3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes

This 3-ingredient banana pancake recipe is baby and adult-approved. It makes simple, soft, and tasty pancakes, perfect for busy mornings.

Ingredients

To make 3-ingredient banana pancakes, you'll need the following ingredients. Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and measurements.

Ripe bananas: The riper the better because they're sweeter, softer, and more flavorful. Your banana's ripe enough if the peel is brown or spotted. Underripe bananas yield bland, dry pancakes.

Eggs: Eggs are essential because they hold the pancakes together. They also add moisture and fluffiness. The yolk provides a richer flavor.

Flour: A key ingredient for the pancakes' structure and fluffiness. I know 2-ingredient banana pancakes don't use flour, but they're flat and don't taste as good. I like 3-ingredient banana pancakes, so flour is essential. This recipe calls for all-purpose flour, but you can substitute it with oat, buckwheat, or other flours at a 1:1 ratio.

How to Make 3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes

The following are the steps and process images to make 3-ingredient banana pancakes. Refer to the recipe card for the complete set of instructions.

1. Mash bananas. Peel the bananas and add them to a medium bowl. Mash them with a fork until smooth.

2. Add eggs. Whisk the eggs and bananas with a fork until they're evenly combined.

3. Add flour. Once the eggs and bananas are smooth and lump-free, mix in the flour. Stir until you can't see the flour anymore.

4. Stir until just combined. As you stir the flour, be careful not to overmix. The goal is to mix it until it's just combined. Overmixing the batter leads to a tough, rubbery texture. The batter will be thicker than traditional pancake batter due to the mashed bananas.

5. Cook the pancakes. Use ¼ cup of batter for each pancake. Cook over medium heat in a large skillet or griddle. Wait for bubbles to appear on the surface and a golden bottom before flipping. The edges should also look firm and set. The other side will only need 1-2 minutes to cook. If you're cooking more than 1 pancake at a time, give each one a few inches of room to spread.

6. Serve with toppings. I love serving pancakes while they're warm. So, top them with butter, maple syrup, or other preferred toppings and enjoy. Toppings are optional, as the banana's natural sweetness makes it delicious without any.

Ways to Serve

While these are thinner than classic fluffy pancakes, they're just as versatile. They can hold a stack and your most-loved toppings. The following are some of my favorite ways to serve them, along with fresh ideas to try:

• Plain. No added sugar, high in protein, easy to make, and still delicious without toppings.
• Butter and maple syrup. A classic, iconic topping pair that tastes amazing on these pancakes, too.
• Honey. An excellent alternative to maple syrup with a lighter flavor and stickier texture. Avoid honey if you're making these for babies under a year old.
• Fresh berries. Add a bit of sweetness, tartness, and extra nutrients from fresh berries.
• Greek yogurt. Adds a creamy, tangy flavor that pairs well with the banana's sweetness. It also increases the amount of protein.
• Nut butter. Peanut butter, almond butter, or hazelnut cocoa spread are great choices. Warm the nut butter to make it easier and smoother to spread.
• Chopped nuts. Add texture, flavor, and nutrients. Walnuts, almonds, pecans, macadamias, and pistachios are several great options.
• Applesauce. A natural, sweet, and healthy topping. Especially one without added sugars.
• Whipped cream or ice cream. For a lighter option, use whipped cream. Ice cream is decadent and will make you feel like you're eating dessert for breakfast.
• Fruit jam. A layer of jam on banana pancakes can be a substitute for maple syrup. Some of my favorites include strawberry, blueberry, and apricot jam.
• Lemon curd. A creamy, tangy, buttery spread to balance the sweetness.

Variations

Ripe bananas, eggs, and flour are the foundation of these 3-ingredient pancakes. It's delicious as is, but you can do so much more. Although it'll no longer have only 3 ingredients. The following are different variations to try.

Mix up the flavor. Cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, shredded coconut, and lemon zest are various ways to enhance the flavor. My favorites are adding cinnamon and vanilla extract to the batter.

Add cocoa powder. Bananas and chocolate are a classic combination. Add a bit of cocoa powder to make it rich and chocolatey. Avoid chocolate chips or chunks since they'll cause the pancake to break while cooking.

Make it fluffy with baking powder. 3-ingredient banana pancakes aren't as fluffy as the classic ones. If your goal is to make it fluffier, add a pinch of baking powder to the batter.

Storage and Reheating

The batter only takes about 5 minutes to prepare. Still, you can make it ahead of time. Keep the batter in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use it within 2 days.

If you have leftover pancakes, allow them to cool completely. Then, cover them with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and keep them in an airtight container. They'll last in the fridge for up to 3 days.

They also freeze well. Stack the leftovers in a freezer-safe bag or container. Use parchment paper between each pancake to prevent them from sticking. In the freezer, they'll last up to 3 months.

The best way to reheat the pancakes is in a pan or toaster. You can also use a microwave to warm them up.

One of my favorite things is that these pancakes taste good hot, cold, or at room temperature. Still, I prefer them hot off the skillet. Whether you're at home or on the go, you can enjoy them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make 3-ingredient banana pancakes in a blender?

You can mix the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. It'll take about 30 seconds with a high-speed blender. Make sure no large lumps remain.

Can you make 3-ingredient banana pancakes without flour?

To make flourless 3-ingredient banana pancakes, you only need ripe bananas, eggs or egg whites, and oats. Mix the ingredients in a blender until smooth.

More Tasty Breakfast Recipes to Get You Out of Bed

• Cherry Breakfast Bars: A delicious mix of cherry pie and cobbler into a bar.
• Breakfast Cookies: Hearty, healthy, customizable, and freezer-friendly.
• Superfood Overnight Oats: A filling breakfast loaded with superfoods.

If you enjoyed this 3-ingredient banana pancake recipe, please leave a 5-star rating and share your thoughts in the comments. Also, subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Substack, and Pinterest for the latest updates. I'd love to stay connected.