I worked at IHOP for two and a half years as a server. During my time there, I learned a lot about the service and hospitality industry, people’s 2 A.M. breakfast food cravings, and….pancakes.

We were allowed an entire free meal for every shift worked, and I worked 4-5 days a week, so you could say I’ve eaten my share of pancakes for an entire lifetime. However, I still love pancakes; when made with wheat free, non-dairy ingredients in my home.

I’ve experimented with a lot of the Gluten Free pancake mixes over the last few years and they all had the same starchy, heavy, nutrient-lacking attributes.

So, I decided if this family was every going to enjoy pancakes again, I was going to have to concoct my own little mix. After several attempts, and several failures, and even more near successes, I think we have a winner.

Oat and Flax Pancakes with Banana and Walnuts

• 2 C. Gluten Free Oat flour (I made my own by grinding rolled oats in my Magic Bullet- but Bob’s would work great)
• 1 C. Whole rolled oats
• 1 t. Baking powder
• 1 t. Vanilla
• 1/4  t. Sea salt
• 1/2 C. chopped walnuts
• 1 T. Ground flax seed
• 1 Large carrot, shredded in small pieces
• 2 C. Non-dairy milk (I usually use Almond or Soy)
• 1 Large, ripe banana- mashed.

Spray a large, flat skillet with organic non-stick spray and heat over medium heat. In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients and mix well. Add wet ingredients, mix until incorporated. I use a 1/3 C. measuring cup to scoop the pancake batter and drop onto the skillet.

Cook until you see the edges bubble up a bit. They will be thicker and heartier than your average pancake, so just keep an eye on them. Flip, cook a bit longer and, Voila!

Garnish with sliced banana and additional chopped walnuts, if you so desire, and maple syrup of course!

If you’re not a huge banana pancake person, (uhhh….you’re crazy.) you can nix the bananas and walnuts and sub in a Cup of berries of your choice, fresh or frozen. Equally as delicious.

I also like to enjoy the leftover pancakes with a little peanut butter and melted chocolate chips on top. Oh man.