The Original Vegan Spinach Pancake recipe! learn how to make easy dye free green pancakes to enjoy sweet or savory, as a stack or sandwich.
recipe originally published June 7, 2010
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Green pancakes
These vegan green pancakes have long held the title as most popular pancake on spabettie. Loved by everyone with a whimsical side, those who love greens, and those looking for an alternative sandwich bread!
These naturally green pancakes are a super popular recipe all year long.
With spabettie readers, Green Pancakes are all the rage for St Patricks Day and Halloween.
This easy recipe has a super short and all natural ingredient list, making it a popular recipe for moms wanting their kids to eat more veggies. That fantastic green hue is not from dyes, it is from spinach!
Read the how to make green pancakes section for tips on getting that great green color.
Do these pancakes taste good?
Absolutely one hundred percent, spinach pancakes taste great! Spinach does not add much flavor. Whether you add savory spice or sweeten these pancakes, the spinach is not prominent at all. The neutral flavor of spinach makes these green pancakes versatile, whether as a savory sandwich or a sweet stack of pancakes.
Spinach just adds a beautiful and natural green color!
How to make green pancakes
These pancakes are quick to make! I combine the fresh spinach with the liquids in a blender - blend until completely smooth. I then sift the dry ingredients into a bowl, and slowly pour the spinach liquid into the dry - whisking continually.
To make these vegan spinach pancakes, the flax is the equivalent of an egg.
You can add a banana or sweetener to the pancake batter, or make savory with a pinch of salt, some minced garlic, fresh basil.
How do you keep the pancakes green? Low and slow! Very low temperatures and a bit of patience are all it takes for your spinach pancakes to be green rather than brown with slightly green edges.
How to serve these colorful pancakes
Vegan Spinach Pancakes make the best sandwich bread. We use these protein pancakes to make a more traditional ‘deli style’ sandwich, but this time it was simple but delicious.
This colorful sandwich is a colorful crunchy stack of red pepper hummus, greens, avocado, tomato, and pickled onion - a perfect sandwich full of fresh flavor.
You can sweeten the pancake batter (with a banana, maple syrup or your sugar preference), or enjoy as a savory stack or protein rich sandwich bread by adding minced garlic and sea salt to the batter.
Make an epic breakfast sandwich
We use these spinach pancakes for sandwiches just as often as we enjoy them as a sweet green stack. Breakfast sandwiches are one of my favorites, and here's how I assemble one:
- spinach pancake
- vegan egg (scramble or Folded Egg)
- vegan sausage
- our favorite dairy free cheese
- ketchup
Green pancakes work well as bread for this Vegan Breakfast Sandwich, too. The ingredient combinations are endless.
Meal prep tips
I generally make a big batch of green pancakes. We keep them in the fridge all week for quick breakfasts or sandwiches. If I know I am making them for sandwiches, I will season them with savory flavors or simply leave neutral.
- Tip: If you want savory and sweet Spinach Pancakes, make the neutral batter and use half of it for what will be a sweet stack. Then add savory flavor to the remaining batter for savory pancakes or sandwich bread.
How long do spinach pancakes last? Storage tips
Spinach Pancakes will last a week in the fridge. Once they are completely cooled, tightly wrap the pancakes or store in a container with a sealing lid.
These pancakes can also be frozen if you are meal prepping for longer than one week. Separate each serving stack with parchment, tightly wrap and store in a sealing freezer bag. Use the frozen pancakes within 2 months.
Best vegan recipes
Just like our dye free green pancakes, these recipes are consistently at the top of the charts! Our readers love these, we hope you do too!
- Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower: these tangy bites are a winner at every party! enjoy dipped in ranch, or stuff into a taco for a delicious dinner.
- Crunchwrap Supreme: everyone's drive thru favorite is made at home, and vegan! see the recipe for step by step photos and folding instructions, and tips from years of making these.
- Vegan Egg Salad: if you were an egg salad fan before going vegan, this has the taste and texture of the real thing! added edamame gives more protein, texture and color.
- Vegan Cream Cheese: our go to cream cheese! quick and easy method lets you can customize the flavors! low carb and gluten free friendly recipe.
- Best Vegan Mushroom Burgers: really. they are the best. they stand up to a slice down the middle without squishing out the sides, and the flavor is fantastic!
- Oat Milk Ice Cream: so very rich and creamy, this delicious dark chocolate dessert is so easy to make, you'll want to make it every week!
- Salt and Vinegar Crackers: a low carb, gluten free cracker! this super simple recipe gives you a crispy thin vehicle for all of your favorite dips.
- Vegan Goat Cheese: another tasty recipe that I have made for years. each batch turns out different - some crumbly, some smooth and spreadable, always tasty!
- Vegan Chicken Nuggets: years ago I made this gluten and soy free vegan chicken. these have been buffaloed, barbecued, and stuffed with (vegan) mozzarella!
Did you make these vegan spinach pancakes?
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Spinach Pancakes
plant based and wildly vibrant green, you cannot even taste the spinach! sweeten these dye free green pancakes with maple syrup, or enjoy spinach pancakes as a savory stack or sandwich bread with some minced garlic and sea salt.
Ingredients
- 1 cup gluten free all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon flax seed, fresh ground
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 ½ cups fresh baby spinach
- ½ to ¾ cup dairy free milk (see notes about measurement)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
Instructions
- In mixing bowl, whisk together flour, flax seed, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a blender jar, add spinach, milk, and lemon juice / acv. Blend at high speed until smooth, with no spinach pieces remaining.
