How to Make Fluffy Vegan Banana Pancakes – Dairy-Free & Egg-Free Recipe

Why You’ll Love These Vegan Banana Pancakes

If you’re looking for the best vegan banana pancakes, you’re in the right place! These pancakes are light, fluffy, naturally sweet, and incredibly easy to make. Whether you’re craving a healthy breakfast, a weekend brunch treat, or a satisfying snack, this recipe is a game-changer. Here’s why you’ll love these dairy-free, egg-free, and plant-based pancakes:

Naturally Sweet & Healthy

One of the best things about these vegan banana pancakes is that they are naturally sweetened with ripe bananas, meaning you can skip the refined sugar altogether or use only a small amount of maple syrup if you like a sweeter taste.

• Ripe Bananas as a Natural Sweetener – Bananas contain natural sugars (fructose) that caramelize while cooking, giving these pancakes a delicious, mild sweetness.
• Nutrient-Rich Ingredients – Bananas are not just sweet; they are packed with potassium, fiber, and vitamins that make your breakfast more nutritious.
• Lower in Processed Sugar – Unlike traditional pancake recipes that rely on white sugar, this version is naturally sweetened, making it a healthier option for kids and adults alike.

💡 Pro Tip: The riper the banana, the sweeter your pancakes will be! Look for bananas with brown spots for the best flavor and texture.

No Dairy, No Eggs – Just Pure Fluffiness

Traditional pancakes rely on eggs and dairy to create a light and airy texture, but you don’t need them to make perfectly fluffy vegan banana pancakes. This recipe achieves the same fluffiness using plant-based ingredients:

• Flax Egg (or Chia Egg) – Mixing ground flaxseeds or chia seeds with water creates a gel-like binder that replaces eggs, keeping the batter together without making it dense.
• Baking Powder for Lift – The secret to making these pancakes extra fluffy is a good amount of baking powder. It helps create air pockets in the batter, making the pancakes rise beautifully.
• Dairy-Free Milk for Moisture – Whether you use almond, oat, soy, or coconut milk, these non-dairy alternatives keep the pancakes soft and tender without any heaviness.

💡 Pro Tip: For the fluffiest pancakes, let the batter rest for 5 minutes after mixing. This allows the baking powder to activate, making your pancakes even lighter!

Quick & Easy to Make

Who doesn’t love a fast and simple breakfast? These vegan banana pancakes are made with just a handful of wholesome ingredients and come together in under 15 minutes!

• Minimal Ingredients – No complicated substitutes, just bananas, flour, plant-based milk, flax egg, and baking powder—all pantry staples!
• One-Bowl Recipe – Mix everything in one bowl for quick prep and easy cleanup.
• Fast Cooking Time – Each pancake cooks in just 2–3 minutes per side, so you’ll have a delicious stack ready in no time.

💡 Pro Tip: You can freeze extra pancakes and reheat them in a toaster for a quick and healthy breakfast on busy mornings!

Ingredients You Need for the Best Fluffy Vegan Banana Pancakes

To make the best fluffy vegan banana pancakes, you need a balance of wet and dry ingredients that work together to create the perfect texture—light, airy, and naturally sweet. This recipe is designed to be simple, wholesome, and accessible, using everyday pantry staples. Here’s a breakdown of each ingredient and why it’s essential.

🌿 Wet Ingredients: Bringing Moisture & Flavor

The wet ingredients play a crucial role in keeping the pancakes soft, fluffy, and rich in flavor. They add moisture, sweetness, and help bind everything together without the need for eggs or dairy.

1. Mashed Bananas – Natural Sweetness & Moisture

Bananas are the star ingredient in this recipe! They act as both a sweetener and a moisture booster, keeping the pancakes naturally tender and flavorful.
✅ Why It’s Essential:

• Adds natural sweetness, reducing the need for extra sugar.
• Helps create a soft, moist texture without making the pancakes dense.
• Provides essential nutrients like potassium, fiber, and vitamin B6.
  💡 Pro Tip: Use ripe bananas with brown spots for the best sweetness and texture!

Health Benefits of Bananas: Bananas are not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients. They are a great source of potassium, which supports heart health and helps maintain normal blood pressure levels. Additionally, bananas provide vitamin C, aiding in immune function, and dietary fiber, promoting digestive health. Including bananas in your diet can contribute to overall well-being.

2. Dairy-Free Milk (Almond, Oat, or Soy) – Light & Fluffy Batter

Instead of regular milk, we use plant-based milk to create the perfect pancake batter.
✅ Best Options:

• Almond Milk – Light and mildly nutty, great for a neutral flavor.
• Oat Milk – Naturally creamy, adds a slight sweetness.
• Soy Milk – Rich in protein, helps create a soft and structured batter.
  💡 Pro Tip: Make sure the milk is room temperature so it blends smoothly with the batter!

