Whether it's the weekend, a special holiday brunch, or just a regular Tuesday morning, you know sitting down to a stack of pancakes [1] doused in maple syrup isn't exactly the healthiest way to start your day. But if you add these eight ingredients to the batter, you can increase the protein, fiber, and healthy fats and add a natural sweetness that can help you cut back on the maple syrup.
Pumpkin or Sweet Potato
Adding pumpkin puree to pancakes [3] or mashed roasted sweet potato increases the fiber and vitamin A and makes your stack super moist.
Spinach
If you're into throwing greens into your fruit smoothie, then you'll love this recipe that adds spinach to your pancakes [4]. Although the greens add a slightly teal earthy hue, they also add fiber, calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin K, and folate.
Protein Powder
Make your typical carb-loaded stack a high-protein meal by adding protein powder to the batter [5]. We're fans of this plant-based protein powder [6].
Flaxmeal
Increase the fiber and healthy fats in your stack by using a flax egg [7] (one tablespoon flaxmeal mixed with three tablespoons water) instead of a real egg.
Banana
Add diced, mashed, or sliced banana [8] to your pancake batter and when you cook it up, the banana gets all soft and yummy and is so sweet, you might be able to forgo the syrup! Or if you want to go completely grain-free, try this banana and egg pancake recipe [9].
Nuts or Nut Butter
Add some almond meal (ground almonds), chopped walnuts, or pecans to the batter to not only add a satisfying little crunch, but the healthy fats and fiber will make your pancakes even more filling. Not a fan of crunch? Add creamy nut butter instead. You could also go completely wheat-free [10] and make these pancakes made with almond meal and ground flaxseed.
Berries
Add natural sweetness and fiber to your stack by mixing in fresh, frozen, or pureed fruit [11] to the batter.
Cooked Quinoa
Add some leftover cooked quinoa [12] to the batter to increase the folate, protein, and fiber.