There are a million different ways to make pancakes. They can be fruity, savory, rich, fluffy, thick, sweet, crunchy…you name it and someone’s done it. Pancakes are one of my favorite weekend morning meals for this very reason. I love finding new ways to make a healthier, yet still delicious pancake that leaves me feeling full and satisfied, ready to take on the day. Now that we have a 3 week old baby it is even more important that my breakfast keeps me full and energized because this baby thing isn’t easy. Enter these oatmeal brown sugar pancakes.
A few nights ago I made a triple batch of the dry ingredients for these pancakes to have on hand throughout the week. In the morning I just mix in the wet ingredients, get the frying pan going and we have a simple, healthy breakfast in less than 10 minutes. Sometimes I even get to eat it before the baby wakes up! Sometimes…
Let me go through my morning to prove just how quick and easy these oatmeal brown sugar pancakes are. First of all, like I said above, I mixed all of the dry ingredients together the night before (which took two minutes) and put them in an airtight container on the counter. Then my morning looked like this:
6:00AM – Baby wakes up. I feed her while laying down. We both pass out again.
8:45AM – I wake up while baby starts to stir. I pass her off to husband while I run into the kitchen to start making pancakes.
8:46AM – Our two cats and dog pace at my feet wanting their breakfast so I throw the frying pan on the stove, set it to medium heat and let it warm up while I feed the beasts.
8:48AM – I grab an egg, milk and some coconut oil, whisk it together then stir it into the dry ingredients. (I hear baby cry. My time is ending.)
8:50AM – While the first batch of pancakes is starting to bubble, awaiting the first flip, husband calls out saying he has a work call in 5 minutes. Flip pancakes.
8:52AM – First batch done, second batch going. Bubbles form, husband calls out 2 minute warning. I have to pee.
8:55AM – Dog needs to go out. Flip pancakes. Husband calls out that the work call is now.
8:56AM – Pancakes done. Put pancakes in the oven to stay warm. Throw dishes in the sink. Let dog in. Get baby. Forget to pee.
Pancakes are done in less than 10 minutes. Today I didn’t get to eat them before the baby woke up, but thankfully I’ve mastered the one handed eat-while-breastfeeding trick and baby and I enjoy our breakfast while watching the last hour of the Today show. Husband eventually joins in too. I drop a few powdered sugar balls on baby’s face while she feeds. She doesn’t seem to care.
On this particular morning I didn’t have time to fancy up my pancakes with any sliced bananas, nuts or berries, but if you have the time, go for it. I was lucky enough to just get a smear of butter and a sprinkling of powdered sugar on mine, but they were still delicious! Two medium sized pancakes and a nice cup of coffee filled me up enough to get through the rest of the morning with a very hungry baby (growth spurt!)
If you find yourself with nothing to do on a Sunday afternoon, I recommend whipping up a triple batch of the dry ingredients and keeping it in an airtight container on your counter. That way you’re good to go with oatmeal brown sugar pancakes whenever you want throughout the week; just add the correct ratio of wet ingredients and you’re golden. 10 minute pancakes are every man, woman and child’s best friend.
WHAT TO BRING TO THE STORE
In order to reduce your packaging waste, bring the following reusables with you to the store:
- 2-3 reusable bulk bags for the oats, brown sugar and flour
- 1 reusable bulk spice bag for the cinnamon
And don’t forget your reusable grocery bag!
WASTE METER – 5!
This recipe gets a 5 out of 5 on the waste meter because nothing needs to be thrown away (as long as you followed the bulk instructions above :)) Here’s what to do:
Recycle: Egg Carton, Milk Carton (once emptied of course)
Compost: Egg Shell
Trash: Nothing
Oatmeal Brown Sugar Pancakes Recipe
Yields 6
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
15 min
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp quick oats
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
- 3/4 cup almond milk
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl mix together the oats, flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and cinnamon. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the egg, milk and coconut oil. Slowly add the wet ingredients into the dry.
- Heat a large frying pan or griddle over medium heat. Allow to heat completely, then add half of the butter until it melts.
- Drop 1/3 cupfuls of batter into the pan. Flip once bubbles start to form around the edges (1-2 minutes). Let cook for another minute on the other side then remove from the pan. Repeat with remaining butter and batter.
- Top with sliced bananas, strawberries, syrup, powdered sugar or any other of your favorite toppings!
