If you’re looking for a breakfast that feels cozy and just a little bit special, this Fluffy Banana Pancakes Recipe is your new best friend. I absolutely love how tender and airy these pancakes turn out, all while carrying that naturally sweet, comforting banana flavor. They’re perfect for weekend mornings when you want something homemade but don’t want to fuss too much.
What makes this Fluffy Banana Pancakes Recipe such a winner for me is how easy it is to work with overripe bananas—an ingredient that’s often just waiting to be tossed out. Once you try this recipe, you’ll find that whipping up these pancakes is quick and rewarding, with a texture that impresses every time. You really can’t beat a stack of these with maple syrup dripping down at your Sunday brunch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You’ll likely have everything in your kitchen already, so no last-minute grocery runs.
- Perfect Texture: The pancakes come out light and fluffy, not dense or gummy.
- Great for Overripe Bananas: Turns bananas that are too ripe into something delicious instead of waste.
- Kid and Family Friendly: My family goes crazy for these, especially when I sneak in a little cinnamon for extra warmth.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together in just a few minutes, creating a batter you’ll love flipping in the pan. I always recommend using aluminum-free baking powder to avoid any metallic aftertaste, plus cinnamon adds a subtle warmth that pairs so well with banana.
- All-purpose flour: This gives pancakes their structure — no need for specialty flours for this recipe.
- Baking powder (aluminum-free): The secret weapon to that wonderful fluffiness in your pancakes.
- Cinnamon: Adds cozy flavor and pairs beautifully with banana.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
- Mature bananas: The riper, the better — they’re sweeter and mash easier.
- Egg: Helps bind everything and adds richness.
- Milk: Moistens the batter; I usually stick with whole or 2% for best results.
- Banana (sliced, for serving): Fresh slices add a nice texture contrast when served.
- Maple syrup: I always serve with this classic for that sticky, sweet finish.
Variations
One of my favorite things about this Fluffy Banana Pancakes Recipe is how easy it is to tweak for different tastes or dietary needs. Don’t be afraid to experiment — you can make this your own!
- Gluten-free: I swapped the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend once and the pancakes turned out just as fluffy—just make sure your baking powder is gluten-free too!
- Vegan: I’ve replaced the egg with flaxseed meal mixed with water and used plant-based milk. The texture shifts slightly but still super tasty.
- Extra protein: Adding a scoop of protein powder or a tablespoon of nut butter into the batter can make it extra satisfying for busy mornings.
- Fruit toppings: Blueberries or chopped walnuts stirred into the batter make for an extra pop of flavor and texture that my kids adore.
How to Make Fluffy Banana Pancakes Recipe
Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients Thoroughly
Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. I like to really give this a good mix so the leavening agent is evenly distributed—this helps the pancakes rise evenly and prevents any bitter pockets. Set this aside for a moment.
Step 2: Combine the Bananas, Egg, and Milk
In a larger bowl, mash your overripe bananas until mostly smooth (a few lumps add character and texture!). Then beat in the egg until the mix is cohesive, followed by whisking in the milk. This wet mixture should be well blended because it forms the batter’s base.
Step 3: Incorporate Dry into Wet Ingredients
Now, whisk the dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture. The batter will be a little lumpy—that’s totally fine and actually a good sign you’re not overmixing. Overmixing creates tough pancakes, which is the last thing we want here!
Step 4: Cook Your Pancakes with Care
Heat a nonstick pan over medium and lightly spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking without adding too much grease. Use a ⅓-cup measuring cup to pour batter onto the pan—about 3-4 pancakes at a time depending on your pan size. Cook for 2-3 minutes until you see the tops puffing and the undersides turn golden brown, then flip carefully and cook 1-2 minutes more until cooked through. Patience is key here!
Step 5: Serve Warm with Your Favorite Toppings
Stack your pancakes, top with fresh banana slices, and drizzle generously with maple syrup. I love how the warmth of the pancakes softens those fresh slices, making each bite extra luscious and sweet.
Pro Tips for Making Fluffy Banana Pancakes Recipe
- Ripe Bananas Only: I learned the trick that only really ripe, spotty bananas give the best natural sweetness and moisture.
