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    Home » Real Food » Breakfast Recipes

    Whole Wheat Pancakes

    February 6, 2022 | By Kristen Chidsey | 32 Comments | *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Made with 100% whole wheat flour, these pancakes are everything a good pancake should be--light, fluffy, and delicious, thanks to a few trade secrets. These healthy pancakes make a perfect weekend breakfast and also freeze great for a quick weekday breakfast. 

    Made with 100% whole wheat flour, these whole wheat pancakes are everything a good pancake should be--light, fluffy, tender, and delicious.

    Stack of Whole Wheat Pancakes drizzled with Maple Syrup.

    Whole Wheat Pancakes have a reputation for being tough, flat, and flavorless.

    But this recipe changes that!

    These pancakes are not only fluffy and tender, but they also have incredible flavor and taste amazing.

    Even though I love pancakes of all varieties, this recipe for whole wheat pancakes is my go-to pancake recipe. It is easy, wholesome, and delivers perfect, fluffy pancakes every time.

    Secrets to Fluffy Whole Wheat Pancakes

    These tips will help you create the most delicious, fluffiest Whole Wheat Pancakes ever!

    • Use whole wheat pastry flour for the lightest wheat pancakes. Whole wheat pastry flour is more finely ground than whole wheat flour and has a bit less gluten, which helps keep these pancakes tender and light.
    • Buttermilk is key to fluffy pancakes. The acidity of the buttermilk helps to break down strands of gluten, leading to more tender pancakes.
    • DO NOT OVERMIX the batter. It is okay to have a few lumps, if you overwork your batter you will have tough pancakes.
    • DO NOT press down on the spatula while cooking your pancakes--this will destroy the air bubbles and won't give you a fluffy pancake.

    Notes on Ingredients

    Ingredients for whole wheat pancakes labled on counter.
    • Whole Wheat Pastry Flour: As I stated, whole wheat pastry flour is best for this recipe. However, if you don't have whole wheat pastry flour, I recommend using white wheat flour, which is still 100% whole grain, or a combination of all-purpose and regular whole wheat flour. This recipe will work using all-purpose flour as well, you will just sacrifice the benefit of the pancakes being made with whole grains.
    • Buttermilk: The acidity in buttermilk is necessary to keep the pancakes fluffy, but you can easily prepare homemade buttermilk if you don't happen to keep buttermilk on hand. Simply mix together 1-¼ cups milk (any variety) with 1 tablespoon lemon juice and let sit for 5 minutes. 
    • Butter: You can use either melted butter or melted coconut oil in the pancake batter.

    Recipe Modifications

    • Dairy-Free Pancakes: For dairy-free whole wheat pancakes, simply use your favorite non-dairy milk to make homemade buttermilk and replace the melted butter with canola oil.
    • Egg-Free Pancakes: For egg-free pancakes, check out my recipe for Vegan Pancakes, which have the perfect consistency even without the eggs.

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    • Melt the butter or coconut oil over low heat on the stove or in the microwave. Set it aside while you prepare the dry ingredients, to let it cool slightly so it will not scramble the eggs when added to the batter.
    • Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together over a large mixing bowl. This will help to remove any clumps of baking powder that are unpleasant to bite into. In a pinch, you can also just whisk the dry ingredients really well with a wire whisk.
    Dry Ingredients for pancakes in mesh strainer over bowl.
    • Combine wet ingredients in a separate small mixing bowl.
    Buttermilk mixture in small mixing bowl.
    • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and use a spoon or spatula to gently combine the batter. If your batter appears too thick, add in up to an additional ¼ cup buttermilk, 1 tablespoon at a time.  You want the batter to easily pour out of a measuring cup, but also thick enough that the batter is not runny. It should be slightly thicker than cake batter. 
    Whole wheeat pancake batter in mixing bowl.
    • Preheat your skillet to medium heat and grease well with nonstick spray, butter, or coconut oil.
    • Once the pan is fully preheated, use a ¼ cup measuring cup to pour the pancake batter onto the skillet. This will ensure each pancake is even in size.
    • Once the edges of the pancakes are set and bubbles appear on the surface of the pancakes, flip the pancakes over.
    Pancake with bubble on top of surface s in skillet.
    • Cook for 1 minute, or until set--REMEMBER do not push down on the pancakes after flipping them.
    • Remove the pancakes from the skillet and place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet that has been fitted with a cooling rack. This will allow the heat to circulate around the pancakes, preventing the bottoms from becoming soggy.
    • Continue to prepare the pancakes until the batter is gone.
    • Serve with maple syrup and butter as desired.
    Pancakes stacked on blue plate topped with maple syrup.

