October 5, 2024
Banana-Oat Pancakes

Nutrition Notes

Is Oat Flour Healthy?

Oat flour is simply ground-up oats—and oats have a plethora of health benefits. For starters, oats are a type of whole grain, and whole grains are full of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. The fiber in whole grains, including oats, helps lower cholesterol, manage blood sugar and keep things moving through your digestive tract. Oats are also a good source of plant-based protein and iron. People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should look for oat flour that’s labeled “gluten-free,” as oats are often cross-contaminated with wheat and barley.


Are Bananas Good for You?

While bananas are best known for providing potassium, that’s not the only nutrient they offer. Bananas are an excellent source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin C, copper and manganese. Bananas may play a role in protecting your heart, reducing blood pressure and stroke risk, and improving mood.



Tips from the Test Kitchen

How Ripe Should the Bananas Be for the Pancakes?

The bananas should be slightly overripe. Look for bananas that are soft to the touch with some dark spots on the skin. The riper the bananas, the sweeter the pancakes will be. If you don’t have ripe bananas on hand, you can ripen bananas quickly in the oven or microwave.


Can I Add Any Additional Ingredients Like Chocolate Chips or Nuts to the Batter?

Yes, you can add about 1/3 cup of chocolate chips or chopped toasted nuts like walnuts or pecans to the batter. Spices like cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice also make flavorful add-ins.


What Can I Serve with Banana-Oat Pancakes?

You can sprinkle the pancakes with a dash of cinnamon and chopped walnuts for some crunch. Try topping them with sliced bananas, maple syrup or honey and a dollop of yogurt. Serve the pancakes on their own or with scrambled eggs, a frittata or quiche for breakfast.



Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are My Banana-Oat Pancakes Mushy?

If your pancakes are mushy, you might not have rested the batter enough. The baking powder in the batter forms bubbles while it rests, which helps give the pancakes a fluffier texture. Rest the pancake batter for about 10 minutes until slightly thickened. It’s also important to flip the pancakes when the edges are dry and you see bubbles on the surface to ensure the centers are cooked through at the end.


Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S. and Jan Valdez


Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek



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