- Don’t Overmix: Folding gently keeps the batter light and minimizes gluten development, so you get fluffier pancakes.
- Medium Heat Works Best: Too hot and the outside burns before the center cooks; too low and pancakes won’t puff up nicely.
- Measure Your Batter: Using a ⅓-cup scoop ensures all pancakes are the same size and cook evenly.
How to Serve Fluffy Banana Pancakes Recipe
Garnishes
I like to pile on fresh banana slices and a light dusting of cinnamon for warmth. Sometimes, I add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch, which adds a lovely contrast to the soft pancakes.
Side Dishes
These pancakes go wonderfully with crisp bacon or a side of scrambled eggs if you want to round out your breakfast. For a veggie boost, I usually serve a small fruit salad or fresh berries alongside for color and freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve stacked these Banana Pancakes Recipe with layers of yogurt and granola between each pancake, turning it into a sweet, fun parfait tower. Drizzling caramel or chocolate sauce instead of syrup makes it feel like a treat-worthy brunch dish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To keep them from drying out, layering parchment paper between pancakes works wonders so they don’t stick together.
Freezing
Freezing is a game changer. After cooking, I let pancakes cool completely, then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen solid, I stack and store them in freezer bags, which is so convenient for busy mornings.
Reheating
When reheating, I pop pancakes in the toaster or warm them in a skillet over low heat to keep edges crispy and texture close to freshly made. Microwaving works in a pinch but can make them a little soggy.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen bananas for this Fluffy Banana Pancakes Recipe?
Yes! Frozen bananas can be thawed and mashed for this recipe. They tend to be extra soft and sweet, which is perfect, but make sure to drain any excess liquid if needed, so your batter isn’t too runny.
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How do I get my banana pancakes extra fluffy?
Two things: use aluminum-free baking powder for best rise, and don’t overmix the batter. A few lumps are totally okay and keep pancakes tender and fluffy instead of dense.
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Can I make the batter ahead of time?
You can mix the batter up to 1 hour ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Just give it a gentle stir before cooking, since baking powder starts activating once wet.
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What’s the best way to store leftover pancakes?
Cool completely, then stack them with parchment paper in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days or freeze for longer storage.
Final Thoughts
This Fluffy Banana Pancakes Recipe is one that I keep coming back to because it’s both easy and feels like a little morning hug in pancake form. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or a crowd, these pancakes show up beautifully every time, with a balance of sweetness and fluffiness that I’m sure you’ll appreciate as much as my family does. So go ahead, grab those overripe bananas and make your breakfast a bit brighter tomorrow!
PrintFluffy Banana Pancakes Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 pancakes (serves 4)
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these fluffy banana pancakes, a perfect blend of ripe banana sweetness and light, airy batter. Ideal for a comforting breakfast, these pancakes are easy to make, tender, and served best with fresh banana slices and maple syrup.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder (aluminum-free)
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup mashed overripe banana (about 1 ½ large bananas)
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup milk
For Serving
- Banana slices
- Maple syrup
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a larger bowl, beat the mashed banana and egg together until smooth. Then whisk in the milk until fully incorporated.
- Make the Batter: Gradually whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. The batter will have slight lumps, which is normal and ideal for fluffy pancakes.
- Preheat the Pan: Heat a large nonstick pan over medium heat and spray it lightly with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Pancakes: Using a ⅓-cup measuring cup, pour 3 to 4 small circles of batter onto the pan. Cook until the pancakes puff up on top and the bottoms turn golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Flip and Finish Cooking: Carefully flip the pancakes and cook the other side until they rise fully and are cooked through, about 1 to 2 minutes more.
- Serve: Arrange pancakes on a plate and top with fresh banana slices and a drizzle of maple syrup. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover pancakes in the refrigerator for up to four days or freeze them for convenient grab-and-go breakfasts.
- Use aluminum-free baking powder to avoid any off-flavors and ensure maximum rise.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep pancakes light and fluffy.
- Make sure the pan is properly preheated for even cooking and to achieve a golden crust.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pancakes
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 37mg