Top 20 healthy pancake recipes
Whether you prefer them savoury and spicy or sweet and fruity, try these delicious healthy homemade pancake recipes. From fluffy American versions to silky thin crêpes, you’ll find pancakes for every taste
Pancakes are a versatile, easy meal, whether you fancy them piled high and topped with fruit or rolled and filled with a savoury sauce. If you’d like to make your next batch a little healthier, we’ve got a stack of ideas. Add an extra hit of nutrition to your plate with our inspiring recipes, from lighter batter mixes using whipped egg whites, to vitamin-rich toppings made from fruit or veggies.
Read 10 ways to make your Pancake Day free-from. For more nutritious ideas, see our healthy pancake recipes as well as our low-calorie pancake recipes. Now try our vegan pancake recipes and find out how to make your Pancake Day free-from.
1. Healthy pancakes
Good for: healthy
With only four ingredients, these simple American-style pancakes have all the flavour of a stack ordered at a New York diner. Whipped egg whites give them a gorgeous fluffy texture, while using skimmed milk and low-fat fromage frais makes them a lighter choice. Try swapping in different wholemeal flours such as spelt or buckwheat to vary the flavour or make them gluten-free. Serve with your favourite healthy toppings.
2. Banana oat pancakes
Good for: dairy-free
Looking for a healthy pancake recipe that's just as satisfying as the classics? Our dairy-free pancakes contain oat milk and mashed bananas for natural sweetness. Make them light and fluffy by whisking and folding whipped egg whites into the batter. Served with a dollop of yogurt and fresh berries.
Discover more dairy-free pancake recipes.
3. Buckwheat crêpe madames
Good for: gluten-free
Enjoy these hearty buckwheat pancakes with eggs, cheese and ham for breakfast or brunch. They're a great savoury option for Pancake Day or something different at the weekend.
4. Easy pancakes
Good for: less sugar
This foolproof crêpe recipe gives you perfectly thin pancakes every time. Omit the sugar, top with a dollop of low-fat yogurt and pile high with fruit for a delicious, easy and better-for-you brunch.
5. Spinach & tuna pancakes
Good for: high-protein
Looking for protein pancakes? These wholesome ones made with spinach, tuna and cottage cheese are packed full of goodness and make for a satisfying lunch or dinner. Served with a fresh sweetcorn, tomato and basil salad, they also pack in a whole three of your five-a-day.
Also check out more of our savoury pancake recipes.
6. Coconut & banana pancakes
Good for: dairy-free, nut-free
Bring a touch of tropical sunshine to your breakfast with these vegan coconut milk pancakes, topped with fresh passion fruit and banana. They're simple to make and delicious all-year round.
7. Keto pancakes
Good for: keto
Make these low-carb pancakes with almond flour, instead of regular wheat flour, or blitz ground almonds until fine if you can't get hold of almond flour. Serve with blueberries and keto-friendly syrup.
8. Easy protein pancakes
Good for: sweet high-protein
Up your protein intake with these delicious pancakes made with eggs, oats, milk and a scoop of protein powder. Enjoy with nut butter and fruit for breakfast to refuel after a workout.
9. Spinach crespolini
Good for: low-calorie
These savoury pancakes are stuffed with nutritious spinach, creamy ricotta and a homemade basil and tomato sauce. It provides all of your 5-a-day, too – what's not to love?
10. Blueberry & lemon pancakes
Good for: lower sugar, low-fat
These fluffy little beauties incorporate a very small amount of golden syrup and berries into the batter to give little bursts of fruit and sweetness without the need to top with additional sugar. They’re low-fat, low in salt and freezable, too – so you can keep a stash on standby, ready to defrost as needed.
11. Staffordshire oatcakes with mushrooms
Good for: fibre, dairy-free
Oats are blitzed with water and flour then left overnight to make this nourishing vegan batter. The oatcakes provide a great source of fibre and folate as well as scoring two of your five-a-day. Fill them with juicy tomatoes, mushrooms and tahini for a nutritious breakfast option.
Discover more dairy and egg-free options with our collection of vegan pancake recipes.
12. Potato pancakes with chard & eggs
Good for: low-calorie
Kick-start the weekend with our wholesome yet low-calorie potato and spring onion pancakes. Topped with vibrant chard and a runny egg, this easy recipe makes a healthy brunch for two.
13. Spinach & matcha pancakes
Good for: an extra boost
Our easy spinach pancakes get an extra boost from energy-boosting matcha powder. Top with fresh fruit or yogurt for a vibrant green breakfast or hearty weekend brunch.
14. Socca pancakes with hummus & lemony onions
Good for: vitamins and minerals
If you’ve never tried socca before, give these a go. The batter is made with chickpea flour, which delivers plenty of nutrients, then fried until crispy round the edges. Enjoy hot from the pan with just a scattering of salt, or top with hummus and lemony onions for a filling brunch.
15. Vegan strawberry pancakes
Good for: egg-free
Use soya milk, soya yogurt and wholemeal spelt flour to make these delicious healthy pancakes for breakfast. Use whatever seasonal berries you have to hand – we like strawberries – but blackberries, blueberries and figs would work well, too.
16. Breakfast pancake platter
Good for: a balanced diet
Wow the crowd with this platter of wholemeal American-style pancakes and a variety of sweet and savoury toppings. From smoked salmon and cream cheese to banana and walnuts, there really is something for everyone.
17. Healthy pumpkin pancakes
Good for: freezable
Got a butternut squash to use up? It’s time to rustle up these healthy pancakes. The sweet flavour of squash lends itself well to this easy brunch dish. Drizzle with maple syrup and sprinkle with cinnamon for a warming treat.
18. Omelette pancakes with tomato & pepper sauce
Good for: low-calorie, protein
Somewhere between a wafer-thin omelette and a crêpe, these savoury pancakes are made from a batter of whisked eggs, a splash of water and seasoning. The sauce is loaded with all the goodness of basil, yellow peppers and tomatoes and you can serve them with a fresh green salad for added crunch.
Omelette pancakes with tomato & pepper sauce
19. Coconut flour pancakes
Good for: fibre, low-carb, gluten-free
These fluffy gluten-free pancakes are made using coconut flour, which is high in fibre, a pinch of cinnamon and a touch of maple syrup for sweetness. Served with tart berries, it makes a delicious free-from brunch.
20. Healthy Easter bunny pancakes
Good for: kids
Celebrate Easter with these cute rabbit pancakes – a fun and healthy breakfast treat for kids. Use whole or semi-skimmed milk for under-fives and get kids involved in the decorating.
Enjoyed this? Now try...
10 ways to make your Pancake Day free-from
Easy healthy breakfast ideas
The best healthy overnight oats recipes
Our favourite high-protein breakfast recipes
Top 10 vegan pancake recipes
10 gluten-free pancake recipes
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