Pancakes. Just the word alone brings to mind fluffy stacks drizzled with syrup, topped with fresh fruit, or maybe even a generous dollop of yogurt. Whether you’re making them for a slow Sunday morning, a quick weekday treat, or a special occasion brunch, pancakes are one of those foods that never fail to bring joy.
But with so many pancakes recipes out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Should you go for the classic style, or do you want something a little different? Maybe you’re looking for a healthier twist—something gluten-free, dairy-free, and packed with nutrients.
That’s exactly what we’re diving into today. We’re going to cover everything you need to know about making the best pancakes recipes, from the essential ingredients to the best techniques, common mistakes to avoid, and of course, a delicious gluten-free pancake recipe that will change your breakfast game forever.
What Makes the Best Pancakes Recipes?
The perfect pancake comes down to three things: texture, flavour, and flexibility. You want a pancake that’s light and fluffy but with a slight crisp around the edges. It should have just the right balance of sweetness without being overpowering, and most importantly, it should work well with whatever toppings you throw at it.
Traditional pancakes recipes tend to rely on white flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. While this combination creates a reliably tasty pancake, it’s not always the best option for those looking for something more nourishing or suitable for specific dietary needs. That’s where the beauty of alternative flours, natural sweeteners, and plant-based ingredients comes in.
Flour Power: Choosing the Right Base for Your Pancakes Recipes
Most standard pancakes recipes use all-purpose flour, which gives them a soft and fluffy texture.
But if you want to experiment or need an alternative gluten-free recipe, there are plenty of options:
Oat Flour: A great gluten-free option that adds extra fibre and a slightly nutty flavour.
Almond Flour: Lower in carbs and packed with protein, though it creates a more delicate pancake.
Buckwheat Flour: Naturally gluten-free and adds a wholesome, earthy taste.
Coconut Flour: Absorbs more liquid, so it’s best used in combination with other flours.
Our Gluten-Free Pancakes use oats as the base flour, creating a hearty but soft pancake that’s full of slow-releasing energy.
Flaxseed: The Secret Superfood in Our Pancakes Recipes
A key ingredient in our recipe is flaxseed, which not only replaces the need for eggs but also adds a serious nutrition boost. Flax is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, and plant-based compounds that support heart health, digestion, and overall well-being.
The trick to using flaxseed in pancakes recipes is to grind it finely and then let it soak in boiling water for a few minutes. This creates a gel-like consistency that helps bind everything together, ensuring a perfectly fluffy pancake.
How to Make the Perfect Pancakes
A great pancake isn’t just about the ingredients—it’s also about technique. There’s an art to getting them just right, and it starts with:
Mixing the Batter Properly – Overmixing can lead to tough pancakes, while undermixing can leave dry pockets of flour. The key is to mix just until everything is combined.
Letting the Batter Rest – This allows the ingredients to hydrate and results in a fluffier texture.
Cooking at the Right Temperature – Medium heat is ideal. Too hot, and your pancakes will burn on the outside before they cook through. Too low, and they’ll end up flat and dense.
Flipping at the Right Time – Wait until you see bubbles forming on the surface and the edges starting to look set before flipping. If you flip too early, you risk a raw centre.
Our Gluten-Free Pancakes Recipe
If you love pancakes but need a gluten-free and dairy-free option, this is the recipe for you.
Not only is it incredibly simple to make, but it’s also packed with nutrients, making it a great way to start your day.
Ingredients
75g fine ground flaxseed
75g oats
75g boiling water
250g soya milk
3 tsp coconut sugar
0.5 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp coconut oil
To serve: blueberries, grade A maple syrup, Greek yogurt.
Method
Blitz the flaxseed in a food processor until it resembles a flour.
Soak the flax in boiling water and allow it to swell and cool.
Blitz the rolled oats in a food processor until fine.
Dissolve the coconut sugar and salt with a little hot water to form a paste.
Whisk the coconut sugar/salt mix, oats, and soya milk together. Add in the flax, followed by the baking powder.
Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan on medium heat.
Spoon the batter mix into the pan in small circles.
Cook on one side for 2-3 minutes, then flip over.
Serve with fruits, maple syrup, or Greek yogurt.
To unlock the full recipe and step-by-step video, subscribe to Elevated and get access to exclusive content!
Common Pancake Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Ever made pancakes that turned out too dense, too dry, or just completely wrong? You’re not alone.
Here’s what might be going wrong:
Not enough liquid – If the batter is too thick, the pancakes will be heavy. Adjust with a little extra milk.
