These Fluffy Vegan Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes are a healthy but sweet way to start your day. They're thick, fluffy and fully dairy-free and egg-free. Gluten-free and oil-free options are available.
Pancakes have always been a popular breakfast at my house. Whether I'm making a giant Dutch Baby Pancake with Berries or indulgent Vegan Oreo Pancakes, I always know there will be smiles at breakfast.
And this recipe is one of our long-time favorites. The banana makes these thick and fluffy pancakes extra sweet with a cake-like texture. And who doesn't love the combo of chocolate and banana? It's a classic for a reason. So why not enjoy it for breakfast? This recipe is perfect for back to school, so I hope you treat yourself to it soon!
How to Make Vegan Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes
You need just one bowl and a hot pan or griddle to get these pancakes going. And the entire recipe takes just 25 minutes!
Here's what you need, and my recommendations for ingredient swaps:
All-purpose flour. I always use organic flour to ensure it's vegan. Feel free to use gluten-free all-purpose too!
Baking powder. This helps the pancakes become as fluffy as possible.
Cinnamon. For a touch of warming spice.
Almond milk. You can substitute soy milk, rice milk, coconut milk (my NEW Fave!), oat milk, hemp milk, or others.
Apple cider vinegar. This adds tang to turn the dairy-free milk into buttermilk. It helps activate the baking powder and improve the flavor.
Bananas. Choose the ripest bananas you can find! They're sweeter and easier to mash.
Vanilla. You can use vanilla extract or vanilla bean powder.
Maple syrup. This is essential for the maple, sweet flavor of these banana pancakes. You could also use honey or agave in a pinch.
Oil. Use mild-tasting oil like avocado or canola.
Chocolate chips. I use the vegan chocolate chips from Enjoy Life Foods.
Health Benefits of Maple Syrup
I often use maple syrup and agave interchangeably in recipes. However, I love to use pure maple syrup as much as possible. Agave is said to have a lower glycemic index, which makes it a good option for those with diabetes. However, pure Maple syrup has tons of antioxidants because it comes directly from a plant’s sap. Maple syrup is also a good source of essential nutrients, including:
Calcium
Potassium
Iron
Zinc
Manganese
All of these nutrients support a healthy skeletal and immune system!
Tip: choose darker colored Maple Syrup for even more Antioxidants.
Tips and Tricks to Perfect Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Use these tips to make perfect pancakes every time:
1. Low + Slow is BEST.
Cooking pancakes over low heat ensures that your pancakes are fully cooked through without burning too quickly.
2. Double Check that your Leaveners aren’t expired.
Make sure your leaveners (baking powder, baking soda, etc) aren’t expired. This guarantees that your pancakes rise at their best and are super fluffy as intended.
3. No Over-mixing, Please!
Once all ingredients are well combined, there's no need to keep mixing. Remember, you want airy, fluffy pancakes — too much mixing will make them chewy.
4. Use the Correct Pan!
I find that using a flat cast-iron griddle works the best for pancakes. Unfortunately, a regular sauté pan isn’t flat or large enough.
5. Use Oil Not Butter!
I know. I’m one who loves using butter (vegan butter for vegan recipes). But when making pancakes, it’s best to use a very light coating of oil (coconut, grapeseed, vegetable oil, etc) on your pan. Wallah! Butter tends to burn too easily.
6. Don’t Flip Those Pancakes Just Yet!
I’ve been guilty of this in the past. Don't flip your pancakes as soon a little crust forms on the bottom. Instead, wait until the bubbles have popped and opened into holes. This means the bottom is set and the pancake is ready to flip.
If you make these Fluffy Vegan Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakesor any other recipe from us, be sure to tag us on Instagram at #Orchidsandsweettea so that we can share the love, rate, comment below, + share
Fluffy Vegan Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes
5 from 10 votes
These Fluffy Vegan Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes are the perfect, healthy twist to kick start your day! Completely fluffy, airy, and naturally sweetened, these pancakes are truly irresistible—especially with the burst of banana and chocolate flavors which go so amazing together. Made in just a few short steps and under 25 minutes. Gluten-free and Oil-free options available.
Add the almond milk and apple cider vinegar together in a small bowl, stirring together until combined and letting it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes activated and "a bit foamy".
