These tasty gluten-free buckwheat-currant pancakes are easy, nutty and hearty, and delicious with fruit and yogurt. The recipe includes both vegan and vegetarian versions. They make a great holiday breakfast for a special person!
I developed these pancakes as a Mother's Day tribute to my grandmother. She used to serve these pancakes (well, the Aunt Jemima mix version) with cottage cheese, and I thought they were as elegant as you could get.
I don’t remember those pancakes being very sweet, though we probably ate them with maple syrup. But I remember how comforting they were. I’ve been craving this breakfast since being sheltered in place for a month and a half now.
We found buckwheat flour at a good health food store nearby. They still carry buckwheat flour in bulk and in packages by Bob’s Red Mill.
My first batch was with just buckwheat flour thinking idealistically that was the perfect gluten-free option. Sadly, they came out a bit like lacy shoe leather! So, I did a number of experiments with proportions of gluten-free flour. The winner here is a 1:1 mixture of buckwheat to baking mix, with a little extra buckwheat added if the batter turns out thin.
We sweeten with a handful of currants rather than adding refined sugar. When we can't find currants, I'll coarsely chop raisins for the same effect.
But the real trick to great flavor in these pancakes is using buttermilk, or in this case a mixture of coconut milk and apple cider vinegar, both to add to the fluffiness of the pancake and to wake the flavor right up.
Steps in making buckwheat-currant pancakes
Combine the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another. When mixing the wet ingredients, make "buttermilk" by stirring apple cider vinegar into the non-dairy milk you are using.
Stir the wet ingredients into the dry. This reduces clumping compared to stirring the dry into the wet. Stir until the lumps are gone, but the batter isn't too smooth. It helps to let the flours hydrate a bit as you are heating your pan.
Although I don't have a shot here of pancakes cooking, you can see from the photo below how many holes formed in these pancakes. The first side only takes a minute when you have your pan just hot enough, and you'll get this golden browning on both sides.
Other tips for great pancakes
The thickness of the pancakes depends greatly on the gluten-free baking mix. Be prepared to add a bit more coconut milk if the pancake batter mounds up on your spoon.
These pancakes are cooked in butter, which makes the edges crisp and enhances the flavor. To use as little butter as possible, consider using a non-stick pan.
I keep frozen wild blueberries handy and just warm them in a small pan while I'm making the pancakes. I tried adding some sugar to make them like blueberry syrup, but my eaters said the blueberry topping was better without sweetening, since the pancakes already have the currants in them. So easy!
Maybe you will be making these pancakes for someone on Mother's Day? or Valentine's?
If you have a chance to make this recipe, please share on social media, and leave me a comment so that I know how it went!
Beth
Other breakfast recipes on A Meal In Mind
Flourless Oatmeal Coconut Milk Pancakes
Peach Oatmeal Breakfast Clafoutis
Chia-Greens Peach Smoothie Bowl
Gluten-Free Oat-Hemp Protein Pancakes
Buckwheat-Currant Pancakes; Gluten-Free
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Buckwheat-Currant Pancakes
Ingredients
- ¾ cup buckwheat flour
- ¾ cup all-purpose GF flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt ½ teaspoon if using salted butter to cook the pancakes
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 ¼ cups dairy or non-dairy I used coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 4 tablespoons avocado or other neutral oil
- ¼ cup currants or chopped raisins
- 1 large egg or flax egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Butter or coconut oil for the skillet, about 5-6 tablespoons
Instructions
- In a 2-cup measure, stir the milk and vinegar together, and then set aside for five minutes. (This mixture mimics buttermilk, which when mixed with the baking soda later in the recipe, makes the pancakes fluffy.)
- Meanwhile, whisk the flours, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl.
- Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Pour the milk mixture into the well of dry ingredients and use a spoon to stir until you no longer see clumps of flour. It is okay if the batter has a few small lumps – it is important not to over-mix the batter. If the batter seems thick (mounds up on the spoon) add a little more coconut milk.
- Check the pan (I use a ceramic nonstick skillet) with a drop of water. If the water sizzles and bounces off the surface, the pan is hot enough. The setting on my stove is around 5 where 10 is the highest.
- Once the pan is hot enough, add a teaspoonful or so of butter or coconut oil and swirl until it coats the surface. Pour about 2 tablespoons of batter per pancake onto the surface. Cook on one side until holes form around the edges and into the center, about 1 minute, then flip and cook on other side for an additional 1-2 minutes. Don’t let the pan get too hot -– you want a nice, even heat but not for the butter or the pancakes to burn.
- Serve with coconut (or dairy) yogurt, warmed blueberry compote (see note), and nuts! For the sweet-lovers among you, offer syrup on the table.
Notes
Please Pin for later!
Rochelle
i really like baking with buckwheat flour. I have never used it for pancakes...excited to test that out. I have a great recipe for chocolate chip cookies using buckwheat. my daughter just thinks they are double chocolate chip cookies because of the color 🙂
Beth
Rochelle, I haven't tried buckwheat flour in cookies, what a great idea! Sounds like I need to check that out soon. Maybe your daughter will think these pancakes have chocolate in them?
Michelle
This is an interesting twist to pancakes that I wouldn't have considered before. Thank you for the new recipe idea!
Beth
If you can find buckwheat flour in this tricky shopping time, they are worth a try, really delicious.
Rachel
I've had buckwheat pancakes before but never with currants. This is something I'll have t try.
Beth
Rachel, we like them because they are less sweet than raisins but have a similar flavor. If you like just a little sweetness with a savory pancake, you might like them too.
Alpa
These pancakes look very healthy. Wondering if these can be made without eggs and by using egg substitutes?
Beth
Alpa, I haven't made this recipe with an egg substitute but I plan to, and think it should work fine. I usually use 1 tablespoon ground flax meal plus 3 tablespoons water, also called a flax egg. I have seen recipes that use the same amount of chia as flax but haven't tried that yet either. Thanks!
Jacqueline Debono
These pancakes look beautiful. I've used buckwheat flour to make pasta but never pancakes. I must try them!
Beth
Jacqui, of course I'm always impressed by all the ways you've made pasta! I should try it, since we pay a lot whenever we buy all-buckwheat soba. The pancakes are delicious, my son's favorite, and I'm trying to come up with something else that he likes as much.
Nart at Cooking with Nart
Another recipe for me to try, Beth! I've never used buckwheat flour before, let alone buckwheat! What does it taste like?
Beth
Buckwheat is hard to describe - I don't suppose that soba, which is a Japanese buckwheat noodle, can be found in Thailand? Maybe that would not be common. Buckwheat to me has a unique nutty and earthy flavor, both cooked whole seeds (as kasha) and as flour. Some find it a little bitter compared to wheat, but I don't notice that. Kasha can be just a little gummy, as oats can be. Hope that helps, and thanks!