Quinoa pancakes are a healthier twist on the traditional buttermilk pancake. They are dense and flavorful, and no one will guess they’re full of protein! I added chia seeds for an additional boost of protein!

Quinoa Pancakes Recipe: I’m approaching four years at my current job and I have to say that it’s gone quicker than I can even believe. Is it possible that time accelerates the older you get? I spent almost 6 years at my previous job and it felt like an eternity.

To be fair, my job now is a super good fit for, and one of the best parts of it is the ladies I work with. We have a small office, there’s just four of us. We all have kids at home, and we support the heck out of each other. 

(Pssssst…. If you’d like to pin this recipe, just click on any image in this post!) 

Buttermilk Quinoa Pancakes

I was one of the earliest employees at my company, along with another woman who has become a good friend. Even as the company has grown, we’ve kept up our tradition of monthly breakfast or lunch dates, just the two of us.

“These are actually my favorite pancakes out of all of them I’ve tried. They freeze beautifully and microwave quickly to make a perfect healthy breakfast that keeps me full until late afternoon. Thank you for the wonderful recipe!”- KK

Lately, it’s been breakfast at a super cool little place that is right by the office.  We’re both on a health kick, so we’re prone to ordering omelettes, yogurt or oatmeal, but we caught a wild hair during our last meeting and ordered Quinoa Pancakes.

I put on a brave face. I was very skeptical about these, but everything this restaurant makes is good, so I figured it wasn’t so risky to try a slightly healthier pancake there. They were incredible. Super fluffy yet dense, healthier pancakes!

The quinoa didn’t add any flavor, but did add that extra density to the pancake, and I loved it. Perhaps even more importantly, it filled me up. I ate them around 9am and stayed satiated until about 2:30pm. I didn’t even think about food, which is pretty unusual for me!

Buttermilk Quinoa Pancakes

I also snuck some extra nutrition in these pancakes, in the form of chia seeds. I’m new to the chia seed movement, but have been sneaking them in my smoothies. In addition to the extra protein you will get from the quinoa, adding in chia seeds sneaks in even MORE protein, tons of fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids. And you won’t even know they’re there!

Buttermilk Quinoa Pancakes

Have you ever been about to sneak healthy ingredients like quinoa or chia seeds in a favorite recipe? I’d love to hear even MORE ideas!

Buttermilk Quinoa Pancakes

Buttermilk Quinoa Pancakes

Yield: 10
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 12 minutes

Fluffy, dense pancakes made healthier with the addition of quinoa and chia seeds!

Ingredients

  • 1 and ½ cups self rising flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil (for frying pan)
  • 2 tablespoons Salba Chia Seeds (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, sift together self rising flour and sugar.
  2. In a large bowl, beat eggs, then add buttermilk and vanilla, stirring vigorously but leaving a few lumps in batter.
  3. Meter in the dry ingredients, stirring a few times with each addition.
  4. Add in quinoa and (optional) chia seeds, then allow to sit for 5-10 minutes before lightly stirring again.
  5. Heat vegetable oil in skillet on medium-high heat.
  6. Add batter to pan (about ½ cup for a 5 inch pancake). Cook until bubbles start to come through the top of the pancake, then flip. Finish the pancake with about 45 seconds to 1 minute of cooking, until light golden brown. Do not allow to burn.

Notes

  • *You can quickly cook quinoa in the microwave with a microwave safe dish. It took me about 7 minutes total.
  • **If you'd like to mix in blueberries or chocolate chips, use about 1.5 cups.

Did you make this recipe?

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 If you like this recipe, you’ll love this protein packed PB&J Smoothie and these Avocado Muffins!

Buttermilk Quinoa Pancakes with even more protein added from chia seeds! Love these healthier pancakes!

*I receive free product from Salba to try out. I was not otherwise compensated for this post.