Mini Chocolate Banana Pancakes - Easy Gluten Free Breakfast Recipe! (2024)

Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Banana Pancakes

When you have overripe bananas on the counter, your first thought might be banana bread. But if you only have a couple of bananas or want something that comes together faster, it’s time to whip up these chocolaty pancakes. My kids are always thrilled when I make a batch, and they are perfect to satisfy your chocolate cravings first thing in the morning. Here’s why they are so great…

• So fast to make. The batter is made simply by tossing all of the ingredients in a blender. And since I like to make them mini, they cook up in minutes.
• Fun size. We all know kids like little food, so just like my silver dollar pancakes, the mini size makes these extra fun.
• Crave-worthy flavor. Cocoa powder makes them nice and chocolaty, and overripe bananas provide plenty of natural sweetness, with no extra sugar needed.
• Ingredients you’ll love. As I said, there are no other sweeteners besides the banana. Eggs pack in protein, oats provide fiber, and flax seeds have omega-3s.
• Easy to make gluten free. These are flourless pancakes, so as long as you use certified gluten free oats, they are naturally GF. They also happen to be dairy-free.

Blender Pancakes Recipe Ingredients

Here is a quick overview of what you’ll need to make these mini pancakes. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card for the full amounts and detailed instructions.

• Overripe bananas. Make sure they have brown spots, indicating they are overripe and sweet, because no additional sweetener is added to the recipe.
• Eggs. You’ll need two.
• Oats. Old-fashioned oats, not quick or instant. Be sure to use certified gluten free oats, if needed, Learn more in my article Are Oats Gluten Free?
• Cocoa powder. Make sure it is unweetened.
• Ground flax seeds. May also be called flax seed meal.
• Baking powder.
• Vanilla extract.
• Salt.

How to Make Chocolate Banana Pancakes

These pancakes come together in a flash. Here’s how…

• Make the batter. Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
• Cook the pancakes. Preheat your pan or griddle over medium-low heat. Scoop the batter about a tablespoon at a time onto the pan or griddle. Cook the pancakes until the pancakes are firm enough to flip, then cook for another minute or two on the other side.
• Serve and enjoy. You can sandwich peanut butter between a couple or top with butter and give ’em a drizzle of maple syrup, add fruit, or get extra indulgent with some chocolate sauce and whipped cream.

Tips for the Best Blender Pancakes

Proper Storage

Refrigerator: The banana pancakes can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days. Make sure they are sealed well so they don’t dry out. They do contain a lot of moisture from the bananas, so do keep an eye on them for spoilage.

Reheat: Warm up the pancakes in the microwave until they are steaming hot or place them back on a skillet for a minute or two on each side.

Freezer: Stack several together and wrap each stack in plastic wrap. Then place the stacks in an airtight container and pop it in the freezer. You can then grab a stack for each person the night before and let them thaw in the refrigerator. Or if you forget, you can unwrap the stack and defrost them on medium power in the microwave before reheating as directed above.

What to Serve With Chocolate Banana Pancakes

The first thing to do is make sure you have some maple syrup or even peanut butter to smear on the pancakes. But there are lots of other ways to round out the meal.

• Have Some Yogurt. Then top it with some Chocolate Granola for more chocolaty goodness at breakfast.
• Make a Smoothie. This Chocolate Mint Smoothie tastes like a minty milkshake, or you can balance the chocolate with a Maple Cinnamon Blueberry Smoothie.
• Serve With Fruit. A Tropical Fruit Salad is a great idea, or try Mixed Berry Coconut Chia Pudding Parfaits for something more filling.
• Add More Protein. A serving of Hawaiian Scrambled Eggs has savory-sweet flavors, and you can never go wrong with bacon or Sage Breakfast Sausage.
• Wet Your Whistle. Blended Iced Coffee will wake up mom and dad while the kids sip on Chocolate Milk.

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