Banana Pancakes

These fluffy Banana Pancakes are the key to my family’s heart! These pancakes are made with fresh ingredients and are chock-full of flavor. You’ll never want to make pancakes from a mix once you’ve had these amazing pancakes!
You can add some chocolate chips for an additional treat, too!

Imagine waking up to the aroma of fresh pancakes cooking on the griddle. Now imagine coming home from work or school to the scent of freshly baked banana bread. Well, banana pancakes are the best of both worlds! You get a stack of warm pancakes to kick off the morning, but they taste so much like banana bread too!

Best Bananas for Baking

You’ll want to choose over-ripe bananas for this recipe, as they have a stronger flavor and added sweetness. So if you’ve got some bananas that are turning brown (but aren’t yet falling apart), mash them up and use them in these griddle cakes!

Ingredients for Banana Pancakes

All of these simple ingredients are pantry staples that you can easily pick up at the grocery store. Here’s what you need:

• All-purpose flour
• Brown sugar
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Nutmeg
• Overripe bananas
• Large eggs
• Whole milk (2% will do fine, too!)
• Butter, melted and cooled
• Vanilla extract
• Other: You’ll also need some extra butter for frying, plus some pancake syrup for serving!

Make sure to review the recipe card at the end of the post for a detailed ingredient list and instructions!

How to Make Pancakes with Mashed Bananas

1. If you have an electric griddle, preheat it to 350 degrees. Melt your butter in a small microwaveable bowl and let it cool for a few minutes.
2. Next, mix together the dry ingredients in a large bowl ( flour, baking powder, brown sugar, baking soda, salt and nutmeg).
3. In another medium bowl mash together the bananas. Whisk in the eggs, milk, cooled melted butter, and vanilla.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and stir until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix the batter. Let it sit for 5 minutes. This is the key to getting those pancakes nice and fluffy!
5. If you’re using your oven, set a griddle or nonstick pan over medium heat until hot.
6. Place a tablespoon of butter on the pan and and allow it to melt before you pour 1/4 cup of pancake batter onto the hot skillet. Repeat with batter so you have 2-3 pancakes cooking at once, depending on the size of your pan.
7. Cook until a few bubbles form on top of each pancake, the edges are dry, and the underside is golden brown, about 2 minutes. Flip the pancakes and cook until the second side is golden, 1-2 minutes.
8. Serve pancakes with a simple drizzle of maple syrup and butter. I like to slice up some fresh bananas and serve them on top too!

Tips for the BEST Banana Pancakes

• Don’t skip the rest! That brief, five-minute batter rest time is so important for light, fluffy pancakes. It gives time for the baking powder and soda to work so that once the batter hits the hot griddle, those pancakes will rise up tall!
• Keep them from sticking! Make sure to reapply the butter each time you cook them to keep the batter from sticking to the pan. No one wants pancakes all torn up from trying to get them off the bottom of the pan!
• Use a cookie or muffin scoop for the batter to keep your pancakes picture-perfect and all the same size. Most of the time I don’t care about that when I’m making them for the kids, but if you want a pretty, picturesque stack, this trick is super helpful!
• Let the pancakes cool on a wire rack instead of stacking them all together. Stacking them up makes them stick together and even get gummy.

FAQs

Can I store these pancakes to eat later?

While these pancakes are best served fresh and piping hot, you can freeze some leftover pancakes for later.

How do you freeze Banana Pancakes?

I love having some pancakes in the freezer for those busy mornings. Place the cooled pancakes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Set them in the freezer for about an hour. Then transfer them to a freezer bag and store for up to 1 month.

To reheat, place them in a toaster or toaster oven to thaw, then serve as desired.

What else can I add to these pancakes?

These banana pancakes are delicious with additions like chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or a variety of toppings.

Mix-ins: Sprinkle chopped nuts or chocolate chips onto each pancake as the first side cooks, then flip and continue cooking as directed.

Toppings: Serve these fresh pancakes with whipped cream, sliced fruit, flavored syrups, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, and/or chopped nuts for an extra treat! They’re also really good when you spread a bit of peanut butter on the top!

Recipes for Banana Lovers

This Banana Nut Bread has a moist, tender crumb, while chopped pecans added to the batter provide the perfect crunch. You’ll love eating slices of this delicious bread served warm and spread with butter!

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins are tender and sweet, with a moist crumb and milk chocolate chips that melt in your mouth with each bite! It tastes like your favorite banana bread, but bite-sized! These muffins make the perfect quick breakfast or afternoon snack!

More Breakfast Ideas

Want a quick breakfast you can grab on your way out the door? Try Blueberry Muffins, Chocolate Chip Cream Scones, or Baked Apple Cider Donuts!

If you have a little more time, try a slice of this Caramelized Onion, Bacon, and Gruyere Quiche or this delicious Overnight Breakfast Casserole.

How about a smoothie? I love this Cherry Almond Smoothie, and this Mixed Berry Smoothie is so refreshing after a good workout or on a hot morning.

What’s your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? And are you craving these Banana Pancakes now too, or is it just me?  Enjoy!

This post was originally published February 11, 2016. It has been updated in format and with pictures on April 10, 2025.