Mint Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes (GF, Low Cal, Vegan)

Made with banana, almond milk, gluten free oats and flour, these light, silky & sweet Mint Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes are vegan, gluten free and low calorie!

Happy Christmas Week! 

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 at 82 calories a pancake and that’s a steal with this roundup of ingredients. I also used sugar free syrup which has 30 calories for 1/4 cup whereas regular maple syrup has 200 calories for 2 tbsp. Just an option for those of you watching your calories. But please…don’t skimp on the chocolate. Speaking of chocolate, I got all festive with mine and added mint to the batter and it was incredible. Mint = a party in your mouth. If you haven’t tried mint in pancakes, you must. I guarantee you’ll love it!  

Mint Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes

 

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Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

15 mins

Total time

25 mins

 

Made with banana, almond milk, oats & flour, these light, silky & sweet Mint Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes are vegan & gluten free pancakes!

Author: Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious

Ingredients

• 1 very ripe banana
• ½ cup GF rolled oats
• ¾ cup Gluten Free oat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp coconut sugar
• 1 tbsp flax meal + 2 tbsp water (can substitute 1 egg white if not vegan)
• cup almond milk
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp mint chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Make flax egg by combining in flax meal in a small bowl with 2 tbsp water
2. Allow flax egg to sit 5 minute in the refrigerator until mixture becomes an egg-like texture
3. Place all ingredients except chocolate chips to a food processor and process until combined well
4. Add chocolate chips & mix into batter by hand
5. Heat a skillet over medium heat and spray with cooking spray
6. Add 2-3 spoonfuls of batter to skillet (a 4 inch size pancake)
7. Cook until small bubbles appear, about 5 minutes
8. Then carefully flip & cook another 4 minutes until both sides appear brown
9. Serve immediately

Notes

Makes 12 pancakes, 82 calories each or 10 larger pancakes at 98 calories

Nutrition Information

Serving size: 12 Calories: 91 Fat: 3g Saturated fat: 2g Unsaturated fat: 2g Carbohydrates: 13g Sugar: 4g Sodium: 83mg Fiber: 2g Protein: 2g

3.5.3226

What’s your favorite pancake recipe? Have you had doctor fails or does this stuff only happen to me?

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About Megan

Megan is a certified nutrition practitioner, author, freelance food photographer and fitness instructor living in Phoenix, Arizona. On her blog, Skinny Fitalicious she shares EASY, gluten free recipes for weight loss. Follow Megan on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates.