When I took a stroll through my pancake archives the other week, I felt a guilty pang at how long it’d been since I’d made some of the recipes I repeatedly avowed as fantastic. Several recipes I’ve made ad nauseam in the over the period of a few days until the kinks were worked out but I no longer wanted to look at them ever again; then there are the heartier pancakes that I have nothing but fond memories of except for the severe cases of freezer burn suffered by several batches by the time I got around to unearthing myself from the latest pile of pancakes.
These in particular, I remember as being quite tasty, but even I did a double take after re-inspecting the recipe. Could they really be THAT tasty with no added fat in the form of tenderizing, enriching butter or fluff-inducing oil?
I remixed the recipe with finely chopped apples last weekend and found that the answer was yes—they really are very, very good with no added fat—not even peanut butter in this instance. These are supple, but not chewy. Sweet, but subtly so. They’re metaphorically sweet, not trying to bash you over the head with a satanic, sycophantic sugar rush that tricks you into eating five pancakes and then leaves you in a complete sludge of worthlessness for the rest of the day.
Yeah, none of that. So what is the significance of these pancakes? First, I had a lot of apples. More importantly, they got me out of my pancake rut. For weeks, the Pancake Fridays series has gone missing because I’ve been on edge about doing the next BESTTHINGEVER with a pancake recipe. Trying to think so far out that I lost sight of the box. These brought me back to planet Earth: okay, pancakes can be simple. They can even be relatively healthy, yet create the heavenly smell of churros in your kitchen that will waft under your boyfriend’s nose just before you set a plate of breakfast in front of him while he’s still half-asleep in bed. Yup. AND today I made him waffles. Because it’s Valentine’s Day. Do I get bonus points?
So, Happy Valentine’s Day! Whether you’re single, taken, a cynic, hopeless romantic, or somewhere in between, I hope you’re doing something fun or slightly indulgent to enjoy this ridiculous holiday! At the very least, I hope you (won’t) join me in picking up discounted heart-shaped candy tomorrow. I mean with grocery stores like that, who needs a boyfriend?
Whole Wheat Apple Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 large egg
- 1.5 tablespoons honey warmed until runny if solified
- 1 cup buttermilk OR milk of your choice + 1 tablespoon white or apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 1.5 cups finely chopped apple I used a mix of gala and granny smith
Instructions
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, honey, buttermilk and vanilla. Fold in apples. Stir the apple mixture into the dry ingredients until just incorporated. Let rest while you preheat a lightly greased pan over medium heat.
- Spoon batter ¼ cup at a time into the preheated pan. Cook for about two minutes on each side, until pancakes are golden on both sides.
hii
use of baking soda and baking powder is compulsary?
Hi Monika–yes, I highly recommend using both, otherwise your pancakes will turn out very flat! 🙂
I’ve been missing your pancake recipes! I normally avoid them for breakfast since I’m not a big fan of super sweet first thing in the morning, but these look great! Love the photos as always.
Aww thanks Natasha! These are definitely not super sweet, unlike the cake I’ve been eating for breakfast lately… :/ But I mean what’s new.
So anyway, thanks 🙂
These look so healthy and delicious Erika!! Love the apple pie idea with lots of apples in them. Apples are my very favorite fruit. Love that they are oil-free and basically fat-free. You rock girl!! Beautiful, as always!
Thanks Brandi!! You are the sweetest 🙂
Lol, I’m most definitely going to be joining you in buying discounted candy! That’s one of the best parts of Valentines (the other best part being pigging out on all things sweet ‘n indulgent). Lucky Erik. Can I move in with you guys and also get pancakes and waffles? I’ve really missed your pancake friday series, Erika. I know what you mean about always trying to go bigger and better. Sometimes, I’m so sick and tired of stuffing and filling and topping my desserts with ten crazy add-ons. It’s always nice to go back to the basics. These look delicious and I love that they’re healthy. Fabulous return to form!
HOO yeah. Amen to the all things sweet ‘n indulgent. Yes you can move in with us!! Obvs. Just bring that peanut butter chocolate frosting kthx. And thank you–what a welcome back! 🙂
Oh your photos are just so amazing.. <3
Thanks so much Kammie! I’ve been trying out different styles of photos lately. Thanks for your kind words 🙂
I love pancake Fridays! Going to make these yummy little guys on Sunday. Pinned this one…
Thanks Bam! Hope you enjoy–let me know how your boys liked them! 🙂
Girl, the best part about Valentine’s Day is the 50% candy. FOR SURE. Except I am one of those who can’t stop at one chocolate so I mayyyy not be hitting up the sales this year. I seriously have a problem. But I love your description of people and their feelings about Valentine’s Day. I also love this recipe. After making waffles yesterday, I still feel that pancakes hold my heart. Check back in a few months, though, and you may have a different answer here.
Oh my goshhh so I went to Kroger today and guess what? NO DISCOUNTED CANDY. Shelves were BARE. I guess I should have known better than to wait until the day after the day after Valentine’s Day :((( Oh wellll. Thanks girl 🙂
OUTSTANDINGGG pancakes!