Benefits of Pancakes for Dinner
Here are some reasons to consider flipping pancakes at dinnertime:
- Fun change of pace from regular dinner foods
- Appealing and customizable for kids' picky eating habits
- Make-ahead batter saves time during busy weeknights
- Easily adapted to suit dietary needs and restrictions
- Endless possibilities for creative toppings and fillings
- Leftover pancakes can be reheated for a quick breakfast
With a little creativity, pancakes can be just as nutritious and satisfying as traditional dinner fare.
Tips for Healthy Pancake Dinners
Here are some tips for boosting nutrition when making pancake dinners:
Choose Whole Grains
Opt for whole grain flours like whole wheat or buckwheat. They provide more fiber, protein and minerals than refined white flour.
Pack in Produce
Fold diced fruit or vegetables into batter. Top finished pancakes with fresh fruit, spinach, avocado and more. Blanch veggies first for easier digestion.
Add Protein
Mix high-protein ingredients like Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, almond butter or peanut butter into batter. Top pancakes with eggs, cheese, nuts or lean meat.
Use Healthy Fats
Rather than butter, cook pancakes in olive oil or coconut oil. Drizzle with avocado oil or top with avocado slices.
Swap Syrup for Fruit
Cut added sugars by topping pancakes with fresh fruit or 100% maple syrup instead of flavored syrups.
Portion Control
Watch carbohydrate portions if managing diabetes or weight. Pair pancakes with protein-rich foods.
Savory Pancake Dinner Recipes
Ditch the sweet toppings and take pancakes savory with these creative dinner recipes:
Pizza Pancakes
Top whole wheat pancakes with tomato sauce, low-fat mozzarella, sliced mushrooms, bell peppers and pepperoni. Bake until cheese melts.
Taco Pancakes
Spice up pancakes with taco seasoning. Top with ground turkey, lettuce, tomato, cheese, salsa and guacamole.
Pesto Chicken Pancakes
Spread pesto on pancakes, top with grilled chicken, tomatoes and spinach. Sprinkle with feta cheese.
Cheeseburger Pancakes
Can't decide between pancakes and burgers? Have both! Top pancakes with lean ground beef, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and special sauce.
Breakfast for Dinner Pancakes
Top whole grain pancakes with scrambled eggs, turkey bacon crumbles, avocado and low-fat cheddar for a complete meal.
Southwestern Pancakes
Black bean pancakes topped with eggs, salsa, avocado and hot sauce for a spicy and protein-packed dinner.
Sweet Pancake Dinner Recipes
If you prefer sweet pancake creations, try these nutritious flavor combinations for dinner:
Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
Whole wheat pancakes with baked apple slices, cinnamon and a drizzle of maple syrup. Optional vanilla Greek yogurt on the side.
Pumpkin Pie Pancakes
Pumpkin puree in the batter plus pumpkin pie spice. Top with diced baked apple and walnuts.
Carrot Cake Pancakes
Shredded carrots in the batter plus cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins and crushed pineapple on top.
Banana Split Pancakes
Bananas in the batter. Top with fresh strawberries, dark chocolate chips and a dollop of peanut butter.
Lemon Blueberry Pancakes
Lemon zest in the batter with fresh blueberries on top. Dust with powdered sugar.
Peaches and Cream Pancakes
Diced peaches in the batter, topped with roasted peach slices, honey Greek yogurt and coconut flakes.
Savory Blender Pancake Recipes
Quickly blend up these easy no-mix pancake batters in a blender for dinner:
Spinach Feta Pancakes
Blend eggs, spinach, whole wheat flour, baking powder, milk, feta. Top with tomatoes.
Carrot Cake Pancakes
Blend together eggs, carrots, whole wheat flour, cinnamon, milk, raisins. Top with walnuts.
Chickpea Pancakes
Blend chickpea flour, eggs, garlic powder, baking powder, milk. Top with avocado and hot sauce.
Zucchini Frittata Pancakes
Blend eggs, zucchini, whole wheat flour, garlic powder, nutmeg. Top with parmesan.
