Banana Walnut Oatcakes of Desire

Had to look twice, didn't ya? | SPG Recipe Collection

"Julia..." you may already be asking. But let me not distract your thought. Please continue.

"Julia, what is so desirable about something called 'OATCAKES'? Is this what your life looks like now? Romanticizing food that sounds like pure cardboard?"

1.) Yes.

2.) Cardboard?? Harsh.

Regardless of how it sounds, oatcakes are no more than pancakes made with oat flour. Legit, put me in a diner and let me loose on a short stack any day of the week, any time of day, and I'll demolish that sucker before you've even reached for the salt to put on your fries.

That's not a regular habit I can sustain, but it doesn't mean I can't still have my (pan)cake and eat it, too.

Which is where the oat flour part comes in. If you've ever had a pancake, you know that ship can sink you faster than the Titanic. This is a lighter version, inspired by one of my favorite fitness apps and the fairy godmother of one of my favorite smoothies of all time.

First, the ingredients:

• 1/2 of a medium banana, mashed (that's the thing that's in the bowl, BTW)

• 1/3 cup milk of choice (I use unsweetened almond)

• 1/3 cup oat flour

• 1 tablespoon protein powder of choice (mine is ground hemp seed powder)

• 1/8 tsp ground cloves

• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp salt (a "pinch")

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 egg

• 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped (to top oatcakes of desire)

• Butter and Maple Syrup, for topping (either/or, or eat 'em naked. Party your way.)

• Cooking spray, oil, or butter for greasing the skillet

• Coffee. While not an actual ingredient here, it sure does help. Thanks, coffee!

Then, you make it (Yields 3 large pancakes) :

• Mix the milk, egg, vanilla, and mashed banana together.

• Add the flour, spices, salt, protein powder, and baking powder to the wet ingredients.

• Whisk with a real whisk or a fork until well-combined and a batter forms. The mashed banana may create small banana-lumps, but that's kind of a bonus. Let the batter sit while you prepare the skillet:

• Heat a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. Spray skillet with cooking spray (the one and only time I use cooking spray), or melt oil or butter in the pan until sizzling.

• Add 3 tablespoons of batter to the hot skillet and let sit until the edges are firm (no more than 1 minute), then flip with a spatula. After about 30 seconds on the other side, move to a plate and top with butter, if you'd like. I mean, I do. Come on, it's usually a Sunday when I'm making these. Get wild and live free.

• Repeat with the remaining batter until you have a gorgeous plate of cakes.

• Top with chopped walnuts.

• Top with PURE maple syrup (if you'd like).

• Destroy said cakes in about 3-5 minutes.

• Smile at the fact that you don't feel like you've been filled with concrete.

  
  

NOTES: You can buy oat flour at the grocery store or make your own by putting rolled oats in a blender or food processor and processing until a fine flour forms. 1 cup oats = 1 cup flour.

You CAN make these vegan by putting in an egg substitute, though they may have less lift. The baking powder will help with the fluffiness, but no guarantees.

You CAN make smaller pancakes by using 2 tablespoons batter; this should get you 4-5 smaller cakes.

I mean, look at these thirst-traps. How are you not gonna desire these? Pffft.