It’s possible to make delicious vegan pancakes—and it’s easier than you’d think. This vegan pancake recipe comes together in about 10 minutes and is easily adaptable to fit all tastes. You can make them thick and fluffy or thin. Serve them with fruit or your favorite pancake toppings. The recipe is dairy- and egg-free, and super versatile, too. This list of ingredient substitutions for pancakes makes customizing your stack easier than ever.
This recipe calls into action two great tricks for making soft, light, fluffy vegan pancakes. First, dairy-free milk is combined with apple cider vinegar to make a “buttermilk” mixture. Second, ground flaxseed is used as a binder instead of eggs.
Ready to dig in? Grab your mixing bowls, and let’s get cooking. You’ll have delicious, plant-based pancakes on your plate in no time.
Ingredients for Vegan Pancakes
- Dairy-free milk:Â Use any of your favorite plain unsweetened nondairy milk alternatives. I enjoy using almond milk, soy milk or homemade oat milk.
- Oil:Â I typically use melted refined coconut oil or vegetable oil, but feel free to use melted vegan butter, canola oil or avocado oil.
- Apple cider vinegar:Â Mixing apple cider vinegar with dairy-free milk creates a vegan buttermilk. The vinegar also reacts with the baking powder to make these pancakes extra fluffy! If you don’t have apple cider vinegar on hand, use lemon juice instead.
- Flour: I like to use regular all-purpose flour, but a gluten-free one-for-one baking flour should work, too. If you’re looking for great gluten-free pancakes, check out this recipe for gluten-free banana pancakes.
- Coconut sugar:Â I like the subtle sweetness of coconut sugar, but feel free to use your favorite vegan-friendly sugar instead.
Directions
Step 1: Mix the wet ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the dairy-free milk, oil, ground flaxseed, apple cider vinegar and vanilla extract.
Editor’s Tip: If you want ultra-fluffy pancakes, reduce the amount of dairy-free milk by about 1 tablespoon. If you prefer pancakes on the thinner side, add a tablespoon or two more.
Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Step 3: Prepare the batter
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients, and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter! Let the batter rest for five minutes.
Step 4: Cook the pancakes
Heat your griddle or skillet over medium heat, and lightly grease. Ladle pancake batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto the warmed griddle. Cook until bubbles start to form and break on the top of each pancake and the bottoms are golden brown.
Flip the pancakes. Cook until the second side is golden brown. Serve with desired toppings.
Editor’s Tip:Â Here are the vegan butter brands we can’t resist!
Recipe Variations
- Make vegan chocolate chip pancakes: Add about 1 cup vegan chocolate chips to the batter before cooking on the griddle. Or sprinkle some chips onto each pancake right after you pour it onto the griddle.
- Make vegan blueberry pancakes: Similar to chocolate chips, you can add about 1 cup fresh blueberries to the batter or sprinkled onto the pancakes on the griddle.
- Make vegan whole wheat pancakes: You can use whole wheat flour for vegan pancakes, but you may need to increase the liquid a bit since it’s a heartier flour.
How to Store Vegan Pancakes
Pancakes make some of the best leftovers! Store cooked vegan pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. To rewarm, wrap pancakes loosely in a paper towel, and reheat in the microwave until warmed throughout.
How to Freeze Vegan Pancakes
To freeze cooked pancakes, let them cool completely. Stack the pancakes in a large freezer-safe resealable bag. They’ll be good in the freezer for up to two months. Let thaw in the refrigerator, then reheat as desired.
Vegan Pancakes Tips
What can you use instead of baking powder for vegan pancakes?
There are several baking powder substitutions for vegan pancakes—plus other baking projects—like lemon juice, cream of tartar and even club soda.
What can you serve with vegan pancakes?
Serve vegan pancakes with your favorite toppings, like fresh fruit, homemade jam, chopped nuts, powdered sugar or blueberry syrup. To complete this wholesome and filling vegan breakfast, serve a short stack alongside smoky vegan bacon and other delicious vegan breakfast recipes.
