Going out to brunch on the weekends is definitely on our top ten “remember how great life was before COVID” list. Brunch was the best meal of the week. You get to sleep in, it is acceptable for you to attend in borderline pajamas, and you are with your closest friends (only serial killers go brunch with casual acquaintances. Although we do consider ourselves cereal killers – insert laugh track). Is there anything better than seeing a steaming hot pile of pancakes floating towards your table? If it happened to be a healthy, sugar free pancake recipe, we were even more excited.
We spent the first several months pouting about missing brunch, but we eventually dedicated this extra time to making new and improved brunch recipes. One of our favorites also happens to be one of the healthiest: Sugar Free, Gluten Free, Apple Pecan Vegan Pancakes.
This healthy pancake recipe was initially inspired by our Bean-tiful and Satisfying Overnight Oatmeal. We wanted all the health benefits of the oatmeal, but wanted to mix up the modality. This yummy and healthy pancake recipe is easy to make, filling, flavorful, and delicious.
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What Makes These Sugar Free, Gluten Free, Apple Pecan Vegan Pancakes So Special?
Since oatmeal is one of the most nutritious grains, we decided to grind it into flour for these pancakes. Oats can help with weight loss, are rich in antioxidants, and can help lower cholesterol. Don’t take our word for it, check out Healthline’s studies: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-benefits-oats-oatmeal
Just like with our oatmeal recipe, we add chickpea flour. We like hiding chickpea flour into our recipes because it adds fiber, protein, and nutrients. You can also use almond flour or additional oatmeal flour instead.
These healthy pancakes check off so many different diets; they are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free. We dare you to find another recipe that can wear so many different hats!
We prefer sugar free pancakes. You add so much of the sweet stuff on top, so why include it in the base? There is no added sugar; these healthy pancakes are naturally sweetened by fruit – applesauce! I like to use unsweetened applesauce, but that choice is yours. If you really want this recipe to be homemade, check out Keeping The Pea’s Sugar Free Applesauce.
I do not follow a gluten free diet, but I always worry about what you guys are eating for brunch. It can’t be easy to find gluten free pancakes and french toast in restaurants. But this Sugar Free, Gluten Free, Apple Pecan Vegan Pancake recipe is here for you! Just double check your oat package to make sure it says gluten free.
A Note About Cinnamon
We like adding cinnamon because it is such a healthy spice. Cinnamon may help prevent neurodegenerative diseases, protect against cancer, and it may reduce the risk of heart disease. But if you eat a lot of cinnamon, make sure you are using Ceylon Cinnamon (True Cinnamon). The cinnamon you find in most groceries stores is not Ceylon. It still has health benefits, but may be harmful in larger doses. We are NOT doctors nor dietitians, so certainly do not take our word for it. We like referring to Healthline because they link to individual studies supporting their claims. So check out what they have to say about cinnamon. Ceylon cinnamon can be found in most health food stores.
These healthy pancakes are packed with flavor. Each bite is full of pecan pieces and apple bits. The cinnamon and nutmeg combo guarantees each bite is packing a punch. Your family will be asking “what smells so good?!” before you have even flipped your first pancake!
A Few Notes About This Healthy Pancake Recipe
- I’ve made this recipe with unsweetened almond milk and unsweetened soy and think it tastes delicious every time. If you are looking for some extra sweetness, try adding sweetened vanilla almond milk.
- You can also use dairy milk, but it will no longer be “vegan” (but it will still be “yummy”).
- Oatmeal: you can use steel cut oats or rolled oats. The important thing is to blend it into a fine powder.
- The final batter is thick – it will not spread out much when cooking.
- I highly recommend using nut butter as a topping instead of syrup. It is delicious and guarantees your breakfast stays free of added sugars.
- These pancakes are dense and hearty. They are not your average light and fluffy pancake. They will fill you up and keep you satisfied until lunch.
- Looking for another brunch idea? You must check out Lu’s Yummy Carrot Date Cinnamon Rolls (Refined Sugar Free!)
Sugar Free, Gluten Free, Apple Pecan Vegan Pancakes
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, DinnerDifficulty: Easy3
servings10
minutes20
minutesEasy to make, flavorful, filling, and delicious pancakes. These pancakes are dense and hearty. They will keep you full until lunch.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups oatmeal flour
½ cup chickpea flour (or almond flour or additional oatmeal flour)
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
⅔ cup applesauce (no added sugar)
1 cup soy or almond milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup pecans
1 diced medium apple
Directions
- Grind oatmeal into a flour
- Mix dry ingredients: oatmeal flour, chickpea flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg
- Mix applesauce, vanilla, and milk
- Combine flour bowl into applesauce mixture. Stir well. Batter will thicken as baking powder is activated
- Stir in pecans and diced apple.
- Cook over medium heat. Pancakes will not bubble on top when it is time to flip. Instead watch the bottom/sides of pancake and flip when it starts to brown
Notes
- Store leftover pancakes in fridge for 2-3 days.
- Makes ~6 pancakes
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Meu