Easy whole wheat pancake recipe that uses healthy ingredients like whole wheat flour, wheat germ, ground flaxseed, and buttermilk to make fluffy pancakes that take less than 10 minutes to make!
These whole wheat buttermilk pancakes are tender pancakes that are a bit heartier than traditional buttermilk pancakes.
They're made with wholesome ingredients like whole wheat flour, ground flaxseed, and wheat germ. The pancakes take less than 10 minutes to stir up, and in practically no time, you'll have stacks of delicious whole wheat pancakes!
Best of all - they taste great!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Whole wheat flour - I use 100% whole wheat flour. White whole wheat flour will also work.
- Toasted wheat germ - Wheat germ is commonly sold near the oatmeal in the grocery store.
- Ground flaxseed
- Granulated sugar - I use just a bit of sugar to balance out the batter. Feel free to omit the sugar if you prefer.
- Buttermilk - I use low-fat buttermilk. You can also make a homemade buttermilk substitute.
How to make whole wheat pancakes
In a large bowl, combine the flour, wheat germ, flaxseed, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Add the eggs, buttermilk, and oil to the dry ingredients.
Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined.
Working in batches, pour ¼ cup of batter onto a hot griddle or large skillet coated with cooking spray.
Cook over medium-low heat until bubbles form on top. Flip and cook until the second side is golden brown.
Repeat with remaining batter.
How to freeze
Cook the pancakes as-directed. Place the cooked pancakes on a wire cooling rack and let them cool to room temperature.
Place the cooled pancakes in an airtight freezer-safe container. Place a layer of waxed paper between the layers.
How to reheat
Microwave
To microwave, place a couple of pancakes on a microwave-safe plate, and microwave until heated through, about 45-60 seconds.
Oven
To reheat the frozen pancakes, place pancakes on an ungreased sheet pan, and cover with foil. Warm in a preheated 375°F oven for about 6-10 minutes.
Toaster oven
To reheat in a toaster oven, warm pancakes in the microwave, following the directions above. Place pancakes in the toaster oven and warm through for about 2-3 minutes.
Serving suggestions
The pancakes go well with maple syrup or fruit syrups. They are also great served with fruit preserves or honey.
For a heartier breakfast, serve the pancakes spread with peanut butter or almond butter and top with sliced bananas or fresh berries.
More pancake recipes!
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Whole Wheat Pancakes
Equipment
- Pan
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- ¼ cup toasted wheat germ
- ¼ cup ground flaxseed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 large eggs
- 3 ¼ cups buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, wheat germ, flaxseed, sugar, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon.
- Add the eggs, buttermilk, and oil.
- Whisk until just combined.
- Pour ¼ cup batter onto a hot griddle coated with cooking spray; turn when bubbles form on top.
- Cook until the second side is golden brown.
Notes
- Whole wheat flour - I use 100% whole wheat flour. White whole wheat flour will also work.
- Toasted wheat germ - Wheat germ is commonly sold near the oatmeal in the grocery store.
- Granulated sugar - I use just a bit of sugar to balance out the batter. Feel free to omit the sugar if you prefer.
- Buttermilk - I use low-fat buttermilk. You can also make a buttermilk substitute with this recipe.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Beth
I chucked my old buttermilk pancake recipe for this one. They were that good.
Kate
I'm glad you liked the pancakes!
Phyllis
These pancakes are so good! I don’t feel guilty eating them.
Kate
Good! I'm so glad that you like them!
Rose
These pancakes are our family’s go to recipe. We don’t get hungry for several hours after eating them.
Kate
I'm so glad that your family likes the pancakes!
Sandy
We had breakfast for supper and these little jewels were the stars. The pancakes exceeded our expectations. We’ll have them again.
Kate
I'm glad that you liked them!
Carla
These were so, so good. I’ll make them again.
Casey
My batter was very thick and I didn’t think they would cook correctly. They were wonderful!
Kate
Thank you! I'm glad that it worked out! You can also add a little more buttermilk if you'd like to thin the batter out.
Paula W
So pleased with this recipe. I agree with other reviewers that they have a great texture.
Kate
Thank you!
Danielle
All my kids ate them and didn’t realize I had used “healthy” ingredients. Score one for mom.
Kate
I'm so glad that your family liked the pancakes!
Yvonne
The whole wheat pancakes were so good. I left out the cinnamon, otherwise followed the recipe. Surprisingly tender!
Kate
Thank you! I'm glad that you liked them!
Paula L
My family just enjoyed these pancakes. I feel like I’m giving them a great start with these.
Kate
Thank you!
Darlene
Delicious! I’ve made these pancakes three times now. They have replaced my old stand by buttermilk pancake recipe.
Kate
Thank you!
Barb B
So easy and so tasty. I’ll be making them again.
Kate
Thank you! I'm glad you liked the pancakes!
Becky L
Best whole wheat pancakes I’ve ever tried. Printed the recipe and stuck it in my recipe box.
Kate
Thank you!
Charlotte
Surprisingly good.
Kate
Thank you!
Carolyn
We had these pancakes for our Valentine’s Day brunch yesterday and liked them so much we had them for breakfast this morning. Great recipe!
Kate
Thank you!
Georgia
I’m not much for reviewing a recipe, but I had to come back and compliment you on this recipe. They are great!
Kate
Thank you!
PJ
What a shock, they were great.
Kate
Thank you! I'm glad you liked them!
Fran
Our new favorite pancake! We had them for breakfast this morning and they were hearty, but not dry like most whole wheat pancakes. Love how healthy they are. Taste great too.
Kate
Thank you! I'm so glad to hear that!
Karen
I have to say these were the best whole wheat pancakes I’ve ever had.
Kate
Thank you!! I'm so glad to hear that!
Angie
I love buttermilk pancakes and since this recipe is healthier than mine so I decided to try it. The pancakes were not dry! That had always been my complaint about whole wheat pancakes. I’ll be making these again.
Kate
I'm so glad that you liked it!
Lisa M.
We just finished breakfast and the whole wheat pancakes were a hit. Even my finicky eaters gobbled them up. They requested them again tomorrow morning.
Kate
Yay!! Glad they were a hit!