If you’re craving something sweet, comforting, and downright irresistible, you’ve got to try my Fluffy Banana Pancakes Recipe. I absolutely love how these pancakes turn out – light, tender, and bursting with that natural banana flavor. Whether you’re whipping them up for a lazy weekend brunch or to impress friends, this recipe is super straightforward and delivers that perfect fluffy texture every time. Stick around, because I’ve packed in all my favorite tips and tricks to help you nail them on the first try!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fluffy and Tender Texture: The baking powder and mashed bananas create perfect fluffiness without heaviness.
- Naturally Sweetened: You don’t need extra sugar because ripe bananas add just the right amount of sweetness.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 15 minutes, making it ideal for busy mornings or last-minute treats.
- Freezer-Friendly: These pancakes freeze beautifully, so you can enjoy homemade breakfasts anytime.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I’ve kept this ingredient list simple, relying on pantry staples and ripe bananas that bring everything together to produce the fluffiest pancakes you’ll ever eat. Just make sure your bananas are well ripe – that’s the secret for sweetness and flavor!
- All-purpose flour: The classic pancake base that provides structure while keeping them tender.
- Baking powder (aluminum-free): Key to the light, airy texture – don’t skip this!
- Cinnamon: Adds warm, cozy flavor that pairs beautifully with bananas.
- Salt: Just a pinch enhances the flavors and balances sweetness.
- Mature bananas: Using overripe bananas gives great natural sweetness and moisture.
- Large egg: Helps bind ingredients and adds richness.
- Milk: Keeps the batter smooth and pourable; any milk works from dairy to plant-based.
- Cooking spray: For greasing your pan without overpowering the delicate pancake flavor.
- Banana slices and maple syrup (for serving): A classic combo that elevates every bite.
Variations
I love how flexible this Fluffy Banana Pancakes Recipe is. Over time, I’ve played around with a few tweaks to suit different tastes and diets — and honestly, you should feel free to do the same! Experimenting makes breakfast even more fun.
- Gluten-Free Version: Swapping all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend worked great for my gluten-sensitive friends without sacrificing fluffiness.
- Vegan Option: Replace the egg with a flax egg and use your favorite plant-based milk for a cruelty-free twist.
- Added Nuts or Chocolate Chips: A sprinkle of chopped walnuts or dark chocolate chips folded into the batter creates a delightful surprise in every bite.
- Spiced Up: Toss in a pinch of nutmeg or ginger for a warmer flavor profile that’s perfect on chilly mornings.
How to Make Fluffy Banana Pancakes Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together your flour, aluminum-free baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures all the dry flavors are evenly distributed, which helps your pancakes rise beautifully and taste balanced. I learned early on that mixing the dry stuff first saves you from clumps later!
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a larger bowl, mash the overripe bananas well, then beat in the egg. Once they’re combined, whisk in the milk until everything is just blended together. The mix will be smooth with some lumps – that’s totally okay and keeps the pancakes light.
Step 3: Fold in the Dry Mixture
Slowly add your dry ingredients into the wet, stirring gently until you no longer see dry streaks. The batter will remain a bit lumpy here—don’t overmix, or your pancakes could turn dense. Trust me, I used to overmix and ended up with flatter cakes – lesson learned!
Step 4: Cook the Pancakes
Heat a large nonstick pan over medium heat and lightly spray with cooking spray. Use a ⅓-cup measure to pour 3-4 pancakes in the pan at once. Cook until you see the tops puff up and the bottoms turn golden—usually about 2-3 minutes. Flip them and cook for an extra 1-2 minutes until the pancakes are fully cooked and nice and fluffy. Patience is key here.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve warm with fresh banana slices and a drizzle of maple syrup. Trust me, this combo takes them to the next level every time, and my family goes crazy for it.
Pro Tips for Making Fluffy Banana Pancakes Recipe
- Use Ripe Bananas: The riper, the better—overripe spots add sweetness and moisture without extra sugar.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Lumps are your friend for keeping these pancakes airy and light.
- Preheat Your Pan Properly: Medium heat is ideal to cook pancakes through without burning them – I always test with a small pancake first.
