If you’re craving a cozy breakfast that tastes like your favorite banana bread but fluffy and light enough to stack high, this Thick and Fluffy Banana Bread Pancakes with Greek Yogurt Recipe is an absolute winner. Perfect for weekend brunches or when you want to treat yourself on a slow morning, these pancakes blend familiar warm spices with the tang of Greek yogurt to keep them moist and tender. Let me walk you through making these pancakes you'll want every day.
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Why You’ll Love This Thick and Fluffy Banana Bread Pancakes with Greek Yogurt Recipe
This recipe balances the richness of ripe bananas with the tang of Greek yogurt, creating a pancake that’s indulgently moist yet light. It’s a smart upgrade to your usual flapjack that keeps things interesting without complicating your morning routine.
- Texture you want: Pillowy-soft pancakes with a slightly crisp, golden exterior.
- Flavor that pops: Warm spices and banana sweetness complemented by subtle tartness.
- Everyday ingredients: No need to hunt down anything fancy; you likely have most items on hand.
- Works for any night: Great for breakfast, brunch, or even a comforting snack.
Ingredient Spotlight
Each ingredient plays a key role in this Thick and Fluffy Banana Bread Pancakes with Greek Yogurt Recipe. Understanding them will help you tweak to your taste or dietary needs while keeping the pancakes spectacular.
- Ripe bananas: Use bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Greek yogurt: Adds tang and moisture, keeping pancakes tender.
- Flour: All-purpose works well, but a 1:1 gluten-free blend is a great swap without losing fluffiness.
Seasonality & Sourcing
Bananas are available year-round, but for the best flavor, choose well-ripened fruit with soft spots. Greek yogurt quality varies, so picking plain, full-fat versions creates richer pancakes. For budget-friendly tips, buy flour in bulk and swap coconut sugar for brown sugar if needed—you’ll still get delicious results in this Thick and Fluffy Banana Bread Pancakes with Greek Yogurt Recipe.
Step-by-Step: How to Make It
Step 1 — Prep & Preheat
Start by gathering all your ingredients—measuring them carefully saves you from scrambling midway. Mash your ripe bananas until smooth for even moisture. Preheat your non-stick skillet over medium-low heat; too hot and the pancakes will burn on the outside while staying raw inside. Let the skillet heat gradually to avoid this common mistake that I’ve learned the hard way!
Step 2 — Cook & Build Flavor
Mix dry ingredients first, then whisk wet ingredients separately to ensure smooth batter. Gently fold wet into dry and add your walnuts or chocolate chips—don’t overmix or the batter will toughen. Pour about ¼ cup per pancake; cook them low and slow. When you see bubbles form and edges look set, flip carefully. If pancakes seem underdone after flipping, lower the heat and cook a bit longer to avoid raw centers.
Step 3 — Finish & Rest
After cooking, let your pancakes rest briefly on a wire rack to keep their crisp edges from getting soggy. This short pause also lets flavors meld, so each bite feels just right. Serve warm with banana slices, walnuts, or a drizzle of maple syrup to highlight that comforting banana bread vibe in this Thick and Fluffy Banana Bread Pancakes with Greek Yogurt Recipe.
Troubleshooting Thick and Fluffy Banana Bread Pancakes with Greek Yogurt Recipe
If your pancakes turn out dry, your bananas might not have been ripe enough—try sweeter ones next time or add a bit more yogurt. For bland flavor, make sure your cinnamon and nutmeg are fresh and consider a pinch more vanilla. Soggy pancakes usually mean the heat is too low or the batter was too wet; cook a little hotter or reduce milk slightly to fix this.
Pro Tips
Over the years, I've found the perfect heat setting is key for thick pancakes to cook through without burning. Using Greek yogurt is my secret weapon for moistness—you'll want full-fat for the best result. Plus, letting the batter rest before cooking helps it thicken and develop flavor depth.
- Heat control: Keep skillet on medium-low for even cooking without charring.
- Timing window: Cook pancakes about 3–4 minutes per side until golden and set.
- Make-ahead move: Prepare batter the night before; keep covered in fridge for an easy morning.
- Avoid this pitfall: Don’t over-stir the batter—it should be lumpy to maintain fluffiness.
Variations & Substitutions
You can tweak this Thick and Fluffy Banana Bread Pancakes with Greek Yogurt Recipe depending on your dietary needs or flavor cravings. Swap walnuts for pecans or toasted almonds to change the crunch vibe. Use almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version, and replace butter with coconut oil for a subtle tropical hint. For sweetness, Medjool dates or chocolate chips work beautifully, but you can leave them out for a simpler batter.
