Easy low carb blender pancakes packed with coconut flour and chia seed and topped with sugar-free wild blueberry syrup. A heart-healthy breakfast for National Heart Month!
This one goes out to my dad, who just had hip replacement surgery. Everything went very smoothly but of course, it is still major surgery and comes with all the associated concerns, pain and recovery. They told him he would be up and about walking within hours of surgery. And he was, if you count pushing a walker inches ahead of you and shuffling along behind it, while attached by a safety belt to your physical therapist in case you slip or fall. I know it’s not exactly the “up and about walking” my father was envisioning. And I think no matter how much you prepare for these things, they hurt more and wear you out more than you might expect. So here’s to my dad and his recovery, and his deep and abiding love of wild blueberries.
He really does love fresh wild blueberries with a passion. Every summer, our family gathers together up at a cottage a few hours outside of Toronto, right in the middle of Ontario blueberry season. I think he may have chosen this particular cottage because it’s located a half a kilometre or so down the road from a produce stand that sells wild blueberries. And he loads up on them. No matter what the cost, he buys the big, big basket and it sits on the kitchen counter for everyone to snack on. And when that’s gone, and it usually is within a few days, he buys another. And another. And lord have mercy on your soul if you come home from the grocery store with the big cultivated berries, because they just aren’t the same and he won’t even touch them. The man knows what he wants!
Of course, it’s February now and Ontario wild blueberry bushes are buried under many feet of snow. But it’s also National Heart Month and blueberries have plenty of anti-oxidants that help protect our tickers. So if you’re looking for a blueberry-filled heart healthy breakfast, you’re going to need to grab a bag of the frozen kind. Hey, if you’re boiling them into a syrup like this, it hardly matters. All that great wild blueberry flavour comes through loud and clear.
Pancakes are pretty easy to make as it is, but mixing up the ingredients in your blender make them even easier. No more lumpy pancake batter, and you can pour it straight onto your hot griddle. I wanted to develop a good, heart-friendly breakfast recipe for Bob’s Red Mill, and these blender pancakes seemed like just the thing. Bob’s coconut flour is one of my favourite ingredients for low carb pancakes, but it’s so dense and can get compacted in the bag very easily so it can be hard to get a smooth batter when mixing by hand. And if we’re going for heart health, the addition of Bob’s chia seeds can only help – they offer plenty of dietary fiber and anti-oxidants as well. They grind up nicely in the blender and add great texture to the pancakes. They are delicious with the blueberry syrup and I honestly think this may be my new favourite low carb pancake recipe. I can hardly wait to make it for my dad in the summer!
Chia Seed Blender Pancakes with Wild Blueberry Syrup
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Amount Per Serving | As Served |
| Calories 149 Calories from fat 85 | |
| % Daily Value | |
| Total Fat 4.15g | 6% |
| Cholesterol 186mg | 62% |
| Sodium 251mg | 10% |
| Carbohydrate 6.73g | 2% |
| Dietary Fiber 4.89g | 20% |
| Protein 8.84g | |
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
| Calories | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | Less than | 65g |
| Sat Fat | Less than | 25g |
| Cholesterol | Less than | 300mg |
| Sodium | Less than | 2,400mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25g | |
Ingredients
Blueberry Syrup
- 1 cup frozen wild blueberries
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup Swerve Sweetener
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp xanthan gum
Blender Pancakes
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/3 cup Bob's Red Mill coconut flour
- 3 tbsp Bob's Red Mill chia seeds
- 3 tbsp Swerve Sweetener
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Coconut oil spray for the pan
Instructions
Blueberry Syrup:
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine blueberries, water, and sweetener. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Sprinkle with xanthan gum and whisk quickly to combine. Let cool.
Pancakes:
- In a large, high-powered blender, combine the eggs, almond milk, coconut flour, chia seeds, sweetener, baking powder, vanilla extract and salt.
- Heat a large griddle or skillet over medium heat and spray with coconut oil spray.
- Pour pancake batter into 4-inch circles and cook until bubbles begin to appear in the top of the pancake and the underside is set, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Gently flip pancakes and cook until second side is golden brown. Repeat with remaining batter. Note: Batter thickens as it sits so you may need to use a cooking utensil to spread it into a circle for the last few batches.
- Serve with butter and blueberry syrup.
Recipe Notes
Makes approx 12 pancakes. Serves 6 (2 pancakes per serving). Each serving has 6.73 g of carbs and 4.89 g of fiber. Total NET CARBS = 1.84 g.
Food energy: 149kcal Saturated fatty acids: 4.15g Total fat: 9.46g Calories from fat: 85 Cholesterol: 186mg Carbohydrate: 6.73g Total dietary fiber: 4.89g Protein: 8.84g Sodium: 251mg
Wild Blueberry Syrup makes 1 cup. Serves 8 (2 tbsp per serving). Each serving has 3.63 g of carbs and 0.78 g of fiber. Total NET CARBS = 2.85 g.
