Kick up your stack of flapjacks with this family favorite recipe for light and fluffy Banana Nut Pancakes.
You show me a banana and I’ll show you my favorite banana pie, my favorite banana granola muffins, my favorite banana pudding, and now, my favorite pancakes.
A few weeks ago I was chatting with my mom, Noni, and she mentioned she’d been buying bananas every week, letting them get to the speckled stage, and then mashing and mixing them with pancake batter. It took me all of 14 seconds to get to my nearest grocery store and test out the technique this past weekend.
Forget adding slices of banana to your ‘cakes as they cook, because once you try mashed, you’ll never go back. The banana flavor is just intense enough to be enjoyed in every bite, while the crunch of chopped pecans adds a welcome textural contrast. Just like the cake-freezing technique, the taco chips in the turkey chili bowl tip and the espresso in chocolate cake trick, my mom never ceases to amaze me with her culinary ingenuity!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon white sugar
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 4 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- Vegetable oil, for pan-frying
- Maple syrup, for serving
Instructions
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a large mixing bowl then set it aside.
- In a separate bowl, mash together the bananas with the milk, egg and melted butter.
- Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet, stirring to combine, then stir in the nuts. Allow the batter to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Heat a large sauté pan over medium-low heat and add just enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan, allowing it to heat for 2 to 3 minutes. (See Kelly’s Notes.)
- In batches, scoop 3 to 4 tablespoons of batter into the pan to form pancakes. Cook the pancakes on one side until bubbles appear in the center, then flip them once and continue cooking them until they’re no longer doughy in the center. Serve the pancakes with your choice of toppings, including maple syrup, fresh fruit or whipped cream.
Kelly’s Notes:
- The true indication for when to flip a pancake is when tiny bubbles appear in the center. Flip it any sooner and you’ll be left with a runny mess!
- A fish spatula is my go-to gadget for flipping pancakes since it is small and flexible enough to easily maneuver in a pan.
- There’s no need to waste an entire pancake’s worth of batter to determine if you oil is hot enough. Instead, simply add a tiny drop of batter to the pre-heated pan. It should sizzle immediately, otherwise your pan is not hot enough and the pancakes will become sponges soaking up any and all oil.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
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Pancake batter recipe adapted from Good Old Fashioned Pancakes.
I expected these to be tasty, but WOW, they are fantastic! I used walnuts because I didn’t have pecans on hand and once plated, topped this yumminess with sliced bananas and chopped walnuts. I enjoyed every single bite! Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Sasha!
I’ve tried tons, TONS, of pancake recipes. These BY FAR, are the most delicious pancakes I’ve tried!!! I even left out the sugar and only used 2TB butter and they were fluffy and soooo soo good!! Shared this recipe with my mom! I like putting these in the toaster! Crispy on the outside! Love love love!! Thank you!!
I’m so thrilled to read this, Amy!
These are the best pancakes I’ve ever made. I used walnuts.
I’m so happy to read this!
Honestly, the best pancake recipe to date! I added some vanilla powder and almond extract. Yum!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Anna!
Loved this recipe..This will be my go to recipe for pancakes. Can you this batter for waffles.
I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipe, Charrette!
Your banana nut pancakes were delicious and a hit this morning. My husband rated th e m 10. Will definitely be making them again.
I’m so happy to hear that you and your husband enjoyed the recipe, Marlene!
Made pancake recipe this morning. Delicious. Added 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon. Will be making again. Husband enjoyed it.
I never write reviews, but just made these again and they are too amazing not to review. My kids always get excited when they see ripe bananas, because they know I’ll make these pancakes. These are our FAVORITE pancakes of any recipe tried. I always make a double batch as the recipe is written. Can’t get any better. Thanks for sharing this with the world!!
Love, love, LOVE reading this, Tina! I’m so happy your family has been enjoying the recipe!
Made these this am. It’s a keeper. I halved the recipe because it’s just my wife & I. Also subbed walnuts. Delicious.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Sean!
These were great! Used extra creamy oat milk (instead of whole milk) and walnuts (instead of pecans), turned out delicious. I enjoyed these with and without syrup!
Amazing! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, RR!
These are delicious, so easy and tasty. Ate them as they came off the griddle, no syrup. My 17 yr old enjoyed them and my 6yr old grandson is going to enjoy making these.
I’m so thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Tina!