Are you looking for a quick and clean spring brunch idea this long weekend? I’ve got you covered! These drool-worthy Banana Maca Pancakes are made with just 3 main ingredients, packed full of nutrition and protein, plus they’re dairy free, gluten free and vegetarian. Topped with my fresh Raspberry Maple Syrup, they’re always a hit!
BANANA MACA PANCAKES WITH RASPBERRY MAPLE SYRUP
Chances are if you’re into healthy eating, you’ve seen the classic banana protein pancake recipe floating around the internet for years. All you need are 2 eggs, one banana and a blender to make pancake batter! The first time I stumbled on that recipe, I didn’t believe that it would actually work (or taste at all like pancakes), so I had to try it out for myself. Well, I was wrong — the pancakes were great (even boyfriend approved!), and I found myself making them quite often.
Awhile ago I purchased some organic maca powder from Vitacost after I had come across a few smoothie recipes that used it. Maca root is an ancient Andean vegetable crop that’s been growing in Peru for over 3000 years, but lately it’s been generating buzz as a superfood. It’s brimming with proteins and vital nutrients that are beneficial for increasing libido, helping with PMS and menopause symptoms, increasing energy, stabilizing mood and sleep, and contributing to healthy skin and hair.
The first time I tried maca powder in a smoothie I liked the caramelly, almost malted taste it added, but I found that it irritated my stomach. After a bit of research I discovered that traditionally maca is always cooked. So, one day I decided to add some maca powder to my banana-egg pancakes, and loved that way they tasted! Adding maca powder made the pancakes fluffier, richer and even more delicious.
That same day, we were running low on maple syrup, but had lots of fresh berries on hand. So, I added the rest of our maple syrup to my Vitamix, along with a handful of fresh raspberries, and blended. Voila — Raspberry Maple Syrup was born! It’s a great way to lighten and change-up traditional maple syrup, while taking advantage of seasonal produce.
INGREDIENTS
Serves 1: makes 4 – 5, 4″ diameter pancakes
Banana Maca Pancakes
• 1 banana
• 2 eggs (organic or free-run if possible)
• 1 tbsp organic maca powder
Raspberry Maple Syrup
• 1/8 cup organic 100% pure maple syrup
• 1/8 cup fresh raspberries (or whatever berries you have on hand)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Warm a non-stick pan over low heat for 5 minutes. In the meantime, combine all ingredients in your Vitamix (or similar) and blend until smooth to make the batter.
2. Once the pan is warm, add approximately 1/8 tbsp of virgin coconut oil to your pan. It’s important not to overdo the oil — just coat the bottom of the pan in a thin layer. Pour your pancake batter into the pan to form a 4″ diameter pancake, and cook for 2 minutes per side. Repeat the process of adding coconut oil to the pan each time you cook a pancake.
3. You’ll know the pancake is ready to flip when small bubbles begin to form on the surface and the batter loses its shiny appearance.
Tips
• Don’t use overripe bananas. The batter won’t stick together and the pancakes will turn into a big mess when you try to flip them!
• Use a large, non-stick pan, this will make the pancakes easier to flip and remain intact.
4. Prepare the Raspberry Maple Syrup by combining all ingredients in your Vitamix (or similar) and blend until smooth. You can pour over this over pancakes, ice cream, yogurt parfaits, oatmeal, etc. This is a very versatile sauce that keeps in the fridge for about a week if you have leftovers.
- 1 banana
- 2 eggs (organic or free-run if possible)
- 1 tbsp organic maca powder
- 1/8 cup organic 100% pure maple syrup
- 1/8 cup fresh raspberries (or whatever berries you have on hand)
-
Warm a non-stick pan over low heat for 5 minutes. In the meantime, combine all ingredients in your Vitamix (or similar) and blend until smooth to make the batter.
-
Once the pan is warm, add approximately 1/8 tbsp of virgin coconut oil to your pan. It's important not to overdo the oil -- just coat the bottom of the pan in a thin layer. Pour your pancake batter into the pan to form a 4" diameter pancake, and cook for 2 minutes per side. Repeat the process of adding coconut oil to the pan each time you cook a pancake.
-
You'll know the pancake is ready to flip when small bubbles begin to form on the surface and the batter loses its shiny appearance.
Tips:
• Don't use overripe bananas. The batter won't stick together and the pancakes will turn into a big mess when you try to flip them!
• Use a large, non-stick pan, this will make the pancakes easier to flip and remain intact. -
Prepare the Raspberry Maple Syrup by combining all ingredients in your Vitamix (or similar) and blend until smooth. You can pour over this over pancakes, ice cream, yogurt parfaits, oatmeal, etc. This is a very versatile sauce that keeps in the fridge for about a week if you have leftovers.
Where can I buy Maca Powder?
Your local health food store will likely have maca root powder. I purchased the organic maca powder I used in this recipe from Vitacost, and found the price to by much more affordable than my local health food stores.
I buy a lot of my organic and hard-to-find ingredients online at vitacost.com and have been a long time customer. Their prices are amazing, the selection of ingredients is vast, and I’m always happy with their customer service. Plus they have $9.99 flat rate shipping to Canada, without any additional duty or brokerage fees. If you’re interested in ordering some healthy goodies from Vitacost, and you haven’t ordered from them before, you’re welcome to use my referral link for $10 your first purchase of $30 or more.
What are your favourite healthy pancake recipes? If you have a recommendation, I’d love to hear about it! And if you try my Banana Maca Pancakes or Raspberry Maple Syrup, please let me know how you like them.
Thank you to The Calgary Herald for featuring this recipe.
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored, and contains my genuine thoughts and recommendations. JustineCelina uses affiliate and referral links, which allow me to receive a small commission when you make a purchase through one of my links. Your purchases help to support JustineCelina.com!
