Healthy Banana Pancakes with Pecans are the perfect whole grain treat for breakfast or brunch. Make this delicious banana pancake recipe for your family this weekend!
The way to my teenage son's heart is through sports and pancakes. As long as he is kicking a soccer ball or watching a football game, he is one happy kid. He also is happy when I make him pancakes.
I love making a big brunch on Saturday or Sunday morning. It is not unusual to catch him eating six of cinnamon roll pancakes or a huge plate of buttermilk waffles.
No matter what time of day it is, breakfast might be my son's favorite meal. If he could, he would probably eat breakfast for dinner every night. While he loves his pancakes stuffed with chocolate chips or laced with cinnamon and brown sugar, I like to make things a little healthier sometimes.
How is this Banana Nut Pancake Recipe healthy?
These Healthy Banana Pancakes with Pecans are stuffed with whole grain flour, flax seed, bananas and pecans. They also contain canola oil rather than butter or shortening.
They are a bit more nutritious than pancakes made with white flour and chocolate chips. This recipe is by no means low calorie but does contain some wholesome ingredients especially good for growing teenagers that are very active.
I love the denser texture of these healthy banana pancakes. Only a little syrup is needed and they are quite filling. The one thing I always do is make extras to have in the freezer. It is easy to freeze pancakes for another day. They can be reheated in the microwave for an easy and quick breakfast.
Ingredients Needed for this Healthy Banana Pancake Recipe
- Whole wheat flour - Whole wheat flour still contains nutritious bran and germ.
- White flour - Regular all-purpose flour works well.
- Ground flaxseed - Flaxseed is high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Sugar - fine sugar works best in this recipe but use whatever you have on hand.
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Low-fat buttermilk - No buttermilk? Add 1 Tablespoon of white vinegar to each cup of milk and let sit for 3-5 minutes.
- Canola oil - feel free to substitute olive oil for a fruiter taste. Any type of vegetable oil will work in this recipe.
- Eggs - I prefer large eggs that are brought to room temperature.
- Bananas - Store overripe bananas in the freezer to use in recipes.
- Pecans - You can also use walnuts or really any nuts you prefer.
7 Tips for Making the Best Banana Pancakes
Pancakes are a favored choice for breakfast but they aren't always foolproof. No one enjoys gummy, heavy pancakes. They should be light and airy and full of flavor. Follow these tips to make the very best banana pancakes.
- Fully Mash the Bananas - Don't hurry when it comes to mashing the bananas. Getting them as smooth as possible will help you achieve a fluffy pancake.
- Check the Freshness of the Baking Powder - Out of date baking powder can lead to lifeless, flat pancakes. If you want lift and you aren't getting it, check the expiration date on your baking powder. Even if it isn't expired it should be replaced if the container has been open for more than a few months.
- Whisk or Sift Dry Ingredients - Resist the urge to mix the dry ingredients directly into the wet. Whisk or sift them thoroughly in a separate bowl before adding.
- Don't Over Mix - You want to mix enough to just incorporate the ingredients. Overmixing will lead to a gummy pancake.
- Let It Rest - Once the batter is mixed, set it aside for 10-15 minutes to rest.
- Use the Proper Pan - I love using my cast iron skillet to make pancakes. If you don't have one, use a non stick pan or make sure to grease whatever pan you use well. You can keep the pancakes warm in the oven at 200 degrees stacked on an oven safe plate while cooking the rest.
- Don't Flip Too Soon - As pancakes cook they will get a bit of lift and you will start to see some bubbles form on the raw surface. If you flip too soon you will not get as much lift in your pancakes.
Storing Pancakes
Leftover pancakes can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Freezing Pancakes
It's really easy to freeze pancakes and they keep well for about 3 months.
- Layer parchment paper between pancakes for easier removal.
- Place into freezer bags or another airtight container and remove as much air as possible.
Reheating Pancakes
These methods work for both refrigerated and frozen pancakes. There is no need to defrost, just adjust cooking times as needed.
- Oven Method - Place pancakes in a single layer on a baking tray and cover with foil. Heat in a 350F oven until warm.
