These fluffy banana pancakes are easy to make and have a moist texture with light banana flavor! Freezer-friendly so you can have homemade pancakes anytime.
Need more easy breakfast recipes? Try this popular crepes recipe, apple cinnamon pancakes or Belgian waffles.
Easy Fluffy Banana Pancakes
I don’t think I’ve ever met a light and fluffy pancake recipe I didn’t love. Buttermilk pancakes, of course, but my entire family also loves any sort of add-in for additional flavor and texture like these chocolate chip pancakes and blueberry pancakes.
These are the easiest banana pancakes and the best way to use bananas that are ripening on the counter. The riper they are, the sweeter they are, so use them up while you can!
I first tried these fluffy banana pancakes at a restaurant called Boots and Kimos in Hawaii. I knew I had to come home and try to recreate the recipe. The buttermilk syrup on top makes them!
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
- Quick and easy. Make an entire batch of easy banana pancakes in 20 minutes in one bowl for easy cleanup.
- So much flavor. If you love the flavor of sweet bananas in banana bread, you’ll love these fluffy and moist pancakes!
- Versatile. Add in extras like chocolate chips, berries or nuts. Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy any time of the day!
- Freezer-friendly. Make a big batch or two and freeze some for later. They are a great make-ahead breakfast and are always nice to have on hand.
Banana Pancake Recipe Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter so you can control the amount you add to the batter. Some will be melted, and some will be used for the griddle.
- All-purpose flour: Although we’re not baking, it’s just as important to measure the flour in pancakes properly. This way you will keep the light and fluffy texture and not produce dense heavy pancakes by using too much.
- Baking powder & baking soda: Both are used as leavening agents to help the pancakes avoid falling flat.
- Milk: The higher the fat, the thicker the batter will be. You can use whatever kind of milk you want. Even buttermilk would be great.
- Bananas: The riper the better! The skin may look spotted and brown and that’s just fine.
Substitutions and Variations
- Warm spices: Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg or both for a little extra warmth to pair with the vanilla.
- Nuts: Top with crushed macadamia nuts (that’s how they do it in Hawaii).
- Gluten free: Make these gluten-free by using a 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free flour instead.
- Added moisture: Greek yogurt can be added for extra moisture. The acid will react nicely with the baking powder and soda to give the pancakes even more of a lift.
- Fruity: Add some fresh fruit to the batter. Blueberries, sliced bananas, or sliced strawberries would be great.
How to Make Banana Pancakes
A tasty breakfast, brunch, or a fun breakfast-for-dinner idea! Enjoy a stack of banana pancakes loaded with flavor, vitamin C, fiber, and protein!
- Mix dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. This will include flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the wet ingredients. To the same bowl, add the buttermilk and melted butter, then stir until just combined. Mix in the mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla until most of the lumps are gone and the batter is smooth. Allow it to sit for a few minutes.
- Cook pancakes. Coat the preheated griddle with butter then pour 1/4 cup of the batter onto the griddle. Add as many pancakes onto the heated surface as can fit without touching. Cook on the first side until the edges are slightly browned and bubbles appear, then flip and cook them on the other side for 1 more minute.
- Serve them. Add a simple drizzle of maple syrup, fresh fruit, or any of your favorite toppings, and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Test temperature of cooking griddle. For light and fluffy pancakes, it’s important that your pan is hot enough right when the batter hits it. To test it, throw a few drops of water on the pan. If it sizzles, your pan is ready to go!
- Lower the heat as you go. Use a griddle at 325°F or a skillet over medium-high heat, however, because you’re working in batches you may need to lower heat as you continue. That way you won’t burn the outside before the inside has a chance to cook.
- Batter consistency. The batter for banana pancakes is usually on the thicker side. However, if you find it is too thick, add a splash of milk. If it’s too thin, add a Tablespoon of flour.
- Avoid over mixing the batter. Over stirring the batter will lead to dense, flat and rubbery pancakes.
Recipe FAQs
As mentioned in one of the tips above, it’s important to reduce the heat as you cook your batches. They can get soggy because if the heat is too high, the outside gets cooked fast while the inside doesn’t have the chance to catch up.
This happens sometimes when the bananas aren’t fully mashed up and there are big chunks left behind. This can cause the surrounding batter to stay undercooked for too long which will leave them too soft and mushy on the inside.
When serving this for a larger breakfast spread, I’ll usually have egg dishes like scrambled eggs, mini egg frittatas, or ham and cheese quiche and then skillet breakfast potatoes, too.
Don’t forget the pineapple smoothie or creamy peanut butter and banana smoothie to wash everything down.
Absolutely! Once completely cooled, stack them in a freezer bag or airtight container. Layer them with parchment paper so they don’t stick together when frozen. Keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Best Banana Pancakes Toppings
For special occasions, I like to set up a pancake charcuterie board with a variety of toppings and an assortment of pancakes. Here are some of our favorite toppings:
- Buttermilk syrup
- Cinnamon pancake syrup
- Maple syrup
- Strawberry Sauce
- Nut butter (almond or peanut)
- Coconut flakes
- Fresh fruit slices
- Berries
- Caramelized bananas
- Homemade Whipped Cream
Storing and Reheating Pancakes
While banana pancakes taste best fresh, you can store them for easy breakfasts during the week!
- Store: Keep leftovers stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: To reheat, pop them in the toaster, a pan on the stove or the microwave to reheat. Just 30 seconds in the microwave will soften them up again.
Want more pancakes? Try these oatmeal pancakes, fluffy ricotta pancakes, or mini silver dollar pancakes next!
More Sweet Breakfast Recipes
Browse all
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!
Banana Pancakes
Video
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter , melted (plus more for the griddle)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- 1 cup mashed bananas (2 large ripe bananas)
- 2 large eggs , whisked
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- chocolate chips , optional mix-in
For serving: Syrup, Sliced Bananas, Fresh berries
Instructions
- Preheat a griddle to 325°F, or a skillet over medium-high heat. Melt the butter in the microwave and set aside to cool for 3 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add in the milk and butter and stir just until combined. Mix in the mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla, just until most the lumps are gone and the batter is smooth. If the batter is too thick, add another splash of milk. If it's too thin add another Tablespoon flour. You can mix chocolate chips in here if desired.
- Coat the griddle (or skillet) with butter. Pour 1/4 cup batter onto the heated griddle. You can add a few sliced bananas on top if desired. Cook until bubbles appear, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook the other side for 1 minute, or just until lightly browned.
- Serve immediately or place on a baking sheet in the oven at 175°F to keep warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Breakfast, Christmas, Easter, Freezer-Friendly, Kid-Friendly, Make Ahead, Meal Prep, Nut-Free, Snacks, Sweet Breakfast, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
These are my kids favorite! Thank you for the easy recipe!
So glad you enjoyed the pancakes Allyson!
I love topping my pancakes with bananas but using bananas in the batter was magical! They tasted like banana bread. LOVE!
These were a hit with my kids. I doubled the recipe and froze some for weekday mornings but next time I will triple it!!
My kids love these pancakes with chocolate chips of course! They’re so easy to make and are so yummy!
This recipe is delicious and wonderful. Wonderful because my daughter doesn’t eat banana and this came in my browser and made this for her and she loves it
So glad your daughter enjoyed the banana pancakes!
This was so easy to make and tasted so delicious!
What a great use for ripe bananas! These are a delicious way to start the day.
Can’t get enough of these banana pancakes! They are very convenient to make, especially for busy mornings. So yummy!