Healthy-ish Oatmeal Pancakes with a Twist!

I first saw a recipe for healthy oatmeal pancakes through Pinterest which linked me to this blog called Sally's Baking Addiction.

Looks scrumptious.

I have now made this recipe (kind of) several times since first seeing it. Honestly, not once did I follow the recipe exactly.

This recipe has all your staples when you try to think of a healthy pancake recipe - whole wheat flour, oats, egg whites, greek yogurt, etc.

I made simple changes to make the recipe my own. For example, not once did I use Greek yogurt. Not because I didn't want to or didn't like it, I didn't have it on hand. So, that's out. Also, I enjoy adding different flavors. Since there is a wonderful presence of cinnamon and brown sugar, I took Gerbers toddler apple fruit pickups (yes, that's right, I said toddler food), and mixed that into the batter. You may be thinking to yourself, "why in the world is that lady adding baby/toddler food to her pancakes?" Well, in all honesty, okay, yes, TECHNICALLY it's food for young tykes. However, it's not apple puree, it's chunks of apple. Even if it were apple puree, it's all natural apple. Anyone can eat it.  I have it on hand always for my 13 month old. These apple chunks are the perfect consistency of cooked apples, without the work of cutting and cooking. They are soaked in a grape juice and have a wonderful tang to their flavor. Let me tell you, these pancakes tasted like apple pie. My family loves it. Plus, it's different. The recipe is great on it's own, and yes, it takes like oatmeal just as described. But adding the apple sure did turn this recipe into something else for sure!

Just so you know, I have made this recipe without putting in the Greek Yogurt at all or even substituting for it and the consistency came out just fine for cooking. It wasn't too thick - it's a naturally thick batter anyway due to the oats. As another option if you don't have the Greek yogurt, you can supplement with the apple chunks that I described. If you have more time than I do, feel free to cook up your own apples. I am now thinking of what other fun yummies I can add to the mix. Delicious I tell you!

Here is the original recipe via Sally's Baking Addiction:

Ingredients:
1 cup (123g) whole wheat flour (or white whole-wheat)1/2 cup (40g) quick oats1/4 teaspoon salt2 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1 large egg (or 2 egg whites)1 cup (240ml) milk*2 Tablespoons dark brown sugar (or light brown)1/4 cup (63g) Greek yogurt*1 teaspoon vanilla extract1/2 cup add-ins like chocolate chips or fruit, optional

Directions:
Toss the flour, oats, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon together in a large bowl. Set aside. In a separate medium bowl, whisk the egg and milk together. Whisk in the brown sugar and yogurt until no lumps remain. Whisk in the vanilla until combined.
Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients in. Stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix the batter or your pancakes will be tough and very dense. Add any mix-ins you prefer, but again - do not overmix the batter.
Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat. Coat generously with cooking spray, oil, or butter.  Once hot, drop about 1/4 cup of batter on the griddle. Cook until the edges look dry and bubbles begin to form on the center or sides, about 1 minute. Flip and cook on the other side until cooked through, about 2 more minutes. Coat griddle/skillet again with nonstick spray for each pancake or batch of pancakes.