Cooking at the wrong heat – Too hot, and you’ll get burnt edges with a raw centre. Too low, and you won’t get that golden brown colour.
Skipping the resting time – Giving your batter a few minutes to rest helps the flour fully absorb the liquid, making for fluffier pancakes.
Pancake Toppings: Elevate Your Stack
Pancakes are the perfect blank canvas for creative toppings. While maple syrup is a classic, there are plenty of other ways to keep things interesting:
Fresh berries and Greek yogurt for a refreshing, protein-packed option.
Almond or peanut butter for added creaminess and healthy fats.
A drizzle of dark chocolate and crushed nuts for an indulgent treat.
Sliced bananas with a sprinkle of cinnamon for a naturally sweet touch.
Want to learn more about balanced breakfast ideas? Check out our healthy breakfast recipes on Elevated.
Why Make Your Own Pancakes?
Store-bought pancake mixes often contain preservatives, artificial flavours, and unnecessary added sugars. Making your own pancakes means you control exactly what goes in, ensuring they’re nutrient-rich, free from artificial additives, and tailored to your dietary needs.
If you’re looking for pancakes recipes that are simple, healthy, and full of flavour, our Gluten-Free Pancakes Recipe is a must-try. And don’t forget, you can unlock the full step-by-step video tutorial and more exclusive recipes by subscribing to Elevated.
Because breakfast should be delicious, nourishing, and worth waking up for!
The Science Behind Fluffy Pancakes Recipes
Have you ever wondered what makes pancakes so light and airy? While pancakes recipes seem simple, there’s a lot of science at play in getting that perfect fluffy texture. Understanding what happens when you mix ingredients together and cook them on a pan can help you tweak your recipe for even better results.
One of the key players in creating fluffy pancakes is baking powder. This leavening agent reacts with liquid and heat to produce carbon dioxide bubbles, which expand as the pancakes cook, giving them their soft and airy texture. If you’ve ever made pancakes that turned out dense and flat, it’s possible your baking powder wasn’t fresh enough, or you didn’t use quite enough of it. A good rule of thumb is to use around one teaspoon of baking powder per cup of flour in your pancakes recipes.
Another factor that affects texture is the balance between wet and dry ingredients. Too much liquid, and your batter will spread too thin in the pan, leading to a crepe-like texture. Too little, and the pancakes will be thick but dense rather than fluffy. This is why it’s so important to measure ingredients accurately and follow the method closely—small changes can have a big impact!
Temperature also plays a crucial role in pancakes recipes. If your pan is too cold, the batter will spread too much before it sets, making the pancakes thin and uneven. If it’s too hot, the outside will cook too quickly while the inside remains raw. The sweet spot is medium heat, where the batter has enough time to rise before it sets, resulting in golden-brown pancakes with a soft and fluffy centre.
And of course, resting the batter is a step that many people skip, but it can make all the difference. Letting the batter sit for at least 5-10 minutes before cooking allows the dry ingredients to fully absorb the liquid, which improves consistency and helps develop the structure needed for a light and airy pancake.
This is especially important in gluten-free pancakes recipes, where the absence of gluten means the structure relies more on ingredients like flaxseed and oats. That’s why in our Gluten-Free Pancakes Recipe, we take the extra step of letting the flaxseed soak and swell before adding it to the batter. This mimics the role of eggs, binding everything together while also adding moisture and nutrition.
Why Go Gluten-Free?
Going gluten-free isn’t just for those with coeliac disease—many people find that reducing or eliminating gluten helps with digestion, energy levels, and overall well-being. While traditional pancakes recipes rely on wheat flour, gluten-free alternatives like oats, almond flour, and buckwheat can offer just as much flavour and texture, without the digestive discomfort some people experience with gluten.
One of the biggest benefits of eating gluten-free is improved gut health. For those with gluten sensitivities, eating gluten can cause bloating, discomfort, and inflammation in the digestive system. Swapping to gluten-free options—especially those rich in fibre like oats and flaxseed—can support a healthier, more balanced gut.
Another benefit is sustained energy levels. Many refined wheat-based foods can cause blood sugar spikes, followed by crashes that leave you feeling sluggish. By choosing gluten-free pancakes recipes made with whole food ingredients, like the oats and flaxseed in our Gluten-Free Pancakes Recipe, you get a steady release of energy without the sudden dips.
Even if you don’t have a diagnosed gluten intolerance, experimenting with gluten-free recipes can help you diversify your diet, incorporating more nutrient-dense ingredients that support digestion, heart health, and long-term well-being. And the best part? With the right combination of ingredients, you won’t even notice the difference in taste or texture.
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