3. Flax Egg or Chia Egg – The Perfect Vegan Binder

Since traditional pancakes use eggs for structure, we replace them with a flax egg or chia egg—a simple mix of ground flaxseeds or chia seeds with water.
✅ Why It Works:

• Helps bind the ingredients together just like eggs.
• Adds healthy omega-3s and fiber for a nutritious boost.
• Creates a soft yet stable batter that holds up well when cooking.
  💡 Pro Tip: To make a flax egg, mix 1 tbsp ground flaxseed with 3 tbsp water and let it sit for 5 minutes until gel-like.

4. Vanilla Extract & Maple Syrup – Boosting Flavor

• Vanilla Extract – Adds a warm, aromatic touch that enhances the banana flavor.
• Maple Syrup – A natural sweetener that pairs beautifully with bananas while keeping the pancakes refined sugar-free.
  💡 Pro Tip: If you prefer an extra caramel-like sweetness, use date syrup instead of maple syrup.

🌾 Dry Ingredients: Structure & Fluffiness

The dry ingredients determine the pancakes’ texture, fluffiness, and overall consistency. Choosing the right flour and leavening agents ensures that your pancakes stay light and airy instead of dense and heavy.

1. Flour Options: Choosing the Right Base

The type of flour you use affects the texture and nutritional profile of your pancakes. Here are three great options:
✅ Best Choices:

• All-Purpose Flour – The classic choice for soft and fluffy pancakes.
• Whole Wheat Flour – Adds a bit more fiber and a nutty flavor, slightly denser but still delicious.
• Oat Flour – Naturally gluten-free and gives a slightly chewier texture.
  💡 Pro Tip: For extra fluffiness, mix ¾ cup all-purpose flour with ¼ cup oat flour for the perfect balance!

2. Baking Powder – The Secret to Airy Pancakes

Baking powder is the key leavening agent in this recipe, helping the pancakes rise and stay light.
✅ Why It’s Important:

• Creates air pockets in the batter, making the pancakes fluffy and soft.
• Helps the pancakes puff up while cooking for that classic thick texture.
  💡 Pro Tip: Use aluminum-free baking powder to avoid any bitter aftertaste!

3. A Pinch of Salt – Balancing the Flavors

A small amount of salt enhances the sweetness of the bananas and the depth of flavors in the batter.
✅ Why It’s Essential:

• Balances the sweet and nutty notes.
• Helps intensify the overall flavor without making the pancakes salty.
  💡 Pro Tip: Use sea salt or Himalayan salt for a more natural, less processed option.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Fluffy Vegan Banana Pancakes

Making fluffy vegan banana pancakes is incredibly simple, and following the right steps ensures perfect texture, light fluffiness, and delicious flavor every time. Below is a detailed breakdown of each step, from preparing the wet and dry ingredients to cooking them to perfection.

Step 1: Prepare the Wet Ingredients

The wet ingredients provide moisture, binding power, and natural sweetness to the batter. Mixing them properly ensures the pancakes have a smooth and even texture.

1. Mash Ripe Bananas Until Smooth

• Peel two ripe bananas and place them in a mixing bowl.
• Use a fork or potato masher to mash them until they become smooth and creamy. Some small lumps are okay, as they add a little texture to the pancakes.

💡 Pro Tip: The riper the bananas, the sweeter your pancakes will be! Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots for the best natural sweetness.

2. Mix in Dairy-Free Milk, Flax Egg, and Vanilla Extract

• Add ¾ cup of dairy-free milk (such as almond, oat, or soy) to the mashed bananas.
• Stir in the flax egg (made by mixing 1 tbsp ground flaxseed with 3 tbsp water, letting it sit for 5 minutes until thickened).
• Add 1 tsp of vanilla extract for a warm, aromatic flavor.

🚀 Why This Step Matters: These ingredients create the perfect liquid base for the batter, ensuring that the pancakes hold together while staying moist and tender.

Step 2: Combine with Dry Ingredients

The dry ingredients provide structure and help the pancakes rise, giving them their signature fluffiness.

1. In a Separate Bowl, Whisk Together the Dry Ingredients

• In a large mixing bowl, combine:
  • 1 ¼ cups of flour (all-purpose, whole wheat, or oat flour)
  • 2 tsp baking powder (this helps the pancakes rise)
  • A pinch of salt (to balance the flavors)
• Use a whisk to mix everything together, ensuring the baking powder is evenly distributed so all pancakes cook evenly.

2. Gently Fold the Wet and Dry Ingredients Together

• Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture.
• Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently fold everything together. Avoid overmixing—a few lumps in the batter are okay!

💡 Pro Tip: Overmixing the batter can make the pancakes dense and chewy instead of light and fluffy. Mix just until combined to keep the batter airy.

Step 3: Cook the Pancakes

Now it’s time to cook the pancakes to golden perfection. The key to fluffy pancakes is the right heat and timing.