    Storage/Reheating Instructions

    These whole wheat pancakes reheat well from frozen and from the refrigerator, making this a great recipe to double to enjoy pancakes for multiple breakfasts.

    How to Store Pancakes

    • Lay the cooked pancakes out on a cooling rack in a single layer and allow them to cool completely. This will help prevent them from getting soggy.
    • Once cooled, place the pancakes into an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    • Reheat the pancakes by wrapping pancakes in a slightly damp paper towel for 30 seconds to 1 minute in the microwave.

    How to Freeze Pancakes

    • Once the pancakes have finished cooking, lay them out on a cooling rack in a single layer until completely cool. Again, this prevents the bottom of the pancakes from getting soggy.
    • Place cooled pancakes on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or wax paper and place in the freezer for 30 minutes, or until frozen solid. By freezing the pancakes on a sheet pan first, they will not stick together when frozen.
    • Remove pancakes off the cookies sheet, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
    • Reheat by wrapping pancakes in a slightly damp paper towel for 1-2 minutes in the microwave.

    Recipe FAQs

    How do you keep pancakes warm for serving?

    When you remove the pancakes from the skillet, place them on a baking sheet that has been fitted with a cooling rack and keep them in a 200-degree Fahrenheit oven. This ensures the pancakes stay warm, while not getting a soggy bottom.

    My pancakes browned too quickly, how can I prevent this?

    Be sure to cook your pancakes on medium heat. If the heat is any higher, the exterior of your pancakes may brown quicker than the insides cook.

    How do I know when to flip pancakes?

    Pancakes are ready to flip when the edges are set and small bubbles form on the surface of the pancake batter.

    More Delicious Pancake Recipes

    • Dutch Baby Pancake
    • Banana Oat Pancakes
    • Chocolate Chip Pancakes

    If you tried these Whole Wheat Pancakes, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.

    Stack of whole wheat pancakes on plute plate topped with syrup

    Whole Wheat Pancakes

    These whole wheat pancakes are light, fluffy, tender, and easy to make.
    4.90 from 19 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 141kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
    • 4 teaspoons baking powder
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • 1-¼ cups buttermilk or homemade buttermilk
    • 2 eggs
    • 2 tablespoons melted butter or canola oil
    • coconut oil or butter for cooking
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.
    Text Ingredients To Phone

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Once heated, place a cookie sheet fitted with a cooling rack into the oven. Also, preheat a large skillet or griddle to medium heat and grease with coconut oil, melted butter, or nonstick spray.
    • In a large bowl, sift together the baking powder, flour, and salt. Lightly whisk together until everything is evenly incorporated.
    • In a separate small bowl, mix together eggs, melted butter, and buttermilk together until well combined.
    • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Don't overmix. You just want the flour to be fully moistened. If your batter appears too thick, add in up to an additional ¼ cup buttermilk, 1 tablespoon at a time.  You want the batter to easily pour out of a measuring cup, but also thick enough that the batter is not runny. It should be slightly thicker than cake batter. 
    • Ladle ¼ cup pancake batter onto the heated skillet. Cook until bubbles form and the edges are dry. Flip the pancakes and cook 1-2 minutes before removing them from the skillet. Remember, do not be tempted to push down on the pancakes as they finish cooking.
    • Once pancakes are prepared, transfer them to the baking sheet in the oven, to hold warm in the oven until serving.
    • Repeat the process with the remaining batter.
    • Serve with butter, maple syrup, and/or fruit as desired.

