Recipe: Vegan chocolate pancakes

Go ahead and eat chocolate for breakfast – at least if you’re having it in these vegan chocolate pancakes. Make this healthier version of chocolate pancakes for your entire family.

Serves 12

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cups whole-grain gluten-free flour
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
• 1 tablespoon vegan mini chocolate chips
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup unsweetened, unflavored almond milk
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or ¼ teaspoon stevia powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce

Directions 

Combine the dry ingredients, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, flax, chocolate chips and salt, in a medium bowl. Whisk until fully combined.

Combine the wet ingredients, almond milk, maple syrup, vanilla and vinegar, in a small bowl, and whisk well. This will create a vegan buttermilk for your pancakes.

Add the vegan buttermilk and the applesauce to the flour mixture, and stir until the batter is combined.

Let the batter stand for 10 minutes while it rises and thickens as the flaxseeds soak; it may nearly double in size.

Heat a nonstick skillet or electric skillet griddle over medium heat and spray with a tiny bit of nonstick spray, if desired. If you have a large skillet, you can cook multiple pancakes at once. Scoop the batter into 3-inch rounds. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until the bubbles have burst in each of the pancakes and the tops start to appear dry. Flip the pancakes and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more. You should get 12 pancakes total.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):
70 calories, 1.5g fat (0g saturated fat), 65mg sodium, 12g carbohydrates, 2g protein, 2g fiber

Adapted from: Forks Over Knives
Reviewed by PeaceHealth dietitians and nutritionists.