Magic Pancakes - Three Ingredient Breakfast

While I am generally skeptical of any recipe that uses the word "magic" in its title, I thought the deliciously light breakfast you see below was deserving of such a designation. With just one more ingredient than it takes to make a humdrum bowl of cereal, you too can have Magic Pancakes. Trust me, you're not going to believe how well these work. 

Easiest Pancakes You'll Ever Make, and healthier too! Photo: NK 

I first learned about today's clever, three-ingredient recipe a few weeks ago as I was listening to a radio show in the car. The hosts were interviewing an author but I'd tuned in too late to catch her name. At any rate, they asked her what her favorite breakfast was and she explained that every day she makes her own personal portion of pancakes, and that her method is easy and fast. She wasn't kidding. The recipe was so simple that I was able to commit it to memory.

Fast forward to a recent family breakfast. My husband was going to make Pancakes but realized too late that we were out of baking powder. As we all glanced disappointedly towards the cereal boxes on top of our counter, I remembered the radio show and decided to seize the moment. I'll admit, I wasn't a true believer that this would work until I tasted the results myself. 

Make Magic Pancakes if:
You love an easy 3-ingredient breakfast perfect for 1 but easily multiplied for a family
You like the idea of a lower carb (thanks to less Flour) pillowy-light, fluffy pancake
You've got nice ripe or even overripe Bananas that would otherwise go to waste (even slightly underripe Bananas will work). 


You'll be a believer too. Enjoy! 

Magic 3 Ingredient Pancakes 
Per serving (about 3 four-inch pancakes)

Ingredients:  
1 medium to large mashed Banana, 
2 tablespoons any kind of Flour (regular, whole wheat, coconut or other gluten free types, etc), 
1 lightly beaten Egg. 
(Optional Butter or light Cooking Spray)

Method: 
Mash Banana in a bowl, add beaten Egg and Flour. Blend - this can remain a little lumpy and it will still turn out fine. 

Pour onto a hot skillet (you can lightly butter or spray it if you prefer) and flip carefully when Pancakes begin to get golden. Finish and serve.

Paleo On The Go - Banana & Almond Flour Energy Muffins

It's resolution time! Would you believe that I'm good at keeping resolutions? Yeah, me neither. But it turns out that I actually am, providing that I also happen to be cut off from the outside world. 

Paleo Banana & Almond Flour Energy Muffins, Photo: NK

Since a blizzard, nearly sub-zero weather, and a subsequent tri-state area-wide sheet of ice has had me and the husband reluctant to venture out for the past few days, we've been quite disciplined. We even visited our building's gym for a record breaking three times in since Friday. So, a big five days into the new year, we're feeling pretty smug about keeping our promises to eat better and workout more.  

Then came Sunday afternoon. A time for rest, a time for reflection, a time to get the blues. Fearing that boredom would cause my idle hands to morph into one heck of a devil's workshop (aka: should I attack that jar of marshmallow fluff in the pantry?), I knew I'd better peel myself off the couch and set about creating something nutritionally redeeming. It seems that the Sunday blues can give rise to good things:

When today's oven adventure, Paleo Energy Muffins With Banana & Almond Flour, proved successful, I knew I'd want to share them with you. 

These easy to make muffins take just five minutes to prepare and will help us in our quest to be a bit more balanced in our eating, use our calorie allotment more wisely, and choose foods packed with energizing protein and slow-burning fiber. We're not a Gluten Free household by any means, but today's muffins are. They're also fit for Paleo and Dairy Free diets. 

Why make them? Paleo Energy Muffins With Banana & Almond Flour are a healthy, stick-to-your-ribs, breakfast on the go. They'd also make for a good pre-workout bite because they have a good helping of protein and slow releasing carbs to keep you going. A little sweet but not too much so and surprisingly filling, these tasty little guys keep well in the fridge and can even be frozen for up to a month. Sure, we may fall off the resolution wagon in a little while, but I'm happy to share today's healthy and satisfying on-the-go recipe for your future enjoyment. Good luck in your healthy endeavors this new year! 

Paleo Energy Muffins With Banana & Almond Meal
Adapted from Powerhungry.com
Yield - 10 Muffins 
Per Muffin: 235 Calories, 18g Fat, 7.5g Protein, 12g Carbs, 3.2g Fiber

Ingredients:
2.5 Cups Almond Meal (we use Bob's Red Mill)
3/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt 

2 Medium Bananas, very ripe 
2 Organic Eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon 
1 teaspoon Unsweeted Cocoa Powder
2 Tablespoons Light Agave (or Honey)
1 teaspoon good quality Vanilla Extract
2 Tablespoons Melted Coconut Oil or Canola Oil
1 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar (we like Bragg Mother Vinegar)

Method:

Finished in a flash, Photo: NK 

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line a regular sized muffin tin with 10 muffin cups.

2. Combine the first three dry ingredients in a Large bowl.

3. In a medium bowl, mash the Bananas extremely well until almost smooth. Add the beaten Eggs, Cinnamon, Cocoa Powder, Agave, Vanilla Extract, Oil, and Apple Cider Vinegar. Combine well. 

*If you like, you could add other mix-ins here such as carob chips or raisins.

4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and combine well. Pour mixture 3/4 of the way up the muffin cups. Bake for 18 minutes until the center of the muffins is set and the edges have become a bit golden. Remove tin to a rack for cooling (at least 20 minutes). Enjoy! 

To store:
Freeze in an airtight container for up to 1 month
Store at room temp, sealed, for 2 days
Refrigerate, sealed, for about a week