3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes

Turn your overripe bananas into banana pancakes with just three ingredients. This recipe is flexible—make it gluten-free or adjust the servings based on how many bananas are available.

By
Frank Tiu
Frank Tiu
Frank Tiu
Frank joined the food world as a full-time food video producer at BuzzFeed Tasty NY and is currently a contributor to Simply Recipes.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Published February 03, 2023
Frank Tiu
Syrup Drizzled onto a Plate with a Stack of 3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes with Butter, Surrounded by a Plate with More Pancakes and a Cup of Coffee

Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

Have you ever bought a bundle of bananas only to find that they've turned overripe and soft before you had a chance to eat them? It happens to the best of us. Rather than letting them go to waste, transform those mushy bananas into something delicious: banana pancakes!

During my college years as a resident assistant, I often found myself buying a big bundle of bananas to save myself another grocery trip. This meant I ended up with an abundance of overripe bananas. 

If you find yourself in the same banana boat, fear not! There is a 3-ingredient pancake recipe that can save the day. Not only is this recipe adjustable to the number of bananas you have on hand, but you can also substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free options to accommodate different dietary restrictions. 

I've made this recipe for many of my residents and they have all appreciatively inhaled stacks of these banana pancakes.

Use Overripe Bananas

Overripe bananas are perfect for this recipe since they provide an extra kick of sweetness and intense banana flavor and aroma. They are also soft and easy to mash. 

Plus, if you're in a pinch (like many college students are), you just saved yourself from buying another ingredient—sugar. The banana provides sweetness and flavor, the flour adds body to the pancake, and the egg helps bind the ingredients together.

Plate with a Stack of 3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes with Butter, Surrounded by a Plate with More Pancakes, Cups of of Coffee, and Utensils on a Table Napkin

Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

Tips for Making 3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes

  • Because this pancake recipe only has 3 ingredients, the batter will not bubble like traditional pancakes. Instead of waiting for bubbles as a visual indicator to flip the pancake, gently slide your spatula under the pancake to see if it is sticking to the pan. If it slides smoothly and is browned, it is ready to be flipped.
  • Thanks to the overripe bananas in this recipe, the pancakes will be significantly sweeter and have a lot more sugar than other pancake recipes. The browning that occurs during cooking is due to the caramelization of the sugars, and it will give your pancakes lightly toasty and sweet notes. It will also make them brown a bit irregularly. While browning is welcomed, be careful not to burn your pancakes. Keep an eye on them as they cook to ensure that they turn out just right.
  • It is best to use a nonstick pan to avoid sugars sticking to the pan. However, as long as you grease the pan after each pancake addition, you should be good to go.

How to Make these Pancakes Gluten-Free

This recipe is really flexible and can be easily adapted to suit different preferences and dietary needs. For example, I've tested it with chickpea flour and it was a popular favorite with my gluten-sensitive residents. Feel free to experiment and use whatever you have available in your pantry.

You can also tweak the recipe to your tastes, adding a pinch of salt, a little vanilla or cinnamon, or even a handful of mini chocolate chips.

Plate with a Stack of 3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes with Butter, Surrounded by a Plate with More Pancakes and a Cup of Coffee

Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

Breakfast Banana Bonanza

3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Servings 2 to 4 servings
Yield 4 large pancakes

Most flours will work in this recipe, including 1:1 gluten-free flour, chickpea flour, and oat flour.

You can easily adjust this recipe based on how many overripe bananas you have.

Ingredients

For the pancakes

  • 4 overripe bananas

  • 4 eggs

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 8 teaspoons butter, divided, for greasing the pan

Optional toppings

  • Fresh fruit

  • Ground cinnamon

  • Maple syrup

  • Salted butter

  • Whipped cream

Method

  1. Prepare the banana batter:

    Add the bananas to a bowl and mash with a fork until there are no chunks. Add the eggs and flour to the bowl and mix until combined.

    Bowl of Overripe Bananas for 3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
    Fork Used to Mash Overripe Bananas for 3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
    3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes Batter in a Bowl

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
  2. Cook the pancakes:

    Melt about 2 teaspoons of butter in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add a quarter of the pancake batter and use a silicone spatula to gently spread the batter from the center towards the edges to create a circular shape about 6 inches across. 

    Cook one side for 2 minutes and gently slide your spatula underneath to see if it is sticking to the pan. If it is still sticking, continue cooking for another minute. If it slides smoothly and is browned in spots, flip the pancake to the other side and cook until both sides separate from the pan, are nicely browned, and the edges lift slightly, another 2 to 3 minutes.

    Carefully wipe out the pan with a paper towel. Repeat with the remaining pancake batter, adding more butter to grease the pan each time.

    3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes Batter Added to Hot Skillet to Make One Pancake

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
    Spatula Used to Flip a 3-Ingredient Banana Pancake

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
    On a Skillet, a 3-Ingredient Banana Pancake Flipped with Cooked Side Facing Upwards

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
  3. Serve:

    Garnish with your favorite pancake toppings and serve. 

    Leftover batter can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Let any leftover cooked pancakes cool before storing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For the best leftovers, preheated an oven or toaster oven to 350°F. Place the pancakes on a baking sheet lined with a cooling rack and bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars below!

    Syrup Drizzled onto a Stack of 3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes on a Plate, Surrounded by a Plate with More Pancakes, a Cup of Coffee, and Utensils on a Napkin

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
333 Calories
10g Fat
51g Carbs
11g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2 to 4
Amount per serving
Calories 333
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 10g 13%
Saturated Fat 5g 24%
Cholesterol 199mg 66%
Sodium 111mg 5%
Total Carbohydrate 51g 19%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 15g
Protein 11g
Vitamin C 10mg 51%
Calcium 40mg 3%
Iron 3mg 15%
Potassium 526mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.