Healthy Pancakes - The Best Easy Healthy Pancake Recipe! (2024)

These Healthy Pancakes are the best! These whole wheat pancakes are quick to make using simple, wholesome ingredients. They are deliciously fluffy and perfect for a weekend breakfast!

Healthy Pancakes - The Best Easy Healthy Pancake Recipe! (1)

I originally shared this pancake recipe over four years ago and my family has been making these healthy pancakes ever since! These pancakes are still one of our very favorite breakfast recipes. They have become a reader favorite with many glowing reviews, too!

This is my best easy healthy pancake recipe. These whole wheat pancakes have the perfect fluffy texture and crave-worthy flavor. They are especially delicious served with a drizzle of maple syrup and some fresh fruit.

I have tested this recipe many, many times, with all sorts of adaptations. In the end, the simplest recipe is the one my family likes best.

These healthy pancakes don’t require any fancy ingredients, and you can mix up the batter in just five minutes. My daughter has been making these homemade pancakes for our family since she was 9 years old – the recipe is that easy!

Every weekend we make a big breakfast, and we alternate between these healthy pancakes, my best Buttermilk Pancakes and our favorite light and crispy Waffle Recipe. If you love pancakes, you’ll also enjoy my Greek Yogurt Pancakes and these Healthy Pancake Recipes.

Healthy Pancakes - The Best Easy Healthy Pancake Recipe! (2)

Are Pancakes Healthy?

When you make them with wholesome ingredients, pancakes can be a healthy breakfast option.

These healthy pancakes are made with whole wheat flour, which has fiber to keep you full. They won’t spike your blood sugar the way that pancakes made from all-purpose flour might. I use white whole wheat flour because we prefer the lighter texture compared to regular whole wheat flour.

I tested this recipe with varying amounts of melted butter. I found that you can get away with just 2 tablespoons of butter in the whole batch and still have great-tasting pancakes. Adding unsweetened applesauce to the batter allows us to use less butter and sugar in these whole wheat pancakes.

Healthy Pancakes - The Best Easy Healthy Pancake Recipe! (3)

How to Make Healthy Pancakes

Here’s an overview of the steps to making this pancake recipe. Find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below.

  1. Whisk together the dry ingredients: white whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  2. In another bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: eggs, applesauce, milk, honey and vanilla.
  3. Whisk melted butter into the wet ingredients.
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix until just combined. The batter may be a little lumpy.
  5. Cook the pancakes on a hot griddle or skillet. You’ll know the pancakes are ready to flip to cook on the second side when bubbles form on the top and the first side is lightly golden brown.

How to Freeze and Reheat

Pancakes freeze and reheat wonderfully for quick meals later on. To freeze pancakes, first let them cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, wrap them airtight in a zip-top bag or other container. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Thaw pancakes on the counter or in the microwave on low power. Reheat in the microwave until warm.

Tips for making this Pancake Recipe:

  • The pancake batter will be thick. Resist adding extra milk, as that will create thinner pancakes. For light and fluffy pancakes, you need a thick batter.
  • Don’t over-mix the pancake batter when you combine the wet and dry ingredients, or your pancakes may turn out flat or dense instead of light and fluffy.
  • I recommend using white whole wheat flour in these pancakes. White whole wheat is made from a different kind of wheat berry and has a lighter color and a more mild, sweeter flavor than regular whole wheat. You can also use all-purpose flour.
  • The applesauce is important in this recipe. It helps to flavor and sweeten the pancakes, and gives them the best texture. I’ve tried substituting Greek yogurt for the applesauce and the pancakes did not taste as good. If you need a substitute for the applesauce, I recommend using mashed banana.
  • You can add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the batter for extra flavor.
  • My trick to deciding when pancakes are cooked through on the second side (besides a golden color) is to lift them up with a spatula and feel how heavy they are. The pancakes feel lighter when they are cooked through.

Healthy Pancakes - The Best Easy Healthy Pancake Recipe! (4)

Healthy Pancakes - The Best Easy Healthy Pancake Recipe! (5)

5 from 31 ratings

Healthy Pancakes

Servings: 14 pancakes

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

These Healthy Pancakes are the best! I've tested this recipe time and again and it's our go-to healthy pancake recipe. The pancakes are light and fluffy and have delicious flavor.

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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cups white whole wheat flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 ¼ cups milk, whole milk is best in this recipe
  • 2 tablespoons honey, or pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Melt the butter and set it aside to cool slightly.