- Add spinach mixture to the dry ingredients. Fold together until just combined.
- Place griddle on stovetop over medium low heat. (For a bright green pancake, low heat is better.) Add dairy free butter or oil.
- Wait until butter is melted and griddle is heated to pour pancake batter (about a 3 inch circle). Wait for bubbles to appear before flipping.
Notes
dairy, egg, soy, oil, and gluten free, vegan
½ to ¾ cup milk: for thicker batter / pancakes, use less liquid. I prefer a thinner pancake / "bread" for sandwiches, so I use ¾ cup.
Tip: If you want savory and sweet Spinach Pancakes, make the neutral batter and use half of it for what will be a sweet stack. Then add savory flavor to the remaining batter for savory pancakes or sandwich bread.
Spinach Pancakes will last a week in the fridge. Once they are cooled, tightly wrap the pancakes or store in a container with a sealing lid.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
3Amount Per Serving: Calories: 139Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 149mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 7gSugar: 3gProtein: 4g
nutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.
about Kristina:
Kristina is spabettie! She found cooking at an early age, and created spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes. Kristina turned her culinary training into sharing vibrant vegan food! Read more...
spabettie / Kristina Sloggett is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Dianne says
What do you think about using quinoa flour instead of rice flour.. I avoid rice in all forms. I'm guessing it would work ok.
Kristina Sloggett says
Dianne, I think quinoa flour would probably work fine - I have made these with almond meal before, a bit different texture but not much difference overall. let me know how it works?
Kait says
Has anyone tried making these with kale?
Maggie Komar says
I just tried these and they did come out exactly like the photo. However, I used my Vita-Mix rather than the food processor. The batter was really thick so I ended up having to add quite a bit of water to make it the right consistency. It's a great way to use up spinach before it all goes bad and they taste OK. I had it with some cheese and a cooked egg on top, and that was good. Great idea for St. Paddy's Day!
Klaus Mueller says
They look so beautyful. I don't geht them so light green - even I rdeduce the heat. 🙁
Wendy says
I just made these, and WOW! The whole family loved them. Have you tried making a bunch ahead of time and freezing?
Kristina Sloggett says
hi Wendy! so happy you like these! you know, I have NOT tried to freeze, but I don't see why they wouldn't be okay, if wrapped well? I make large batches to eat through the week, storing in fridge for 3-4 days... but DO let me know if you try!
Sandy Komhyr says
These are awesome. I have been trying to get my husband away from eating bread but at least with these I know he will be getting more than empty calories.
Thank God for your love of healthy foods and your gift of sharing. I am loving your blog.
Jess says
These look amazing but I'm allergic to flax. Can I make them with regular egg?
Kristina Sloggett says
yes you can; replace the flax and water with 2 eggs. enjoy!
Kait says
Chia. Use chia. It tastes better too! The ratio is the same seeds:water
Alyssa says
Hi there, I promise I read through a decent dose of comments, but finally gave up and thought I'd ask directly, do you know if these can be frozen? Just curious before I make gobs of them. I recently found out that every blasted member of my family has tons of food allergies, so these look promising. I have 3 very little ones that always need food on the go, so freezing would be great for me.
Kristina Sloggett says
hi Alyssa, I have never frozen these, but I don't see why they wouldn't be okay to freeze - they are like a regular pancake. Sorry to hear about the challenges with allergies, I hope these help! We eat these as sweet or savory pancakes, as sandwich "bread" - possibilities are endless (and kids usually love the bright green color!).
Let me know if you freeze them! Cheers, Kristina
Nisha says
These spinach pancakes definitely sound good and look vibrant to me!
I put flax seed meal in my wheat flour dough when I make the Indian roti and works fine. But I would be hesitant to mix flax meal with warm water (whether in these pancakes or my roti dough) because of the gooey texture it creates.
While scrolling down I was imagining you'd use wheat flour or all purpose flour ... but rice flour, that's interesting. I'm going to try this one of these days for breakfast (hopefully, if I wake up before brunch)...
Kristina Sloggett says
I make the "gooey texture" to replace an egg, but I am pretty sure I have also just added the fresh ground flax directly in with the flour, then add liquid. and I make these with almond flour all the time, probably more than I do with rice flour!
the bright green is one of my favorite things about these - enjoy!
Debbie says
I was so happy to find this recipe! I tried it out today. The only thing I changed was I used 1 tbsp of chia and 2 tbsp of flaxseed.Tthe batter was a bit clumpy and I am wondering if I didn't measure the water correctly. Is the batter supposed to be thinner? The pancakes did come out okay, a bit moist in the middle though. I am going to keep trying until I perfect it! I have been searching for a basic gluten free sandwich recipe like this for a long time.
Kristina Sloggett says
hi Debbie, so happy you found me too!
I don't think I have ever had clumps in the batter - I always blend it or combine in the food processor at high speed. I make these often, and even when I measure, the batter will be thinner sometimes and thicker other times - the pancakes still turn out well either way. The thing I always do, with ALL pancakes? Cook at a very low temperature - sometimes they have to sit for a bit longer, but they cook more evenly that way.
If the batter is too thin, start with a smaller amount of water and add more as needed? enjoy!