These gluten-free pancakes with blueberry sauce are a delicious breakfast for anyone practicing a special diet. Ideal for anyone who are on the Paleo diet or gluten intolerant, the basis of these pancakes are coconut flour instead of traditional wheat flour. Coconut flour is readily available at health food stores and online. For the blueberry topping, feel free to use fresh or frozen berries. It is the perfect sweet accompaniment to these gluten-free pancakes.
Ingredients:
For the Pancakes:
2 eggs
¼ cup coconut milk
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon olive oil (or 2 tablespoons melted butter)
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons coconut flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
For the Blueberry Topping:
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Directions:
Start by preparing your blueberry topping, as it can simmer while making the pancake batter. In a small saucepan over low heat, add the frozen blueberries and agave nectar and cover with a lid. If you are using fresh blueberries, add about a tablespoon of water. After about 3 minutes, checks on the blueberries – once juices begin to seep out, add the cinnamon and stir well. Cover again and continue to heat blueberries for about 10 to 15 minutes, checking occasionally. The topping is ready when the juices formed are syrupy and the blueberries are plump and hot. If you’re looking for thick syrup, simply mash the blueberries with a fork while they are cooking in the saucepan. This time, I kept the blueberries whole. Once ready, remove from heat and leave the cover on to keep warm.
While blueberries are on the stove, prepare pancake batter. In a mixing bowl, combine all wet ingredients and beat together. Add the coconut flour, baking powder and salt and continue to mix until all clumps are smoothed out and you’re left with a very thick batter. If you are using a mixer, you might need to scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to get the coconut flour fully integrated. Allow batter to sit for about 5 minutes.
Heat a large skillet on medium-low. Once warm, spread a dollop of butter evenly over the skillet. Using a spoon or rubber spatula, portion out about a third of the batter and shape it into a pancake on the skillet. Coconut flour pancakes need to be manipulated more than the standard all-purpose flour pancakes, as coconut flour tends to hold its shape. (Note: If your pancakes begin to melt around the edges, it is because there is not enough coconut flour in your batch. Add more coconut flour a teaspoon at a time until the batter stays together on the skillet.)
Repeat this step for the remaining 2/3 of the batter (this recipe makes 3 medium-sized pancakes), giving each pancake plenty of space for flipping. Allow pancakes to sit on the skillet for about 7 to 10 minutes (yup, that’s how long these bad boys need before flipping). Carefully work a large spatula under each pancake and gently flip (it is easy to “break” coconut pancakes, so the flipping process is the most difficult part about this recipe). Allow the pancakes to cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes then remove from heat.
Top pancakes with the blueberry topping and confectioner’s sugar (you know…to make them pretty) . If you are looking for more sweetness: drizzle agave nectar, honey or pure maple syrup over the tops of the cakes.
Now for the health stuff: Coconut flour is high in fiber so it can improve digestion, is low in carbohydrates, is considered an anti-obesity food as it is said to stimulate metabolism, and burns slowly so that you are not ravished five minutes after eating. Blueberries are incredible for brain function, are high in antioxidants and fiber and include a great deal of Vitamin K and Vitamin C. For more information about the health benefit of blueberries, see the World’s Healthiest Foods website.
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