Start your holiday mornings on a high note with these healthy gingerbread pancakes! Fluffy, spiced and satisfying, these pancakes are packed with nutritious ingredients that will keep you feeling great throughout the day. Let’s explore why this recipe is a fantastic choice for your holiday breakfast.
Whole Grain Flour
Using whole-grain flour boosts the fibre content of these pancakes, helping you stay fuller for longer while supporting healthy digestion. Whole grain flours have all three parts of the kernel such as the bran, germ and endosperm. Some whole-grain flours include barley, oats, rye and spelt.
Spices for Flavour and Health
These pancakes are flavoured with a delightful mix of ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and cloves. Not only do these spices add warmth and flavour, but they also have health benefits:
- Ginger can aid digestion and reduce inflammation.
- Cinnamon is known for its antioxidant properties and may help regulate blood sugar levels.
- Cloves and nutmeg add depth and are loaded with antioxidants
Protein boost
Want to take your pancakes to the next level? Consider adding protein powder! This simple addition increases the protein content, making your breakfast even more filling and supportive of muscle recovery—perfect after a morning of holiday festivities!
Incorporating Greek yogurt not only keeps the pancakes moist but also provides a great source of protein and probiotics, which are beneficial for gut health. Additionally, using egg whites enhances the protein content further!
Molasses
Unlike refined sugar which offers little nutritional value, molasses has many nutrients like iron, calcium, and potassium. Plus, it gives these pancakes that traditional gingerbread taste!
Healthy Holiday Gingerbread Pancakes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Dietitian Tip:
For an extra kick of gingerbread flavour, consider doubling the spices in this recipe!
- 1 cup and 2 tbsp whole grain flour
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
- ⅛ tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp unsalted butter or coconut oil, melted
- 1 large egg white, room temperature
- 1 and ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- 1 and ½ tbsp molasses
- 1 tbsp plain white vinegar
- ¼ cup milk
- 6 tbsp water
- (Optional: 2 scoops protein powder for an extra protein boost)
Directions:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, spices, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, mix the melted butter (or coconut oil), egg white, and vanilla. Stir in the Greek yogurt, molasses, vinegar, milk, and water until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Lightly spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat it over low.
- For each pancake, pour about 2 tablespoons of batter onto the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until bubbles form, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Serve warm, and enjoy the delicious holiday flavours!
These healthy gingerbread pancakes are a delightful way to celebrate your holiday morning. Not only do they taste fantastic, but they also provide essential nutrients to keep you energized for all your holiday activities. So gather your loved ones, whip up a batch, and enjoy.
Happy holidays and see you next year for more delicious recipes!
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Recipe adapted from:
https://amyshealthybaking.com/blog/2019/12/15/healthy-gingerbread-pancakes/ - All about grain flours. All About Grain Flours – Unlock Food. (n.d.). https://www.unlockfood.ca/en/Articles/Cooking-And-Food/Grain-Products/All-About-Grain-Flours.aspx
