Apple-Almond Butter Pancakes

Apple slices with nut butter are a quick, healthy snack. Enjoy this favorite flavor combo for breakfast with Apple-Almond Butter Pancakes.

Among other good-for-you ingredients, this recipe uses almonds, almond butter and almond “milk.” Almonds offer a lot of nutrition in a tiny package. A rich source of Vitamin E and B vitamins, almonds also offer plenty of healthy minerals (magnesium, copper, manganese, calcium and potassium) and dietary fiber.

Like other nuts and seeds, almonds also contain phytosterols, which have been associated with cholesterol-lowering properties, according to Nutritional Reviews. This journal also says that initial research links eating almonds with elevated levels of high-density lipoproteins. This “good cholesterol” prevents fatty buildup and formation of plaque in your arteries.

Almonds also reduce levels of low-density lipoproteins—the “bad cholesterol.” Low-density lipoproteins add to the formation of plaque buildup in the arteries. This condition, called atherosclerosis, is linked to increased risk of heart attack andstroke.

That makes Apple-Almond Butter Pancakes a great way to start the day for a lot of reasons.

Serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups, all-purpose flour (for gluten-free, use gluten-free flour)
• 1 Tbsp., natural sugar
• 2 tsp., baking powder
• 1/4 tsp., salt
• 1 1/2 cups, almond “milk”
• 1/2 cup, apple juice
• 3 Tbsp., almond butter
• 1 tsp., vanilla extract
• 1 large apple, peeled, cored and chopped
• 2 Tbsp., roasted almonds (chopped)

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
2. Put milk, apple juice, almond butter and vanilla in a blender. Blend until smooth.
3. Pour into the flour mixture, stirring with a few swift strokes until just moist. Fold in the chopped apple and almonds.
4. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Farenheit. Lightly oil a griddle or nonstick skillet and heat until hot. Ladle about 1/4 cup of the batter onto the griddle or skillet. Cook on one side until small bubbles appear on the top of the pancakes, about 2 minutes.
5. Flip the pancakes with a spatula and cook until the second side is lightly browned, about 1 minute longer. Repeat with the remaining batter. Keep the cooked pancakes warm in the oven while preparing the remaining pancakes.

Recipe courtesy of Robin Robertson via V-Lish.

This post was written by Nina Eng, RD, chief clinical dietitian at Plainview Hospital.

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