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the white whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

  • In a medium bowl, combine the eggs, applesauce, milk, honey and vanilla. Whisk until smooth. Whisk in the melted butter.

  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and whisk until just incorporated. It's ok if a few lumps remain; try not to over-mix. The batter will be thick, but avoid adding more milk or your pancakes may turn out flat rather than light and fluffy.

  • Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat. Spray lightly with cooking spray. Scoop batter by scant ¼ cup onto the heated griddle. Cook on the first side until bubbles begin to form and the bottom side of the pancakes are lightly brown, about 2-3 minutes. Flip pancakes and cook until the second side is browned, about 2 minutes more. Serve immediately or keep warm in a 200 degree oven while you cook the rest of the pancakes.

Notes

  • I recommend using white whole wheat flour in these pancakes. White whole wheat is made from a different kind of wheat berry and has a lighter color and a more mild flavor than regular whole wheat.
  • You can add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the dry ingredients for extra flavor.
  • Pancakes keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let cool completely and then freeze in a zip-top plastic bag or other airtight container.

Serving: 1pancake, Calories: 108kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 30mg, Sodium: 141mg, Potassium: 123mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 122IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 65mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is an estimate.

Cuisine: American

Course: Breakfast

Tried this recipe?Mention @kristines_kitchen on Instagram or tag #kristineskitchenblog.

This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Kristine's Kitchen!

Healthy Pancakes - The Best Easy Healthy Pancake Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What are the healthiest pancakes to eat? ›

Top 20 healthy pancake recipes
  • Banana oat pancakes.
  • Buckwheat crêpe madames.
  • Easy pancakes.
  • Spinach & tuna pancakes.
  • Coconut & banana pancakes.
  • Keto pancakes.
  • Easy protein pancakes.
  • Spinach crespolini.

What is the healthiest flour to use for pancakes? ›

To make healthy pancakes, use whole-wheat or another whole-grain (cornmeal, oats or buckwheat) flour instead. Whole-wheat flour has 16 grams of fiber per cup compared to 3 grams of fiber in white flour.

Which pancake syrup is the healthiest? ›

No matter if it is light and delicate or dark and robust, 100% pure maple syrup is the healthy all-natural choice.

Can you eat pancakes and be healthy? ›

First, you can make them with whole grains, like whole-wheat flour, which will add heart-healthy filling fiber. You can also add healthy toppings, like yogurt, nuts and fruit, to boost protein, vitamins and fiber to transform pancakes into a nutritious breakfast that will help you stay full through the morning.

What is the healthiest oil to make pancakes with? ›

Along with creating crispy edges, the coconut oil is a slightly healthier fat than butter to cook in.

Which flour is healthiest? ›

6 of the Healthiest Flours to Use
  • Almond Flour.
  • Coconut Flour.
  • Whole-Wheat Flour.
  • Oat Flour.
  • Cassava Flour.
  • Chickpea Flour.
Aug 16, 2023

What makes pancakes unhealthy? ›

Are pancakes healthy? Pancakes are made from these main ingredients: eggs, butter, milk, and flour. Traditional pancakes, like the ones you order at your favorite diner, consist of mostly empty calories without many nutrients.

Why add a pinch of salt to pancakes? ›

Salt: A pinch of salt will enhance the overall flavor without making your pancakes taste salty. Milk and butter: Milk and butter add moisture and richness to the pancakes. Egg: A whole egg lends even more moisture. Plus, it helps bind the pancake batter together.

Are store-bought pancakes healthy? ›

Some, but not all, boxed pancake mixes contain a good bit of added sugar. If you like to top your pancakes with maple syrup, what appears to be a simple breakfast can end up packing enough added sugar to rival dessert.

Are Kodiak pancakes actually healthy? ›

"Kodiak Cakes are made with whole-grain flours, so they are healthier than mixes made with refined flours," he said. However, there are 8 or 9 grams of added sugar per serving in some of the flavors — that's typically higher than other mixes.

Are protein pancakes healthier than regular pancakes? ›

This is because protein pancakes tend to be made with healthier ingredients, such as protein powder, oats, and egg whites. In contrast, regular pancakes are often made with refined flour, sugar, and butter. As a result, protein pancakes tend to be lower in calories and fat, and higher in protein and fiber.

Are whole wheat pancakes healthier than regular pancakes? ›

More than that, whole wheat items, in general, tend to be healthier than white flour products because whole wheat is far less processed and it is not bleached. When you eat whole wheat pancakes, your body and brain will get a big boost of energy.

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