Corn and Bacon Pancakes
Blend corn, eggs, whole wheat flour, baking powder, milk, bacon. Top with scallions.
Southwestern Pancakes
Blend black beans, eggs, chili powder, cumin, whole wheat flour, milk. Top with salsa and Greek yogurt.
3-Ingredient Pancake Recipes
These super-simple 3-ingredient pancake recipes come together fast:
Banana Oat Pancakes
Mash ripe bananas with egg and quick oats. Top with peanut butter.
Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Blend cottage cheese with egg and whole wheat flour. Top with strawberries.
Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
Mix canned pumpkin, egg, whole wheat flour and pumpkin pie spice. Top with nuts.
Carrot Pancakes
Grate carrots. Mix with egg and whole wheat flour. Top with raisins and cinnamon.
Green Pancakes
Blend spinach with egg and whole wheat flour. Top with avocado and hot sauce.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Pancakes
Stir chocolate chips into batter of mashed banana, egg and oats. Dust with cinnamon.
Vegetable Pancake Recipes
Veggies add nutrients, flavor and color to pancake dinners. Try these combinations:
Sweet Potato Pancakes
Mash cooked sweet potatoes into batter. Top with cinnamon apples, pecans and whipped cream.
Beet Pancakes
Blend cooked, mashed beets into batter. Top with goat cheese and toasted walnuts.
Carrot Cake Pancakes
Grate carrots into batter. Top with raisins, cream cheese frosting and crushed pineapple.
Zucchini Pancakes
Shred zucchini into batter. Top with bruschetta mix and parmesan cheese.
Broccoli Cheese Pancakes
Blend chopped broccoli into batter. Top with cheddar cheese sauce and chopped bacon.
Corn and Bacon Pancakes
Mix corn kernels into batter. Top with crumbled bacon and scallions.
Plant-Based Pancake Recipes
These vegan pancake ideas use healthy plant-based ingredients:
Banana Oat Pancakes
Mash ripe bananas with oats, plant milk, baking powder, cinnamon. Top with peanut butter and sliced banana.
Blueberry Cornmeal Pancakes
Cornmeal batter with blueberries. Top with fresh blueberries, maple syrup and coconut whipped cream.
Chickpea Flour Pancakes
Chickpea flour gives protein. Top with avocado, hot sauce and hemp seeds.
Buckwheat Pancakes
Make batter with buckwheat flour. Top with raspberry chia jam and coconut yogurt.
Carrot Cake Pancakes
Grate carrots into batter. Top with cashew cream cheese frosting and raisins.
Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
Pumpkin puree batter. Top with pecan streusel and coconut whipped cream.
Make it a Meal!
Round out your pancake dinner plates with a variety of healthy side dishes like:
- Fresh fruit salad
- Greek yogurt
- Hard boiled eggs
- Oven roasted veggies
- Side salad or slaw
- Cottage cheese
- Kale chips
Get creative with savory or sweet pancake toppings and fillings. With delicious ingredients and thoughtful preparation, pancakes can be wholesome and well-balanced for dinner any night of the week.
FAQs
Are pancakes healthy for dinner?
Yes, pancakes can be very nutritious if made with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and proteins. The recipes in this article give many ideas for boosting nutrition.
What are good savory pancake dinner toppings?
Some tasty savory pancake topping ideas include eggs, cheese, lean meats, veggies, salsa, guacamole, Greek yogurt, etc. Get creative!
What are good sweet pancake dinner toppings?
For sweet pancake dinners, try fresh fruit, nuts, peanut butter, chocolate chips, whipped cream, maple syrup, honey, jam, etc.
Can you make pancakes ahead for dinner?
Yes, pancake batter keeps well in the fridge for 2-3 days. Cooked pancakes can be frozen and reheated later too.
What are good side dishes with pancakes for dinner?
Fruit, yogurt, salad, roasted veggies and cottage cheese pair well with pancakes for a balanced dinner.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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