Food energy: 16kcal Saturated fatty acids: 0.02g Total fat: 0.12g Calories from fat: 1 Cholesterol: -- Carbohydrate: 3.63g Total dietary fiber: 0.78g Protein: 0.13g
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill. As always, all thoughts, opinions, recipes, photography, random tangents and incoherent rambling is my own.
We have a cottage on Lake Ontario and love staying there most of the summer! There’s a wild blueberry patch where you can pick for $2 a pound and I freeze roughly 20 pounds for the winter ~ just so I have enough blueberries for smoothies are wonderful recipes like these. I’m eager to try your healthier blender pancakes, so much better for you! Also have read that picking low-bush blueberry are better for you (even though you have to bend down or sit on the ground when picking) but they yield higher nutritional values! Wishing your dad a speedy recovery.
Thanks, Laura! And yes, I’ve heard about the low bush blueberries too. My sister-in-law lives in northern Maine and they grow right along the side of the road. We love sending the kids out to pick them!
Hope your father is doing well, a speedy recovery wish for him!
This recipe sounds great, I will definately make the syrup, have a freezer full of blueberries. Can I sub ground flaxseed or something else for the chia seeds? I don’t have any right now. Thanks again for all the great recipes.
Sure, you can use flax seed no problem.
Another hit! Here in the North West we have Huckleberrys, not as good as wild blueberries but they do make great pies, syrup and muffins. Maybe a “huck” picking trip will be a “to do” with your family this fall.
Hmmm, I may have to try them!
Yum! This looks so fantastic!
Nuttin’ says lovin’ like heart shaped pancakes for Valentines Day. (Did you do that deliberately? )
These are on my to-do list – Thanks!
I did do that deliberately! I just kind of shaped a few of the pancakes into hearts once I had the batter on the griddle.
Get well soon, Carolyn’s dad!
There are days I wish I could hire you to bake for us. Blueberry pancake day is one of those days. I’d pay really well…if I had some money. 🙂 These look SO good.
Thanks, Sarah! You can pay me any time 😉
Haha!
Store the extra syrup in the fridge, right?
Yes, please do! It will last for a few days in good order.
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks for another great recipe. Sending up the prayers for your father’s speedy and pain-free recovery.
Linda
Did you grind your chia seeds? If not, would it change the texture of the pancakes if I did?
No, I popped mine in and they got ground up in my blender. But if you don’t have a high-powered blender, then grinding them first might help.
Hi Carolyn,
I have come to realize and experience any recipe you create is always delicious. I will be making these today! You are an ANGEL in my eyes for being so creative and sharing all these creations! Thank you, thank you! You are much appreciated! Keep up the great work!
Chris
Thank you, Chris, for such lovely words!
Blueberries and coconut and chia seeds in the one recipe! I’ve died and gone to heaven! Can’t wait to try these. I’m just eating some nut granola I made inspired by your choc hazelnut granola and it is amazing. Maybe I’ll make these for dessert tonight 🙂
I made these this morning for breakfast. Oh my, what a treat. The left over syrup will be perfect for flavoring my plain greek yogurt. I followed the recipe almost exactly (substituted 2 whole eggs with carton equivalent egg whites. However, it’s just my husband & so there are quite a few pancakes left over. I put them in a baggy after they cooled separated with parchment paper. Can these be frozen? How do you prefer to reheat these from the frigerator?
Hope your dad is recovering nicely & thanks again for all the great recipes!
I think they should be able to be frozen. We let them sit in the fridge for a few days and they do just fine. I’d thaw them out and then zap in the microwave or warm in the oven.
With frozen pancakes, I just pop them in my toaster oven and toast them using the light setting for toast, to reheat. Works great!
Nothing like low bush berries…grew up in Maine, and got to pick lots!! On the way to the beach, the swimming pool, in the meadow overlooking the ocean…need I say more?? They are the BEST!! Wishing your dad a smooth and short recovery! Thanks for the recipes- was thinking my ‘berry pancake days’ were a thing of my past!!
Ii enjoyed the pancakes. Made them this morning. I Just used fresh blueberries on top. They were a little eggy but as long as I got a bite of blueberry they were find. Thanks for the recipe .
Oh that blueberry sauce….so heavenly!!
My little guys each devoured a stack of these on Saturday!
Great idea using a blender. I’ll have to try that next time I make pancakes. Btw, I love that syrup pouring photo… Yum!
My grandmother just had hip surgery too. It’s a painful recovery. Good luck to your dad. These pancakes look superb. Pinned.
Made these for breakfast on Sunday and again for dinner tonight. They got thumbs up both times. The 1st time the syrup was a little thick so I cut back on the gum and this time it was perfect. Thanks so much for another hit recipe!! Oh yeah, I did sub in ground flaxseeds for the chia seeds and it worked like a charm!
I hope your father is doing well, best wishes on a speedy and easy recovery for him. These pancakes look amazing, especially all those wild blueberries. I wouldn’t mind a big barrel myself!
