Green Banana Flour Pancakes (Vegan, Gluten-free, Grain-free, Paleo)

I saw a bag of green banana flour at the supermarket a while back and bought it out of curiosity. I found it recently sitting at the back of the fridge and realized I hadn’t used it for the longest time (what a shame!). Mostly because I had no idea what to do with it! After some thought, I decided to use it up for pancakes, and I’m so glad I did! These Green Banana Flour Pancakes turned out to be extremely fluffy and delicious. I can even dare to say they were the best gluten-free pancakes I’ve ever tried! My current favorite right after my beloved quick & easy blender banana pancakes!

Health Benefits of Green Banana Flour

Green banana or plantain flour is simply the yield of green under-ripe bananas or plantains. It’s a fantastic source of minerals like zinc, magnesium, phosphorous, and manganese. It’s also naturally grain-free and gluten-free, making it ideal for people sensitive to these foods or those on a Paleo or AIP diet (Auto Immune Protocol).

Green bananas and plantains are high in resistant starch. In fact, each cup of the flour contains a whopping 42-52 grams of resistant starch, the highest found in any food! The high fiber content helps keep you full for longer and your blood sugar stable. Therefore, you’re much less likely to suffer from cravings afterward.

Health Benefits of Resistant Starch

Resistant starch is a fermentable fiber that passes through the digestive tract undigested, all the way to the large intestine. It’s a great source of prebiotics that can improve both the number and type of good bacteria in your gut. Once it reaches the large intestine, the bacteria in the gut use it as fuel, ferment it, and produce awesome health benefits for the whole body. One of the fermentation by-products is a short-chain fatty acid called butyrate, which helps the lining of your colon to stay healthy and strong and fight off cancerous cells. Butyrate is absorbed from the colon into the bloodstream, so it can help reduce inflammation throughout the entire body.

Moreover, resistant starch helps keep blood glucose levels stable after a meal and decreases the spikes that happen when you consume refined flours and grains. So it’s an effective way to improve insulin sensitivity.

Green Banana Flour Pancakes

You can find green banana flour at most health food stores (like Whole Foods) and also online. I’ve even seen it in the food aisles at Winners and Home Sense (in Canada).

I’ve tried these pancakes both with eggs and without (using flax eggs) and got fantastic results both times! So it’s up to you whether to include eggs or not.

To make flax eggs, you need 3 tablespoons of water for each tablespoon of ground flax seeds. Stir it a few times to combine and let it sit for 10-15 minutes to gel. Once it’s thick you can use it as you use eggs in most recipes.

Can’t wait for you to try these super thick and fluffy pancakes! Don’t forget to leave a comment below or tag me in your creations @nutriholist #nutriholist on Instagram or Facebook. XO

Green Banana Flour Pancakes

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds {See Note}
• 6 tablespoons water
• 1 cup green banana (plantain) flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup non-dairy milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
• 1 teaspoon of coconut oil, for cooking

Directions

1. Mix the ground flax seeds with water, stir a few times and set aside for 10-15 minutes to thicken
2. Pour the flour in a medium bowl, add the baking soda and stir to combine. Add in the flax meal, milk (I used coconut), vanilla, and vinegar and stir to get an even doughy mixture (don’t overmix!)
3. Heat coconut oil in a large pan over medium-low. Add about 1/4 cup of the batter to form a pancake. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes until the edges get golden brown and bubbles form on top. Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes on the other side. Repeat
4. Serve warm with a drizzle of pure maple syrup, banana slices, or other fruits of choice. Enjoy!

NOTE: If you’re not vegan and prefer eggs in your pancakes, you can use 2 organic eggs instead of flax seeds and water.