- Flip Only Once: Flip when you see bubbles on top and edges look dry; flipping too early or multiple times deflates them.
How to Serve Fluffy Banana Pancakes Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top my pancakes with fresh banana slices because, well, why not double down on the banana goodness? A generous drizzle of maple syrup adds that sticky-sweet finish I crave. Sometimes, I like to sprinkle a little powdered sugar or a handful of toasted pecans for a crunchy contrast.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides include crispy turkey bacon or a fresh berry salad to balance the sweetness. For a cozy brunch, a side of scrambled eggs or Greek yogurt with honey works beautifully too.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays or special mornings, I stack these pancakes tall and drizzle layers between them with peanut butter or Nutella before topping. Sometimes I arrange banana slices into little smiley faces or hearts — it’s a simple touch that always brightens the table and brings smiles all around!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you ever have leftovers (unlikely because they’re that good!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I like to separate pancakes with a sheet of parchment paper to keep them from sticking together.
Freezing
To freeze, lay pancakes in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then stack them with parchment paper between layers inside a freezer-safe bag. This trick keeps them from clumping, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 2 months.
Reheating
I find reheating in a toaster or oven at a low temperature works best for retaining that fluffy texture, but a quick zap in the microwave is fine if you’re in a rush. Just avoid overheating, which can dry them out.
FAQs
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Can I use bananas that aren’t very ripe for this recipe?
While you can, I highly recommend using overripe bananas—they’re sweeter and softer, which helps create moist, flavorful, fluffy pancakes. Less ripe bananas might result in less sweetness and a denser texture.
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What if I don’t have baking powder?
Baking powder is essential here because it helps the pancakes rise and become fluffy. If you don’t have any, you could try a combination of baking soda and an acid like lemon juice or vinegar, but I’d stick to baking powder for best results.
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How can I make these pancakes vegan?
You can replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes) and use any plant-based milk you prefer to keep these pancakes vegan and just as tasty.
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Can I add other mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Adding chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the batter is a fantastic way to customize the pancakes. Just fold them in gently to prevent overmixing.
Final Thoughts
This Fluffy Banana Pancakes Recipe has become my weekend staple because it’s just so reliable and rewarding. I love sharing these with friends and family because they bring that cozy, homemade comfort we all crave. Once you try these, you’ll see why I’m hooked—and I’m sure you’ll want to keep this recipe in your breakfast rotation, too. Give it a go, and enjoy every fluffy, banana-filled bite!
Print
Fluffy Banana Pancakes Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (about 8 pancakes)
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These fluffy banana pancakes are a delicious and easy-to-make breakfast option, naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and perfect for freezer-friendly meal prep. Soft and tender, they come together quickly and pair wonderfully with fresh banana slices and maple syrup.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder (aluminum-free)
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup mashed overripe banana (about 1 ½ large bananas)
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup milk
For Cooking and Serving
- Cooking spray (for greasing the pan)
- Banana (sliced, for serving)
- Maple syrup (for serving)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a larger bowl, beat the mashed overripe bananas and the egg together until smooth and blended. Add the milk and whisk until fully combined.
- Form the Batter: Gradually whisk the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined; the batter will have a slightly lumpy texture which is perfect for fluffy pancakes.
- Preheat the Pan: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and lightly coat it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Pancakes: Using a ⅓-cup measuring cup, pour 3 to 4 circles of batter into the pan. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until the pancakes are puffed up on top and golden brown on the bottom.
- Flip and Finish: Carefully flip the pancakes and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes on the other side until they rise further and are cooked through.
- Serve: Serve the pancakes warm topped with fresh banana slices and maple syrup for a delicious breakfast treat.
Notes
- Fluffy banana pancakes are easy to prepare and naturally sweet without needing extra sugar.
- These pancakes freeze well; make a big batch and save extras for quick breakfasts.
- If you prefer, substitute milk with a dairy-free alternative to make the recipe lactose-free.
- Ensure the bananas are overripe for maximum sweetness and moisture in the batter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pancakes
- Calories: 199 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 52 mg