Save to Pinterest There's something almost magical about those mornings when you open the pantry and realize you can make something delicious with just two ingredients staring back at you. I discovered these pancakes on a Tuesday when my usual grocery haul had fallen through, and I had nothing but overripe bananas and a container of oats. Five minutes later, I was flipping golden pancakes that tasted like someone had whispered sweetness directly into them. My kitchen smelled like caramelized banana and warmth, and suddenly breakfast felt less like an obligation and more like a small gift I'd given myself.
I remember making a batch for a friend who'd just mentioned how she was tired of complicated breakfast routines. I watched her take the first bite, and something shifted in her expression—like she'd tasted proof that simple food could be genuinely good. She came back for seconds without asking, and now these are her go-to pancakes for weekend mornings with her kids. That's when I knew this recipe had staying power.
Ingredients
- 2 large ripe bananas: Look for ones with brown spots—that's where the natural sugars hide and sweetness lives. If yours are still yellow, give them a day or two.
- 1 cup rolled oats: The backbone of these pancakes; they create structure while keeping everything tender. Old-fashioned oats work best because they blend into a more cohesive batter than quick oats.
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional): A pinch of warmth that makes people wonder what your secret ingredient is without ever quite guessing.
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional): Just enough to round out the flavors and deepen the banana's natural profile.
- Pinch of salt: Don't skip this—it sounds small, but it's what prevents the pancakes from tasting flat or one-dimensional.
- 1–2 tsp coconut oil or vegetable oil: For cooking; coconut oil adds a subtle nuttiness, but vegetable oil works fine if that's what you have on hand.
Instructions
- Blend Your Base:
- Peel your bananas and break them into chunks, then add them to your blender with the oats. Pulse until mostly smooth—you want some texture, not baby food. If you're adding cinnamon and vanilla, throw those in now and give it one more quick blend until everything's kissed with spice.
- Heat Your Skillet:
- Set a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat for about a minute, then add just enough oil to coat the surface with a thin, shimmering layer. You'll know it's ready when a drop of batter sizzles gently on contact.
- Pour and Watch:
- Using a heaping tablespoon or small ice cream scoop, drop batter onto the warm skillet, leaving a couple inches between each pancake. They'll spread slightly, and that's perfect—you want room to flip without collisions.
- Cook Until They Signal You:
- Wait about 2–3 minutes until the edges start to look set and you see small bubbles breaking through the top. That's your cue that the bottom is golden and ready to flip.
- Flip with Gentle Confidence:
- Slide your spatula underneath one pancake in a smooth motion and flip it over; the other side needs just 1–2 minutes to turn golden brown. The second side always cooks faster, so don't wander off.
Save to Pinterest There was a morning when my partner stood at the stove while I made these, and halfway through the second pancake, they just exhaled and said, "This smells like comfort." I realized then that the best recipes aren't always the ones with the longest ingredient lists—sometimes they're the ones that remind you why you love cooking in the first place.
Toppings That Transform Them
These pancakes are a blank canvas, which is part of their charm. A drizzle of maple syrup is lovely, but so is a spoonful of almond butter, a handful of fresh berries, or even a scatter of dark chocolate chips while they're still warm from the skillet. I've learned that the best topping is whatever feels right in that moment—sometimes it's about what's in your fridge, and sometimes it's just about what sounds good. The batter's natural sweetness means you can go either direction, from indulgent to restrained, without apology.
Making Them Even Fluffier
If you want pancakes with extra lift and airliness, there's a simple upgrade: add half a teaspoon of baking powder and one egg to your blender before pulsing everything together. The egg acts as a binder while the baking powder creates a subtle rise, and you end up with pancakes that feel cloud-like on your tongue. It's not necessary—the basic version is wonderful—but it's a hack worth knowing about on mornings when you want something extra special.
Keeping Them Warm While You Cook
If you're cooking for more than one person, you've probably noticed the first pancakes get cold while you finish the last batch. A simple fix is to preheat your oven to 200°F and slip finished pancakes onto a plate inside once they come off the skillet. They'll stay warm and tender without overcooking, so everyone gets to eat together at the same temperature. It's a small thing, but it changes the whole experience of breakfast, especially when you're feeding people you care about.
- Stack them gently rather than piling them flat so they don't squash under their own weight.
- Check them after the last pancake comes off the skillet so they don't dry out from sitting.
- Serve them directly from the oven to the table so they arrive still steaming.
Save to Pinterest These pancakes have a way of becoming part of your rhythm, the kind of breakfast you reach for on mornings when you need something that feels both nourishing and kind. They're proof that the best meals don't need to be complicated.
Questions & Answers
- → Can I make these pancakes gluten-free?
Yes, using certified gluten-free rolled oats ensures the pancakes remain gluten-free.
- → What can I add to enhance the flavor?
Optional additions like cinnamon, vanilla extract, or a pinch of salt add warmth and depth to the batter.
- → How do I achieve fluffier pancakes?
Add 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and an egg to the batter for a lighter, fluffier texture.
- → What cooking oil is recommended?
Coconut oil or vegetable oil works well to prevent sticking and adds a subtle flavor.
- → Are these pancakes suitable for vegan diets?
Yes, sticking to the main ingredients of bananas and oats keeps the pancakes vegan-friendly.