Ingredients
Caramelized Pears
- 2 ripe pears, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 3-4 tbsp water
Pancake Batter
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup + 1 tbsp milk of choice (unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, regular dairy milk)
- 1 egg (optional) – see notes for substitution
- Oil for the pan (coconut, olive, sunflower, or cooking spray)
Instructions
- Caramelize the Pears: Heat a small saucepan over medium-low heat and add the chopped pears along with maple syrup and water. Let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pears become soft and caramelized. Once done, remove the pan from heat and set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until well combined.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: Combine about ⅓ cup (approximately 65 grams) of the caramelized pears, 1 cup of milk, and the optional egg (or substitute the egg with 2 tbsp more milk) in a blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the blended wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently stir using a spatula until just combined, forming a thick pancake batter. Avoid overmixing to keep the pancakes light and fluffy.
- Adjust Consistency: If the batter feels too thick, thin it out by adding an extra 1-2 tablespoons of milk to reach a pourable but thick consistency.
- Heat the Pan: Warm a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Lightly grease the pan with your choice of oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Pancakes: Scoop approximately ¼ cup (about 4 tablespoons) of batter onto the hot skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes on one side, until you notice little holes (bubbles) forming on the surface of the pancake.
- Flip and Finish Cooking: Carefully flip the pancake with a spatula and cook the other side until it turns golden brown and cooked through.
- Repeat: Continue cooking the remaining batter, greasing the skillet as needed, until all pancakes are done.
- Serve: Plate the pancakes and top with the remaining caramelized pears. Add additional toppings if desired, such as almond butter, caramel sauce, or crunchy granola for extra texture and flavor.
Notes
- The egg is optional; if you prefer a vegan or egg-free version, substitute the egg with 2 tablespoons of extra milk or a flaxseed egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water, set to thicken).
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for pancakes.
- Use any milk of choice: dairy, almond, oat, or other plant-based milks all work well.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more maple syrup to the batter or serving with syrup on the side.
- To keep pancakes warm while cooking batches, place cooked pancakes on a baking sheet in a low oven (about 200°F) until ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian