Wholesome Spiced Oat & Cottage Cheese Pancakes
These protein-packed pancakes are incredibly light and fluffy, blending oats and cottage cheese into a smooth batter that cooks up golden brown. Flavored with warm cardamom, nutmeg, and bright lemon zest, they offer a sophisticated, satisfying breakfast without the need for excess salt or sugar.
Servings 4 (approx. 3–4 pancakes per serving)
Calories 298kcal
Ingredients
- 1 ⅔ cups 165 g old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 tbsp low-sodium baking powder aluminum-free, potassium-based
- 1 ⅔ cups 370 g 1% low-fat, no-salt-added cottage cheese
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ cup 60 ml unsweetened almond milk (or skim milk)
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- ¾ tsp ground cardamom
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
- Avocado oil spray or olive oil spray for cooking
Instructions
- 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 ensures a smooth texture in the final pancake.
- 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 medium speed for 20–25 seconds, just until the mixture is fully incorporated and smooth. Avoid over-mixing to keep the pancakes tender. The batter will be relatively thick.
- Rest the Batter: Let the batter rest undisturbed in the blender pitcher for at least 5 minutes. This allows the oats to hydrate and the leavening to activate for maximum fluffiness.
- Heat the Griddle: Place a cast-iron griddle or large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Lightly mist the surface with avocado oil or olive oil spray. The pan is ready when a droplet of water sizzles on contact.
- Cook the Pancakes: Using a ¼-cup scoop, pour the batter onto the hot griddle. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the edges look set and bubbles begin to appear on the surface. Carefully flip and cook for another 2 minutes until the second side is golden-brown and the center is cooked through. Repeat with remaining batter.
Notes
- Serving Suggestion: Serve with fresh berries, sliced bananas, or stewed apples to add sweetness and fiber without using refined syrups.
- Ingredient Tip: Using a potassium-based baking powder not only lowers sodium but significantly boosts the potassium content, a key component of the DASH eating plan.
- Storage: Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a toaster for a quick, warm breakfast.
- Texture Adjustment: Cottage cheese moisture varies by brand. If the batter becomes too thick to pour after resting, stir in an additional tablespoon of milk until it reaches a spoonable consistency.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
Approximate values based on standard ingredients.- Calories: 298 kcal
- Total Fat: 8.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.4 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
- Sodium: 92 mg
- Potassium: 625 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Dietary Fiber: 4.3 g
- Sugars: 3.2 g (0g added sugar)
- Protein: 21.5 g
- Calcium: 155 mg
- Iron: 2.5 mg