Fluffy Vegan Spelt Pancakes

A simple and uncomplicated recipe for fluffy vegan spelt pancakes. They're light and pillowy on the inside, and crunchy golden brown on the outside. Perfect for Sunday breakfast! Spelt is a nutritious flour alternative which yields a lovely crunch factor to these pancakes.

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Breakfast has always been one of my favourite meals. Back in my University days, I would wake up relishing in the thought of the first feast of the day.  Granted, those were the years of intense fitness training and long days (and nights) of lectures and papers.  My love for breakfast hasn't changed much, save for what's on my plate now.  And, pancakes are morning perfection in my home.

Why you'll love this recipe

Spelt flour and cinnamon give these fluffy vegan spelt pancakes such a lovely flavour; spelt being slightly nutty.  This recipe makes simple and uncomplicated pancakes that are pillow-y on the inside and crunchy golden brown on the outside. Spelt flour also contains more nutrition than regular wheat flour.

This recipe yields 8- 4" pancakes, enough to serve three to four, or two very hungry people. Simply half the recipe for a smaller serving.

What you'll need

The ingredient list for this recipe is as follows. Proportions and quantities of each can be found in the recipe card below.

• spelt flour (light or sprouted spelt flour will work)
• aluminum-free baking powder
• organic cane sugar
• ground cinnamon
• sea salt
• arrowroot powder
• unsweetened almond milk or non-dairy milk of choice
• vegetable oil
• vanilla extract

How to make this recipe

The method for these vegan spelt pancakes is pretty straightforward. First, sift together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and arrowroot powder. Then make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients (this is where you will pour the wet ingredients).

Next, whisk together the almond milk, oil and vanilla. Then pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. The batter needs to rest for 5 minutes. In the meantime, heat a small amount of oil in a skillet over medium. The drop ⅓ cup of batter and smooth it around with the back of spoon to form a nice round.

The pancakes will cook for about 3-5 minutes on one side, then flip and cook another 3-5 minutes on the other side, or until golden brown. Garnish as desired and serve.

Tips to Make the Best Fluffy Vegan Spelt Pancakes

• Let pancake batter rest for 5 minutes before dropping the batter in the pan. Resting the batter allows for the gluten strands to develop and trap air- this will help create a super fluffy pancake. Moreover, because spelt does not contain as much gluten as regular wheat flour, resting is key!
• Don't skimp on the baking powder - 4 teaspoons may seem like a lot, but it's key to achieving a super fluffy and light pancake.
• Mix the batter lightly- over mixing will cause the gluten to toughen too much and can result in a lifeless, flat pancake.
• Don't worry about lumps- lumps will naturally dissolve as you allow the batter to rest before cooking.
• If you don't have a non-stick pan, use a small amount of vegetable oil in your pan before dropping the batter.
• Make sure your pan is nice and hot before adding the batter. A hot pan will ensure even cooking and rising.

Notes on Arrowroot Powder

Often, pancakes made without eggs can be doughy and or tough. Happily, a few simple ingredients can yield the fluffiest plant-based flapjacks around. Plenty of baking powder and the use of a powdered starch are key. 

Basically, after several failed attempts with flax meal or chia, I decided to stick with what tends to work for me; arrowroot powder- it is easy to find in your local grocer or health food store. However, if you can't find arrowroot power, you can try using cornstarch or an egg replacer powder in a 1:1 ratio.

I have used Ener-G Egg Replacer and find it to be a superb replacement, especially for these pancakes.

Notes on Spelt Flour

I use spelt flour for most of my recipes. The main reason is that is contains more nutrients that regular all purpose wheat flour.  Spelt flour has a slightly nutty taste to it, which I really like.

While spelt seems like it might be a gluten-free flour, it's not. Spelt flour contains less gluten than regular wheat based flours, but make no mistake; it's not safe for anyone with gluten-intolerance, allergies or celiac disease. I don't have a gluten intolerance, however, I find spelt easier to digest.

Substitutions

If you can't find arrowroot power, you can use cornstarch or an egg replacer powder in a 1:1 ratio. I have used Ener-G Egg Replacer and find it to be a superb replacement, especially for these pancakes.

If you don't have a non-stick pan, simply use a small amount of vegetable oil in your pan before dropping the batter.

Light spelt or sprouted spelt flour will work in this recipe.

Vegetable oil can be replaced with olive oil, or any other neutral tasting oil of your choice in equal measure.

Can I freeze this recipe?

Yes! I regularly make a double batch of these pancakes and freeze half. I like to place a square of parchment paper in between each pancake so they don't freeze together. To defrost, simply pop the pancakes in toaster until toasty and thawed through.

More breakfast recipes

If you like my fluffy vegan spelt pancakes, you may want to try some of my other popular breakfast recipes:

Multigrain Buckwheat Pancakes

Banana Bread Breakfast Cookies

Vegan Gluten-free Oat & Quinoa Waffles

And if you're looking for an awesome butter-y spread for your waffles, be sure to check out the recipe for European style dairy-free butter recipe; it's simple to make and is perfect for waffles, pancakes, toast, almost anywhere you'd use regular butter.

5 from 4 votes

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Fluffy Vegan Spelt Pancakes

A simple and uncomplicated fluffy vegan spelt pancake recipe perfect for Sunday breakfast! Spelt is a nutritious flour alternative which yields a lovely crunch factor to these pillow-y pancakes. Top with fresh summer fruits and pure maple syrup for maximum enjoyment.

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Keyword vegan spelt pancakes

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes

Resting Time 5 minutes

Total Time 23 minutes

Servings 8 pancakes

Calories 207 kcal

Author Heidi Richter

Ingredients

• 2 cups spelt flour (light or sprouted spelt flour will work)
• 4 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
• 2 tablespoon organic cane sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
• 3 teaspoon arrowroot powder (see notes for substitutions)
• 1 ¾ cups unsweetened almond milk or non-dairy milk of choice
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, sift together the spelt flour, baking powder, cane sugar, cinnamon and sea salt and aroowroot powder. Make a well in the center of the mixture.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the almond milk, oil and vanilla. Pour the mixture into the well of the flour mixture and stir just until moistened; be sure not to over mix. Let the batter sit for about 5 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Drop approx ⅓ cup of batter onto the hot pan and shape into a rough circle using the back of a spoon. Drop more batter as you pan size will allow.
   

4. Cook over medium heat until the edges start to turn brown and the tops form bubbles. Flip and cook until golden brown (about 3-5 minutes a side). Serve warm with fresh fruit and maple syrup.

Recipe Notes

If you can't find arrowroot power, you can use cornstarch or an egg replacer powder in a 1:1 ratio. I have used Ener-G Egg Replacer and find it to be a superb replacement, especially for these pancakes.

If you don't have a non-stick pan, simply use a small amount of vegetable oil in your pan before dropping the batter.

This recipe freezes well. Place square of parchment between each pancake so they don;t freeze together.  To defrost, place a pancake in the toaster until toasted, and heated throughout.

Nutrition Facts

Fluffy Vegan Spelt Pancakes

Amount Per Serving (1 pancake)

Calories 207 Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Fat 9g14%

Saturated Fat 6g38%

Cholesterol 6mg2%

Sodium 108mg5%

Potassium 209mg6%

Carbohydrates 27g9%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 12IU0%

Calcium 149mg15%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. This is an approximation of the nutrition offered in this recipe, and is created using a nutrition calculator. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your preferred calculator.