Brown Sugar Banana Pancakes Recipe

Fluffy Brown Sugar Banana Pancakes Recipe – Morning Magic!

These heavenly brown sugar banana pancakes dance between comfort and culinary magic, blending sweet caramelized notes with fluffy breakfast brilliance.

Ripe bananas whisper their ripened promise into every golden landscape.

Summer mornings feel softer when such delectable treats arrive unexpectedly on your plate.

Warm maple syrup cascades across tender pancake peaks, creating delightful pools of indulgence.

Crisp edges crackle with caramelized sugary hints that make each bite memorable.

A skillet becomes your canvas, transforming simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Come savor a breakfast that feels like pure morning happiness – you won’t regret exploring these irresistible pancakes.

Why Brown Sugar Banana Pancakes Taste So Warm

  • Combine the warmth of brown sugar with ripe bananas, creating a cozy, nostalgic flavor that feels like a hug on a plate.
  • Super easy recipe that lets children help mash bananas and mix ingredients, making it a fun family cooking activity.
  • Great for leisurely weekend breakfasts, brunch gatherings, or spontaneous morning cravings with minimal kitchen skills required.

What You’ll Need for Banana Pancakes

Dry Ingredients:
  • Flour: Base for pancake structure, all-purpose works best.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel sweetness and moisture to pancakes.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents for fluffy texture.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor balance.
  • Cinnamon: Warm spice that complements banana's natural sweetness.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Banana: Provides natural sweetness and moisture, ripe bananas are ideal.
  • Buttermilk: Creates tender pancakes with slight tanginess.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warm flavor notes.
  • Melted Butter: Contributes rich flavor and helps create golden pancake edges.
Finishing Touches:
  • Optional toppings can include maple syrup, fresh banana slices, or whipped cream.

Cooking Banana Pancakes with Brown Sugar Flair

Step 1: Blend Dry Ingredients

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the following ingredients:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Brown sugar
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Ground cinnamon

Whisk these ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution.

Step 2: Prepare Wet Mixture

Grab a separate bowl and mash a ripe banana until smooth. Add these ingredients to the mashed banana:
  • Buttermilk
  • Egg
  • Vanilla extract
  • Melted butter

Whisk everything together until well incorporated.

Step 3: Create Pancake Batter

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold the mixtures together using a spatula. Don’t overmix- some small lumps are perfectly fine and will help create tender pancakes.

Step 4: Heat the Griddle

Warm a non-stick griddle or skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease the surface with butter or cooking spray.

Step 5: Cook Pancakes

Scoop about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake. Pour onto the heated surface and cook until bubbles form on top. Flip and cook the other side until golden brown.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer pancakes to a plate. Top with sliced bananas, a sprinkle of brown sugar, or maple syrup. Serve warm and savor every delicious bite!

Tips for Soft, Sweet Pancakes Every Time

  • Prevent Overmixing: Stir the batter gently and stop when ingredients are just combined to keep pancakes light and fluffy.
  • Ripe Banana Secret: Use very ripe, almost black bananas for maximum sweetness and deeper banana flavor in your pancakes.
  • Control Pancake Thickness: Let the batter rest for 5 minutes before cooking to allow flour to absorb liquid and create perfectly tender pancakes.
  • Swap Dairy Options: Replace buttermilk with regular milk or plant-based milk for alternative dietary needs without compromising texture.
  • Perfect Cooking Temperature: Use a medium-low heat setting to ensure pancakes cook evenly without burning, creating golden brown edges.

Store Pancakes for Quick Breakfasts

  • Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Wrap individual pancakes in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month for quick future breakfasts.
  • Reheat refrigerated pancakes for 20-30 seconds on medium power, checking to avoid overheating and maintain their soft texture.
  • Warm frozen pancakes on a baking sheet at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, ensuring they're heated through without becoming dry or crispy.

What to Serve with Banana Pancakes

  • Warm Colombian or Ethiopian medium roast coffee perfectly balances the sweet banana pancakes, enhancing the brown sugar's caramel undertones while cutting through the rich, buttery texture.
  • Homemade maple caramel sauce with a pinch of sea salt amplifies the brown sugar's sweetness, creating a luxurious layer of flavor that complements the banana's natural richness.
  • A vibrant mix of fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries adds bright, tangy notes that contrast the pancakes' warm, comforting profile, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the sweet breakfast.
  • Lightly sweetened whipped cream infused with a hint of cinnamon echoes the pancake's spice profile, offering a delicate, airy topping that elevates the entire breakfast experience.

