Vegan Blueberry Pancakes: A Healthier Breakfast Choice

There's something magical about a warm stack of blueberry pancakes: fluffy, bursting with fresh blueberries and dripping with sweetness. But what if you could enjoy this classic breakfast treat while keeping it both vegan and gluten-free? Whether you're living a plant-based lifestyle, avoiding gluten or dairy, or simply looking for a healthier way to indulge, this vegan blueberry pancake recipe is the perfect fix.

Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, this Sunday morning treat offers all the comfort of traditional pancakes with the added health benefits of blueberries. These vibrantly colored fruits contain powerful health-promoting antioxidants that help protect your body from oxidative stress and support memory health.

Today, we'll share a quick and easy recipe that will have you flipping pancakes in no time, along with some tips to make sure they turn out perfectly every single time.

What are the best ingredients for vegan blueberry pancakes?

When making this vegan blueberry pancake recipe, it's important to use ingredients that will help create a fluffy, flavorful and nutritious pancake without relying on dairy or eggs. Here are some of the key ingredients you can use to make delicious vegan blueberry pancakes:

• Flour.

  If keeping the recipe gluten-free is important to you, the best option is all purpose gluten-free flour. Otherwise, using regular all-purpose flour will do the trick. Spelt flour can be another healthy option if gluten is not a problem.
• Baking powder. This is a key ingredient for creating fluffy and airy pancakes.

• Banana.

  Using a very ripe banana will not only bring some natural sweetness, but when combined with the baking powder, it helps the pancake raise and maintain that fluffy texture.

• Blueberries.

  Blueberries are considered one of the healthiest berries due to their high concentration of antioxidants, which bring important benefits to our brain and heart health. Low in calories and high in fiber, they offer an array of vitamins and minerals.

How can I make my pancakes fluffier without dairy?

Fluffy blueberry pancakes without dairy and eggs? Totally possible! There is no need to use any egg replacement powders in this recipe. We've incorporated the combination of ripe banana and baking powder to bring that nice fluff.

And replacing dairy with plant-based milk provides you with ample options to play with. You can use any plant-based milk, yet my favorite milk for this recipe is organic soy milk.

What are some popular toppings for vegan pancakes?

One of the best things about blueberry pancakes for breakfast is having endless options for toppings to satisfy your desires. Play with textures and flavors to truly enjoy this pancake experience.

Here are a few delicious and nutrition-dense options you may enjoy:

• Fresh berries or compote (if you prefer to keep the berries outside the batter)
• Shredded coconut
• Hemp seeds
• Crushed toasted nuts such as walnuts, pecans, almonds
• Whipped coconut cream
• Cinnamon

Can I use frozen blueberries?

It is best to use fresh blueberries in this recipe. If you opt to use frozen blueberries, the batter may become too watery; add more flour to make it thicker if you go this route. Please note that by using frozen blueberries, the batter may turn purple.

How to Make Vegan Blueberry Pancakes

This recipe makes eight pancakes, with two servings of four pancakes each.

Ingredients

• 1 very ripe banana (mashed)
• 1 tsp maple syrup (or another liquid sweetener)
• ¾ cup plant-based milk (organic soy, or other preference)
• 1 teaspoon olive oil or avocado oil
• 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
• ¼ tsp Himalayan pink salt

Preparation

• Mix the wet ingredients:

  In a medium bowl, mash the ripe, peeled banana with a fork. Once the banana is fully mashed, add the plant-based milk of choice, liquid sweetener and oil. Add the optional vanilla extract, if preferred. Give it a good whisk until everything is incorporated.

• Add the dry ingredients:

  To the same bowl containing the already-mixed wet ingredients, add the flour, salt and baking powder, plus the optional cinnamon, if preferred. Whisk until incorporated but do not overmix; it is okay to have few lumps left in the batter. Fold in the blueberries gently.

• Let batter rest:

  This is a VERY important step! Once all ingredients are mixed in, set the batter aside on your kitchen counter and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This is the perfect time to clean up a bit and get your pan and stove ready for the magic.

