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Hello! I’m Anjali. I’m a board certified health coach, author, wife, mom and food lover from the SF Bay area (now living in Seattle, WA!); with a passion for delicious food and a desire to make healthy eating easy, tasty and fun! Learn more about me here and stay for a while!

Anjali Shah

Oat Flour Pancakes

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These tasty, easy oat flour pancakes make the best breakfast, brunch, or even breakfast for dinner. They’re packed with hearty whole grains and a secret ingredient that makes them a little fluffy and cakey at the same time. Made with a blender batter, this healthy pancake recipe is slightly sweet, gluten-free and is the perfect way to start your day!

Stack of oat flour pancakes topped with chocolate chips, banana slices and maple syrup on a white plate.

I think pancakes might be one of my favorite meals, and I typically end up craving them on the weekends when I have more time to cook. While I love traditional pancakes, I don’t love how they’re not exactly the healthiest for you — they’re high in refined carbs and don’t keep you full for very long.

But these healthy oat flour pancakes are packed with whole oats, lots of protein and are amazingly satisfying while also being good for you!

I’d say these are more like oatmeal cakes vs. true pancakes – they’re a little denser than regular fluffy pancakes because of the ingredient mix. That said, they have a nice, mild, nutty flavor – the perfect base for creative toppings. We topped them with bananas, chocolate chips, and maple syrup, but I also tried them with almond butter & honey (yum!) and peanut butter & blueberry preserves (double yum!).

This was the perfect weekend breakfast, but it would also be great for brunch or even as “breakfast for dinner!” My whole family was happy and satisfied after this meal.

These hearty, easy oatmeal pancakes are really easy to make and will be on your table in just a few simple steps!

👩🏻‍🍳 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Just 6 ingredients: With simple ingredients and only a few steps, this is one of the easiest pancake recipes you will find!
  • Totally Delicious: These oat and sunflower seed pancakes taste amazing, and no one will be able to tell that they are both gluten free and flourless!
  • Healthier than regular pancakes, but tastes just as good! These gluten free oat pancakes are packed with whole grains, high in protein, low in added sugar and are low in calories!
  • Easy To Customize: With endless topping options and different mix-ins, you can change up this recipe however you like!
  • Family Friendly: And kid friendly too! The whole family will love this recipe!

Latest Recipe Video!

🥘 Ingredients

You just need 6 simple ingredients to make these healthy pancakes with oat flour! See the exact amounts of each in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Ingredients for healthy oat flour pancakes on a white background.
  • Whole Grain Oats Or Oat Flour: You’ll need 1 cup of either old-fashioned oats processed in the food processor to make your own oat flour, or oat flour from the grocery store. 1 cup of rolled oats will make approximately 1 cup of oat flour. You can also use instant oats if you don’t have old fashioned oats, but you can’t use steel-cut oats for this recipe. The oats replace traditional all purpose flour in this flourless pancakes recipe!
  • Cottage Cheese And Eggs: Gives this oat flour pancake recipe a boost of protein and acts as a binder for this recipe. I haven’t tried this recipe with flax eggs, but I imagine it would work for an egg-free option.
  • Vanilla Extract And A Pinch of Salt: For extra flavor!
  • Sunflower Seeds: For texture and protein.
  • Optional Toppings: You can really add any of your favorite toppings to this healthy oatmeal pancakes recipe! We used sliced ripe banana and 1 teaspoon of mini chocolate chips per pancake, with a drizzle of maple syrup over the top. But any fresh fruit would be great – fresh berries or stewed pears or peaches would be delicious.

🔪 How To Make Oat Flour Pancakes

It is super easy to make this cakey & fluffy oat flour pancakes recipe! It’s ready in just 4 simple steps!

Combine Wet And Dry Ingredients: In a food processor, combine oat flour or rolled oats and all of your wet ingredients — low-fat cottage cheese, eggs, salt, and vanilla extract; blend until smooth. (Leave out the sunflower seeds and baking powder/soda if using!)

Batter for oatmeal flour pancakes, in a blender.

Add Seeds: Transfer the batter to a medium bowl. Fold in sunflower seeds and baking powder, don’t over-mix. Let the batter rest for 10 minutes before making this oatmeal flour pancake recipe.

Sunflower seeds and baking powder added to pancake batter in a mixing bowl.

Make Pancakes: Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray. Pour pancake batter onto the hot pan to form your first pancake. It should be about 4 inches wide. (Repeat for 3 other pancakes. You should have enough batter for four gf oatmeal pancakes with no flour!). Or, with a large enough skillet, you could cook all of them at once!

Oatmeal flour pancakes cooking in a skillet on the stove.

