Fluffy Vegan Chocolate Banana Pancakes Recipe - Elephantastic Vegan (2024)

FAQs

What makes pancakes fluffy and helps them rise? ›

Pancakes and waffles typically both contain baking soda, which causes them to rise. As soon as the baking soda is combined with the wet ingredients (which contain an acidic ingredient, like often buttermilk), it starts producing carbon dioxide gas bubbles that cause the batter to rise.

Most Aunt Jemima's mixes call for a heavy amount of dairy and eggs. However, it does have two accidental vegan mixes called the Original Pancake and the Whole Wheat Pancake Mix.

Overmixing the batter is probably the number one reason why your vegan pancakes are gummy. When it comes to pancakes, you want the batter to be slightly lumpy. If you mix the batter too much, you knock all of the air bubbles out and your pancakes won't rise very well, resulting in a gummy texture.

In order to get a fluffy pancake, we need to have gas (carbon dioxide) bubble up through the gluten just as the mixture is heated. This reaction requires an acid and a base. Almost all pancake recipes use baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) for the base.

Baking soda is essential for baked goods, but baking powder is really what makes pancakes and biscuits rise and become so super fluffy. Double-acting baking powder, which is the kind that you'll find in the grocery store, produces bubbles in two ways: when it is mixed with wet ingredients and then when it gets heated.

Flour is the main ingredient to any pancake. It provides the structure. Different types of flours alter the structure because some flours absorb more moisture or create more gluten (which binds the structure together) than others.

Baking powder and baking soda are the chemical leaveners typically used in pancakes. They are responsible for the bubbles in the batter, and for making the cakes light and fluffy.

In its purest form, maple syrup is indeed vegan. It is often enjoyed as a delicious substitute for other types of sugar as a breakfast food topping or baking ingredient. While many maple syrups are vegan, some take a different route between the tree and the table.

Many vegans refer to Oreos as “accidentally vegan,” meaning they don't contain animal products — but they weren't created to be a specifically vegan treat. Oreos do not contain milk, eggs, or any other animal-derived products, so they are technically vegan in that sense. Plant-based cookies and cream lovers rejoice!

Can vegans eat IHOP pancakes? There are no vegan pancake options at IHOP. Your best bet is to pull together some of IHOP's vegan sides or opt for oatmeal made with water or sautéed vegetables with a potato-based side.

Why are my banana pancakes gummy? ›

Why are my pancakes gooey inside? You are using too high a heat. The outside may look just right but the inside is uncooked batter. Try reducing the heat and letting it cook longer.

Avoid High Heat

Mortillaro explains that high heat results in uneven cooking as it burns the outside while leaving the inside batter raw. "This is because the high heat does not allow enough time for the heat from the pan and oil to penetrate to the center of the pancake," she says.

Rubbery Pancakes

Unfortunately, this is one of the few things that can't be fixed. However, you can salvage the batter by adding ¼ cup of additional liquid (usually milk) and turning your pancakes into waffles.

If the batter seems too thick, add a bit more milk. If it's too thin, add a bit more flour. Make sure you sieve it in to avoid creating lumps and whisk to ensure the mixture is combined.

Mixing the pancake batter too harshly will promote the formation of gluten. For that reason, you will want to be very careful when mixing. Forming a little gluten won't be the end of the world. However, too much gluten in the batter will make it too thick and dense.