Thanks to a cocoa-flavored batter that is studded with miniature chocolate chips, your family will never know that there are fruits and veggies hiding in these delicious Sneaky Healthy Chocolate Chip Pancakes!
Remember my friend Monica, who you met earlier this month when I shared her recipe for Egg and Veggie Muffins?
Well, Monica has done it again! These healthy chocolate chip pancakes are one of her kids' favorite recipes, so I knew that I had to give them a try. And you know what? They are incredibly yummy! I promise -- you (and your kids) will never taste the good-for-you ingredients that are tucked inside these fluffy, wholesome cakes.
Between the Egg and Veggie Muffins, the Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts, and now these pancakes, you should have a freezer stocked full of tasty and healthy breakfast options that will fill your kids' bellies with nutritious energy for their school days. And you will be loving life because you won't have to think about preparing the morning meal when you're trying to rush out the door. Just microwave these chocolate chip pancakes for about 30 seconds to 1 minute while they're still frozen and they'll be ready to serve!
My boys think that they're getting away with something when I allow them to eat "chocolate" for breakfast. Little do they know that I'm the one getting away with something! Even though Gibbs and Casey are both really good about eating their vegetables, I feel so much better knowing that they have an extra serving of whole grains, fruits and veggies before I send them out the door in the morning. And while the cottage cheese gives them a protein boost, you can make these pancakes even more filling and nutritious by enjoying them my favorite way: topped with peanut butter and sliced banana or Greek yogurt.
These Healthy Chocolate Chip Pancakes are so darn good, nobody will ever guess the sneaky fruits and veggies that are hiding throughout...
I tweaked Monica's recipe in order to use the ingredients that I had on hand. Here's what I did:
Sneaky Healthy Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup peeled roughly chopped carrots, or baby-cut carrots
- 2 cups whole oats
- ½ cup fresh spinach leaves
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa
- ¼ cup milk plus ¼ cup as needed (I used 1% milk)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 apple peeled and roughly chopped (if you have a high speed blender you can leave the peel on the apple)
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Place the cottage cheese, carrots, oats, spinach, cocoa, ¼ cup milk, honey, vanilla and apple into a high quality blender. Blend on high until the mixture is very smooth, about 1 minute. If the mixture is too thick, add an additional ¼ cup milk and blend.
- Add the eggs and pulse to incorporate.
- Add the baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Pulse again to combine.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Heat a pancake griddle or skillet over medium-low heat. Grease or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Using a ¼-cup measure, pour the pancake batter onto the heated skillet. Cook the pancakes on one side until large bubbles appear, about 2 minutes. Flip the pancakes and finish cooking on the other side, about 1 minute.
Recipe adapted from www.FoodNetwork.com.
Michele @ Alwayzbakin
I need to make these for my picky 8-year-old! He hates veggies. I bet he would love them. He's a complete chocoholic (as much as I will let him be!).
Blair
Yes, you do, Michele! I just had some more this morning and they really are delicious! I spread some peanut butter on top of mine. 🙂
Lisa @ Cooking with Curls
I love sneaky, and I don't know anyone that can pass up chocolate for breakfast. 😉 I can't wait to give these a try!!
Blair
Thanks, Lisa. You're right -- chocolate at breakfast is always a hit! 🙂
Agy
Sneaky is fun! But these probably won't be healthy for me because I would end up eating a whole stack of them (and mostly likely more) in one sitting!
Blair
Thanks for visiting, Agy! I know what you mean -- they're definitely a little too good! 🙂
Karen
I love the idea of sneaking in some extra veggies like this. And, if you can cover it in chocolate - all the better. This recipe sounds great Blair, and I'm going to give it a try. I enjoy something other than syrup on my pancakes too, and this is a perfect recipe to pile some fruit on top of. Thanks for sharing!
Blair
Thanks, Karen! That's what I think, too...always wonderful to hide some veggies in CHOCOLATE! 🙂
AmieJo
We love pancakes and chocolate so I am going to have to try these. I wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the very inspiring blogger award. Sorry it has taken me so ling to let you know. I was on vacation when the post went live and got super busy when we got home. Check it out https://lifeslittleprojects.com/inspiring-blogger-award/
Blair
Hi, Amiejo! Thanks so much for visiting, and THANK YOU for the nomination! I look forward to participating. 🙂
Miz Helen
What amazing Chocolate Pancakes and healthy too, a great bonus. Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Krissy
These look yummy! I'm going to have to try them out!
xo Krissy @ Sneakers and Sequins
Blair
Hi, Krissy! Thanks so much for visiting. 🙂
Katherine
This is such a great idea! Veggies + pancakes are 2 of my favorite things 🙂
Lindsay
I made these on the weekend and they were phenomenal!! I used dates instead of the honey and left out the chocolate chips and they were more than sweet enough for us! I also topped them off with peanut butter instead of syrup. These are definitely going to be a keeper in our house! I'm so glad I came across your recipe...thank you!!
Blair
Wonderful! So glad that they were a hit, Lindsay! 🙂
Deb
How are the pancakes healthy with the high sodium and sugar content?