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Kids love fluffy, sweet, and buttery pancakes for breakfast. However, a sugar rush may not be the top choice for a nutrient-packed meal to start the day. Want to learn how to make pancakes healthier for your hungry tykes? Start with these creative updates.
How To Make Pancakes Healthy and Delicious
Whether you’re using a ready-made mix or preparing your batter from scratch, making healthier pancakes depends on the ingredients you use. Make sure you add nutritious components when creating your base, choosing fillings, or finishing with toppings.
Prepare a mix of nuts, grains, seeds, and local fruits for a healthy mix of nutrients to add to a fluffy stack. Alternatively, go the savory route! Have you ever made pancakes packed with veggies and protein? Here are some ideas and tips to start.
1. Use whole grains in your homemade batter.
This one is an easy swap: place all-purpose flour on hold and opt for organic whole wheat, dark rye, mixed grain, oat, or buckwheat options. They work just as well as the usual white but are less processed, which means more nutrients. These flours may need a little more hydration, so add an extra splash of milk or water into your batter.
Whole grains are high in fiber, so eating them will keep you full and satiated throughout the day. Are you pressed for time? Keep your regular ready-to-cook pancake mixed stocked, but throw in a few spoonfuls of instant oats or oat flour for extra fiber.
2. Choose a colorful variety of mix-ins and toppings.
Stock up on easy mix-ins and toppings like nuts and seeds rich in protein, fiber, and vitamins E and B6. Some options are chia, flax, sliced almonds, toasted walnuts, or pumpkin seeds.
Don’t forget the literal cherries on top – fresh fruit is a fun way of adding sweetness while keeping the high-fructose, sugar-packed syrups at bay. Try tropical picks like papaya, melon, bananas, dragon fruit, and mangoes. You can also explore dried fruits for an extra touch of chew, like raisins, cranberries, or mango bits. Remember, the more colorful your mix, the healthier your pancakes!
If your kids love chocolate, opt for less-sweet dark options to mix into your pancake batter. They will enjoy the chocolatey surprise in every bite. And please skip the whipped cream. You can top your stack with a dollop of Greek yogurt instead. For that final drizzle, choose unsweetened applesauce, nut butters, or honey instead of sugary syrups.
3. Explore making savory pancakes packed with veggies and protein.
Ever had a savory pancake before? A vegetable pancake recipe might be what your kids need: mix sauteed pechay, flaked fish, or chopped seafood (any leftover ulam or lean meat will also work), and spring onions into your pancake batter. Season with Knorr Shrimp Cube by dissolving it into your batter base. Cook like your usual sweet pancake. For the topping, you can drizzle sweet-chili sauce or low-fat mayo.
You can also experiment with a rice flour pancake batter for a chewy-on-the-inside, crisp-on-the-outside texture, just like Korean-style vegetable pancakes. Try other veggies, like shredded carrots, diced sweet potatoes, chopped broccoli, and frozen spinach. If you want a more local twist, go for malunggay leaves, alugbati, togue, or puso ng saging.
Making meal plans and preparing grocery lists are key to finding time to execute new breakfast ideas in your household. High-protein and high-fiber morning meals will keep your kids full throughout the day and give them a sustained energy boost. Throw in some healthy carbohydrates to get a well-rounded breakfast of champs.
And that’s how to make pancakes healthier and packed with all the good stuff. Your kids will love them for breakfast and even for baon or merienda. Get them involved by asking them to help you in the kitchen. Aside from honing their cooking skills, they also learn about making their favorite food more nutritious.