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Zucchini Bread Pancakes

Fluffy buttermilk pancakes loaded with fresh shredded zucchini, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar. Zucchini Bread Pancakes are a perfect summer breakfast and a great way to use up some of those garden veggies!

Zucchini Bread Pancakes

I can’t think of a better way to start a Saturday.

Hot fluffy buttermilk paNCAKESSSSS!!!! [<<Oprah voice]

You guys know how much I love my breakfast. And my second favorite thing about summer meals is being able to lazily linger over the breakfast table with one more cup of coffee and a book or something (first favorite thing = late lazy dinners; no more freaking out at 5 p.m.!).

In the summer, in this little farming community, zucchini is ehhhhvurrrywhere. I used to work in this little store that dealt heavily in local produce and I swear 3 people a day would stop with bags full of zucchini and squash to unload. Their little home gardens produced so much, so fast, that they were driving up and down the road trying to give the stuff away. If you’ve ever had an even f successful home garden you know what I’m talking about.

Zucchini Bread Pancakes with Whole Wheat

Even if you don’t have a garden though, one trip to the grocery store or farmer’s market in the summer will tell you to buy all the zucchini.

And Then you’ll have 177 zucchini squash (-es? I feel like that word should be ‘squashes’ but that seems wrong and spell check only corrects things that are actual words like ‘bundt’) hanging around and you’ll be adding it to everything, and making mock apple crisps, and trying to unload loaves of zucchini bread on your neighbors, and in your head you’ll be screaming, “whyyyyy did I have to have all this zucchini?!

Or is that just me?

Maybe I should put my produce-hoarding tendencies in check.

But not before I sell you on these pancakes.

Shredded Zucchini for Zucchini Pancakes

Shredded zucchini in pancakes works a lot like shredded zucchini in bread. It’s moist, it’s sweet, and it’s happy to be covered in brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

I didn’t add a lot of sugar to this recipe – just 2 tablespoons of brown sugar in the whole big batch of pancakes, because I like the sort of earthy flavor I get with the whole wheat flour and pecans.

Oh! I forgot to tell you about the pecans! I added pecans to the batter. The crunch is perfect. You could opt for walnuts, too, or leave the nuts out completely if they aren’t your thing, but I’m telling you the pecans give these pancakes just a little more oomph.

Also buttermilk. I always have it on hand because I love to bake with it and it usually has a pretty long use-by date. But if you find yourself buttermilk-less, you can always use that fail-safe formula:

1 tablespoon white vinegar (or lemon juice) + enough milk to equal a cup = 1 cup buttermilk

Zucchini Bread Buttermilk Pancakes

Make the most of your produce this weekend!

Got Pancakes on the Brain? Here are a few more pancake recipes to try

A stack of Lemon Ricotta Pancakes topped with warm blueberry syrup.Banana Pecan Oatmeal Pancakes

Lemon Blueberry Poppy Seed Ricotta Pancakes

 

Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Banana Pancakes

Raisin Bread Pancakes Recipe

 

Peanut Butter Banana WholeWheat Pancakes

Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pancakes

 

Zucchini Bread Pancakes with Whole Wheat
Yield: 4-6

Zucchini Bread Pancakes

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes

Buttermilk pancakes made with half whole wheat flour, and stuffed full of shredded zucchini and pecans. These pancakes are a great way to use up all that summer produce!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup finely shredded zucchini (see note)
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • butter and syrup for serving

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl whisk together the flours, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  2. Pour in the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Stir until just combined, making sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl so there are no pockets of dry mix.
  3. Stir in the shredded zucchini and walnuts.
  4. Heat a griddle or skillet over medium high heat (I usually set the electric griddle to about 375°F). I like to butter the griddle for pancakes. It gives them a slight buttery crisp on top.
  5. Pour the batter onto the griddle to make your pancakes. I find that a 1/4 cup measure works perfectly for scooping batter and pouring.
  6. Let the first side cook until bubbles appear. Flip and cook on the second side for 1 -2 minutes. Repeat until you've used all the batter.
  7. Serve with butter and syrup!

Notes

In the photos here I shredded my zucchini with a box grater to acheive larger pieces that you could see. This is one option and I was good with the taste, but since pancakes don't cook as long as bread, the fibers in the zucchini don't break down as much. You may want to shred your zucchini a little more finely or even throw the shreds in the food processor for a second.
I also did not peel my zucchini. I love the green. But it's a matter of preference. You can peel yours if you'd like.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 344Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 544mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 4gSugar: 15gProtein: 11g
Banana Pecan Oatmeal Pancakes

Sarah

Friday 27th of September 2019

This recipe is decent. I’ve made it a couple of times with several months in between. The first time I was bowled over by the amount of nutmeg!! That cannot be the correct amount! I would cut it by half at least. I love nutmeg but a little bit goes a long way. I made it the second time and forgot the nutmeg was so intense. So upon doing the recipe as written twice, definitely cut back on the nutmeg!

Christina

Thursday 6th of October 2016

I LOVE anything with zucchini, so these pancakes are perfect!! My two year old and I just enjoyed them! I can't tell by your picture but mine came out pretty flat..is that normal or did I mess up lol

Heather Tullos

Thursday 6th of October 2016

Hey Christina! I'm glad you enjoyed these but no -- mine are usually pretty fluffy! Was your baking powder expired? That can be a reason you don't get any lift :)

Kate

Saturday 25th of April 2015

I really like the recipe and have made it twice now. My only issue is the kosher salt. I can still taste it. I guess it didnt completely dissolve. I'm leaving it out next time. My 13 month old LO loves it.

Heather Tullos

Saturday 25th of April 2015

Oh so glad to hear it Kate! Thank you!

And yes -- if the salt isn't working for you then scrap it!

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