Gluten-free Blueberry Pancakes

Anyone who knows me will know that I am a huge fan of pancakes. They are the perfect weekend breakfast as they feel like the ultimate indulgent treat yet they are so versatile and with a few simple modifications, you easily can transform them into a perfectly nutritious yet equally decadent stack! It all depends on which ingredients you choose to use – swapping the white flour and refined sugar for ground oats and maple syrup is a great place to start.

If you avoid gluten and dairy like myself, or if you’re just looking to enjoy your favourite weekend breakfast in a more healthy way, look no further! Here is my step-by-step guide to making the perfect healthy pancakes.

Ingredients

1/2 cup oat flour
1/2 mashed ripe banana
1 egg
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp ground flaxseed
1 tsp maple/date syrup

2 tbsp almond milk

Optional add-ins: 

1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp cacao powder
1 tbsp smooth peanut butter
Handful of blueberries
Dark chocolate chips
 
Topping suggestions:
Fresh berries, Raspberry Chia Jam, Sticky Toffee Date Spread, chunks of Homemade Chocolate, homemade granola (try my Banana Nut Crunch Granola or Nutty Cinnamon Granola, banana slices, maple syrup, raw honey, date nectar, peanut butter, almond butter, homemade cacao sauce (healthy chocolate spread), freshly squeezed lemon juice, desiccated coconut, cacao nibs…

Method

1. Mix the wet ingredients in one bowl and the dry ingredients in another.
2. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk everything together thoroughly.
3. Heat a frying pan with some coconut oil and add 2 tbsp of the batter per pancake.
4. Cook for about 2 mins per side until golden, then flip.
5. Add as many toppings as your heart desires – the more the merrier!

 


 
 
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My new favourite way to start the day is fast, easy, light and incredibly satisfying. Fruit parfait is a highly nutritious breakfast and versatile treat –  you can make it however you choose, mixing up a range of ingredients with different fruit and decorating it with a variety of tasty toppings. 




Ingredients:
Base: Healthy Chocolate Mousse OR Açaí Smoothie OR coconut yoghurt
Strawberries
Banana
Other fruit of choice such as tangerine/kiwi/peach 
Raspberry Chia Jam (or other jam) 
Mixed seeds such as chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds
 
Instructions:
1. Alternatively layer the base, granola, fruit and seeds. 
2. Repeat until you have used up all the ingredients. 
3. Serve fresh in a tall glass.
 
 
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Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Scientific research has proven that people who eat breakfast are generally slimmer and healthier, as it revs up your metabolism, makes you feel energised and helps to reduce cravings throughout the day.
Pancakes Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Breakfast Healthy
 
Cereal – Aim for cereals that are high in fibre and avoid those that are loaded with sugar. Try my homemade granola (Pecan Pie Granola, Coconut Almond Butter Granola, Chocolate Chip Quinoa Granola, Superfood Goji Granola, Nutty Cinnamon Granola or Banana Nut Crunch Granola) with almond milk or homemade Pecan Milk, and I always add fruit, typically chopped banana and fresh berries.

Porridge – This is oatmeal that has been boiled and prepared slowly until a thick consistency is reached. Health benefits of porridge include appetite regulation, higher energy levels, oxygen transport, muscle recovery, strong bones and boosted immunity. I like to add a spoonful of Raspberry Chia Jam, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a few walnuts which are high in fibre, protein and essential fats.
 
Eggs – There are so many different types – poached, scrambled, fried, boiled, omelettes or my FAVOURITE: SHAKSHUKA… The egg-white are rich in protein, vitamin B, vitamin D and minerals such as zinc, iron and copper, whilst egg yolks are a source of cholesterol, calcium, vitamins A, D, E and K.
Avocado Toast Poached Eggs Breakfast
Smoothie – Fruit smoothies can be an easy way to nourish your body with essential nutrients. All you need is a blender, fruit and a base (water/milk). I tend not to follow recipes when making smoothies; instead I just blend together a few of my favourite ingredients. Check out my Zesty Passion Fruit Smoothie Jar or my Açaí Bowl recipes, or for something heartier how about my Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Milkshake!
 
Pancakes – Who said pancakes can’t be healthy? A simple way to make them healthy is by adding mashed, grated or chopped fruits or vegetables to your pancake batter, enriching it with vitamins and minerals as well as flavour. Try mixing in banana, pumpkin, cranberries or sweet potatoes. Another trick is to swap regular wheat flour for oats, flaxseed, buckwheat or brown rice flour, which are suitable for coeliacs or people following a gluten-free diet like myself! Try these Chocolate Hazelnut Pancakes or these Almond Butter Popcorn Pancakes. My favourite toppings include spreads like my Walnutella, Sticky Toffee Date Spread and Raspberry Chia Jam, or melted Homemade Chocolate with berries.
 
Pancakes Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Breakfast Healthy
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This morning I am enjoying my delicious gluten-free muesli, containing wholegrain oats, barley flakes, sultanas, apples, almonds, pumpkin seeds, dates and cinnamon), topped with fresh blueberries, strawberries, goji berries, dried cranberries, flaxseeds and soya milk. Yum!




 


Health benefits of a breakfast like this include: 
* Oats may lower your blood pressure because they are high in potassium and low in sodium
* Oats help with iron deficiency 
* Oats help to lower cholesterol as they are a soluble fibre which lowers bad LDL cholesterol levels in your blood.
* Nuts and seeds offer heart healthy fats, such as omega-3s and vitamins. 
* Berries contain powerful antioxidants which can help improve your health, protect your skin and hair, and prevent certain diseases.
* Berries contain Vitamin C which boosts the immune system and is responsible for the health of collagen, which helps maintain cartilage stores and aids in joint flexibility, reducing the risk of arthritis, cataracts, and macular degeneration.
* Berries contain folate which may protect against cardiovascular disease and age-related memory loss, and since folate contributes to the production of serotonin, it may also help ward off depression and improve your mood. 
* Flaxseeds are a rich source of micronutrients, dietary fiber, manganese, vitamin B1, and the essential fatty acid omega-3. Flaxseed can also help lower the risk of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

 
 
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