With only 3 grams of net carbs and six ingredients, these keto chocolate pancakes are a lightened version of your favorite breakfast! Naturally dairy-free and made with coconut flour and eggs, this small-batch pancake recipe is one you'll make over and over.
Made with easy, gluten-free pantry staples, these keto chocolate pancakes are a recipe you can enjoy any morning of the week. They whip up quickly and actually reheat from the fridge easily enough.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I believe this dairy-free breakfast is one of my favorites for kids and moms alike.
Keep it keto and top it with a keto whipped cream or enjoy the indulgence and make it into something more dessert-like depending on the occasion.
Why You'll Love Them
Healthy: These chocolate pancakes are dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, keto, and paleo.
Low-carb: With only 6 grams of carbs and 3 net grams of carbs the pancakes can fit into any low-carb meal plan.
Easy to make: The pancakes themselves are easy and can be reheated in the toaster the next day for a great meal prep breakfast.
Ingredients You'll Need
If you have a well-stocked gluten-free pantry, you probably already have everything on hand for these chocolate pancakes and there's not even any coconut oil required!
Coconut Flour: Also known as "a figure competitor's best friend" back in my coaching days. Coconut flour helps give keto pancakes a light but really full feeling without actual carbs. Learn about the difference between almond flour and coconut flour.
Cacao Powder: Not to be confused cocoa powder (learn the difference between cacao and cocoa powder). Cacao powder is a nutrient powerhouse of antioxidants, calcium, and lots of plant-based iron! Know that cocoa powder can be used though!
Eggs: They're a must when using coconut flour to help it bind and fluff up!
Baking powder: No one likes flat pancakes, baking powder gives them some air.
Coconut milk: Though almond milk is most commonly used, not only does coconut milk keep the chocolate pancakes recipe keto, and grain-free but it also gives the pancakes a creamier, indulgent flavor. Learn more about coconut milk to choose the best one for the recipe.
How To Make Chocolate Pancakes
- In a large bowl combine all the ingredients. Mix well.
- Let sit for five minutes.
- While the batter sits, spray a pan with nonstick and heat just over medium heat.
- Portion batter evenly into the pan into four pancakes and cover.
- Cook for 5-10 minutes or until outer edges start to brown.
- Flip the pancakes. Recover with lid for 3-5 more minutes or until cooked through.
- Divide pancakes onto plates and top with your favorite toppings!
Important Teaching Tips
After you pour the wet ingredients and mix, make sure to let the chocolate pancake batter sit a few minutes after mixing as this is when the liquid is absorbed. Otherwise, your pancakes will be uneven in texture.
If you're doubling the batch, you'll want to bring the temperature down a bit on the pan so that the subsequent batches don't burn.
If you want to lessen the calories, almond milk works in place of coconut milk.
The pancakes themselves are not sweet at all. If you don't plan to top them with maple syrup or something I would suggest adding a dash of keto sweetener or stevia to the mix.
Storing and Reheating
Store leftover chocolate pancakes in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To reheat them, pop them in the toaster briefly or reheat them in a pan on medium heat until warmed through.
This keto recipe hasn't been tested frozen. If you do try them, make sure you separate them with parchment paper to keep them from freezing together. Then, I'd let them thaw in the fridge overnight versus trying to reheat them from frozen.
Topping Them
If you're looking to keep these chocolate pancakes low carb for weight loss or diet reasons, you'll want to avoid topping them excessively.
Personally, I love topping them with a bit of extra coconut milk in place of syrup if this is my goal.
However, our favorite toppings are a mish-mash of:
- whole30 whipped cream
- maple syrup
- enjoy life chocolate chips (dairy-free and gluten-free)
- dairy-free chocolate ganache
- toasted pecans
- dairy-free caramel sauce
Pancake Molds
I like to use pancake molds to shape my pancakes so that they come out evenly. I am obsessed with these circular egg and pancake molds.
Not only do they make the pancakes look better and more uniform but it helps to portion out the batter so everything cooks evenly too! They’re definitely one of my favorite kitchen tools. Not necessary but still freaking awesome.
Don’t Jog… SPRINT
Unlock the secret to fast results and more energy with the Low-Carb Living Bundle.
A 4-week meal plan designed to elevate your energy levels, boost weight loss, and have you feeling confident in minimal time.
Eating more protein is the secret to success in terms of energy, confidence, and weight loss.
But it can be super hard to know where to start.
