Healthy Gingerbread Pancakes for One are a fun and festive way to start the day!
I know, I know…it’s the holidays, what am I doing remaking a couple of classically indulgent recipes (gingerbread and pancakes) into healthy fare? I think it’s all about the little choices we make on a daily basis…the way we eat most of the time determines how we get to indulge the rest of the time.
These pancakes are healthy enough for breakfast any morning, but they feel special enough for a festive occasion. Totally the best of both worlds…who says you can’t have your pancakes and eat them too? (Sorry, I know that was corny, but I couldn’t resist.)
These are hands-down the best grain-free pancakes I’ve ever had. Their texture is so close to normal pancakes I don’t think people would know they’re grain-free unless you told them, which makes them the perfect crowd-pleasing brunch dish. (And since the recipe makes one serving, they’re easy to adjust for however many people you’re cooking for.)
They’re also higher in fiber and protein than normal pancakes, so they’ll keep you feeling satisfied but not weighed down like regular pancakes. I even like to use them as pre-workout fuel!
But…my absolute favorite way to enjoy them is on a chilly morning in my pajamas and slippers, with a hot cup of coffee in one hand and a good book in the other.
- 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
- 4 tablespoons almond meal
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅓ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅓ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk (I used plain, unsweetened almond milk, but you can use any kind of milk you like)
- 1½ tablespoons molasses
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Butter, for cooking
- Toppings, such as butter, whipped cream, maple syrup, honey, etc.
- Whisk together the flaxseed meal, almond meal, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in the egg, milk, molasses, and vanilla. (This can also be done in a blender or food processor if you prefer.)
- Preheat a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat; add a pat of butter and swirl the pan to spread it around. Once the butter is sizzling, pour in the batter into 3 pancakes.
- Cook until the pancakes are golden on the first side (about 2 to 3 minutes), then flip and cook until golden on the second side (about 1 to 2 minutes).
- Serve hot, topped with anything you like.
Update (October 28, 2013): I made this dish again and perfected the recipe so I updated this post.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
Rosa says
December 5, 2011 at 6:15 amMmmhhh, delicious! I’d love to eat those for breakfast.
Cheers,
Rosa
Amy (Savory Moments) says
December 5, 2011 at 6:35 amThese look so festive and fun. I made gingerbread pancakes last year for the first time and they were delicious – I like that these use some almond flour.
Blond Duck says
December 5, 2011 at 7:22 amOh, I LOVE you! I’ve been craving gingerbread!
Erica says
December 5, 2011 at 11:53 amgorgeous! Seriously- what a treat! And a healthier treat? I’m in! I bet kids would go NUTS for these!
Jessie says
December 5, 2011 at 12:17 pmThose pancakes are HEAVENLY! I’m with you on food (and life!) being all about balance – and that’s even more important around the holidays! Besides, if these lightened-up pancakes are just as good as the regular variety, who’s the wiser? ;) That soft whipped cream blanket in the first picture is so delicious looking, I MUST make it for my next batch of Belgian waffles – decadent over some fruit, too, I think!
A wonderful recipe, as always! Have a great week, Faith!
Faith says
December 5, 2011 at 12:28 pmAw man, these look amazing. I am a huge fan of ginger/molasses anything and these are going to the top of my pancakes-to-make list!
Katerina says
December 5, 2011 at 2:01 pmGingerbread and pancakes, what a stunning combination. The whipping cream just makes them even tastier! I would gladly have a couple of them for breakfast!
Delishhh says
December 5, 2011 at 4:12 pmOh these look soo good – perfect for the holidays!
Chiara says
December 5, 2011 at 4:35 pmHow festive! I would love to take a bite of those pancakes!!!
Sharon | Chinese Soup Pot says
December 5, 2011 at 5:46 pmThis gingerbreak pancake look so delicious and inviting. I love the red and green sprinkles on top – they add such a nice holiday touch to the pancakes. Beautiful!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
December 5, 2011 at 5:57 pmHehe Faith you’re reading my mind! I’m making a similar dish but slightly different! Hehe we are such long lost sisters! :P
BeadedTail says
December 5, 2011 at 6:26 pmI’d like to have those for breakfast, lunch and dinner! They look so good!
Monet says
December 5, 2011 at 7:10 pmI’m all about healthy recipes, especially those I know will taste good. Thanks for making my stomach growl :-) I hope you had a lovely Monday. I’m ready to get baking! I have a banana bread recipe that I’m excited to try tonight. Much love from Austin!
angela@spinachtiger says
December 5, 2011 at 7:32 pmI keep seeing molasses recipes and getting Christmasy hungry. Kids would just love these. and so would i.
Jay says
December 5, 2011 at 7:56 pmjust mouthwatering…excellent presentation dear..:)
Tasty Appetite
Evelyne@CheapEthnicEatz says
December 5, 2011 at 10:56 pmGinger bread pancakes? Brilliant. The white blanket scares me lol but I promise to use the sprinkles lol.
Faith says
December 6, 2011 at 4:40 pmEvelyne, Don’t be scared, lol! Really though, any of the other healthy toppings I mentioned are just as delicious. Or they’re even amazing with nothing but sprinkles on top. :)
Vicki Bensinger says
December 5, 2011 at 11:15 pmThese really do sound good and so healthy – well except for the topping. But hey like you said its all about balance and moderation of course.
I’ve been making batches of gingerbread teaching gingerbread house making and have these ingredients plus all the others on hand. I have to try these healthy little pancakes now to see how yummy they are. Thanks for sharing.
Angie's Recipes says
December 6, 2011 at 2:45 amYou are so creative! This looks so festive and tasty!
Veronica Miller says
December 6, 2011 at 5:32 amI love the way you balance your treats! I do the same thing, but am probably not as successful. :) That blanket of softly whipped cream over the top is such a beautiful crown for these delicious pancakes.
tania@mykitchenstories says
December 6, 2011 at 6:07 amGreat pancakes I love gingerbread
Patty says
December 6, 2011 at 8:39 amI have to try your gingerbread pancakes, they sound just perfect for this time of year;-)
Daisy@Nevertoosweet says
December 6, 2011 at 10:33 amYum! And best of all it’s HEALTHY! Great! Can’t wait to try it! My partner was just talking about having pancakes hehe
Heavenly Housewife says
December 6, 2011 at 12:07 pmIt’s hard to believe such lovely festive pancakes could actually be healthy. These look so fun!
*kisses* HH
Nicole, RD says
December 7, 2011 at 8:28 amI knew that whatever that white pillowy goodness was…I wanted it! These sound amazing, Faith! The fact that they’re healthy is clearly a bonus! :)
grace says
December 7, 2011 at 9:13 amcomplete with sprinkles! gingy would be proud. :)
Susan says
December 7, 2011 at 10:29 amHow delicious and they look so festive for the holidays too!
Magic of Spice says
December 7, 2011 at 4:57 pmGreat recipe and great idea for pancakes…a little healthy can’t hurt especially this time of year :)
Mallory @ Because I Like Chocolate says
October 28, 2013 at 8:34 pmSounds like breakfast to me!
Jeanette says
October 31, 2013 at 7:27 amLove these protein packed pancakes with gingerbread spices! I made some paleo pancakes recently for a function and they were a big hit, made with almond flour. Next time, I’m going to try adding flax seed too.
Chris W. says
December 28, 2014 at 3:33 pmI had these for breakfast this morning and they were delicious! Thanks so much for the yummy and healthy recipe.