Made with banana, almond milk, gluten free oats and flour, these light, silky and sweet Mint Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes are vegan, gluten free and low calorie!
4 days until Christmas! Are you guys ready? I’m as ready as I’m gonna be. I’m happy to report my parents made it in safely to Arizona yesterday and that made me happy. Last week’s medical fiasco derailed my life, work and holiday prep fun.
A week ago Sunday when I woke up I couldn’t walk & was in severe pain. My ankle had been swelling on/off for weeks, but I had no specific pain just inflammation. I called my Mayo orthopedic 5 times Monday before speaking to the PA who directed me to the ER for a blood clot.
After spending hours on a stretcher in the hall balling my eyes out in pain, wanting to die, feeling helpless because none of the doctors would listen the last 3 months, I was released with no blood clots or answers.
I asked the nurse how they could release someone who couldn’t walk and was in so much pain. Her response “the ER doesn’t treat these cases.” What exactly was my case I asked? The ER doctor never even spoke to me before I was released. FAIL.
I went home, couldn’t sleep so at 3am I returned to the ER where they did an x-ray and blood work. The doctor released me stating I had a rare disease. He cheated horribly by reviewing my orthopedic’s notes in the system where he had suggested I had this disease. The ER doctor didn’t even try to diagnose me. FAIL. Hours later, the ER called stating I had an ankle stress fracture.
The radiologist compared my film to one a few months ago and noticed a change in bone density. PASS. You pass radiologist. I then saw the Mayo orthopedic the next day. I was told it was the beginning of a stress fracture, it hadn’t cracked yet. This is the same orthopedic I saw two weeks ago who told me nothing was wrong. Why didn’t you x-ray this when I asked you? FAIL.
I’m frustrated with the amount of FAILs. I’ve officially been injured 1 year. I’m beyond horrified with America’s health care system. Today I start PT at Mayo. Hopefully this will be the beginning of the end and getting my life back because I’m done with doctors, mis-diagnosis and my life being put on hold.
There’s only so much a person can take. Yeah, I have a small chip on my shoulder. Thanks for letting me vent. So I guess I’ll be diving into the holidays and rolling with it just like I’ve been all year. Certainly I will be diving into these pancakes. Face first, swimming into a sea of syrup. Sugar free of course. <3
Something I look forward to over the holidays is breakfast and I will be whipping up some healthy and lightened up pancakes this holiday. I read an article awhile back in a health mag that said the average restaurant short stack sets you back 600 calories. Yikes!!!
That’s a lot. I don’t know about you, but for me pancakes are a treat or snack not a meal. I always eat eggs for breakfast. Every. Single. Day. This time of year though I usually need a second breakfast. Something about the winter makes me crave more bulk.
Odd enough I never gain weight through the winter. It just seems that I’m wired to need more food and sleep in the colder months. Am I the only one that way? My round two breakfast usually consists of oatmeal with fruit, one of my healthy Muffins or lightened up pancakes like these Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes.
I’ve honestly never been drawn much to pancakes, french toast or waffles. I could take it or leave it. Feels like a bottomless gluten party to me. For me, they’re too big, too bulky and give me zero energy. Make me feel bloated for days and leave me hungry for more.
I’ve never understood how that’s possible. I can only assume lack of nutrients. When I started experimenting and make my own pancakes, I discovered I could de-bulk and make them lighter and healthier to keep me fuller.
One of the things I love about these pancakes is how thin & decadent they are. They make the perfect sized snack. Just enough to fill me up and keep me sane until lunch rolls around. Because me without food is…well let’s just say it’s not pretty.
Even with the chocolate, these weigh in low calorie and that’s a steal with any pancake recipe!
Mint = a party in your mouth. If you haven’t tried mint in pancakes, you must. I guarantee you’ll love it!
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Mint Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes
These Mint Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes are egg free, low calorie and high fiber! Made with simple ingredients with no added sugar.

Ingredients
- 1 banana very ripe
- 1 1/2 cups Gluten Free Rolled Oats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or milk or choice
- 1 tbsp flax meal or 1 egg
- 1 tbsp coconut oil melted
- 1 tsp mint extract
- 2 tbsp mini chocolate chips
Instructions
Make a flax egg by combining the flax meal in a small bowl with 2 tbsp water. Set aside for 5 minutes to set.
Place all ingredients except chocolate chips to a food processor or blender and process until combined well.
Fold the chocolate chips in by hand.
Bring an electric skillet to medium heat (or 300 F). Place 1/4 cup of the batter onto the skillet (1/4 cup makes one pancake). Repeat for the remaining batter.
Cook 3-4 minutes until the pancakes bubble then flip and cook another 2-3 minutes then remove from the skillet and place on a wire baking rack to cool.
