Last Updated on April 8, 2020 by Iryna
This is not your regular pancakes recipe. The secret ingredient of those healthy pancakes was inherited from my Grandma. Last year, when my mom was visiting us, she shared the secret, acquired from her mom, my Grandma.
You are about to find out how to make pancakes using our family’s secret ingredient! Can you guess what I am talking about? No?
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My Grandma uses kefir instead of milk to make pancakes soft (thank you for the recipe, Grandma Olga!). As a result, I’ve created this healthy pancakes recipe around this main element – kefir. Thanks to other ingredients like whole wheat flour and oats, those pancakes are really soft.
Pancakes are very popular in our house. I loved having them as a child, and my daughter asks for the pancakes quite often. Usually, it’s a breakfast treat on the weekend.
Generally, I prefer more healthy options in cooking, that’s why I usually try twisting the recipe when possible. Even small steps count, right? The whole wheat flour is a great healthy alternative to the regular flour. Plus, it makes the pancakes soft. You won’t taste apples or oatmeal in pancakes that much, but again, those are healthy additions to the whole idea.
How to Make Pancakes Your Way
Now, I, personally, like experimenting. If you are also in a mood for some changes, try adding various ingredients like mashed banana, apple, shredded carrot, chocolate chips or dried fruits. I like adding sesame seeds to my pancakes for a bit of a nutty taste.
If needed, you may need to adjust the amount of the main ingredients while experimenting.
For example, if the pancake batter is too thick – add a little bit of kefir, if it’s the opposite, too liquid – add a bit of flour.
If you find your pancakes are sticking too much to the frying pan – add another egg (unless you totally forgot adding oil, oops!). Don’t be afraid to play with the recipe, experiment and create something new and awesome.
Pancake Toppings Ideas
Here are some ideas of pancake toppings for your whole wheat pancakes:
- Sour cream
- Maple Syrup
- Almond butter
- Jam
- Honey
- Ice Cream
- Birch Syrup
- Coconut Syrup
- Applesauce
- Yogurt
- Hot Fudge
- White Chocolate Sauce
- Vegan Caramel Sauce
- Dulce de Leche
Sour cream is basically the way how I had my pancakes back home in Ukraine. I know, it’s not very common here, in Canada, where people use mostly Maple syrup as a pancake topping. And this is actually how my daughter prefers pancakes – with Maple syrup.
Another pancake topping I LOVED having as a child was a jam! They go really well together. Strawberry, apricot or plum jam – there are so many of them to choose! My favorite one is black currant jam – so good!
Lately, I really like using nut butter for a pancake topping. Aside from a great taste, it’s also a source of protein – the perfect match with those healthy pancakes!
I am sure you’ll find your best topping for those super soft whole wheat apple oatmeal pancakes.
Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients for your healthy pancakes:
2 cups kefir
2 eggs
1 medium apple
3 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
2 slices of lemon
1 to 1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup quick oats
oil for frying (I use coconut or grapeseed oil)
1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)
Directions
- In a big bowl, whisk together kefir, eggs, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla.
- Place 1tsp baking soda in 1 tablespoon. Squeeze lemon on top of the baking soda, holding your spoon above the bowl.
Use another spoon to mix the lemon juice with soda so all baking soda turns into a foam. Add to the bowl and whisk. - Peel and core apple, shred it on a large grater. Mix apple with the batter.
- Add oats to the batter. Leave it for a few minutes for oats to soak in the liquids. In the meantime, preheat a frying pan on medium heat and get your oil and spatula ready.
- Mix in 1 cup of flour to the pancake batter with the spoon. Add chocolate chips, if desired.
If you find your batter is too liquid, add another 1/4 cup of flour. - Add 1 tbsp of oil to the frying pan once it’s heated. Now, place a spoonful of pancake batter for each pancake. Then cover with the frying pan lid.
- Once pancakes are slightly brown (after a few mins of frying), flip them on the other side using the spatula. Don’t forget to add oil as needed so they don’t get burned.
- Now add your favorite pancake topping and enjoy! 🙂
Do you prefer a full plate size of pancakes or a small one, as I have in this recipe? What is your favorite pancake topping?
Share in the comments below.
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