Which is why I mapped it out for you. Meals like high protein overnight oats, and sausage and egg scrambles that actually TASTE good.
And on days you need a bit more but still want to stay on track you have access to 17+ dessert-like snacks to keep on hand.
If you're ready to SPRINT instead of jog, this is for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dairy-Free Chocolate Pancakes
Almond milk works well in place of regular milk. Coconut will give them a more indulgent flavor though any dairy-free milk will work.
The pancakes are best stored in the fridge in an air-tight container. To reheat them, you can place them in the microwave or the oven on very low. I've even popped them into the toasted quickly!
Though cocoa powder can be used in place of cacao powder they're not the same thing. Cacao powder is less processed than cocoa powder and thus retains more of its nutrients and health benefits than cocoa powder.
Other Keto Recipes
Other Dairy-Free Recipes You'll Love
- 4 ingredient protein pancakes
- Chocolate chip protein pancakes
- Protein granola
- Chocolate chip granola
- Chocolate protein fluff
- Flourless peanut butter protein muffins
- Make-ahead breakfast recipes
- Overnight cookie dough protein oats
- Chocolate chia protein balls
- Peanut butter and jam protein balls
- Chocolate fudge protein balls
- Crunchy granola
- Fudgy protein brownies
- Chocolate chip granola bars
- Protein donuts
- Yogurt protein pancakes
- High protein snack recipes
Keto Chocolate Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1.5 tablespoons coconut flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoons cacao powder
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup coconut milk
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine all the ingredients.
- Mix until no clumps remain.
- Let sit for five minutes for the coconut water to absorb the liquid.
- While batter sits, spray a pan with non stick and heat to medium heat.
- Portion batter evenly into the pan (I use a pancake circle for this) into four pancakes and cover. You'll need to shape them manually.
- Cook for 7-10 minutes or until outer edges start to brown.
- Flip the pancakes. Recover with lid for 3-5 more minutes or until cooked through.
- Divide pancakes onto plates and top with favorites like chocolate sauce, chocolate chips, or toasted pecans.
Video
Notes
- After you pour the wet ingredients and mix, make sure to let the chocolate pancake batter sit a few minutes after mixing as this is when the liquid is absorbed. Otherwise, your pancakes will be uneven in texture.
- If you're doubling the batch, you'll want to bring the temperature down a bit on the pan so that the subsequent batches don't burn.
- If you want to lessen the calories, almond milk works in place of coconut milk.
- You need to manually shape the keto pancake batter when portioning them. Smooth it out.
- Let them cook at a lower heat longer than you think- don't rush them!
- The pancakes themselves are not sweet at all. If you don't plan to top them with maple syrup or something I would suggest adding a dash of keto sweetener or stevia to the mix.
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Veronica
these look so tasty and hopefully easy enough for me to do, I have to try them!
fitasamamabear
They're definitely not too challenging of a recipe so I think you'll be good! I used to burn ALL of my pancakes haha so I know how you feel 😉
Chanele (Good Life of a Housewife)
These look so good! A much healthier alternative than the brownie I just ate for breakfast 🙂
fitasamamabear
Haha mmm brownie 😀 I do enjoy chocolate for breakfast....
Daniela
Ah chocolate pancakes! I'm such a fan!!! Nothing like starting the day smiling 🙂
fitasamamabear
Right?! Chocolate for breakfast is easily the best way to start the day 😀
Melissa @Real Nutritious Living
Pancakes are the best! Love the low carb option 🙂
fitasamamabear
We eat a ridiculous amount of pancakes lol
linda spiker
Oh yum! These look amazing!
fitasamamabear
Thanks! My 2yo is obsessed!
Heidi
These look so delicious! I will have to try these!
fitasamamabear
Let me know what you think!
Carol Little R.H.
WoW! These look SO good..Love the walnuts in the mix..
fitasamamabear
Walnuts make them light and yummy!
Jessica Levinson
These pancakes are a delicious way to start the day! Love that they are low carb!
fitasamamabear
They're definitely a tasty way to start the day 😀
Jenni
Oh my goodness these look so amazing, I will have to give them a go! #BlogCrush
fitasamamabear
Thank you! They're our new favorite in the house:D
fitasamamabear
They're the new favorite in our house 😀
Jenni
These pancakes were so delicious! My kids loved them, and didn't say a word about them being "healthy" (they can usually tell right away).
fitasamamabear
Mega win!! It's so awesome when the kiddos approve and dive in eh? So happy they loved them!