• Cook the pancakes:

  Turn the stove on medium heat (number 5 on your stove if it goes by numbers). Place the pan or griddle on the stove and wait for it to heat up. Spray some oil (olive oil/avocado oil) on the hot pan. Using an ice cream scoop or a ¼ measuring cup, slowly pour the batter onto the hot pan. Unless using a large griddle or oversized pan, cook no more than two pancakes at a time.

• Flip at the right time:

  The pancake will be ready to flip once you see the batter bubble throughout most of the batter. This ensures the batter is being cooked all the way through. As a guide, allow the batter to cook for 1.5 minutes on each side. This will depend on how hot your pan is.

• Enjoy your breakfast!

  Stack the prepared pancakes and add your favorite toppings along with some maple syrup or liquid sweetener of choice.

Nutritional values per serving*

Calories: 395
Fat: 4.5 g
Protein: 13 g
Carbohydrates: 64 g
Fiber: 12 g
Sugar: 16 g
Sodium: 250 mg

*All nutritional information in this recipe is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes.

Tips for Success

A few key tips can ensure your pancakes turn out fluffy, delicious and perfectly cooked. Here are some helpful tips for success when making your vegan blueberry pancakes:

1. Do not overmix the batter.

Overmixing the batter can result in dense, rubbery pancakes. Gluten-free batters can be sensitive to overmixing, which may lead to tough pancakes.

Tip: Stir the batter just until the ingredients are just combined, even if it looks a little lumpy. Gently folding in the blueberries at the end will help avoid breaking them up.

2. Let the batter rest.

Letting the pancake batter rest for about 5–10 minutes allows the flour to fully hydrate and gives the baking powder time to activate. This results in fluffy pancakes.

Tip: If the batter thickens too much while resting, add a splash of plant-based milk to loosen it up.

3. Adjust the heat of the pan.

Cooking pancakes on too high heat can result in burnt outsides and raw insides. On too low heat, the pancakes will take too long to cook and may dry out. Medium heat is ideal for cooking pancakes.

Tip: If you're unsure, do a "test pancake" with a small sample to ensure the heat is right.

4. Don't overcrowd the pan.

If you place too many pancakes in the pan at once, they won't have enough space to cook evenly and can stick together. Just do one or two at a time; this allows the pancakes to cook evenly and gives you space to flip them without mess.

5. Be patient while cooking.

Flipping pancakes too early can result in a messy, undercooked center. Patience is key to getting perfectly cooked pancakes.

Tip: Wait until you see bubbles forming on the middle and edges of the pancake before flipping. This ensures that the pancake is cooked enough on one side to hold together when flipped.

6. Measure the flour correctly.

Measuring flour too densely can result in too much flour in the batter, which can lead to heavy, dry pancakes.

Tip: Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife for an accurate measurement.

How do I store and reheat leftover pancakes?

While pancakes are best enjoyed fresh, these vegan pancakes are freezer friendly. Once they are cooled, store them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for 1-2 days, or in the freezer for a month. Reheat in a toaster or air fryer for a few minutes.

Do vegan blueberry pancakes give you enough blueberries?

An occasional breakfast with tasty blueberry pancakes can nourish your wellness journey, but don't stop there! Snacking on fresh blueberries alone or taking a daily supplement is a good way to incorporate the benefits of blueberries into your everyday routine. Wild blueberry extracts make it easy to protect cells from oxidizing free radicals, help maintain already-healthy cholesterol and blood-sugar levels and promote your memory health.

References

• Wang Y, et al. "Effects of Blueberry Consumption on Cardiovascular Health in Healthy Adults: A Cross-Over Randomised Controlled Trial." Nutrients. June 2022. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9268639/
• Wood E, et al. "Wild blueberry (poly)phenols can improve vascular function and cognitive performance in healthy older individuals: a double-blind randomized controlled trial." Am J Clin Nutr. June 2023.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36972800/
• "Blueberries." SNAP-Ed Connection/ U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/resources/nutrition-education-materials/seasonal-produce-guide/blueberries