Vegan Oat Banana Pancakes
on Nov 04, 2021, Updated Aug 16, 2024
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These vegan oat banana pancakes are easy to make with simple ingredients for a healthy breakfast that’s ready in 15 minutes.
You can make make the batter in a blender or mix it up in a bowl and the recipe makes a great base for add-ins like chocolate chips, nuts or fruit.
These pancakes are made without flour, so they’re a little heartier and denser than something like my fluffy vegan whole wheat pancakes or vegan banana berry pancakes.
They’re still super delicious though and I’m sure you’ll love them! If you’re looking for similar pancakes without banana, try these Vegan Oat Flour Pancakes (No Banana).
Enjoy with toppings like Cinnamon Baked Apple Slices and Vegan Caramel Sauce for a real treat.
Recipe Features
- Lightly sweetened with banana and maple syrup.
- Ready to enjoy in less than 15 minutes with basic ingredients.
- Vegan and gluten-free (use gluten-free oats if needed).
- Low in fat and high in fibre (less than 2 g fat with 8 g fibre and 9 g protein per serving).
- Oil-free and made without eggs or dairy.
- They store well in the fridge or freezer so can be prepared in advance for a make-ahead breakfast.
- Use up those overripe bananas!
Ingredient Notes
This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.
- Banana: Ripe or spotty overripe pancakes are needed. Do not use unripe banana. For a banana-free version of this recipe, try these oat flour pancakes.
- Milk: Any plant-based milk works. I suggest unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk.
- Oats: You can use rolled oats, quick oats or oat flour.
- Cornstarch: Helps with binding the pancakes. It can be substituted with arrowroot powder or tapioca starch.
- Maple Syrup: Using added sweetener is also optional. If you like, you can taste the batter before adding the syrup and see if it’s sweet enough for your liking (sweetness will depend on how ripe your banana was). Maple syrup can be substituted with agave syrup or any granulated sugar.
Variations & Add-Ins
- Chocolate Chip Pancakes: For a treat, try adding dark chocolate chunks or chocolate chips. You can mix up to 1/2 cup right into the batter or sprinkle a few into each pancake after adding the batter to the pan.
- Berry Banana Pancakes: Berries always make a great addition! Mix any fresh berries like blueberries, raspberries or chopped strawberries right into batter or drop a few onto each pancake after adding the batter to the pan. If using frozen berries, I’d recommend adding a few to each pancake in the pan before flipping.
- Carrot Cake Pancakes: Add 1/2 cup finely grated carrot and 3 tbsp walnuts and/or raisins or try these chickpea flour carrot cake pancakes.
- Additional Spices: Try a pinch of ginger, nutmeg, cardamom or pumpkin spice (or try these pumpkin pancakes!).
- Seeds: You can add up to 2 tbsp chia seeds or ground flax seeds for a boost in nutrition.
Step-by-Step Instructions
There are two ways to make these pancakes: with or without blending the batter.
I prefer to make the oat flour in a blender then transfer it to a mixing bowl to mix the batter. This method results in less clean up and less wasted batter stuck in the blender.
If you’d like to try them as blender pancakes, blend the oat flour, then add the rest of the ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth. You can pour the batter from the blender directly into the pan.
The batter should be about the consistency of a thick smoothie.
Once you’ve prepared the batter, let it rest while you heat a nonstick pan, cast iron skillet or pancake griddle over medium heat.
If you feel your stove or range runs hot, go medium-low heat. Low and slow is best for these pancakes so they can cook through without burning.
Once the pan is hot, add approximately 1/4-1/3 cup scoops of batter to the pan.
If you’re worried about them sticking, use a little coconut oil, olive oil or vegan butter or spray the pan with a light coating of your preferred spray (I like avocado oil or olive oil spray).
Cook the pancakes until bubbles form on the surface and the edges of the pancake look cooked, then carefully flip with a spatula and cook for another 60-90 seconds.
Repeat until you’ve used up all the batter.
Serve your pancakes right away with your favourite toppings like fresh fruit and pure maple syrup.
FAQs
Yes. To make these pancakes without a blender, swap the oats for oat flour or blend the oats using a food processor.
Mash the banana in a bowl using a fork or potato masher, then add the rest of the ingredients along with the oat flour and mix until smooth.
Yes, they are naturally gluten-free though some variety oats may be cross-contaminated with wheat during processing, so be sure to use gluten-free certified oats in case of coeliac.
Sure! For sugar-free banana oatmeal pancakes, omit the maple syrup and be sure to use an extra ripe banana.
You can also swap the maple syrup for stevia or monk fruit sweetener if you’d like the pancakes a bit sweeter.
Helpful Tips
- Use a kitchen scale to measure ingredients for accuracy.
- Cook the pancakes over medium heat to allow them to cook through without burning.
- Use ripe banana: Be sure to use a ripe or overripe banana. An unripe or green banana will result in dried, less sweet pancakes.
Storing Leftovers
- Fridge: Store leftover pancakes in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container.
- Freeze: Place pancakes in one layer on a baking tray and place in freezer until frozen solid. Once frozen, transfer the pancakes to a freezer bag or container. This prevents the pancakes from sticking together. Alternatively, you can freeze them with a piece of parchment paper between each pancake. Frozen pancakes can be stored for 3-4 months.
- Frozen pancakes can be reheated from frozen in the microwave, oven (350 F for about 10 minutes) or thawed and reheated in the toaster.
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Scroll down to comment section below to leave your star rating and review.
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Vegan Oat Banana Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup quick oats, 120 g
- 1 large ripe banana
- 1 cup plant-based milk such as unsweetened almond milk or soy milk, 250 mL
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 30 g
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 10 g
- 2 teaspoons baking powder, optional (adds “lift”)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon, optional
Instructions
- To prepare with a blender, add the oats to a blender and blend into a fine flour consistency. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend into smooth batter. To prepare batter without a blender, use oat flour instead of oats or make oat flour in a small blender or food processor. Mash the banana in a mixing bowl then add the oat flour and the rest of the ingredients and mix into smooth batter.
- Heat a lightly greased nonstick pan over medium heat.
- Add approximately ¼ to ⅓ cup scoops of batter to the pan and cook until bubbles appear on top of the pancakes and the edges appear firm, dry and golden brown. Flip and cook for another 60-90 seconds.
- Repeat with remaining batter then serve with your favourite pancake toppings like maple syrup and fresh fruit.
Amazing! thanks for the recipe and tips, they went out perfect ๐
Thanks, Maggie!
So around 3 pancakes is 342 calories?
Approximately, yes. Or however many pancakes half the recipe works out too.
These are delicious! ย I make them exactly as suggested and add mini chocolate chips on top while they are cooking. Then top with maple syrup and peanut butter! My 14 year old non vegan son loves them! ย