Cinnamon Buckwheat Pancakes with Blueberry Syrup and Caramelized Bananas

An update on an old blog recipe from 2014! These pancakes are fluffy, comforting and filling. Buckwheat is a great whole grain, fibre packed, gluten free flour. It has a rich nutty flavour and is packed with protein and calcium. If you are not gluten intolerant, feel free to mix buckwheat flour with another flour of your choice to lessen the buckwheat flavour. Also these can be made vegan by substituting the egg with a flax or chia eggs (1 tbsp flax or chia to 3 tbsp water…resting in the fridge for at least 15 minutes). I sweetened the batter of these pancakes with coconut sugar which is a really tasty brown coloured sugar made naturally from coconuts. Unlike regular table sugar, coconut sugar contains iron, zinc, calcium and potassium. It also contains the fibre inulin, which slows glucose absorption which will help stabilize blood sugar and keep you fuller, longer.

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe bananas
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1 cup buckwheat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3 tbsp coconut sugar plus extra for sprinkling on caramelized bananas
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• pinch salt
• coconut oil, ghee, or avocado oil for frying
• 1 cup blueberries
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup

Directions:

1. Mash one banana in a bowl with a fork until minimal chunks remain. Add almond milk, vanilla, and egg. Whisk until combined.

2. In another bowl, mix buckwheat flour, baking powder, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

3. All at once, add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Place batter aside.

4.For the caramelized bananas heat 1 tbsp of coconut oil on medium-hight. Slice bananas thinly and coat in coconut sugar. Fry on each side for about 4-5 minutes or until golden. Place on a plate.

5.Preheat skillet on medium heat with about a tbsp of oil. Ladle desired amount of batter in the skillet and using the back of your spoon, form into circles. Cook until surface begins to bubble, then flip and cook on the opposite side for another 30 seconds. Transfer the cooked pancakes to a baking sheet and place in a preheated 200 degree Fahrenheit oven to keep warm. Add more coconut oil if needed to skillet so the pancakes do not stick.

6. While the pancakes are cooking, place blueberries and maple syrup in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and allow to cook until until blueberries have bursted and cooked down, approx. 6-7 minutes.