If I could count the number of times I’ve heard parents admit that they’ve snuck veggies into their kid’s food, I’d be rich. And from what said parents have reported, the success rate of getting picky eaters to eat—and enjoy—fruits and vegetables without even knowing it 99 percent of the time is high.
From vegan butternut squash mac and cheese to black bean brownies, sneaking some extra nutrient-rich ingredients into some of our favorite dishes is beyond simple. That’s why, when we came across these gluten-free gingerbread pancakes that pack a secret gut-healthy ingredient (namely, pumpkin purée), we knew that it would stack up (ha!) to meet our expectations. This recipe has everything we could ever want from one of our favorite breakfast staples of all time: fiber, nutrients, and tons of flavor. Seriously, waking up to the sound of your alarm going off will feel more enjoyable than ever before once it means noshing on a stack of these tasty flapjacks.
Why we love these gluten-free gingerbread pancakes so much
In a recent TikTok video by @eattherainbow_za, we learned that a short stack of pancakes tastes even better with the help of pumpkin. Aside from their festive, fun gingerbread flavor, these gluten-free pancakes pack a boatload of gut-boosting benefits, plus essential vitamins and minerals.
For starters, pumpkin (which is considered a fruit, BTW) is a great source of vitamin A. “One cup of pumpkin contains over 200 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A, which is an important vitamin for eye health and night vision,” Maggie Michalczyk, RD, a registered dietitian, previously shared with Well+Good. One cup of pumpkin also contains 19 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C—an antioxidant known for strengthening the immune system and boosting collagen production.
Aside from the bountiful amounts of vitamins, pumpkin is also packed with fiber, which is essential for healthy digestion and can help lower cholesterol levels. Meanwhile, it also has a substantial amount of magnesium, which is also important for digestion (as well as energy, muscle relaxation, and nervous system regulation), as well as potassium, which Michalczyk says is a mineral necessary for muscle contraction, good digestion, water balance, and healthy blood pressure.
TL; DR? If you’re looking to boost some of your favorite recipes (like pancakes), you may want to consider adding a serving or two of pureed pumpkin into the mix for added nutrition with minimal effort. And if pumpkin isn’t exactly your jam, you can also use other ingredients like carrot or butternut squash purees for luscious pancakes filled with tons of health benefits.
Gluten-free gingerbread pancakes recipes
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients:60 grams (1/4 cup) pumpkin purée2 large egg whites or 1 whole egg1/2 vanillaLiquid sweetener drops (optional)
Dry Ingredients:1 Tsp ground ginger1 Tsp ground cinnamonPinch of nutmegPinch of salt1 Tsp baking powder10 grams (1 Tbsp) oat flour (or regular flour)27 grams (about 3 Tbsp) of whey protein
Icing Ingredients:1 1/2 Tbsp sugar (or sugar substitute)20 grams (1 1/4 Tbsp) double cream Greek yogurtMilk, as needed (optional)
1. Combine the wet ingredients.
2. Mix the dry ingredients together.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth.
4. Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes before frying the pancakes.
If breakfast is your favorite meal of the day, it might be time to try this delicious vegan Dutch baby pancake:
Sign Up for Our Daily Newsletter
Get all the latest in wellness, trends, food, fitness, beauty, and more delivered right to your inbox.
Got it, you've been added to our email list.
