I can’t remember the last time I made pancakes from a box mix. Even before I was vegan, I would always make pancakes from scratch because they were so simple to make. This all changed when I discovered blender pancakes.

Blender pancakes are even more simple to make than traditional pancakes, as they require no hand mixing and even less clean up. Just put all the ingredients in a blender, blend until smooth, and pour right out of the blender onto the pan.

Today I was craving a tall stack of pancakes, so I adapted my go-to blender pancake recipe to make them a little thinner. Made with wholesome ingredients like old fashioned oats, banana, and flax seeds, then topped with dark chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and homemade cacao sauce, they’re naturally vegan and gluten free.

Coconut Chocolate Chip Pancakes with Cacao Sauce Ingredients 1 and 1/3 cups old fashioned oats

1 tbsp flax seeds

2 tsp baking powder

1 medium ripe banana

2 cups unsweetened vanilla plant-based milk

2 tbsp pure maple syrup + 2 tbsp extra for sauce

1 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut + extra for topping

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

2 tbsp cacao or cocoa powder

Directions Preheat a nonstick skillet over low-medium heat. Blend all ingredients except dark chocolate chips and cacao powder in a Vitamix or food processor until completely smooth. To make the cacao sauce, combine the additional 2 tbsp pure maple syrup with 2 tbsp cacao powder. Stir gently to combine. Preheat a nonstick skillet over low-medium heat. Blend all ingredients except dark chocolate chips and cacao powder in a Vitamix or food processor until completely smooth. To make the cacao sauce, combine the additional 2 tbsp pure maple syrup with 2 tbsp cacao powder. Stir gently to combine. Pour batter on to the prepared skillet and place dark chocolate chips into the batter. Heat for 3-4 minutes per side, flipping when the edges start to raise slightly or when air bubbles come through the batter. If the batter thickens up in between pancakes, simply re-blend it for 10-15 seconds on high. Serve pancakes with cacao sauce, shredded coconut, and more dark chocolate chips, if desired.

