Calling all plantain lovers! As one myself, I truly appreciate the versatility of plantains. From fried sweet plantains to plantain porridge, mofongo, tostones, and more, there’s no shortage of delicious ways to enjoy them. Plantains appear in many traditional recipes from African, Caribbean, Asian, and Latin cultures. However, today I’m introducing a more contemporary twist—plantain pancakes. These pancakes are similar to banana pancakes but even better! Not only are plantains larger than bananas, but they’re also richer in flavour and equally nutritious. This recipe takes plantains, often used as a side dish for Jollof rice, and fuses them with a beloved Western breakfast staple—pancakes. And who doesn’t love pancakes?
What Exactly Are Plantains?
For those unfamiliar with plantains, here’s a quick primer. Plantain is not a banana, even though it may resemble one. While it can be cooked like a banana, it is not a fruit but a starchy vegetable. Eating raw plantains isn’t harmful (I can vouch for this from childhood experiments), but they’re typically consumed cooked. Similar to potatoes, plantains can be boiled, fried, roasted, or grilled. In fact, they’re just as versatile as potatoes, if not more so. In this recipe, we highlight their potential by transforming them into light, fluffy pancakes that are not only easy to make but also dairy-free.
Dairy-Free and Hassle-Free Pancakes
Unlike regular pancakes, these plantain pancakes are dairy-free, using coconut milk instead of cow’s milk. Hereby, it also focuses on the natural flavour of the plantain, which gives these pancakes a slight sweetness and rich, earthy taste. Whether you’re dairy-free or just looking for a new breakfast option, these pancakes are a perfect choice. They come together easily, making them ideal for a quick morning meal or even brunch. They’re light, fluffy, and incredibly easy to prepare, making them perfect for a quick breakfast or an indulgent weekend brunch.
Topping the pancakes is the pièce de résistance—honey caramelised walnuts. These add a sweet crunch that perfectly complements the softness of the pancakes. Trust me, it’s a no-fuss breakfast that feels luxurious but is incredibly simple to make.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe is a wonderful fusion of flavours and textures. The plantains provide a subtle sweetness and an almost custardy interior to the pancakes, which contrasts beautifully with the crunchy, sweet walnuts. Moreover, the fact that this recipe is dairy-free makes it accessible to those with dietary restrictions. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to traditional pancakes, these plantain pancakes are a great option. The natural sweetness from the plantains reduces the need for added sugar, and the caramelised walnuts bring an indulgent twist.
Additionally, this recipe is a fun way to introduce more plantains into your diet if you’re not already a fan. Plantains are packed with nutrients, including vitamin C, fiber, and potassium, making them a great alternative to other starchy vegetables or grains. Whether you’re making these for a special occasion or just an average breakfast, you’ll enjoy the unique flavour plantains bring to the table.
Variations and Tips
This recipe is highly adaptable, so feel free to customise it according to your preferences. If you want to add more texture to the pancakes themselves, consider adding some chopped nuts or shredded coconut to the batter. You can also experiment with spices—try nutmeg or cardamom for a twist. If you prefer a sweeter pancake, add a tablespoon of sugar or maple syrup to the batter. Finally, while honey caramelised walnuts are my topping of choice, you can switch it up with fresh berries, a dollop of yogurt, or even a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
For a gluten-free version, simply swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend. You won’t sacrifice any flavour, and the pancakes will still turn out just as fluffy.
Wrapping It Up
Plantain pancakes with honey caramelised walnuts offer a unique and delicious way to elevate your breakfast routine. Their sweet, earthy flavour combined with the crunch of walnuts creates a perfect balance of taste and texture. Whether you’re a plantain lover or new to this ingredient, these pancakes are a must-try. Best of all, they’re easy to make and packed with nutrients. So, the next time you’re in the mood for something different yet simple for breakfast, give this recipe a try—you won’t be disappointed!
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Plantain Pancakes with Honey caramelised walnuts
Ingredients
- 1 yellow Plantain (preferably very ripe)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup coconut milk
- ½ cup flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
For the Honey caramelised walnuts:
- ¼ cup roasted walnuts
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp coconut milk
Instructions
Making the pancakes:
- Cut and peel the plantain and place it in a bowl. Mash with a fork until you have a paste (it doesn't have to be smooth).
- Add egg, vanilla extract and coconut milk, then whisk together.
- Now add the flour and baking powder. Whisk until it's all mixed.
- Place a pan over medium-high heat, pour a tablespoon of sunflower oil and allow heat up for about 30 seconds.
- Using a ladle, scoop out some of the pancake batter and pour into the pan. Cook until a few bubbles pop up on top of the pancake and you can see the edges of the bottom are slightly brown. Flip the pancake to the other side and cook until it's golden brown (1-2 min per side). Repeat this step for the remaining batter.
- Stack the pancake on a flat plate and proceed to caramelise the walnuts.
- Pour the walnuts into the hot pan, toss around for a minute to char. Then pour in the honey and coconut milk at the same time. Stir and allow to bubble for 30 seconds, then immediately pour it over the stack of pancakes. Enjoy!
We had this for breakfast this morning and that plantain added such awesome flavor. Usually we’d use bananas but the plantains really gave the pancakes so much moisture and character!
You have opened up a whole new world. We never thought plantains would make such amazing pancakes. Dinner was amazing!
I am a plantain lover, just never thought to use them like this. This recipe looks and sounds delicious, I can’t wait to try!
Finally made these and the flavors were out of this world!! I can’t wait to make these plantain pancakes again!
My girl! The first time I saw this, I got excited. I would have never thought to use plantains in this way. Also, who knew it was a vegetable? Not me, lol. Thanks for giving us a little history too!
These pancakes are my new obsession because they are full of protein and fiber yet don’t sacrifice taste. My kind of meal!
I am plantain obsessed and buy them every week. By the end of the week, I have sometimes one leftover that has gotten a bit over ripe. This was the best recipe to use it for! I had to skip the topping because of my nut allergy, but this still made an awesome breakfast with just syrup. Now I know what to do every week with my over ripe plantain
As soon as I saw plantain pancakes I knew I had to print the recipe and get to work. This combines two of my favorite things SO well. This was a hit with the fam, and forever in our rotation!
I loved this SO SO MUCH!!! Plantain really is super versatile and it got to really shine in this recipe! I’ll be making it every weekend!!
Wow! I made these pancakes for a ladies brunch I hosted last weekend. I got so many complements! The walnut topping was everyone’s favorite. Can’t wait to make them again very soon.
These pancakes were amazing!! Thank you!
I love plantain in all forms and you’ve just added to my list. My pancakes came out wonderfully–thank you!
These were so easy and AMAZING!!! My new favorite pancake. Thank you!
I’ve made this recipe about five times, and it’s come out great every time! I’ve tried several other plantain, pancake recipes, and this is my favorite. The first time I tended to overcook them, I like that they don’t take a long time to cook in the pan. Thanks for sharing.
The recipe has “baking powder”
The instructions have “baking soda”
Are they interchangeable?
No they’re not interchangeable, that was an autocorrect typo. Please use baking powder and thanks for bringing my attention to this – I will fix it.
Thank you! My Igbo husband approves. I will try to add onions for a savory pancakes.🙏❤️🙏
Really enjoyed reading your webpage.✨🫶✨
My Igbo husband is so thrilled to have these. Excellent recipe! Thank you🎉 you website is excellent too. I will try savory pancake with onions next time. Yum! Blessings to you!
Whoops! I didn’t think my first one went through. 😝
Ah no worries! I appreciate all your feedback. Glad you and your husband enjoyed the recipe
Should I use green or ripe plantains for these?
Yellow ripe plantains