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Gone are the days of scooping out pancake mix, adding water, and plopping it on a griddle to cook. Ten years ago we never would have considered adding things like quinoa, chia seeds, flax meal, protein powder, or even wild rice to our pancakes.
Today however, we are much more creative and looking for any way to add an extra dose of healthiness to the foods we eat. While the idea is still strange to some, I have to tell you that I have fallen in love with adding quinoa to pancakes, especially these Strawberry Quinoa Pancakes!
Don’t get me wrong, I still love plain old buttermilk pancakes, those will never go out of style. However, when I’m trying to include protein and an extra dose of nutrients to my breakfast, those plain buttermilk pancakes aren’t going to cut it.
Traditional pancakes are of course loaded with carbs, but that’s about it. Over the years though we have gotten creative with the way we make pancakes and suddenly those carby breakfast cakes are loaded with protein whole grains, new flavors, and texture.
One of the things I always thought was missing in buttermilk pancakes was a little texture. I could of course add nuts for a little crunch, but I decided to go a different route with these.
I’d seen a lot of recipe adding quinoa to pancakes and muffins, so I thought I would give it a try. I chose to use red quinoa in my pancakes because it has a slightly nuttier flavor than regular quinoa, but either one will work.
The cooked quinoa not only added a nutty flavor, but a slight crunch to every bite of the pancakes which I instantly fell in love with. By adding quinoa you not only get a different taste and texture, but a healthy dose of protein.
Because spring is on it’s way, at least I hope it is anyways, I had to buy some strawberries and not only add them into the pancake batter, but also make the most delicious strawberry sauce to pour over my pancakes. The sauce is so simple to make and only uses strawberries, vanilla, and pure maple syrup.
After cooking the berries on the stove for a few minutes they start to break down and create a thick syrupy sauce that is perfect poured on top of the pancakes. You won’t miss drowning your flapjacks in butter and maple syrup when you have this sweet sauce on hand! Upgrade your morning pancakes from 1995 and give them an extra boost of flavor and nutrition by making these Strawberry Quinoa Pancakes!
Strawberry Quinoa Pancakes
Ingredients
Strawberry Quinoa Pancakes
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
- 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour, or all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- pinch of salt
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup milk of choice
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 cup diced strawberries
Strawberry Sauce
- 1 pound strawberries, diced
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over high heat bring 2 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a boil. When the water is boiling add the rinsed quinoa in, cover, lower the heat to medium low and let it simmer for about 20 minutes or until all of the water is absorbed. Let the quinoa cool to room temperature.
- In a large bowl whisk together the flours, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In a glass measuring cup whisk together the milk, egg, vanilla and almond extracts. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir together just until combined.
- Stir in the cooled quinoa and diced strawberries being careful not to over mix the batter. Cover the pancake batter and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to an hour.
- Once the batter has rested, heat a griddle and spray it with cooking spray. Scoop about 1/4 cup of the batter onto the prepared griddle and let it cook until bubbles form in the batter. Flip the pancakes and cook on the other side until lightly browned. Continue with the remaining batter then serve the pancakes warm topped with the strawberry sauce.
Strawberry Sauce
- In a medium sized saucepan combine the strawberries, vanilla, and maple syrup. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat to medium low and let the sauce simmer for 8-10 minutes stirring occasionally. Once the sauce has thickened, remove from the heat and serve it on top of the pancakes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Pancake Recipes
Apple Spice Sheet Pan Pancakes
Peanut Butter and Jelly Stuffed Pancakes
Zucchini Bread Pancakes with Maple Cream Cheese Topping
Neat recipe, but you didn’t include the sugar in the directions. Probably added to the milk/egg/vanilla mix, I’m assuming?
Thanks for catching my error Russ and sorry about that. I’ve fixed the recipe, you can add it into either the wet or dry ingredients.
Loved these pancakes! I made them this morning and a love affair began. :)
Do you happen to know the nutritional facts? Calories and such? They are health “bombs” for sure, and I added chai seeds for a little omega, I’m just tracking things right now.
Thank you!
Such a beautiful dish! I love that you used quinoa!
Thanks Annie!
These look so fluffy and delicious! I love seeing various pancake recipes and I love that these have quinoa! I can easily sub in gluten free flour and make these…yum!
Thanks Caroline! I love seeing all the pancake recipes out there too, so many to choose from!
Whoa! These are so gorgeous! Love that you added quinoa. I still need to try that out and your spring flavors here are having me craving pancakes!
You will love the quinoa addition Meg, it’s so good!
I’m obsessed with quinoa!! Adding quinoa to pancakes sounds like an amazing idea! And the pictures are gorgeous Danae! Have a wonderful week :)
Thank you Diana! I absolutely loved the quinoa addition to the pancakes! Have a great week!
Danae,
These look so amazing! I totally agree – just a few short years ago we would have never thought of adding so many delicious and healthy ingredients. I’m definitely going to give these a try!
Thanks Aida! I’m kind of loving how creative and healthy pancakes have become!
My mom totally spoiled us by making from scratch pancakes all the time. When I’d go to my friend’s house and their mom’s made Bisquick pancakes, I was always like “my mom’s are WAY better”. LOL!
That is one beautiful stack of pancakes, Danae! Love all of the healthy ingredients in them. And strawberries!
Thanks Julie! My mom made from scratch pancakes too, I never could get into the Bisquick even if it is convenient!
First, your photos are GORGEOUS!! Second, I should make these this weekend, I’m a fan of quinoa in anything!
Thanks Beth, you are so sweet! If you love quinoa you will love these pancakes!
I love the idea of adding quinoas to pancakes!! So healthy and yummy :)
Thanks Becky! The quinoa was a great addition to the pancakes, so much flavor!