Oatmeal Banana Pancakes

The first time I tried making oatmeal pancakes, I didn’t understand why they turned out gummy in the center. Now that I’ve experimented with multiple batches, I’ve learned that this can happen when a gluten-free recipe calls for too much liquid or uses an egg substitute.

As a result, I’ve learned that oatmeal:

• Significantly thickens the batter as it rests, so it’s harder to pour by your second pancake.
• Creates gummy, rubbery pancakes when you add too much liquid. (So don’t keep adding liquid to thin the batter.)
• Doesn’t work as well without eggs. (Though I have had success with aquafaba, if you want to try something new.)

That’s why these banana oatmeal pancakes turn out so well— because I’ve taken the time to figure out the ratio that works best. If you’ve been disappointed with other recipes online, don’t give up on making pancakes with oatmeal until you’ve tried this one.

They’re so delicious, you won’t even need syrup on top! (But you can add it if you want to.)

Banana Oat Pancakes Ingredients

This recipe requires seven simple ingredients, including rolled oats, a ripe banana, and eggs. The banana acts as a binder and adds sweetness, but the banana flavor isn’t overwhelming.

(My kids don’t like banana-flavored anything, but they love these.)

Here’s what’s inside:

• Rolled Oats. You can use old-fashioned or quick cooking oats for this recipe. If you need a gluten-free pancake, make sure you buy certified gluten-free oats, since they can be contaminated during processing.
• Banana. This adds sweetness and moisture so that you can use less oil than traditional pancake recipes.
• Maple Syrup. Instead of white sugar, this natural sweetener makes these pancakes taste so delicious that they don’t require extra syrup for serving.
• Olive oil. I use this oil because, unlike coconut oil, it stays liquid when it touches eggs that are cold from the fridge. Feel free to use avocado oil or another of your favorites if you prefer.
• Eggs. These provide binding and structure. Gluten-free pancakes don’t hold together as well as traditional ones, so eggs are essential for getting fluffy, but sturdy results.
• Baking Powder. Don’t confuse this with baking soda, which will ruin the flavor of your pancakes. Baking powder will provide more lift, resulting in fluffy pancakes.

Feel free to add a dash of cinnamon if you’d like, or a handful of chocolate chips or blueberries as these cook, for more flavor variations.

How to Make Oatmeal Pancakes (with banana)

Step 1:

Add the banana, egg, oats, oil, maple syrup, water, vanilla, and salt to a blender and blend until totally smooth.

It’s okay if you see a little texture from the ground oats, but you shouldn’t see any large flakes.

Step 2:

Heat a skillet over medium heat or use a griddle. You’ll know it’s ready to cook when a splash of water instantly sizzles when you splash it on the pan.

Spray the pan with cooking spray, and pour the batter into the center, using about a 1/4 cup portion at a time. You don’t want the pancakes to be too large, or they will be trickier to flip.

When bubbles start to form on the top of the pancakes and a spatula easily slides under the pancake, it’s ready to flip. Cook the other side until it’s golden, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Repeat with the remaining batter, keeping in mind that the heat may need to be adjusted as you proceed. I usually need to turn the heat down to low while cooking the pancakes. If the surface of your pan starts smoking, you’ll know it’s getting too hot.

Step 3:

Once all of the pancakes have been cooked, serve them warm with fresh berries, peanut butter, or maple syrup on top. My kids are big fans of peanut butter and sliced bananas on top.

How to Store Oatmeal Pancakes

Leftover pancakes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheat the pancakes by popping them in the toaster, just like a frozen waffle. (You may need to push it down twice to get the center heated through.)

How to Bake Pancakes on a Sheet Pan

If you’ve never tried baked pancakes, let me tell you, they are a GAME CHANGER.

Instead of cooking these pancakes individually in a skillet, you can bake them on a sheet pan all at the same time. No more standing by the stove waiting to flip each one!

Here’s how to bake pancakes:

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Pour the batter, roughly a 1/4 cup at a time, into small puddles on the baking sheet. Use the back of a spoon to spread them out into a pancake shape, and keep about 1 to 2 inches of space between each pancake to allow for spreading. I can usually fit about six pancakes on a half-sheet pan, and this recipe yields approximately 10 pancakes.
3. Bake at 350ºF for 10 to 12 minutes, until the pancakes feel firm to the touch in the center. There’s no need to flip these! They won’t look like a pan-fried pancake, as they don’t brown on either side, really, but they taste just as delicious. (My kids love them this way!)

You can serve banana oat pancakes warm right away or store them as part of your meal prep routine. They will reheat easily in the toaster for a fast morning.

Banana Oatmeal Pancake Variations

Here are some ways to change up the flavor:

• Add sliced bananas. Once you pour the batter in the skillet, place some sliced banaans on top. When you flip the pancake over, the bananas will stick to the batter and caramelize on the other side as it cooks. Yum!
• Add chocolate chips. Who can resist chocolate chip pancakes? Sprinkle them on top of each pancake after you’ve poured the batter in the skillet.
• Make blueberry pancakes. Similar to the method above, add fresh blueberries on top of each pancake in the skillet before flipping. They will become warm and juicy after you flip the pancakes.

You can get creative with the toppings, too! Peanut butter is our favorite addition, but you can use any other condiment you keep on hand.

More Recipes to Try

• Banana Egg Pancakes
• Chickpea Flour Pancakes
• Paleo Pancakes

If you try these banana oatmeal pancakes, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like them!