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These easy vegan banana pancakes are light, fluffy, flavorful, and made with simple pantry staples in just one bowl. Dairy-free, egg-free, vegan, & optionally gluten-free, oil-free, and even sugar-free!

completed stack of pancakes against a white surface
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Light and Fluffy Egg-Free Vegan Banana Pancakes

Next time you’ve got overripe bananas, rather than going straight for vegan banana bread, why not try a batch of light, fluffy, easy vegan banana pancakes? They’re packed with banana flavor, just sweet enough, contain a healthy dose of fiber, potassium, and vitamin B6, and require just one bowl and 6 ingredients.

They’re fairly healthy, too, with the nutrients from the banana, minimal added sugar (and can be made sugar-free), optionally oil-free, and the option to use whole grain and other ‘healthier’ flours. All of that said, you won’t have any issues feeding these to fussy eaters/ kids!

Best of all, these eggless banana pancakes are meal-prep friendly – whether preparing the batter in advance, saving the leftovers in the fridge, or even freezing them for later. Have more overripe bananas? Try our oil-free banana muffins, banana choc chip bars, banana ice cream (3 ways), or healthy banana popsicles.

The Ingredients

You can make the BEST banana pancake recipe from scratch that’s egg-free, dairy-free, and requires just 6 inexpensive pantry ingredients.

ingredients of banana pancakes spread out against a white surface
  • Banana: Use an overripe banana that’s soft with plenty of black spots on the peel. This adds natural sweetness and flavor and binds in the place of eggs.
  • Flour: You can use 100% all-purpose flour, a 50/50 blend of AP and whole wheat flour, or even experiment with buckwheat or spelt flour (rest the batter for 15 minutes before cooking the pancakes if using the latter).

An all-purpose gluten-free flour blend like King Arthur’s or Bob’s Red Mill may also work to make vegan gluten-free banana pancakes, though they might be slightly denser.

  • Plant-based milk: Use any unsweetened dairy-free milk in these dairy-free banana pancakes. I.e., almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, etc. We love the latter.
  • Vanilla extract: Use natural vanilla to avoid an artificial aftertaste.
  • Sweetener: (Optional) Use your sweetener of choice. I.e., brown sugar, agave, maple syrup, coconut sugar, etc. A sugar alternative, like erythritol, should work fine, too.
  • Baking powder: For perfectly fluffy, slightly thick American-style pancakes.
  • Salt: Helps balance/enhance the flavors in this vegan banana pancake recipe.
  • Oil: Use neutral cooking oil (like vegetable oil), unsalted vegan butter/a combination of the two.

What could I add To Banana Pancakes?

There are plenty of ways to customize this vegan banana pancakes recipe to add extra texture, flavor, and nutrients.

  • Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice add warmth and flavor.
  • Fruit: i.e., blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc., pressed into the top of the cooking fluffy banana pancake batter.
  • Dried fruit: i.e., raisins, sultanas, blueberries, cherries, etc.
  • Vegan chocolate: Add dairy-free chocolate chips/chunks (white, milk, or dark).
  • Cocoa powder: Make vegan chocolate banana pancakes by replacing 2-3 tbsp flour with unsweetened cocoa powder. Optionally add some vegan chocolate chips, too.
  • Nuts/seeds: Sprinkle in chopped or crushed nuts for crunch and flavor (lightly toasted for extra flavor). I.e., walnuts, pecans, almonds, pumpkin seeds, etc.
  • Spinach: Refer to our recipe for spinach banana pancakes.
  • Banana protein pancakes: Replace flour with a scoop of protein powder.
  • Coconut: Shredded/flakes for extra texture and flavor in the easy banana pancakes.
  • Citrus zest: Lemon, lime, or orange zest will add a bright, citrusy flavor.

How to Make Easy Vegan Banana Pancakes

  • 1) First, preheat a non-stick skillet (or large griddle) over medium-high heat, lightly brushed with oil.  

Using a good non-stick skillet, you can even make these homemade banana pancakes oil-free.

  • 2) Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, thoroughly mash the banana, add all the other pancake batter ingredients, and gently mix until combined.

It’s important not to overwork the gluten, so having a few lumps in the batter is fine. Also, note that different flours have different absorbencies, so you may need to adjust the amount of added plant-based milk.

  • 3) Use a ¼ cup measuring cup to scoop batter into the pan, adding as many as will fit, then cook until bubbles form on the pancake surface.
process shot of adding batter to skillet
  • 4) Carefully flip over the pancakes with a spatula to cook for 2-3 minutes until lightly browned on the underside and cooked through.
process shot showing flipped pancake on a skillet
  • 5) Remove from the pan and repeat with any remaining batter. Then enjoy the eggless banana pancakes with all your favorite toppings!

FAQs

Could I substitute the banana?

Though they’ll no longer taste like banana pancakes, it is possible to make vegan pancakes without bananas, replacing it with other mashed/pureed ingredients like unsweetened applesauce, sweet potato, or pumpkin puree. Thick dairy-free Greek yogurt may also work. Adjust the amount of added sweetener accordingly.

Can you make the pancake batter ahead?

If you omit the baking powder, you could prepare the pancake batter up to 1 day in advance and store it in a clingfilm-wrapped bowl in the refrigerator. Take it out 20-30 minutes before cooking the pancakes, and stir in the baking powder 5 minutes before cooking.

If the batter has become too dense, add more plant-based milk or water.

Can I make waffles with this banana pancake batter?