Different Ways to Flavor These Pancakes

  • Gluten-Free Banana Pancakes: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a gluten-free alternative that maintains a similar texture and rich flavor.
  • Vegan Banana Delight: Swap egg with mashed chia seeds or flax seeds, use plant-based milk instead of buttermilk, and opt for coconut oil instead of butter to create a completely plant-based version.
  • Low-Sugar Banana Pancakes: Substitute brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and reduce the amount to cut down on calories while keeping the natural sweetness from ripe bananas.
  • Protein-Packed Breakfast Cakes: Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder to the dry ingredients and use Greek yogurt in place of buttermilk to boost protein content and create a more filling morning meal.

Pancake FAQs You’ll Want to Read

  • Are brown sugar banana pancakes healthy?

While not a diet food, these pancakes offer some nutritional benefits. Bananas provide potassium and fiber, and using brown sugar adds a more complex flavor compared to white sugar.

  • Can I make the batter ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the pancake batter the night before and store it in the refrigerator. Just give it a gentle stir before cooking, as the ingredients might settle overnight.

  • What's the secret to fluffy pancakes?

The key is not overmixing the batter. Combine wet and dry ingredients just until they’re incorporated, leaving some small lumps. This technique prevents gluten development and keeps pancakes light and tender.

  • How do I know when to flip the pancakes?

Look for bubbles forming on the surface and slightly dry edges. This typically takes about 2-3 minutes on the first side. When you see these signs, it’s time to flip for perfect golden-brown pancakes.

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Brown Sugar Banana Pancakes Recipe

Brown Sugar Banana Pancakes Recipe


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4.9 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Indulgent brown sugar banana pancakes bring comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen to your morning table. Fluffy layers drizzled with maple syrup promise a delightful breakfast experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups (190 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 large ripe banana, mashed (~½ cup)
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk
  • 1 egg

Sweeteners and Spices:

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Leavening and Seasoning Agents:

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Liquid and Fat Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter or vegetable oil
  • Butter or oil for cooking

Instructions

  1. Sift together the dry components in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring an even distribution of flour, brown sugar, leavening agents, salt, and aromatic cinnamon.
  2. Thoroughly pulverize the ripe banana using a fork or potato masher until it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency.
  3. Incorporate the mashed banana with liquid ingredients, whisking buttermilk, egg, vanilla extract, and golden melted butter until harmoniously blended.
  4. Create a gentle well in the center of the dry mixture, then cascade the liquid blend into the flour mixture.
  5. Delicately fold the ingredients together using minimal strokes, allowing some small lumps to remain – overmixing will compromise the pancakes’ tenderness.
  6. Let the batter rest momentarily, allowing the flour to absorb moisture and the leavening agents to activate, which enhances the pancakes’ ultimate texture.
  7. Heat a non-stick griddle or skillet over medium warmth, lightly coating the surface with butter or neutral cooking oil.
  8. Ladle the batter onto the heated surface, forming circular shapes and waiting for telltale bubbles to emerge on the pancake’s surface.
  9. Flip each pancake when bubbles become prominent, cooking the opposite side until achieving a golden-brown complexion.
  10. Transfer completed pancakes to a warmed plate, serving immediately to preserve their delightful, fluffy character.

Notes

  • Swap buttermilk with regular milk or dairy-free alternatives like almond or oat milk to accommodate different dietary needs.
  • Mash bananas thoroughly to distribute natural sweetness evenly, ensuring each bite has consistent banana flavor throughout the pancakes.
  • Add extra texture by folding in chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans, which complement the brown sugar and banana profile perfectly.
  • For gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain the pancakes’ fluffy texture and rich taste.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 307
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Sodium: 302mg
  • Fat: 11g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 43g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 7g
  • Cholesterol: 63mg
Jamie Granger

Jamie Granger

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

  • Fusion Cuisine Development
  • Recipe Development and Food Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Content Creation
  • Nutrition and Healthy Cooking​

Education

Culinary Institute of America

  • Degree: Associate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasis on flavor development, classic and contemporary culinary techniques, menu design, and global cuisine preparation; combined with food-service management, communication, and finance training; and immersive hands‑on restaurant operations through paid industry internships.

Jamie Granger turns ingredients into memories. With her recipes, she brings a fusion-forward flair to every creation. 

Her dishes reflect the places she’s explored, the chefs she’s learned from, and the deep connection she has to food as a form of expression. 

At Pass and Provision, Jamie develops recipes that balance flavor, health, and beauty, meals that don’t just satisfy your appetite but speak to your curiosity.

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