Baby-Led Weaning Banana Pancakes
These 3-Ingredient Baby Led Weaning Pancakes are perfect for baby-led weaning, kids, and adults!
Banana pancakes with only three ingredients! These simple baby led weaning pancakes are perfect for breakfast. I made them so often when my kids were starting solids.
Throw a ripe banana, oats, and your favorite unsweetened plant-milk in a blender, puree until smooth, then cook these baby-led weaning pancakes like you would normal pancakes. They are perfect for baby-led weaning as they are soft and easy to gum.
Why I love this recipe
As a pediatric dietitian, I’m a big fan of baby-led weaning and did it with both of my kids. Over on Plant-Based Juniors, we created a starting solids course alongside Pediatrician Dr. Reshma Shah called First Bites, and I wrote The Plant-Based Baby + Toddler, which also includes the science behind baby-led weaning and recipes.
Even if you aren’t doing baby-led weaning with your kids, these banana pancakes are so easy and simple to put together; kids of all ages love them. I still serve them for breakfast to my 7-year-old!
Enjoy these baby led weaning pancakes as-is, or add in flavor. You can try vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger– it all works. If you like it in your pancakes, then you’ll like it in these!
Ingredients
- Rolled oats: Rolled oats are best for this, but quick cooking oats will work in a pinch. I don’t recommend steel cut oats because they won’t break down as easy in the blender.
- Banana: The banana needs to be ripe for best results as it not only helps to bind the oats but also provides natural sweetness.
- Fortified soy milk: I prefer fortified soy milk as it adds in extra protein, calcium, iron, and vitamin D, but any milk will work.
- Baking Powder: This is optional for fluffier pancakes. If you choose to add, you’ll need 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder.
How to Make
Step 1: Blend
Place the oats, milk and banana into a blender and puree until smooth. This is also where you will add in the baking powder, vanilla extract or spices, if you’d like.
Step 2: Cook
Grease a hot skillet, I like a cast iron skillet, then pour pancake batter in. When I make these banana pancakes for baby-led weaning, I use 2 tablespoons of batter. For larger pancakes, use a 1/4 cup measuring cup.
Cover to cook. I’ve found that steaming them while they cook yields the best results. When bubbles form on top and pancakes are set, flip and cook on the other side until lightly golden, about 1-2 minutes. The total time will vary based on the size of your pancakes.
Tips for Success
These baby led weaning pancakes aren’t traditional fluffy pancakes. They are soft and moist, which makes them perfect for baby! If you want a fluffier pancake, then I recommend adding in 1/2 teaspoon baking powder to the blender.
Banana pancakes will become slightly gummy as they cool, which makes them easy to cut for baby. For older kids, like my 3-year old son, I smear a thin layer of peanut butter on top along with a few smashed berries. He eats them with his hands like toast!
You’ll want to griddle and steam these for best results. Heat oil in a skillet, add the batter, the cover. Cool, flip and done!
Freezer Notes
These baby led weaning pancakes are great to make ahead. I make a big batch, then freeze leftovers for quick weekday mornings.
To freeze, place in a single layer on a baking sheet, then freeze until hardened. Remove and place in a freezer-safe bag.
To cook from frozen, reheat in a toaster oven, in the microwave or in a 200 degree F oven until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
How smooth does the batter need to be?
Ideally, it should be as smooth as your blender can get. As you are starting with rolled oats, it won’t become perfectly silky like traditional pancake batter but pureed enough where there are no large chunks of banana or whole oats remaining and that the batter is pourable.
Is covering the pancakes necessary?
I find that covering the pancakes when cooking creates the best results. Covering traps steam inside the pan, which helps the pancakes cook more evenly and contributes to a slightly fluffier texture.
How long to cook the pancakes on each side?
The first side will take longer to cook than the second. Wait until you see bubbles forming on top and the edges look set, and then flip. The second side will cook much faster, usually only 1-2 minutes.
More Breakfast Recipes
- Whole Wheat Waffles
- Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
- Healthy Pumpkin Waffles
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bowl
- Raspberry Chia Jam
If you try these baby led weaning banana pancakes, make sure to come back to leave a review and rate it! Your feedback helps others and I love seeing you make my recipes.
Baby-Led Weaning Banana Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups rolled oats
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 cup fortified soy milk, or other plant-based milk
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, optional for fluffier ‘cakes
- Vanilla extract, cinnamon, optional
Instructions
- Place the oats, milk and banana in a blender and puree until smooth. If using optional baking powder, vanilla extract or spices like cinnamon, add it in here.
- Grease a hot skillet, then pour pancake batter in; for baby-led weaning, I use 2 tablespoons of batter. For larger pancakes, use a 1/4 cup measuring cup.
- Cover to cook. I’ve found that steaming them while they cook yields best results. When bubbles form on top and pancakes are set, flip and cook on the other side until lightly golden, about 1-2 minutes. The total time will vary based on the size of your pancakes.
Notes
- To freeze, place in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen, then place in a freezer safe container or bag for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
More baby-led weaning resources
- Baby-Led Weaning FAQs
- Baby-Led Weaning Gagging vs. Choking
- Baby-Led Weaning for Vegans
- Spoon Feeding vs. Baby-Led Weaning