Cook: Cook for 3 minutes, until golden brown on each side.

Gluten free oatmeal flour pancakes cooking in a skillet on the stove.

Serve! Top these gluten free oat flour pancakes with banana and 2 tsp. chocolate chips (for 2 pancakes) – or with any toppings of your choice!

Finished pancakes on a white plate.

💭 Expert Tips

  • Grease Your Pan Well: Use cooking spray to grease your hot griddle, or wipe a paper towel dipped in oil around the pan for an even coating to ensure your pancakes don’t stick. You can use any oil that you prefer – coconut oil is one of my favorites.
  • Keep Pancakes Warm: To keep these oat flour protein pancakes warm, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place them in an oven (or toaster oven) pre-heated to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • For A Fluffier Pancake: Don’t omit the baking powder and baking soda! It’s important to help your pancakes rise.
  • Process The Oats Well: If you’re making your own oat flour, be sure to process the oats completely to create a fine flour. I recommend using rolled oats, quick oats, or store-bought oat flour for this pancake recipe with oat flour.
  • For Best Results, Use A Good Food Processor: This is important to making your pancake blender batter! I like this one from Hamilton Beach. It’s super affordable, easy to use, holds 12 cups, has tons of attachments, and has staying power (I’ve had mine for a few years with no issues!). You can also use a high-speed blender.

📖 Variations

  • Warm Spices: A sprinkling of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or even cardamom would taste great with these pancakes made with oat flour.
  • Fruity Pancakes: Add fresh blueberries or diced strawberries to these homemade pancakes for bright, sweet flavor. 
  • Oat Flour Pumpkin Pancakes: Add 1/8 cup pumpkin puree + 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice + 1/2 tsp cinnamon to the batter to make these oatmeal pancakes without flour taste like pumpkin pie.
  • Waffles: Experiment with using your waffle maker to use this same batter to make oat flour waffles.
  • For Kids: These oat-flour pancakes already have a nice consistency and sweet flavor that kids will love. Feel free to let your kids experiment with different toppings or favorite mix-ins to try on their pancakes, making it a fun and interactive meal!

🍴Serving Suggestions

There are so many ways to serve these gf oat pancakes! Here are our favorite toppings and ways to serve:

🙌 Dietary Adaptations

  • Vegan Oat Flour Pancakes: You’ll have to alter this recipe pretty significantly to make it vegan, but it can be done! You will need: 1 cup of oat flour and 2 teaspoons of vanilla like the original recipe calls for. But then, instead of the cottage cheese and eggs, you can use 1/2-2/3 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1.25 teaspoons of baking powder, 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda, and 2/3 cup of unsweetened almond milk or another plant-based milk.
  • Gluten Free Oatmeal Pancakes: As long as you are using certified gluten-free oat flour or gluten-free oats, these pancakes with oatmeal flour will be gluten-free!

🫙 Storage Directions

  • Refrigeration: Once they’ve cooled to room temperature, store leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until just warmed through.
  • Freezing: Store oat flour banana pancakes in a resealable plastic freezer bag or a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To prevent them from sticking together, place a piece of parchment paper in between them.
  • Reheating: To reheat, place in the oven at 350 degrees until warm or microwave briefly.

❓Recipe FAQs

Are oatmeal flour pancakes healthy?

Yes! As long as they are made with limited added sugar, oat flour pancakes can be super healthy for you. This recipe in particular is a healthy option because it’s high in fiber, high in protein (thanks to the sunflower seeds and cottage cheese!), and low in fat and calories.

Is oat flour better than plain flour?

When it comes to nutrients, oat flour is superior to white flour. It’s chock-full of fiber, whole grains, vitamins, and minerals. White flour is a much more refined option with minimal nutritional value.

How many carbs are in oat flour pancakes?

It depends on the recipe, but this recipe for oat flour pancakes has only 16 grams of carbs per serving (14 grams of net carbs per serving).

How do I make homemade oat flour?

Making oat flour at home is super easy! All you have to do is take rolled oats and grind them in a food processor blender until they have a powdery flour-like consistency.

Stack of oat flour pancakes, with a bite cut out and speared with a fork.

🥞 More Healthy Breakfast Recipes!

