These easy vegan and gluten free chocolate pancakes are a chocolate lovers dream! Fluffy, full of rich cacao flavour and made with simple ingredients – including the divine chocolate sauce!

Yes we’re a ways past Pancake Day (or Shrove Tuesday to give it its official name).  But honestly, anyone else here for the whole dessert for breakfast thing?  Because with these thick and fluffy chocolate pancakes, topped with a creamy chocolate sauce that’s exactly what it feels like.  And I’m totally ok with that.

These pancakes are not only made in a blender (no whisking muscles required) but they’re also gluten free.  A couple of my lovely friends and fellow villagers are gluten intolerant.  And having eaten with them a few times now it’s made me far more aware of the challenges they face.  Much like vegan food, the availability of gluten free options has got better over the years.  But much like my vegan recipes, I want to create food that anyone can enjoy – omnivores and gluten tolerant alike.  And these vegan and gluten free pancakes are, I think, exactly that.  And I seriously can’t get enough of them.

Pancake Ingredients:

Rolled oats – using oats is what makes these banana pancakes gluten free.  But do check your labels – some oats may be contaminated with gluten because they are processed in the same facilities as gluten-containing grains.

Banana – nature’s natural sweeteners as well as full of nutrients!

Raw cacao powder – this is something I’ve spoken a lot about on the blog. It’s far less processed than cocoa powder and has a much richer, more chocolatey flavour.  It contains no additional sugar or additives and it even has a few health benefits!  It IS more expensive than cocoa powder though, so bake according to your budget.  No recipe is ever set in stone 😉

Apple cider vinegar – another of my favourite ingredients when it comes to baking or pancakes!  It causes a chemical reaction with the bicarb and replicates the leavening normally provided by eggs.  Resulting in fluffy baked goods and pancakes!  And I promise, you do not taste it.

How to make vegan and gluten free pancakes:

Simply put all the pancake ingredients into your blender cup and whizz until smooth.

Heat a large frying pan or skillet – if it’s non-stick there’s no need for oil.  Pour or spoon some of the pancake mixture into your pan, spreading it out slightly.  With a large pan you can get get 2-3 good sized pancakes cooking at a time.

Once bubbles start to form on the top side of the pancakes it’s time to flip!  Use a spatula and be confident!

Allow the pancakes to cook another minute or so on the underside before lifting out onto a plate.  Serve immediately or keep warm in a low oven.

The pancakes can also be made ahead and warmed in the microwave.

How to make vegan chocolate sauce:

This can be done a couple of ways …

Melt the cream and chocolate together in a microwave.  Do this in a few short bursts so the chocolate doesn’t burn.  Whisk in the butter and sugar.

OR

Heat the cream and sugar in a saucepan then pour over the chocolate and butter and stir until melted.

Looking for even more vegan pancake recipes?  Try these:

Vegan Pancakes

Sweet Hazelnut and Chocolate Pancakes

Gingerbread Pancakes

Mini Banana Pancake Cereal

Pancake Tacos

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