Recipe: Vegan Coconut-Oat Pancakes

updated Feb 5, 2020
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Credit: Izy Hossack
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(Image credit: Izy Hossack)

What do you do when there are no eggs in the house but you really, really want pancakes? Make these egg-free (and dairy-free) pancakes, of course! With oats providing protein and fiber, and coconut yogurt bringing in some healthy fats and flavor, these pancakes are filling, fluffy, and a breeze to make.

(Image credit: Izy Hossack)

I’ve tried making vegan pancakes before, usually on weekend mornings when I’m in no state to go to the store (because, really, all I want is to not have to change out of my pajamas) and am out of eggs. I’ve tried the flaxseed egg replacer trick, but this doesn’t seem to do it for me — the pancakes end up rubbery with weird floury taste.

The main problem with making vegan pancakes, I think, has been relying only on wheat flour. Using alternative flours works better for me here because they change the flavor and consistency so much. They can be a bit pricey, especially if they’re very niche, but a cheap alternative flour is oat flour! You can even make it at home — just grind the oats in a blender or food processor until they become mealy and slightly floury. They’re amazing in pancake batters, as I find they keep me more satiated and less “sugar crash-y.”

(Image credit: Izy Hossack)

I still use about 60% all-purpose flour in these pancakes because the gluten helps with the binding when there’s no egg. But adding the oat flour, along with the shredded coconut and homemade coconut yogurt, means that the pancakes have a much better flavor and texture, and a more filling nature. Ideal for satisfying my pancake cravings on a lazy morning.

Vegan Coconut-Oat Pancakes

Makes about 12 pancakes

Serves 4 to 6

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup

    unsweetened shredded coconut

  • 1 1/3 cups

    all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup

    old-fashioned rolled oats

  • 2 tablespoons

    baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    salt

  • 2 tablespoons

    raw sugar

  • 2 teaspoons

    vanilla extract

  • 2 tablespoons

    vegetable oil, plus more for frying

  • 1/2 cup

    coconut yogurt, homemade or store-bought

  • 1 1/2 cups

    almond milk

Instructions

  1. Place the shredded coconut into a small frying pan and stir over a medium heat until golden and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Put roughly half of the toasted coconut into a blender along with all of the flour, oats, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Blend these dry ingredients together until the oats have broken down into a flour.

  2. Pour the vanilla, oil, yogurt and milk into the blender with the flour mixture. Blend together until just mixed.

  3. Heat a large cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium heat. Pour in about 1 teaspoon of oil, just enough to lightly coat the bottom of the skillet. Make pancakes using 1/4 cup of the batter for each pancake; add as many pancakes as you can to the pan without the pancakes touching. Cook the batter over medium-low heat until the edges look opaque, the underside is golden, and bubbles form and burst on the surface. Flip using a thin spatula and cook on the other side until golden brown. Serve immediately or keep warm by transferring the pancakes to a baking tray in a 150°F oven until ready to eat.

  4. Sprinkle the remaining toasted coconut over the pancakes and serve warm with a dollop of coconut yogurt, some fresh fruit, and maple syrup.

Recipe Notes

If you're not vegan, you can substitute regular yogurt and milk in this recipe.