Prepare the Oat Flour : Add the rolled oats to your blender pitcher. Pulse several times until the oats break down into a coarse, flour-like consistency. This step is key to achieving a smooth, uniform texture.
Combine All Ingredients : To the oat flour in the blender, add the low-sodium baking powder, no-salt-added cottage cheese, eggs, almond milk, vanilla extract, cardamom, nutmeg, and lemon zest.
Blend the Batter : Secure the lid and blend on a medium speed for 20-25 seconds, just until the mixture is fully incorporated and smooth. Be careful not to over-mix. The resulting batter will be thick.
Rest the Batter : Allow the batter to rest undisturbed in the blender pitcher for at least 5 minutes. This allows the oats to hydrate and the baking powder to activate, creating a lighter, fluffier pancake.
Heat the Griddle : Place your cast-iron griddle or skillet over medium-low heat. Add a teaspoon of coconut oil or butter, letting it melt to coat the cooking surface. The griddle is at the right temperature when a droplet of water sizzles on contact.
Cook the Pancakes : Using a ¼-cup scoop, pour the batter onto the hot griddle, forming individual pancakes and leaving space between them. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the edges look set and bubbles begin to appear on the surface. Carefully flip and continue cooking for another 2 minutes, until the second side is golden-brown and the center is cooked through. Repeat in batches with the remaining batter, adding more oil as needed.