The Best Banana Pancakes in the World {and They're Made with Kefir!}

My hunger seems to be unquenchable these last few weeks of pregnancy.Thank you powers that be.The last thing I want is to be even bigger than I already am, but I know I am growing a babe, thus I must grow slightly too, so, I shouldn’t complain... but I find myself reaching for a midnight bowl of cereal or eating every 2-3 hours and yes I’ll have that bowl of ice cream, sure! Babies make you hungry.Speaking of babies, school is back in session. That has nothing to do with my hunger levels other than that seeing all these eager school kids rush to class in the morning with their backpacks hanging on for dear life reminds me of my breakfasts before school.Mom was good at breakfast. And she didn’t just make sure we had something to eat before school, but something we would actually look FORWARD to eating before school. She was good at quick and easy - like toast with peanut butter and jam, chocolate protein shakes and scrambled eggs with sharp cheddar cheese wrapped up in a tortilla…I find myself trying to do the same with John and feeding him before work, because if it’s not quick and good, he won’t eat in the morning. Hence these granola bars, smoothies, breakfast cookies and now these banana pancakes. (By the way have you downloaded the lil' breakfast ebook yet?) These pancakes are made with Kefir instead of your typical buttermilk, milk or yogurt, and they are the lightest, fluffiest, most delicious pancakes in the world. And so simple.I hope you love these as much as I do because I need someone to tell me that eating 7 in a row is really easy to do and no big deal.Love you friends. xo

Banana Pancakes made with Kefir

adapted from Jennifer SegalI made these on the weekend with my dad and brother around and I can tell you, they disappeared in less than 5 minutes. So if you're feeding men and dare hope for any left overs,  I recommend at least doubling this recipe. They're that crazy good. 

• 1 ½ cups / 183g all purpose flour ( preferably organic)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 large - medium sized banana (smashed)
• 1 cup + 2 tablespoons / 270ml Maple Hill Creamery Vanilla Kefir  (see note above)
• 2 large eggs (preferably organic)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
• butter ( (salted or unsalted) for cooking and serving with your pancakes)
• real maple syrup ( to serve)
•  

1. Mix all dry ingredients (sugar, flour, baking powder and salt) together in a medium sized bowl and set aside.
2. Melt butter and set aside to cool slightly.
3. In a separate bowl, mix eggs, Kefir and vanilla together. Add melted butter and mix.
4. Add your Kefir mixture to your dry mixture whisking all together until combined.
5. Mash bananas in a separate bowl and fold them into your pancake batter with a spatula.
6. Heat a cast iron skillet, griddle or any other pan of your choice on medium heat, melting about 1 tablespoon of butter. (For me, this is enough butter for the whole batch of pancakes - but you know your skillet best so grease accordingly.) 
7. Using a ¼ measuring cup, scoop out prepared pancake batter forming little circles on the griddle. When little cakes are bubbling, it's time to flip. Remember that once you flip, the other side cooks much faster - for about 1 minute. Repeat the process until you run out of batter.
8. note: This batter also works beautifully if you want to save it in the fridge covered, overnight and make them fresh the next morning. 
9. Serve pancakes warm with maple syrup and butter.

note: You don't have to use super ripe bananas here. Just nice yellow bananas will do. Also, if you don't have Kefir, thick, tart yogurt or buttermilk will work... but Maple Hill Creamery Kefir is SO incredible and worth it if you can find it. (psst, you can go to their store locator on their site to see where you can buy their stuff.) Kefir seriously takes these pancakes to a whole new level of greatness.

FOR BREAKFAST ON THE GO:

If you plan on eating these pancakes as a quick, grab-and-go breakfast throughout the week, refrigerate them and put them in little zip lock bags or plastic wrap, separating each pancake with parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking. Pop these bad boys in the toaster and serve with syrup, jam, raw honey or nut butter. xo

WHAT THE HECK IS KEFIR? AND WHY IS IT GOOD FOR ME?

Kefir is a probiotic drink that's incredibly good for your gut and incredibly delicious. It contains beneficial bacteria that help clean our digestive systems. I am in love with Maple Hill Creamery's Vanilla Kefir all on it's own because it's made from completely grass-fed dairy, clean and not too sweet. Like seriously, I love it and like I said before, it takes these pancakes to a whole new level of greatness. Please try it, I think you'll agree. xoThis post was sponsored by Maple Hill Creamery, but all opinions are my own. Thank you friends, for supporting the sponsors that support Sweetish.co. xox