Serve pancakes immediately or store in the refrigerator up to 7 days or in the freezer up to 60 days.
Recipe Notes
- My Amazon shop has more products similar to those used for this recipe and that I recommend to my nutrition clients.
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Banana pancakes are delicious on their own. I can only imagine how much better they are with mint. What a great holiday recipe.
Thanks, Jessie!
The addition of the mint is very unique. I am so sorry to hear what you are going through with your injury. I remember the doctor I had refused to have an MRI done for my shoulder until I went through physical therapy. I went through the therapy and still was feeling about the same. Then the MRI came back that I have a calcium deposit which would have shown up on an MRI. I was furious at the time it took to go to PT when that really wasn’t ever going to solve the issue. It was all done completly backwards. The medical system is a mess.
Wow…that’s terrible about your shoulder but I can’t say I’m surprised. After what I’ve been through, I’m convinced patient care is no longer the priority. People are left to suffer and it is wrong.
Oh Megan, I am so sorry to hear all that. Does not sound fun, and you are just in your bad string of luck right now. BUT you did win the runners connect giveaway, which could be your silver lining. If you chose the strength package, I am confident it will prevent injuries in the future, so hopefully this can be your last! I emailed you 🙂
As for this recipe, OH YUM! Pancakes are always a win for me, especially with this great combination. Thanks for brining this to meatless monday! Killer recipe!
Thanks Tina, I’m so excited that I won. I never win anything! I’m excited to try the strength package.
So sorry you had to go through all of this! it’s terrible the way patients are treated. I also had a stress fracture earlier this year and it is very painful. If you really rest it and not run for 8 weeks it will get better. Thanks for linking up with us again this week and these look fabulous. I really like how you gave lots of substitutions for ingredients. Feel better soon!!
Thanks Deborah. I’m taking it easy. Just swimming right now. I want this thing to heal. I’m already feeling 1000x better after 1 week of an air cast.
I’m coming over from the Meatless Monday link up. I’m so sorry to hear about your horrible experience with the doctors 🙁 I hope the recovery goes better than the diagnosis process.
And these pancakes sound delicious! I’ve never though of putting mint in pancakes before. My mom doesn’t eat eggs so I think these might be the perfect thing for me to make while I’m visiting her over Christmas 🙂
The mint is a must in these. Hope you & your Mom love them! Happy Holidays!
Let me tell you first that your photography skills are insane today!! Those pictures are unreal!!! Mint pancakes are new to me! Do you get that “fresh” feeling when you eat them!
I am seriously thinking you should study to be a doctor…I’d love for someone like you to treat me! 🙂
Thanks for the sweet compliments Elsie! I’m working on my photography, but it’s not yet where I want it to be. Small steps, right? As for becoming a doctor, probably not going to happen as I almost failed chemistry. I would love to be a nutritionist, but it requires chemistry too.
I want these…..RIGHT NOW!
They’re more like desert…haha
those pancakes look amazing!!!!
Thank you!
These pancakes look good! And best part of all is that I have all these ingredients. Thanks for sharing cause the old recipe I had just wasn’t cutting it.
It’s not your traditional recipe, but it is good. I hope you love it!
I’m so sorry that you’re in such pain – good luck finding a fix soon! Big hugs.
Thanks friend, you too take care of that arm!
I don’t get it. Doctors go to school for so long, yet they all seem SO STUPID! It makes absolutely no sense to me. THEY FAIL!!!!!!!! >:( DUMB!
But at least you can drown your sorrows in this delicious recipe!!!!! UGHHHH YUMMMM!!!!
No one uses their brain anymore. They rely too much on technogy. I’m beating myself up for not thinking of it myself.
So sorry to hear about your injury! Do not even get me started on today’s healthcare system… so many things wrong with it! Ugh! Hopefully you can heal up soon.
Thanks, Lora! Hope you have great Christmas. Go Pack!!!
Wow! These look amazing, even better healthy and low calorie! And of course, the chocolate and mint complete me. Stopping by from Crafty and Delicious Party. Pinned! 🙂
Thanks, Kim! Hope you enjoy them. They’re delicious. Happy Holidays!
Thanks so much for sharing this awesome recipe with our special edition of Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are enjoying your holidays and look forward to seeing you soon!
Miz Helen
Happy Holidays to you too!
Thank you so much Megan for this healthy recipe. I’m glad my search led me here. I followed every step (i used egg yolk in place of flax meal) and my pancakes came out delicious!. Everyone loved them, even my picky son. Thank you.
I’m so glad to hear this. Thank you for taking the time to let me know too! Most of the time I only hear from people when they don’t like something.