Polenta is very common here in Italy, it is a type of cornmeal. Although cornmeal would translate to “Farina de Mais” which means corn flour, it is very different. Cornmeal or Polenta is gritty while corn flour is fine and smooth. So if you have cornmeal or polenta, then I suggest you whip up these delicious stacks of pancakes covered with lemony mixed berries. Truth be told, it was not my intention to make pancakes with polenta; I ran out of all-purpose flour and this was my nearest substitute. It just happens to be gluten-free and almost guilt-free. Granting polenta is typically eaten as a porridge in Italy, I can assure you it also makes for some yummy pancakes and the cooked-up syrupy mixed berries are literally the icing on these cakes.
How to make the Polenta pancakes with mixed berries:
- Put the polenta flour, sugar, egg, milk, baking soda & powder, vanilla and cinnamon in a blender and blitz.
- Let the blended mixture sit for 30 seconds to a minute, to let the Polenta soak up the liquid.
- Place a pan on medium heat, and lightly grease with vegetable oil or butter (you can do so with tissue paper by dabbing the oil on the tissue and rubbing it on the pan or take a block of butter and rub it on the pan).
- Stir and Scoop two tablespoons of the blended batter into the pan to make one small pancake.
- Once you notice some air bubbles on the top and the edges are getting brown, flip over to the other side. Remove from pan when both sides are brown and place on a plate.
- Repeat the frying process (from greasing the pan) for the remaining batter. This should give you a stack of 5 to 6 polenta pancakes.
- Place the frozen berries in a saucepan, squeeze in half a lemon and 1 tablespoon of honey.
- Simmer on low to medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until it’s all cooked together.
- Pour the cooked berries into the stack of polenta pancakes and serve.
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Gluten-free Polenta Pancakes with Mixed Berries
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup Polenta Flour (Cornmeal Flour)
- 1 tbsp Sugar
- 1 Egg
- ⅓ Milk
- ½ tsp Vanilla
- ½ tsp Cinnamon (optional)
- ⅓ cup Frozen Mixed Berries
- 1 tbsp Honey
- ½ Lemon
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
Instructions
- Put the polenta flour, sugar, egg, milk, baking soda & powder, vanilla and cinnamon in a blender and blitz.
- Let the blended mixture sit for 30 seconds to a minute, to let the Polenta soak up the liquid.
- Place a pan on medium heat, lightly grease with vegetable oil or butter (you can do so with tissue paper by dabbing the oil on the tissue and rub on the pan or take a block of butter and rub it on the pan).
- Stir and Scoop two tablespoons of the blended batter into the pan to make one small pancake.
- Once you notice some air bubbles on the top and the edges are getting brown, flip over to the other side. Remove from pan when both sides are brown and place on a plate.
- Repeat the frying process (from greasing the pan) for the remaining batter. This should give you a stack of 5 to 6 pancakes.
For the Mixed Berries:
- Place the frozen berries in a saucepan, squeeze in half a lemon and 1 tablespoon of honey.
- Simmer on low to medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until it’s all cooked together.
- Pour the cooked berries unto the stack of pancakes and serve.
I love pancakes… and this recipe is a must try??
Me too! Pancakes are the best 😉
You got me at pancake and now gluten-free! I am in.
I would say these pancakes are too pretty to eat but nope I would totally devour these! Especially with those beautiful berries.
Haha thank you and yes the berries made it extra delicious!
I love pancakes and cornmeal whole cakes, but I’ve never thought about making polenta pancakes. This is something I may need to make Saturday morning.
Give it a try, it is so delicious!
This didn’t turn out for me. The batter was very runny. I let it set for the recommended time, stirred before pouring two tablespoons worth on the griddle. The polenta stayed in a plop in the center and the liquid ran around the edges. Let the mixture sit for an hour to thicken more and had the same results. Any tips would be appreciated.
Hi, thanks for your feedback and sorry to hear it did not turn out well for you. Typically polenta soaks up liquid and when creating this recipe initially, the only issue I had was the mixture being too thick (not enough liquid). However in your case, it seems like the mixture is too runny and I would recommend reducing the milk quantity. Try 1/4 cup of milk and an addition of 1 tablespoon of polenta.