Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes

There’s nothing better than waking up to a warm stack of banana and chocolate chip pancakes! These pancakes are the perfect blend of fluffy, sweet, and indulgent, thanks to the natural sweetness of ripe bananas and the richness of melty chocolate chips. Whether you’re making them for a weekend brunch, meal prep, or a quick weekday breakfast, this banana chocolate chip pancakes recipe is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.

For the best texture and flavor, use ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots, as they add natural sweetness and moisture to the batter. If you love a little crunch, sprinkle sliced almonds into the batter or on top before serving. The best part? These pancakes freeze beautifully, so you can make a big batch ahead of time and reheat them straight from the freezer for a quick and easy breakfast. Whether enjoyed fresh off the griddle or saved for later, these pancakes are a delicious and satisfying way to start your day!

Why We Love This Banana and Chocolate Chip Pancakes

1. Completely customizable.
   Whether you like your flapjacks lightly golden, extra dark brown, or somewhere in the middle, you can prepare your chocolate chip pancakes just the way you prefer. Pack them full of chips or go heavy on the fruit—it’s your choice.
   
2. This easy chocolate chip pancake recipe is fun for kids.
   A regular short stack is delicious, but you can go a step further and let your kids or grandkids use cookie cutters to make fun or silly shapes.
   
3. It’s an easy weekend breakfast or brunch idea.
   They pair well with other easy breakfast recipes like crispy breakfast potatoes, seasonal pumpkin pie baked oats, or as a sweet side to a scrambled egg sandwich recipes.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions 

• Butter – Unsalted, as we’re adding a measured amount of salt with the dry ingredients. If you have to use salted butter, omit the additional salt. 
  
• Buttermilk – Either whole or 2% milk can be used instead.
  
• Bananas – Use a total of ¾ cup mashed bananas — the equivalent of 2 small ones.
  
• Baking powder – This is what keeps these banana chocolate chip pancakes light and fluffy, even with the dense, moist fruit.
  
• Chocolate chips – Use your judgment for whether to use semi-sweet, dark, or milk. It’s all about how you want your chocolate chip pancakes! Semi-sweet chocolate chips provide a balanced sweetness with a slight bitterness, complementing the natural flavor of bananas without overpowering them. Dark chocolate chips have a richer, bolder taste with less sweetness, making them great for those who prefer a more intense chocolate flavor. Milk chocolate chips, on the other hand, are sweeter and creamier, creating a more indulgent, dessert-like pancake. For the best experience, choose based on your sweetness preference, or mix different types together for a delicious chocolate blend!

Recipe Variations

• Nutty banana pancakes – Add chopped almonds or walnuts to the batter for extra crunch and flavor.
• Double chocolate pancakes – Mix in a tablespoon of cocoa powder along with the chocolate chips for a richer, chocolatey taste.
• Peanut butter banana pancakes – Swirl a tablespoon of peanut butter into the batter for a delicious twist.
• Dairy-free option – Use almond or oat milk instead of regular milk, and opt for dairy-free chocolate chips.
• Make-ahead freezer pancakes – Let the pancakes cool completely, then layer them between sheets of parchment paper and store them in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Serving Suggestions

These banana and chocolate chip pancakes taste amazing on their own, but adding the right toppings and sides makes them even better! Choose your favorite toppings or drizzle with warm maple syrup, sprinkle with chopped nuts, or top with sliced bananas, dried strawberries, raspberries, or other fresh fruit and whipped cream for extra indulgence.

Pair them with a side of crispy bacon or breakfast sausage for a hearty meal. If you’re looking for a refreshing contrast, serve with a fruit salad or a smoothie. These pancakes also go well with a hot cup of coffee, iced latte, or freshly squeezed orange juice for a complete breakfast experience.

Other Great Ways to Use Ripe Bananas

Soft, over-ripe bananas can be added to both sweet and savory recipes to introduce moisture, nutrition, and flavor. Obviously, they are the key ingredient in sweet banana pancakes with Bisquick, but you can add them to blueberry muffin mix pancakes too!

But those ripe bananas are good for more than adding flavor! They can be used as a substitute for up to half of the fat in many baked goods, like cookies, cakes, and even brownies.

For example, our banana sourdough muffins would look like a platter of golden treasures in a brunch spread, as would our moist banana bread with Bisquick recipe! They pair well with bitter coffee and tangy mimosas alike — perfect to start your day or even serve as a snack later on.

Love Fruity Breakfast Recipes? Here’s More

• Cottage Cheese Cups with Fruit
  
• Strawberry French Toast
  
• Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Scones
  
• Baked Apple Fritters