30-Minute Gluten-Free Rice Flour Banana Pancakes

Prep: 10 minCook: 20 min10 servingsmediumAmerican
Gluten-Free Rice Flour Banana Pancakes with Cinnamon

Fluffy pancakes made with brown rice flour and mashed ripe bananas create a naturally sweet breakfast that's both satisfying and wholesome. The combination of cinnamon and vanilla adds warmth while almond milk keeps them tender. These delicate pancakes require gentle handling but reward you with a hearty, gluten-free option that works well for weekend brunches or special dietary needs. The banana provides natural sweetness alongside the maple syrup, making them appealing to both kids and adults.

Ingredients

10 servings
  • 1 ½ cups brown rice flour
    white rice flour1:1gluten-free

    slightly lighter texture

    Full guide →
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
    any plant milk1:1dairy-freeveganadds dairy

    flavor may vary slightly

    Full guide →
  • 1 Tbsp avocado oil, or oil of choice
    melted butter1:1vegetarianadds dairy

    richer flavor

    Full guide →
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup
    honey1:1vegetarian

    different sweetness profile

    Full guide →
  • 2 ripe bananas, mashed

Instructions

  1. 1

    Mash the bananas with a fork until mostly smooth

  2. 2

    Add the eggs, milk, oil and maple syrup and mix until combined

  3. 3

    In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder and cinnamon and stir to combine

  4. 4

    Incorporate the flour mixture into the banana mixture and stir just until combined

  5. 5

    Heat a skillet to medium heat and add butter or oil

  6. 6

    Form small pancakes on the skillet using about 2-3 tablespoons each

  7. 7

    Allow them to cook a couple of minutes until the sides begin to set up before flipping gently

  8. 8

    Cook another 3 to 5 minutes until pancakes are cooked all the way through

Tips

Tip 1

Handle these pancakes gently when flipping as they are more fragile than regular pancakes due to the rice flour base

Tip 2

Wait for the edges to set before flipping to ensure they hold together better

Tip 3

Use ripe bananas for maximum natural sweetness and easier mashing

Good to Know

Storage

Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days

Make Ahead

Dry ingredients can be mixed the night before

Serve With

Serve immediately while warm with additional maple syrup or fresh fruit

See pairing guide →

Common Mistakes

Watch

Don't overmix the batter to avoid tough pancakes

Watch

Use medium heat to prevent burning while ensuring they cook through

Substitutions

Dairy-Free Swaps

almond milk
any plant milk1:1dairy-freeveganadds dairy

flavor may vary slightly

Full guide →

Gluten-Free Swaps

brown rice flour
white rice flour1:1gluten-free

slightly lighter texture

Full guide →

General Alternatives

avocado oil
melted butter1:1vegetarianadds dairy

richer flavor

Full guide →
maple syrup
honey1:1vegetarian

different sweetness profile

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I make these dairy-free?

Yes, they're already dairy-free when made as written with almond milk and oil instead of butter for cooking.

What if I don't have brown rice flour?

White rice flour works as a 1:1 substitute, though the texture will be slightly lighter and less nutty in flavor.

How long do these pancakes keep?

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently in the microwave or toaster.