Key Lime Pancakes gluten free
Sunday morning. So quiet. So peaceful.
I remember my mom preparing a huge breakfast every Sunday before church. Never was the same served. Sometimes pancakes or waffles, other times scrambled eggs, sunny side up eggs, poached eggs, lightly buttered toast cut diagonally, which tasted better than cut rectangle, peeled and segmented fresh grapefruit and the smell of percolating coffee waking us up.
It was all so normal to me until one Sunday morning when my childhood best friend slept over. It was about 7am when she woke hearing a clicking sound from the kitchen. “Is that your mother walking around in her heels this early?” Well…of course…she’s making breakfast.
Doesn’t everyone’s mother get up early, hair perfectly teased, dressed and in her heels to make breakfast?
Sadly or gladly, I have to admit, I do not follow her Sunday ritual. Early in my marriage I did, mostly when family or friends visited, but that was called brunch, not breakfast. When it was just my kids and I, Sunday breakfast was occasionally a big deal, especially on a holiday. As the years went by, my kids slept in later and why spoil my morning by insisting we three wake early to eat.
And now, it’s the carbs I closely watch, balancing my meals, eating healthy and clean. I’ve come to realize that gluten doesn’t do well for me. I’m not intolerant, just sensitive. Pancakes became a treat I only indulged in on my birthday. Huge blueberry pancakes.
Until now. Everywhere you look there are gluten-free recipes. Several years ago I would bake gluten-free cheesecakes and pies for a woman who had a hard time finding desserts she could eat. Now she doesn’t need me 🙁
What I didn’t like about gluten free baking is that flour. All those strange ingredients combined to make ‘flour’.
What I did find I liked using was garbanzo bean flour, almond, millet, buckwheat, oat, hazelnut and chestnut flour. I was really finding interesting flours that contained no gluten. I know not all these flours used individually bake well, but it’s been fun experimenting!
Oat flour has become my simplest and inexpensive way to bake. It’s sold as oat flour, but so easily can instant oatmeal be processed into oat flour. I just grab my food processor and make a batch of flour. And now I can have pancakes! Every Sunday!
Made healthy, this recipe uses Greek yogurt, fresh squeezed key limes, unsweetened coconut, flax meal and rice milk. Surprising, the lime gives the pancakes a light and refreshing taste! This makes about 10 pancakes. I have two and freeze the rest, so most Sundays are very relaxing as I don’t even have to dirty a pan!
Key Lime Pancakes
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 cup rice milk, or milk of your choice
1 tablespoon coconut oil
Zest from 1 key lime, or regular lime, about 1/2 teaspoon
1 tablespoon key lime juice or regular lime
2 eggs
1 cup oat flour
1 heaping tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut
1 tablespoon flax meal
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
In a small bowl mix together the wet ingredients, yogurt through the eggs. Place the dry ingredients in a large bowl and stir to combine. Pour in the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just to combine. Don’t over mix. Allow to sit while heating the griddle.
Heat a large cast iron griddle or skillet. Lightly oil with butter or cooking spray. If the batter appears too thick, add a bit more milk. Pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake, cook for about 3 minutes and flip, cooking for another 1-2 minutes. Serve immediately. Makes about 10 pancakes. For freezing, place pancakes on a baking sheet, when frozen, bag up in freezer bag and use within a month.
spicegirlfla
I love being in the kitchen. Early mornings, soft music, a hot espresso. Easing into the preparation of delicious meals. Glancing through cookbooks, gathering inspiration and planning my day. I look forward to the cycles of the seasons, the pleasures of tasting and savoring and sharing this with those dear to me. Weekends are special to me as my week days are often rushed, but still I create the ambiance, light the candles, set the table and uncork the wine.
You May Also Like

Roasted Pumpkin Sweet Potato Hash
October 25, 2011
Pretending to Not Be a Tourist in Italy
October 8, 2014
19 Comments
Bam's Kitchen
Delicious and healthy. Some coconut syrup would rock on these!
Linda
You are absolutely right! That would really taste good!
Gina Geiler
SO delicious!
Linda
Aww, thank you. I will make you a batch before I leave, promise 🙂
Jovina Coughlin
Sounds absolutely delicious. Like that it isn’t a mile long list of ingredients as gluten free recipes usually are. I’ll be giving this recipe a try soon, since I always have oat flour on hand.
Linda
I agree, I like to keep my life and my pantry simple!!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
I love pancakes but I usually have the flour filled ones. These sound (and look) amazing!
Linda
Thanks Maureen. Using the oat flour barely changes the taste; my son has not detected a change!
Kristy
These sound delightful Linda. Great idea on the oat flour. I’m going to have to give that a shot. Loved the story about your mom too. Reminded me a lot of my grandma – although she usually had on her duster and slippers. LOL.
Linda
lol…I love the visual of your grandma!
Courtney
I wish my mom had done that on Sundays – what a great memory for you. These pancakes look really tasty – and I think the addition of key lime flavor is fantastic.
Linda
Hi Courtney, Honestky I hesitated adding in lime to pancakes but my taste testers and I agreed it truly gave it a bright, light taste without being overpowering!
Hotly Spiced
How lovely to grow up with a mother who rises early to make a great breakfast before church. My mother always made Sunday breakfast special too. Your pancakes look terrific and this is a great recipe for me because like you, I’m finding I’m sensitive to gluten xx
Linda
These days I guess families and weekends are just so busy, it’s hard to follow such a tradition. It’s a cherished memory for me and I’m glad to hear for you too!
Choc Chip Uru
What delicious pancakes, they sound perfect to start the day off with 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Linda
Thanks! Hope you are able to try them out!
Ala
I loved reading your memories about Sunday breakfast, Linda! It must have been a wonderful tradition–the thought of looking classy in heels that early is just the best. I’ve never cooked in heels, period, though it’s on my to-do list! And these pancakes–I could eat a whole batch!
Chica Andaluza
Not sure I could stop at two pancakes….;)
Kelly @ Inspired Edibles
You’ve managed to combine some of my very favorite ingredients into a nourishing version of pancakes – what a winner. I bet it tastes delicious too with just the right note of citrus shining through. Your mom sounds like a dream… someone I would read about in a work of fiction though I’m certain such an angel must exist in real life somewhere :). Beautiful memories.