In a large bowl, add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together and whisk until combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, milk-ACV mixture, melted butter, and vanilla, until combined.
Make a small well in the middle of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients, stirring gently (using a spatula) until just combined. Batter should be thick, but pourable. NOTE: DO NOT OVERMIX!!
Fold in the chocolate chips.
Add 1 tablespoon vegan butter to a heated skillet over medium-high heat and wait until fully melted. Pour ⅓ cup of pancake batter unto the surface of the skillet and cook for about 1-2 minutes (until batter begins to bubble) and gently flip pancake to it’s opposite side, cooking another 1-2 minutes. NOTE: Be sure to gently press down on pancake to ensure that center cooks through.
Once cooked and lightly brown on both sides, remove pancake from heat and repeat steps until all batter is used.
To serve, stack pancakes onto one another and top with Cocowhip, banana slices, additional vegan chocolate chips, and lightly drizzle with maple syrup, if desired.
Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
GLUTEN-FREE VERSION: To make these pancakes GF, I recommend using a GF Flour Blend (Bob’s Red Mills has a great version!). **NOTE: If the batter is too ‘thin + runny’, simply add additional GF flour, ¼ cup at a time.**
SWEETENER: If you choose to opt out of Agave, you can always substitute with pure maple syrup, date syrup, coconut sugar, brown sugar, or pure cane sugar.
OIL: Instead of melted vegan butter, you can use vegetable oil or coconut oil, if preferred.
Wow, these are good! I subbed applesauce for the oil and it was still delicious. I ate them without anything on top they were so good. I’ll be making these again soon.
Delicious! I used chocolate chunks instead of chips and it was so gooey and tasty. The texture is light and fluffy. Definitely recommend it with some of that CocoWhip!
Oh my gosh, these are banana bread in a pan! So moist and gooey from the banana. Super easy to make - definitely going to be a staple breakfast treat once in a while.
I have tried many vegan pancake recipes and this is by far my favorite. The cakes actually do come out fluffy!!!! And it's not too sweet either. Thank you for this recipe!!!
These pancakes were perfectly fluffy with just the right amount of chocolate chips - absolutely delicious! I've got the syrup you recommend on my grocery list, I can't wait to make these pancakes again to enjoy with the maple syrup.
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Wow, these are good! I subbed applesauce for the oil and it was still delicious. I ate them without anything on top they were so good. I’ll be making these again soon.
Hi Clara! OMG! I'm happy that you enjoyed these! Definitely a staple in my house! Thanks so much for choosing to make my recipe! 🙂
Delicious! I used chocolate chunks instead of chips and it was so gooey and tasty. The texture is light and fluffy. Definitely recommend it with some of that CocoWhip!
Hi Jenny! I'm so happy to hear that you enjoy these pancakes! Definitely a fave in my house! 🙂
Oh my word, these were good! So fluffy and full of flavor. Will make again!
Oh my gosh, these are banana bread in a pan! So moist and gooey from the banana. Super easy to make - definitely going to be a staple breakfast treat once in a while.
Hi Noor! Yes, they really are just as delicious as Banana Bread! I'm so happy to hear that you've enjoyed them! 🙂
I have tried many vegan pancake recipes and this is by far my favorite. The cakes actually do come out fluffy!!!! And it's not too sweet either. Thank you for this recipe!!!
Hi Stephanie! I'm so happy that you enjoyed these as much as I did! They really are a favorite in my house! 🙂
This recipe was absolutely amazing. My picky 5 year old (who only eats a handful of foods) loved them. Keep the awesome recipes rolling. 🙂
I'm so happy to hear this! Always the best when Toddler-approved! 🙂
My kids are HUGE pancake fans, and we are shifting to completely vegan! These were a hit and makes pancakes a lot yummier!
I'm so happy that everyone enjoyed them! They are a real hit in my house also!
These pancakes were perfectly fluffy with just the right amount of chocolate chips - absolutely delicious! I've got the syrup you recommend on my grocery list, I can't wait to make these pancakes again to enjoy with the maple syrup.
I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed these, Joanie! Yes, I LOVE this Maple Syrup brand! My go-to for sure!
These look amazing! Can't wait to make them this weekend!!
Thanks so much, Christie! I do hope that you enjoy them as much as I did!
Yum! These pancakes look perfect for our upcoming weekend breakfast!