    Equipment Needed

    • Nonstick Griddle
    • Baking Sheet with Rack

    Notes

    Flour: Use whole wheat pastry flour for the lightest wheat pancakes.  If you don't have whole wheat pastry flour, use whole white wheat flour, all-purpose flour, or a combination of all-purpose and wheat flour. 
    Homemade Buttermilk: To prepare homemade buttermilk, mix together 1-¼ cups milk (any variety) with 1 tablespoon lemon juice and let sit for 5 minutes. 
    Low Fat Modification: If you need lower fat pancakes, replace the butter or oil with applesauce or an extra 2 tablespoons of milk--it will work perfectly. 
    Storing Pancakes: Once the pancakes have finished cooking, lay them out on a cooling rack in a single layer until completely cool. Place in a sealed container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat by wrapping pancakes in a slightly damp paper towel for 30 seconds to 1 minute in the microwave
    To Freeze Pancakes: Once the pancakes have finished cooking, lay them out on a cooling rack in a single layer until completely cool. Place cooled pancakes on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or wax paper and place in the freezer for 30 minutes, or until frozen solid. Remove pancakes off the cookies sheet, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat by wrapping pancakes in a slightly damp paper towel for 1-2 minutes in the microwave.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 80mg | Potassium: 426mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 185IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 178mg | Iron: 1.4mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

    This post was originally published in 2015 but was updated in 2022 with new tips but the recipe remains the same.

     

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    Categorized Under: Allergy Friendly Recipes, Breakfast Recipes, Real Food

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Katie

      February 15, 2022 at 10:43 am

      5 stars
      These taste like what my grandma used to always make growing up. So hearty and delicious!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        February 15, 2022 at 3:41 pm

        Aww, can't be Grandma's! Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
    2. Natalie

      February 15, 2022 at 6:10 am

      5 stars
      Beautiful pancakes. So healthy and delicious. My son loves them.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        February 15, 2022 at 3:40 pm

        I love hearing your son enjoys this healthier version!

        Reply
    3. paige

      February 20, 2021 at 12:17 am

      Hello! Would apple cider vinegar work in place of the lemon juice for the homemade buttermilk?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        February 20, 2021 at 7:52 am

        Yes! Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar is a great substitute.

        Reply
    4. jennee loflin

      November 15, 2020 at 11:27 am

      I used 1/2 kefir and half organic 2% milk for the 1 1/4 C buttermilk in the recipe. I subbed the 2 C WW flour with 1/2 c flax meal, 1/2C WW pastry flour 1 cup of traditional WW flour and added 1/3 C Kaniwa seeds to the batter before spooning into the heated pan. While in the pan, I added toasted pumpkin seeds to the pancakes. The pancakes were really good. If it wasn't for such a good basic recipe, it would not have held up so well.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 16, 2020 at 6:50 am

        I am so glad you enjoyed these pancakes Jennee and that the recipe worked even with your modifications.

        Reply
    5. Denay DeGuzman

      May 13, 2020 at 10:58 pm

      5 stars
      We enjoyed these delicious whole-wheat pancakes for breakfast on Mother's Day. They tasted just like the ones my mom would make for us kids on Sundays. Thank you for sharing this yummy recipe!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 14, 2020 at 7:01 am

        What a wonderful Mother's Day Breakfast Denay! I hope your whole day was filled with love (and good food!)

        Reply
    6. Beth

      May 13, 2020 at 10:52 pm

      5 stars
      These pancakes are out of this world delicious! I made these for breakfast and my family loved them. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 14, 2020 at 7:00 am

        I love hearing how much your family enjoyed Beth. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.

        Reply
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