- Microwave Oven Method - Place pancakes on a microwave-safe plate and reheat for 20 to 60 seconds.
More Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
If you enjoy these whole wheat banana pancakes you will want to check out these breakfast and brunch recipes.
- Spinach Mushroom Frittata with Goat Cheese
- Banana Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies
- Banana Cinnamon Waffles
- Breakfast Wraps with Prosciutto, Eggs and Avocado
- The Best Brunch Burger Recipe
- Mushroom and Bacon Quiche
Since we are are trying to keep things healthy for this breakfast or brunch, I like to serve these pancakes with a fresh fruit salad or turkey sausage or turkey bacon. The fruit salad works well if you'd like to keep to a vegetarian brunch. But if you have a teenage son, like me, they might want the sausage or bacon with their 6 pancakes. My son actually prefers turkey bacon so I always have some in my freezer.
Treat yourself to a good breakfast or brunch while getting some whole grains. You'll love these healthy banana pancakes!
If you like this Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes recipe, please give it 5- stars below.
RECIPE
Healthy Banana Pecan Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- ¾ cup white flour
- ¼ cup ground flax seed
- 2 TBS sugar
- 1 TBS baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups low fat buttermilk
- 3 TBS canola oil plus extra for greasing pan
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 2 ripe bananas mashed
- ⅓ cup pecans chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the whole wheat flour, white flour, flax seed, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- In a another large bowl, mix together buttermilk, oil, and eggs.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until blended and moistened, making sure there is no lumps. Fold in the bananas and pecans until batter is smooth.
- Grease and heat a griddle or skillet over medium low heat. Pour the batter into the pan swirling around to make circles.
- Cook the pancakes on 1 side for a few minutes until the surface has some bubbles. Flip the pancakes and cook until golden on both sides. Repeat with remaining batter.
- Serve warm with syrup or honey and extra nuts or sliced bananas if desired.
- Makes about 12 pancakes.
Notes
Nutrition
First Published March 2013; Last Updated May 2021
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simmy
It's gougeous...
Katrina
Yum! Those are exactly like the kind of pancakes I'd like!
Ramona
I love pancakes too. Only get them when we eat breakfast out somewhere cause my hubby won't eat them.
These look fantastic.
Pam
Now that's a great way to start off your day. They look seriously incredible!
Robin (Masshole Mommy)
These look and sound amazing! We like pancakes for dinner in our house even better than we like them for breakfast 🙂
Kristin
These looks great! My 13 year old son is also a pancake fan. He could eat them morning, noon, and night! I love making them healthier without him even knowing, haha!
Danielle
These look amazing!!! I love pancakes but I hate how bad they are for you...I want to make these ASAP!
Kathy
From one Jersey Girl to another…lovely blog! These pancakes look and sound wonderfully delicious!!
Sues
Hooray for whole grains!! And these awesomely amazing pancakes!!
teresa
what a great breakfast, i love me a good stack of pancakes!
Rosie @ Blueberry Kitchen
Oh yum, your pancakes look so delicious!
marla
Mmmmmm, these pancakes look delicious!
zerrin
Would love to have these pancakes at any time of day! Look superb!
Blond Duck
Those look SOOO good!
ciaochowlinda
This gives me good reason to make pancakes for breakfast tomorrow. If only I'd seen it today.
Kate
I have a huge bag of flax seed I don't use enough. I like the idea of adding it to pancakes.
Brooke Schweers
I love the healthy twist to these pancakes. They look beautiful and I am sure they taste just as good 🙂
Toni | Boulder Locavore
This is such a great day starter!
Irina
What a great healthy option to make for breakfast! Your pancakes look fluffy, yummy, and delicious! Saving your recipe for the upcoming weekend. 🙂
Beth
My family loves these pancakes! I love how easy they are and that I don't have to feel bad because they are healthy for them too. Thanks for a delicious recipe!
kushigalu
Wow. These pancakes look gorgeous plus I totally love the flavor. Must try!!
Dannii
You can't beat a big stack of pancakes and banana is always the way to go. I love that you have used whole wheat flour too.
Jamie
Bananas and pecans are my favorite combo! I love having these pancakes for breakfast. So delicious!