or Norwegian waffles.

 

Other uses for over-ripe bananas are these double chocolate banana muffins and banana snickerdoodle cookies - so good!

 

Fork with a bite of banana pancake.

 

Did you like this healthy banana pancakes recipe? Here's more healthy breakfast options:

 

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment below or tag me @thegingerwithspice on Instagram. And don’t forget to Pin it for later! To make sure you’re never missing another recipe, please feel free to subscribe to my newsletter. As a thanks you will receive a free e-cookbook Travels Through the Seasons, with many delicious recipes from around the world that suit different seasons of the year. 

 

 

In order to keep the blog up and running this post may contain affiliate links, it will be at no extra cost to you, please read the disclosure for more information.

 

This recipe was originally published on Jan 10 2018, but updated on Apr 22 2020 for better photos and content.

📖 Recipe

Stack of healthy banana pancakes seen straight on.

Fluffy and Healthy Banana Pancakes Recipe

Yield: 12 small pancakes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

The all American breakfast made a little healthier, but equally delicious. Fluffy with a yummy flavor of banana.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium bananas, the riper the sweeter
  • ½ cup milk, 125ml, any kind will work
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
  • ½ cup whole wheat flour, 78g
  • ½ cup all purpose flour, 64g
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Wet ingredients: Add your bananas to a medium bowl and smash them with a fork. The more mashed, the smoother the batter. Add in eggs, milk and vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
  2. Dry ingredients: Loosely fold in flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, be careful not to over mix. A few lumps are fine. Let batter rest 10 minutes.
  3. Finding the right heat: Heat a nonstick skillet to medium and scoop ¼ cup of batter (or ⅓ cup for larger pancakes) into the skillet. You want the heat to be high enough for the pancake not to flow too much out, but rises up. You would also want the heat low enough to prevent the eggs from being scrambled and burning the pancake without cooking it through. That middle road is not always easy to find, so you might need to try different heat levels.*
  4. Cook the pancakes: When the batter begins forming bubbles on top and they are bursting, the underside of the pancake is ready. Flip it and heat the other side for a couple of minutes. When that's done, serve immediately.
  5. Enjoy with your choice of toppings. Delicious with maple syrup and butter, fresh berries and banana slices or even chocolate syrup if you're feeling feisty.

Notes

* On my stovetop, that ranges between 1-14, I usually cook the pancakes on 10, but with the last few pancakes I have to reduce it to 8-9. 

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 3 pancakes
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 210Total Fat: 3.4gSaturated Fat: 1.2gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 354mgCarbohydrates: 38.6gFiber: 3.8gProtein: 8.1g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or tag @thegingerwithspice on Instagram, I'd love to see!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Eloquently Ella

Thursday 5th of May 2022

This is by far my absolute favorite banana pancake recipe!! The middle of the road heat setting for me is about a 4-4.5 out of 10 on an electric stove (hope that helps). I drizzle my stack with maple syrup and some whipped cream for a delicious breakfast that I don’t feel so bad about because I’m eating fruit :p An absolute must try as it’s written!

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Saturday 7th of May 2022

Thank you so much, Ella! I'm so glad you liked these banana pancakes. Got to have some fruit for breakfast, right!

Jere Cassidy

Thursday 30th of April 2020

There is nothing better than a big stack of fluffy pancakes on a Sunday morning. I love you sweetened these with banana.

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Friday 1st of May 2020

Thank you so much, I think banana is the perfect sweetener.

Constance Smith

Thursday 23rd of April 2020

YUM!!! You seriously can not go wrong with homemade pancakes. I love making extras so I can have several mornings as well

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Thursday 23rd of April 2020

Yes, great tip! Love to double pancake recipes!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to Recipe