No Flour, No Sugar! Healthy Chocolate Blender Pancakes {gluten-free, dairy-free}
I make so many things in my Vitamix (I am a bit obsessed with it) but hadn't yet ventured into making blender pancakes. I tried out a few recipes and was underwhelmed, so I created my own!
This healthy chocolate blender pancake recipe is flourless, sugarless (no added sugar*), gluten-free, dairy-free and super easy to make. Don't be fooled by what isn't there...there is still plenty of flavor and deliciousness packed in!
*Some may take issue with the fact there is a tiny bit of added sugar depending on what chocolate chip brand you are using. I think it's so minimal it's not worth the fuss and still consider these pancakes to be 'No Sugar'!
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Make extra & freeze
I make a triple or quadruple batch of these blender pancakes on the weekend. After everyone's tummies are filled up I freeze the rest to use for healthy and quick school day breakfasts.
The best way to freeze pancakes is to let them cool on a cooling rack for a bit, then transfer them (on the rack as is) to the freezer. Once they are frozen (a couple hours later) you can toss them all in a Ziploc bag and put them back in the freezer.
To warm them for breakfast, simply toss them in the toaster for 1-2 rounds, depending on your toaster. Now you and your family can enjoy a hot, healthy, homemade breakfast even on school days!
A perfect recipe to make with your kids!
This recipe is a great on to make with kids! They love pushing the blender buttons, adding ingredients to the blender, and putting toppings on the pancakes (optional).
The Vitamix (this is the one I have) is a tool I often recommend for families not only because it can help you incorporate more healthy vegetables in your diet by way of smoothies, sauces, dips, and more. But also because it can get kids really excited to help in the kitchen! Buttons to press!! Yay!!
The sheer number of things you can do with a Vitamix is unreal!! We use ours at least twice a day.
Read How to Get Kids Cooking In the Kitchen: 10 Tools to Get Them Excited To Help
My 4-year-old LOVES to cook anything that involves electronic equipment!
My 4-year-old putting the chocolate chips on the blender pancakes.
No Flour! No Sugar! Healthy Chocolate Blender Pancakes Recipe
No Flour, No Sugar! Healthy Chocolate Blender Pancakes Recipe {gluten-free, dairy-free}
A healthy gluten-free, dairy-free, delicious breakfast that your kids will love. Make a big batch on the weekend and freeze the extra pancakes for a quick and nutritious school day breakfast option.
Dry Ingredients
1 cup oats (rolled, gluten-free)
1 tsp baking powder
1.5 Tbsp raw cacao powder
1/4 tsp sea salt
1.5 medium very ripe bananas
1/2 cup almond milk (unsweetened, vanilla)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (make sure they are dairy-free if you follow a strict dairy free diet)
Add all of the dry ingredients to a high powered blender, I use a Vitamix. Blend ingredients on high until the oats have become flour. (approximately 2-3 minutes)
Add all the remaining ingredients EXCEPT for the chocolate chips. Blend on high again until mixture is smooth. (If the mixture is too thick add a touch more almond milk.)
Add the chocolate chips and pulse for 15 seconds. Just enough to break them up a bit and mix thoroughly. You can also skip this step and sprinkle the chocolate chips on the pancakes as they are cooking if you want the chocolate chips to be whole and visible. Both ways are delicious!)
Pre-heat a skillet or pan and add your favorite non-dairy oil to coat (we like coconut oil or ghee).
Pour batter onto skillet in small amounts to make roughly 3-inch diameter pancakes. If you are adding chocolate chips or blueberries, this is the perfect time to do so.
Cook on medium heat until bubbles form over at least half of the pancake. (About 5 minutes.) Flip and cook the other side the same way.
Serve with your favorite toppings. Our favorites are: yogurt with a sprinkle of raw cacao and drizzled with honey (use a dairy-free yogurt if needed), plain maple syrup, or as a stack with almond butter in the middle and honey drizzled on top.
If you have extra pancakes, let them cool on a wire rack, then place the whole rack in the freezer as is. Once the pancakes are frozen (a few hours later) throw them all in a Ziploc bag and keep in the freezer for future quick and easy breakfasts. To reheat, pop the pancakes in the toaster.
*Some may take issue with the fact there is a tiny bit of added sugar depending on what chocolate chip brand you are using. I think it's so minimal it's not worth the fuss and I still consider these pancakes to be 'No Sugar'!
You can add collagen powder for extra protein, skin and gut support.
Do you prefer blueberries?
You can make a few easy substitutions and turn chocolate pancakes into blueberry ones. Here is what you do:
Leave out the raw cacao
Increase rolled oats to 1.5 cups
add 1 tsp cinnamon powder
Add 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
That's it! Try switching it up and seeing which flavor your family prefers.
Want more protein?
In addition to adding a greek yogurt topping (if you are eating dairy), you could also add some collagen powder to the batter.
Collagen is great for skin and gut health and can be easily added to many recipes without changing the taste or texture.
We love Vital Proteins collagen* (or buy on Amazon) and sometimes add 1/4 cup to our pancake batter or even to plain yogurt with granola in the morning.
*Vital Proteins offers a better price than Amazon when you set up a subscription!
Chocolate can be healthy
I wouldn't be surprised if you were confused at the "healthy chocolate" claim I smacked on these pancakes. Well, chocolate can be healthy!
When you add raw cacao (we love this brand) to a recipe you are not only adding delicious flavor. You are also adding magnesium, antioxidants, and fiber (and without sugar)!
Raw cacao can be a bit bitter so be sure to add the bananas with natural sugars to the recipe to balance that out.
You can substitute dairy if you want
We have tried this recipe both ways; using dairy and without using dairy ingredients. We love them both! Since we don't have any dairy allergies or sensitivities we usually top the pancakes with Greek whole milk yogurt and raw honey, but this can easily be substituted for a non-dairy yogurt.
The other toppings we love are just plain maple syrup or with the pancakes sandwiched with a nut/seed butter inside and honey drizzled on top.
Enjoy!
I hope you and your family enjoy this recipe as much as we do!
Please leave a comment below and let me know! If you make this recipe and share on Instagram please tag me (@LunchwithLeah) so I can see it!!
P.S. If you love this recipe then be sure to check out ALL the recipes! My favorite breakfast recipe is definitely the Protein Packed Banana Nut & Raisin Breakfast Muffins {gluten-free, dairy-free}!!