That should be fine, yes.

Can I use coconut flour or almond flour?

No, we don’t recommend using either of those for this recipe.

Pro Recipe Tips

  • Use overripe bananas: We’re looking for the same bananas you’d use for banana bread. Super brown/spotty, soft, and sweet.
  • Test the baking powder: Otherwise, the pancakes won’t puff up and become fluffy inside. To test it, combine ½ teaspoon baking powder with ¼ cup boiling water. If it bubbles/fizzes immediately, it’s good to go.
  • Avoid over-mixing the batter: Over-mixing can overwork the gluten and lead to dense, rubbery pancakes. If you’re worried you’ve over-mixed it, leave the batter to rest for 20-30 minutes.
  • Preheat the pan: This ensures evenly cooked pancakes that aren’t soggy.
  • Make a test pancake: We always consider the first pancake a ‘test’ (i.e., is it too brown outside, runny in the middle, soggy, taking too long to cook, etc.), so we can adjust the temperature/timings if needed for further pancakes.  
  • To keep pancakes warm: (especially helpful when feeding a crowd), set them on a baking sheet in the oven at 200F/95C.
completed stack of pancakes against a white surface

The Best Banana Pancake Toppings

  • Classic: Vegan butter and maple syrup.
  • Scoops: Vegan vanilla ice cream, dairy-free yogurt, coconut whipped cream, fruit compote, etc.
  • Drizzles: Maple syrup, agave, nut butter, seed butter, vegan chocolate sauce, caramel, jam.
  • Sprinkles: Crushed nuts/seeds, granola, shredded coconut, cacao nibs, vegan chocolate chips, dried fruit, confectioners’ sugar, etc.
  • Fruit: Fresh banana slices, berries, caramelized bananas, etc.

Storage Instructions

Once cooked, allow the egg-free banana pancakes to cool. Then store them in an airtight container/Ziplock/Stasher bag separated by layers of wax/parchment paper in the fridge for 4-5 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months (it can help to flash freeze them for an hour first).

How to Reheat Frozen Banana Pancakes

You can reheat the vegan banana pancakes from frozen or allow them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours.

Oven: You can reheat the banana vegan pancakes in a toaster oven, air fryer, or regular oven (at 350F for the latter two) until just warmed through. Cover with foil to lock in moisture.

Microwave: In 20-30 second intervals until warmed through. These will be soft.

Skillet: Over medium heat with a little vegan butter or oil – best for crispy edges.

More Sweet Vegan Breakfast Recipes

Photos by Alfonso Revilla

Vegan Banana Pancakes

4.87 from 59 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 10 pancakes
These easy vegan banana pancakes are light, fluffy, flavorful, and made with simple pantry staples in just one bowl. Dairy-free, egg-free, vegan, & optionally gluten-free, oil-free, and even sugar-free!

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup of all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons of baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon of salt
  • 2 tablespoons of neutral oil
  • 1 mashed banana
  • 1 cup of plant-based milk
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, agave nectar, or maple syrup

Instructions 

  • Preheat a nonstick pan over medium-high heat. If you don’t have a nonstick pan (or your nonstick pan needs a bit more slip), you can lightly oil the pan.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together all the ingredients. Gently mix until the batter is smooth, but there’s no need to remove all the lumps.
  • Scoop out the batter with a ¼-cup measuring cup and pour it onto the preheated pan. Once bubbles begin to form, flip the pancake over and cook the other side until light brown. Remove from the heat and repeat until all the batter is cooked.

Video

Notes

  • Pancakes are tough to get right. Make sure you start off with a preheated pan; if you don’t, it will be difficult to flip the pancake and your first one or two will look funky. Try not to overmix the batter—the more you mix, the tougher they’ll be.
  • To keep the pancakes warm: While you’re cooking, place the finished ones on a baking sheet in a warm oven set at 200 degrees.
  • Use overripe bananas: We’re looking for the same bananas you’d use for banana bread. Super brown/spotty, soft, and sweet.
  • Test the baking powder: Otherwise, the pancakes won’t puff up and become fluffy inside. To test it, combine ½ teaspoon baking powder with ¼ cup boiling water. If it bubbles/fizzes immediately, it’s good to go.

Nutrition

Calories: 79kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 1gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.01gSodium: 196mgPotassium: 50mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 6IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 68mgIron: 1mg

Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.

Additional Info

Author: Toni Okamoto
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Method: Stove
Diet: Vegan
Tried this recipe?Please tag us at @PlantBasedOnABudget! 🙂
About

Toni Okamoto

“They say you are what you eat, so I strive to be healthy.
My goal in life is not to be rich or wealthy,
‘Cause true wealth comes from good health and wise ways…
we got to start taking better care of ourselves ” – Dead Prez

More about Toni Okamoto

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Comments

  1. 1 star
    Description in the search says “oil free”. You then tell us to use oil. I’m sure it’s delicious, but it’s not accurately described.

    1. It can be optionally oil free is what the sentence was meaning to convey. Using a good non-stick skillet, you can make these homemade banana pancakes oil-free!

  2. 5 stars
    I have made these pancakes 3 times this week! Our family has the stomach flu and only thing my 5 and 2 year old will eat. They are delicious!

  3. 5 stars
    First batch of banana pancakes I have ever liked- I made a half a batch and they were great- just sweet enough- yum

  4. I one pancake a serving? My son is a type 1 diabetic so we must have the carb counts correct.
    Thanks!!