Happy thoughts to your dad for a fast and full recovery!!
I used coconut flour for the first time ever this week, and I’ll admit I was leery at first. But wow – I was completely proved wrong!! I can’t wait to try these, now!
I made these for breakfast but just sprinkled the blueberries over the batter after it went in the pan. I also used ground chia/flax that I grind each week and use for recipes/toppings. Really the best LC pancakes ever. Thanks again!
These are absolutely great!! I would serve these to anyone!
Thank you very much, weekend mornings are going to be even better! 🙂
So glad you liked them!
Thanks Carolyn!
These were delicious. Mine didn’t rise quite like yours. Maybe because I used agave syrup as the sweetener?
Bob’s is my favorite, hands down, for alternative flours. They all work so perfectly every time and these pancakes look like a testament to that! Love wild blueberries so so much 🙂
I love these pancakes! The first batch were more like crepes, but I found the cakes rose and got fluffier the longer the batter sat. BTW – A couple of leftover cakes with a little almond butter made a tasty sandwich .
I mixed up the dry ingredients and put ’em in a jar. This morning I just measured some out and added to the wet ingredients. Today I added cinnamon to the pancake. Delicious!
For anyone who is sensitive to the egg taste, I cut the egg amount in half and then added extra milk. I also added a touch more baking powder but may not have needed it. They turned out perfect, beautifully light and fluffy and I am so happy to have this recipe.
When you cut the eggs by half do you know how much extra milk you added? I am not an egg fan so any chance to get rid of any eggy-ness is great :)…..
I’ve tried coconut flour pancakes before, but these are the best ones I’ve ever made. They hold together great and don’t taste eggy. My husband is out of town so I ended up eating about 2/3 of the recipe (
I made these this morning for husband and I and we were VERY impressed… I just had to come tell you. That blueberry syrup put it over the top… yum yum yum. I just can’t believe how good these were! Definitely going to make this a weekend tradition at our house… and maybe weekday, because let’s be honest, these took hardly any time (thank you) and tasted amazing (thank you again). 🙂
Thanks for the wonderful feedback, Jana!
No wild blueberries here in New Mexico. But I can get organic blueberries in the store! This looks great! I always like to use a dollop of sour cream instead of butter, when I use blueberry syrup on pancakes.
Shut the front door!! These are fabulous! I just made these and they turned out perfect☺️. This diabetic chick has been on the search for an excellent LC pancake recipe and this is it! The blueberry syrup is awesome too! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe
So glad I could help!
Can I substitute chia seeds for sometjing else? I have almonds and cashews at home, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds and some cashew flour as well. Would any of these work? (I’m a terrible cook!!)
You could just sub in the same amount of cashew flour. That should be fine.
These sound wonderful and will try them for New Years! We are on low carb/no carb and am really excited to find you and your site! Thanks for the recipes and tips.
Hope you enjoy them!
Will the chia seeds turn to into a powder in the blender? My son will NOT eat any kind of nuts or seeds.
yes, mostly. You really won’t notice them at all.
This was my first foray into chia seeds, and this recipe is on point! The pancakes were beautiful & light, the blueberry sauce just put them over the top. Well done! My husband was surprised that I used chia seed–ch ch ch chia! But when I told him about the protein & omega 3s, he was on board, Thank you for this recipe!!! 🙂
So glad you liked them!
As I was making this recipe again this morning it occurred to me that I could measure all the ingredients in the blender container the night before & leave in the fridge overnight. I’m not a morning person, so this would be pre-coffee safe.
Also, I do the blueberry syrup in the microwave in a sauce jar–less dishes. 😃
Great tips, thanks!
I have been looking for the perfect coconut flour pancake for some time now. This is definitely it! Thanks so much.
Hi – I have been using the blueberry topping on my low-carb cheesecakes for a while now and decided to try the pancakes today and they were great…! They were a bit thin however, perhaps because I used extra large eggs instead of large eggs. Next time I will try to adjust by using one fewer egg and upping the coconut flour some or by adding a bit of almond four if necessary. (I didn’t have chia seeds so I used Bob’s Red Mill whole ground flaxseed meal.)
Cheers
Carolyn, *thank you*! I made these for my sons – the basic pancake recipe, adding dark chocolate chips and letting them have maple syrup. My 4 year old is so fussy – he doesn’t eat eggs, cheese, or fish, he’ll only eat chicken and meat in 3 specific meals, and he doesn’t eat a single vegetable. All he wants is carbs. Both my kids are slim and healthy, but I know that that can change, and I want them to eat nutritiously, and it’s a losing battle with my 4 year old. I often make them ‘regular’ pancakes because other than the flour, they are made with healthy ingredients but this recipe doesn’t even have that flour and they both polished them off. So I can think of their bodies working today on coconut and chia and eggs and be happy about sending them off to kindergarten/school…
Hey, that’s wonderful to hear! And I know what you mean, my kids like their carbs and I am always trying to cut them back.