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📋 Recipe Card

🎥 Watch How to Make It

https://youtu.be/4SphK5mVNMM
Stack of oat flour pancakes topped with chocolate chips, banana slices and maple syrup on a white plate.
Print Recipe
4.96 from 22 votes

Oat Flour Pancakes

These tasty, easy oat flour pancakes make the best breakfast, brunch, or even breakfast for dinner. They're packed with hearty whole grains and a secret ingredient that makes them a little fluffy and cakey at the same time. Made with a blender batter, this healthy pancake recipe is slightly sweet, gluten-free and is the perfect way to start your day!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American, vegetarian
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 154kcal
Author: Anjali Shah

Ingredients

Toppings

  • sliced bananas
  • 1 tsp mini chocolate chips per pancake
  • 2 tsp real maple syrup per pancake

Instructions

  • In a food processor, combine rolled oats, low-fat cottage cheese, eggs and vanilla extract; blend until smooth.
  • Stir in sunflower seeds and baking powder/soda if using. Let the batter rest for 10 minutes before making your pancakes.
  • Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray. Pour pancake batter onto the hot pan to form a 4-inch pancakes. (Repeat for 3 other pancakes – you should have enough batter for 4 pancakes).
  • Cook 3 minutes until golden brown on each side.
  • Top with sliced banana and 2 tsp. chocolate chips (for 2 pancakes) – or top with any toppings of your choice!

Notes

  • Use cooking spray to grease your pan, or wipe a paper towel dipped in oil around the pan for an even coating.
  • I recommend using rolled oats, instant oats, or pre-made oat flour for this recipe.
  • Store pancakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until just warmed through.
  • To make these gluten-free, just make sure to get gluten free certified oats
  • Serve these with sliced bananas, chocolate chips, maple syrup, honey, nut butters, fruit preserves, or fresh berries!
  • Nutritional information includes 1 pancake (no toppings).

Nutrition

Serving: 1pancake | Calories: 154kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 231mg | Potassium: 202mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g
These oatmeal sunflower pancakes, topped with bananas, nut butter, maple syrup and chocolate chips are so delicious, you won't believe they're healthy too!

46 responses to “Oat Flour Pancakes”

  1. I added 1/2 tsp of baking soda and 1/2 tsp of baking powder, as no leavening in stated in the recipe. The pancakes could be dense and heavy without these additions.4 stars

    • Thanks for letting me know Elaine! I have tested this recipe a few times and the pancakes are on the denser side without the baking soda/baking powder, but it’s all about taste preferences and what you’re looking for in a pancake. I’m sure adding that just made these more fluffy and delicious!

  2. I don’t have a food processor. Can I use a hand mixer and what changes do I need to make to the prep?

    • Hi Bob! Do you have a blender or an immersion blender? The main thing is the cottage cheese — it won’t get fully blended up using a hand mixer. The pancakes will still work, but the cottage cheese will make the batter chunky vs. smooth. You might be able to substitute an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt for the cottage cheese and then a hand mixer will be fine, but I haven’t tested it that way so I’m not sure whether it’ll turn out the same way! Hope that helps!

  3. Thank you so much Anjali, my wife loves oats and pancakes. she will definitely love this one. Thanks again!5 stars

  4. Wow! That is a detailed recipe! Thank you for serving suggestions and for the tips on how to make this recipe better!5 stars

  5. Yummy! These pancakes look so yummy and very delicious! My kids are going to love these for breakfast in the morning!5 stars

  6. Wow! Very interesting. I haven’t tried this kind of pancake before but just by looking at the images, it makes me want it so bad!5 stars

    • Hmmm I’m not really sure you want to make these particular pancakes spicy – they’re meant to be more sweet! But you could always omit the vanilla and the sweet toppings (banana, chocolate, etc.) and add some cayenne into the batter if you really wanted to!

    • Hi Beth! I think it should work! It will slightly change the flavor, but you can use pumpkin seeds in place of sunflower seeds in a 1:1 ratio 🙂 Thanks!

  7. I have a question — did you use raw or roasted sunflower seeds in your pancakes? We are addicted to the Oatmeal/Sunflower/Millet pancake and waffle mix from The Bunnery restaurant in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and I’m trying to duplicate that. I like the addition of cottage cheese to your recipe to boost the protein. Thanks so much!5 stars

    • I used raw sunflower seeds – since they get mixed into the batter you don’t need the additional flavor that comes from roasting them 🙂 Hope that helps! Let me know how they turn out!

  8. Mmm I love roasted rosemary potatoes, I make those all the time! Your pancakes look delicious as well! 🙂5 stars

  9. I love pancakes. I find it hard though to find the time in the morning, even on the weekends. I frequently have breakfast for dinner. It is quick and far cheaper than a meat and potatoes kind of meal. I am going to try your pancake recipes, I too am always on a search for making them a bit more healthy. Of course my addition of maple syrup doesn’t help much.

  10. Interesting take on pancakes. I’ll have to try these next “pancake day” we have 😀5 stars

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