Happy Sunday! Today was the first chill out Sunday we have had in MANY months and it called for relaxation and PANCAKES for breakfast! These days we have so many great Gluten Free pancake mix options, but not all are created equal. My long time go-to is King Arthur brand, as it constantly produces great pancakes. I'll be honest, I don't like to mess with GF success! Once I find something good, I tend to stick with it for a while. I have tried a few other brands and had some "less than fluffy results". So, I was a little nervous when I realized that my Instacart delivery (best thing ever for busy Mamas!) subbed out my usual for Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Pancake Mix. I couldn't disappoint my hungry, pancake loving crew, so I gave it a shot and hoped no one noticed.
Before I get to the results, I want to share a few healthy hacks that you can use with whatever pancake mix brand you choose. I am always looking for ways to pump up the nutritional value of my family's food. Pancakes, while delicious, are not the the most nutrient dense of breakfast choices. So, here's what I do (Shhh the kids have NO idea):
Instead of cow's milk, I used a plant based milk. I love Ripple milk because it's high in (pea) protein @8g. It's gluten free, vegan, contains no sugar, has 50% more calcium than cow's milk, and is packed with DHA & Omega 3s. Another milk that I have used successfully is Hemp Milk, a great dairy alternative. I find both of these brands to be very forgiving - so really, and type of milk alternative will likely work (e.g., Oat, Soy, Almond). You may have to adjust the amount of dry mix of the consistency is off, but for the plant based milks I mentioned, I don't have to.
I swap coconut oil in place of butter. While butter and coconut oil are both saturated fats, coconut oil is a healthy fat - the kind that helps to raise your good (LDL) cholesterol. Unlike butter, it contains lauric acid, an essential nutrient said to improve cardiovascular health. I also think coconut oil gives the pancakes a richer flavor., and keeps them from tasting dry.
As you can see, we love add-ins! Today's were chocolate chips or blueberries. Serve with real maple syrup and a side of your favorite bacon or sausage and fresh fruit, for a hearty GF breakfast!
And now, the results! The Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Pancake Mix made fantastic pancakes! They were super fluffy and my family was none the wiser! I highly recommend this mix, as well as King Arthur Gluten Free Pancake mix. Both winners in my book. It's nice to have options :)
Eat Well,
GF SavvyMama
