These easy Oat Flour Pancakes are made with whole grain gluten-free oats, white rice flour, applesauce, and non-dairy buttermilk, for a light and tender crumb. A healthy pancake recipe made without eggs or bananas. Gluten-free and vegan.
Healthy pancakes can be delicious. This whole-grain recipe won't let you down. Plus, it's so simple to whip up!
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Wholesome easy breakfast
- Simple ingredients
- Gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free
Ingredients and substitutions
Here are a few quick notes about the ingredients in this recipe. You can see a complete list of ingredients and instructions in the recipe card below.
Oat flour - If you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, make sure to use certified gluten-free oat flour or certified gluten-free rolled oats to make your own oat flour.
Do note that store-bought oat flour has more of a fine flour texture than homemade. The best way to measure is by weight with is kitchen scale.
White rice flour - This starchy gluten-free flour will help bind our gluten-free vegan pancakes without gums.
Non-dairy milk - Unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, or another plant-based milk can be used here.
Apple cider vinegar - When added to the milk, this will create dairy-free buttermilk.
Applesauce - Applesauce also acts as a replacement for eggs, and I love the subtle flavor it gives these oatmeal muffins.
Vegan butter - This adds a buttery flavor and fat to our recipe. Coconut oil can be substituted for regular butter if dairy is not an issue.
Maple syrup - The natural sweetness of real maple syrup adds flavor and a touch of sweetness to these vegan oatmeal pancakes. Agave syrup or honey (if not vegan), can be substituted. Keep in mind that agave will be sweeter.
Vanilla extract and ground cinnamon - Pure vanilla extract helps round out the flavors. Cinnamon adds sweetness and warmth.
Step-by-step instructions
Before you start: Add non-dairy milk and apple cider vinegar to a glass measuring cup. Stir and set aside. In a small microwaveable bowl, melt butter for 30 seconds in the microwave. Set aside.
Step 1: In a large bowl, add the dry ingredients—oat flour, white rice flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon—and whisk until incorporated. n
Step 2: Then add the wet ingredients—maple syrup, applesauce, vanilla extract, and melted butter—followed by the non-dairy milk mixture to the dry mixture. Whisk to combine.
Step 3: Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Grease it lightly. Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, pour batter onto the skillet for a test pancake (the test pancake almost always looks like a dud).
Step 4: Allow them to cook for about 1 minute or so until the edges of the pancakes look set and bubbles start to form on top. Use a spatula to carefully flip and cook for about another 30-60 seconds.
Recipe tips
- Let the batter rest for 4-5 minutes. This allows the flour to absorb some of the liquid and helps create fluffy pancakes.
- I prefer using cooking spray on my large nonstick skillet over melted butter due to the more delicate binding qualities of the vegan batter.
- Do a 'tester pancake' by dropping a few tablespoons of batter onto the hot skillet.
- To keep these hotcakes warm while cooking, heat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and keep them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Serving suggestions
These easy pancakes are perfect with a bit of maple syrup. But you can add your favorite toppings too! Here are some ideas:
- Fresh fruit
- Peanut butter or almond butter
- Chocolate chips
- Vegan nutella
- Fruit compote
- Date paste
- Chopped nuts or seeds
- Dairy-free whipped cream
Pancakes on the brain? I've got you covered. Try these buckwheat pancakes, sweet potato pancakes, or 3-ingredient banana oat pancakes!
FAQs
You can use a high-speed blender or a food processor to grind the rolled oats into flour. If using a blender, work in small batches to ensure even grinding. Pulse several times until the oats become a fine powder.
Yes, oat flour pancakes do have a slightly different taste compared to regular pancakes made with refined flour. It imparts a mild, nutty flavor to the pancakes.
Oat flour pancakes are generally healthier than regular pancakes made with refined flour due to their higher nutritional content, fiber, lower glycemic index, and potential heart health benefits.
Recipes to serve with pancakes
Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!
📖 Recipe
Oat Flour Pancakes
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (5oz) unsweetened non-dairy milk I use almond milk
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons vegan butter (or unsalted butter if not dairy-free)
- 1 cup (100g) gluten-free oat flour 100 g
- ½ cup (95g) white rice flour 95 g
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup or agave syrup (or honey if not vegan)
- ¼ cup (.75oz) unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Optional toppings
- sliced strawberries, bananas, or berries
- maple syrup
- coconut whipped cream
Instructions
- Add dairy-free milk and apple cider vinegar to a glass measuring cup. Stir and set aside. In a small microwaveable bowl, melt butter for 30 seconds in microwave. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, add oat flour, white rice flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Whisk until flours are evenly incorporated.
- Add maple syrup, applesauce, vanilla extract, and melted butter, followed by non-dairy milk mixture to the dry mixture. Whisk to combine. Allow batter to sit for 4-5 minutes. This allows flours to absorb some of the liquid.
- While allowing batter to rest, heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Spray it lightly with cooking spray.
- Pour a small amount of batter onto the skillet for a test pancake (the test pancake almost always looks like a dud). Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, pour batter on to skillet and cook for about 1 minute or so until edges look set and bubbles start to form on top. Use a spatula to carefully flip pancake over and cook for about another 30-60 seconds. Repeat until all the batter has been used.
- To keep pancakes warm while cooking, heat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and keep pancakes in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Serve warm with maple syrup and other desired toppings.
Maria M.
Incredibly tasty!! We loved them :)
Tessa
Thanks so much!
Bebygirl
I made mine using yogurt as I didn’t have milk, and used apple mash I had left over from making Turkish Sherbert (plum apple fruit juice drink). It came out Ah-Mazing! This was my first time making gf pancakes and I am so thrilled. I also added some allspice! This is the first recipe I’ve used yet that I actually prefer gf.
Tessa
That's great! Thank you. Love the allspice addition too!
Janet Dingledine
Hi Im on a Low Fodmap diet and not allowed apples can I substitute a banana? If yes how much please? Thank you
Tessa
Hi Janet - I haven't tried these with banana yet, but I would guess that swapping in the about the same amount of banana would work just fine. If you try it, I'd love to hear how that goes.
paty
Hi- could I substitute anything else for the rice flour? maybe coconut flour?
Thanks so much for this recipe. Will be trying it this weekend.
Bridget
Hi Tessa,
Is it possible to leave out the non-dairy butter (oil/fat)? I’m not supposed to have any oils in my meals. Could I just add a little more apple sauce or something like that? Much thanks.
Tessa
Hi Bridget! I would think that subbing the 3 tablespoons coconut oil with 3 tablespoons applesauce might just do the trick. Would love to know how it works out for you!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
These look absolutely perfect, Tessa.. and yes to the GF, V. It's so nice to have options, right? I think we are food sisters... seriously. You know how much I love your food and just so happens I've been working on a similar recipe - but I'm using a banana - lol! My first try was a total fail - GF, V is no joke. It's such a big learning curve. I ate mine (Rob eventually tossed his)... but I'm on the right track now. I hope to be sharing them soon, but I've a bit more tweaking before they're just right. Love this apple sauce recipe and they look scrumptious! Well done!