1. Heat a Non-Stick Skillet with a Little Coconut Oil

• Place a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.
• Add a small amount of coconut oil (or vegan butter) and swirl it around to coat the surface.

💡 Why This Matters:

• Using medium-low heat allows the pancakes to cook evenly without burning.
• Coconut oil adds a slight hint of flavor and helps the pancakes develop a golden, crispy edge.

2. Pour in Batter and Cook Until Bubbles Form

• Scoop ¼ cup of batter and pour it onto the skillet.
• Let the pancake cook for 2-3 minutes until small bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set.

🚀 Pro Tip: If the batter is too thick, add a splash of plant-based milk to loosen it up before cooking.

3. Flip and Cook the Other Side

• Once bubbles appear, use a spatula to gently flip the pancake.
• Cook for another 1-2 minutes, until golden brown and fluffy.
• Transfer to a plate and repeat for the remaining batter.

💡 Pro Tip: Place cooked pancakes on a plate lined with a towel and cover them lightly to keep them warm while cooking the rest.

By following these detailed steps, you’ll achieve the perfect stack of fluffy, golden-brown vegan banana pancakes—soft on the inside, slightly crispy on the outside, and full of natural sweetness! Serve them warm with maple syrup, fresh fruit, or a dollop of nut butter for the ultimate plant-based breakfast.

Tips for Perfect Vegan Banana Pancakes

Achieving the perfect fluffy vegan banana pancakes requires more than just following the recipe—it’s all about the technique! These expert tips will help ensure your pancakes turn out light, airy, and packed with delicious banana flavor every time.

1. Use Ripe Bananas – The Riper, The Better! 🍌

Bananas serve as both a natural sweetener and a binding agent in this pancake recipe. Using ripe or overripe bananas is essential for both flavor and texture.

✅ Why It Matters:

• Sweeter Pancakes – As bananas ripen, their starches turn into natural sugars, making the pancakes naturally sweet without needing extra sugar.
• Better Texture – Ripe bananas mash more easily, creating a smooth and creamy batter for soft, moist pancakes.
• More Nutrients – Overripe bananas contain higher levels of antioxidants and potassium, making them extra beneficial.

💡 Pro Tip: Look for bananas with lots of brown spots—they’ll give you the best results! If your bananas aren’t ripe enough, try baking them at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes to speed up the ripening process.

2. Don’t Overmix the Batter – Keep It Light & Airy 🥣

It’s tempting to stir the batter until it’s completely smooth, but this can lead to dense and tough pancakes instead of light and fluffy ones.

✅ Why It Matters:

• Fluffier Pancakes – Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which makes pancakes chewy instead of tender.
• Prevents Dense Texture – A few small lumps in the batter are totally fine! They’ll disappear during cooking.
• Even Cooking – A thick, airy batter helps create the perfect pancake texture—crispy on the outside and fluffy inside.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a gentle folding motion with a spatula when mixing the wet and dry ingredients together. Stop mixing as soon as you no longer see dry flour—a few lumps are okay!

3. Let the Batter Rest – 5 Minutes Makes a Big Difference ⏳

Allowing the batter to sit for 5–10 minutes before cooking is a small but crucial step that enhances the pancakes’ texture and rise.

✅ Why It Matters:

• Activates the Baking Powder – This extra time lets the baking powder release air bubbles, making the pancakes extra fluffy.
• Hydrates the Flour – The dry ingredients absorb the wet ingredients more evenly, resulting in a smooth, well-balanced batter.
• Better Consistency – Resting time helps thicken the batter, making it easier to pour and shape into perfect pancakes.

💡 Pro Tip: If your batter thickens too much after resting, add a splash of plant-based milk to loosen it slightly before cooking.

4. Cook on Medium-Low Heat – The Secret to Golden-Brown Pancakes 🔥

Cooking pancakes at the right temperature ensures they cook through evenly without burning.

✅ Why It Matters:

• Prevents Burning – High heat can burn the outside while leaving the inside raw.
• Even Cooking – Medium-low heat gives pancakes time to rise and cook through, creating a soft, fluffy center.
• Perfect Golden Color – Lower heat allows the pancakes to caramelize gently, giving them a beautiful golden-brown finish.

💡 Pro Tip: Test the heat by sprinkling a few drops of water onto the skillet. If they sizzle and evaporate slowly, it’s the perfect temperature! If they disappear instantly, lower the heat before adding the batter.

By following these pro tips, your vegan banana pancakes will turn out fluffy, moist, and perfectly golden every time! With ripe bananas, gentle mixing, a short rest time, and controlled heat, you’ll get a delicious stack of pancakes that are soft inside, lightly crisp on the outside, and packed with natural sweetness.

Find out our other vegan recipes for a healthy breakfast:

• How to Make Vegan Pancakes – Easy, Fluffy & Delicious!
• How to Make Vegan French Toast – A Simple, Flavorful Recipe
• How to Make Vegan Banana Bread – Healthy, Moist & Naturally Sweet