Healthy Banana Pancakes

I absolutely love trying out new recipes for waffles and pancakes.  I’ve always steered clear of the recipes calling for vinegar though because I thought it sounded so odd and was afraid I’d be able to taste it.  I finally tried it and you can’t taste it at all!  It’s actually just used to cause a reaction in your baking/cooking and makes them more fluffy.  Even my husband liked them and said they taste like “real” pancakes! ;) Homemade healthy pancakes for the win!!

Homemade Healthy Banana Pancakes

• 1 cup + 2 tbsp white whole wheat flour or gluten-free* flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp unsalted butter or coconut oil, melted
• 1 large egg white, room temperature
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup (130g) mashed banana (about 1 medium)
• 2 tbsp (30mL) white vinegar
• 1 tsp pure maple syrup
• ½ cup (120mL) nonfat milk
• ¼ cup (60mL) water
• optional: maple syrup for serving (or peanut butter is yummy, too)

1. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the butter, egg white, and vanilla. Stir in the mashed banana, stirring until no large lumps remain. Stir in the vinegar and maple syrup. Stir in the milk. Alternate between adding the flour mixture and the water, beginning and ending with the flour, stirring just until incorporated. (For best results, add the flour mixture in 3 equal parts.)
2. Lightly coat a large nonstick pan or griddle with nonstick cooking spray, and briefly preheat over low heat.
3. Using a scant 2 tablespoons of batter for each pancake, dollop the batter onto the hot pan, and spread into a circular shape using a spatula or back of a spoon (if desired). Let the pancakes cook for 2-3 minutes, or until a slight skin starts to form around the edges and the top turns a deeper shade of brown. Slide a spatula underneath, and flip. Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes or until cooked through. Re-coat the pan with nonstick cooking spray, and repeat with the remaining batter.      *Recipe from Amy’s Healthy Baking blog*