Whole wheat banana pancakes- 3 yummy ways!

As a child I always remember my grandpop coming over after church on Sundays and making his amazing pancakes. My favorite part was the batter; my brother and I would fight over who gets to lick the bowl. I am not the biggest fan of hot pancakes, but I love when they are in the fridge for a few hours and cold.  If we traveled, we would make a batch, put them in the fridge, and eat them on the go without syrup or butter (they are amazing by themselves). 

My grandpop has not made them in awhile, so I decided to come up with a healthier version. Today I made whole wheat banana pancakes and they were delicious, but no pancake will ever beat my grandpop's!

*Fun Facts About Whole Wheat Flour*

-Whole grains contain all the parts of the grain: bran (fiber), germ (vitamins and minerals), endosperm (starch)

-Non-whole grain sources go through milling where it removes the bran and germ

-Make sure it says whole or 100% wheat flour

-High in manganese, selenium, copper

-High amount of B vitamins and fiber

-Used in place of all-purpose flour

-Makes a heavier bread, often mixed with all-purpose flour for lighter texture and better rising

-Shorter shelf-life

So many ripe bananas, so many recipes to make!

Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes

Makes: 14 pancakes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 Tbsp ground flaxseeds
• 1 1/2 baking powder
• pinch salt
• 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 egg
• 2 egg whites
• 2 cup milk (I used half soy and half almond)
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil
• additions: dark chocolate chips, blueberries, walnuts

Directions:

1. Mix all dry ingredients together.
2. Mix all wet ingredients (except oil) together.
3. Combine wet into dry mixture and mix.
4. Mix in any additions or separate mixture into bowls and add additions (that's what I did to get three different kinds)
5. Heat 1/3 teaspoon coconut oil before making 5 pancakes, repeat 3 times.
6. Enjoy with others or save the rest for a quick breakfast on the go! 

Whole Wheat Blueberry Banana Pancakes

Whole Wheat Dark Chocolate Banana Pancakes

Whole Wheat Walnut Banana Pancakes

*Fun Facts About Walnuts*
-Excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid)
-14 halves for 1 oz serving= 185 calories, 18 g fat (mostly polyunsaturated), potassium 125 mg, 4 g carb, 2 g fiber, 4 g protein
-Recommended for heart and brain health
-Good source of manganese and copper
-Big part of a Mediterranean diet
-Rich in antioxidants 
-Holds flavors well
-Goes with sweet or hot seasonings
-Oil can be used in dressings and sautés