These Banana Pancakes are fluffy with the best sweet banana flavor. Cook up a batch on the weekend and freeze the leftovers for quick weekday breakfasts.

Pouring maple syrup onto stack of 7 banana pancakes topped with fresh banana slices.

Easy Banana Pancakes

If you have extra-ripe bananas sitting on your kitchen counter, this banana pancake recipe is one of the best ways to use them up! Like our favorite Banana Muffins and Healthy Banana Bread, the best banana pancakes are made with super ripe brown spotted bananas. The ripe bananas add lots of natural sweetness to the pancakes.

These banana pancakes are easy to make, using simple ingredients. They’re sweet and flavorful as is, but I won’t blame you if you drizzle on a bit of maple syrup. Top your stack with sliced bananas for extra banana flavor.

Banana Pancake Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for banana pancakes recipe.

Here’s what you’ll need to make these banana pancakes:

  • Butter: The butter adds moisture and flavor to the pancakes.
  • Flour: I like to make these pancakes with a combination of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour. The whole wheat flour adds a healthy boost of nutrition while the all-purpose flour keeps the pancakes light and fluffy. You can replace the whole wheat flour with all-purpose flour, if desired.
  • Sugar: Just one tablespoon of granulated sugar adds extra sweetness. You can omit the sugar if you wish; the ripe banana also adds sweetness.
  • Baking Powder and Baking Soda: To make the pancakes rise and puff up as they cook.
  • Salt: Enhances all of the other flavors. Don’t skip it!
  • Cinnamon: Complements the banana flavor.
  • Mashed Banana: For best results, use very ripe brown spotted bananas. Ripe bananas are extra sweet and easy to mash, so they make the best banana pancakes.
  • Eggs: The eggs provide structure, help the pancakes to rise, and add richness.
  • Milk: I recommend using whole milk for the richest flavor. 2% or nondairy milk can also be used.
  • Vanilla: A teaspoon of pure vanilla extract adds a hint of sweet vanilla flavor.

Looking for more banana recipes to use up your ripe bananas? Try this Banana Smoothie, Banana Chocolate Chip Granola Bars and Strawberry Banana Baked Oatmeal.

How to Make Banana Pancakes

Here’s an overview of the simple steps to making banana pancakes:

  1. Melt the butter and set it aside to cool slightly.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: both flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Dry ingredients added to mixing bowl.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: mashed banana, eggs, milk and vanilla. Then whisk in the melted butter until well combined. Melted butter added to wet ingredients in mixing bowl.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix with a rubber spatula until just combined. Pancake batter in large mixing bowl with a spatula.
  5. Cook banana pancakes on a hot griddle or skillet over medium heat, flipping the pancakes once bubbles have formed on the top and the bottom is golden brown. Two side by side photos showing cooking pancake in skillet before and after flipping.

Recipe Tips

  • Use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and flavor.
  • You can add mini chocolate chips to the pancake batter to make banana chocolate chip pancakes.
  • When you combine the wet and dry ingredients, be careful to not overmix. Stir them together with a rubber spatula just until the flour is incorporated. It’s ok if the pancake batter is a little lumpy but you shouldn’t see any streaks or clumps of flour.
  • Cook the pancakes until they are golden brown on both sides. Cook them over moderate heat so that the centers cook through in the same time that it takes for the sides to become golden.
  • To keep the pancakes warm while you cook the rest of the batch, you can place them on a baking sheet in an oven that you’ve preheated to 200° F and then turned off.
Stack of banana pancakes topped with banana slices and maple syrup.

Serving Suggestions

Banana pancakes are delicious served with maple syrup, sliced banana and toasted walnuts or pecans. Or, top them with some fresh berries and/or a spoonful of peanut butter or almond butter. Other dishes that pair well with banana pancakes include:

How to Freeze Banana Pancakes

These pancakes freeze wonderfully to reheat for a quick breakfast later on. Once cool, store the pancakes in an airtight container (such as a zip-top plastic bag) in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or in the microwave on low power and then reheat in the microwave (or a low temperature oven) until warm.

Stack of banana pancakes with bite on a fork.

More Homemade Pancakes Recipes

Stack of banana pancakes with maple syrup dripping down.

Banana Pancakes

Servings: 18 3.5 inch pancakes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 33 minutes
These Banana Pancakes are soft and fluffy with the best sweet banana flavor. Cook up a batch on the weekend and freeze the leftovers for quick weekday breakfasts.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup mashed ripe banana, 250 grams, about 2 medium to large bananas
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk, or 2% milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Melt the butter, either in the microwave or on the stove, and set aside to cool slightly.
  • In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Whisk until well combined.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the mashed banana, eggs, milk and vanilla. Then whisk in the melted butter until well combined.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix with a rubber spatula until just combined. Try not to over-mix the batter. A few small lumps may remain in the batter but you shouldn't see large clumps or streaks of flour.
  • Heat a griddle or skillet to medium heat (325-350° F). If it requires greasing, lightly grease with cooking spray or melted butter. Scoop batter by scant ¼ cup onto the heated griddle. Cook pancakes on the first side until bubbles begin to form and the bottom side of the pancakes are golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Flip pancakes and cook until the second side is browned, about 2 minutes more. Serve immediately or keep warm while you cook the rest of the pancakes by placing on a baking sheet in an oven that you've preheated to 200° F and then turned off.

Notes

  • Banana pancakes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
Serving: 1pancake, Calories: 93kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 24mg, Sodium: 111mg, Potassium: 159mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 107IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 52mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is an estimate.
Cuisine: American
Course: Breakfast
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