Great Debates
One common question I get: butter versus oil in pancakes. Butter adds a rich, buttery flavor and helps with browning, but oil usually makes for softer texture. Here, I prefer melted butter for that classic banana bread aroma, but coconut oil is a delightful swap, especially if you like a touch of coconut flavor. Either works well if you adjust heat gently.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Freezing
These pancakes store beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days, wrapped in foil or airtight containers. To keep their texture, reheat briefly in a toaster oven or on a skillet rather than the microwave. For freezing, separate pancakes with parchment paper and freeze in a sealed bag for up to a month. Thaw at room temperature then warm gently before serving to preserve that signature Thick and Fluffy Banana Bread Pancakes with Greek Yogurt Recipe feel.
Yield & Conversions
This recipe makes about 10 medium pancakes, enough for 3–4 people. If you want to double it for brunch guests, just multiply each ingredient by 2. For smaller portions, half the recipe easily. Metric-wise: 1½ cups flour equals roughly 190 grams, 1 cup mashed banana about 225 grams, and ½ cup Greek yogurt is 120 grams. Easy scaling means you can adjust based on appetite or occasion without fuss.
Serving Ideas & Pairings
Serve your Thick and Fluffy Banana Bread Pancakes with Greek Yogurt Recipe alongside simple fresh fruits like berries or sliced bananas for brightness. A drizzle of maple syrup or honey complements the spices perfectly. If you’re feeling indulgent, a dollop of whipped cream or a smear of nut butter adds delicious richness without overpowering those warm, cozy flavors we love.
FAQs
Yes, but Greek yogurt’s thickness contributes to the pancakes' fluffiness. If using regular yogurt, drain some liquid or use less milk to keep batter consistency right.
Look for bubbles on the surface and edges that start to look set before flipping. The bottom should be golden and firm to hold together well.
Absolutely! Store the batter covered in the fridge overnight, then gently give it a stir before cooking. The resting can improve texture and flavor.
Place cooked pancakes in a single layer on a baking sheet in a 200°F (93°C) oven while you finish the batch. This keeps them warm without drying out.
Notes, Tools & Special Equipment
A good quality non-stick skillet or griddle is essential for even cooking and easy flipping. A 10-inch pan is perfect for cooking ¼ cup-sized pancakes comfortably. Using a rubber spatula helps fold the batter gently without deflating. If you have a kitchen thermometer, cooking surface around 300°F (149°C) works well to cook pancakes low and slow. Whisk and mixing bowls — nothing fancy is needed here, just clean equipment so dry ingredients don’t clump.
PrintPrintable Recipe 📖
Thick and Fluffy Banana Bread Pancakes with Greek Yogurt Recipe
These Thick and Fluffy Banana Bread Pancakes combine the rich flavors of banana bread with the light, airy texture of pancakes. Made with ripe bananas, Greek yogurt, and warm spices, these pancakes are perfect for a comforting breakfast treat. Add-ins like walnuts, chocolate chips, and dates bring delightful bursts of flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free flour)
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed ripe banana (about 2 medium bananas)
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1½ tablespoon melted butter (or coconut oil)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- ¼ cup Mini chocolate chips (or regular)
- ½ cup Medjool dates, pitted (about 4 dates)
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the mashed banana, Greek yogurt, milk, egg, melted butter (or coconut oil), and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
- Combine Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold together until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep pancakes fluffy.
- Add Mix-ins: Fold in the chopped walnuts, mini chocolate chips, and pitted Medjool dates evenly through the batter. The batter should be thick but still pourable; let it rest for 5 minutes to allow it to thicken fully.
- Cook Pancakes: Heat a greased skillet over medium-low heat. Use about ¼ cup of batter per pancake, cooking them low and slow to ensure thick, fluffy centers. Cook until bubbles appear on the surface and edges look set, then flip and cook the other side until golden and cooked through.
- Serve: Finish the pancakes with additional banana slices, walnuts, chocolate chips, and dates if desired, and serve with maple syrup for a delicious breakfast treat.
Notes
- For a dairy-free option, use coconut oil and plant-based milk instead of butter and regular milk.
- Letting the batter rest helps the gluten-free flour hydrate fully, resulting in better texture.
- Use ripe bananas with lots of brown spots for maximum sweetness and flavor.
- Adjust cooking heat to prevent burning the outside while ensuring the inside cooks through.
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