So today is Fat Tuesday, National Pancake Day, and two days before Valentine’s Day. I’m also doing a Vegan Challenge this month, so to celebrate all these things and stay within the challenge confines seemed like it might be difficult, but it wasn’t! I made heart shaped pancakes for Jay and me, kept everything vegan, and even threw in extra health benefits without sacrificing flavor!

While I don’t have an exact recipe because I made these quickly, I will give you the rundown on everything in my healthy vegan chocolate chip pancakes!

Healthy Vegan Chocolate Chip Pancakes (Un)Recipe

all measurements are approximations, please taste and adjust!

Makes 12 or so pancakes

• 1 cup King Arthur Flour whole wheat flour
• 3/4 cup quick oats
• 2 T ground flaxseed meal
• 2 T chia seeds
• 1/2 c water
• 1/2 c Silk unsweetened original almond milk
• 1/2 t baking powder
• 2 T Stevia in the Raw
• 1/2 T cinnamon
• vegan chocolate chips

• Earth Balance (for pan and to serve)
• Maple Syrup (to serve)

I tossed everything into the stand mixer with the mixer attachment and mixed on level 1 for about 30 seconds or until all ingredients were wet. Let sit for 5 minutes. (This allowed the chia seeds to gel, making  a perfect egg replacer! It also allows the oatmeal to soften and the baking powder to start working. Wait to adjust your flour/liquid ratios until after the resting period as it will thicken slightly.)

After you let the batter sit and thicken, mix for a minute on medium speed and then add chocolate chips. Fold in with a spatula. Coat pan with Earth Balance and warm to medium heat. Start ladling pancakes! I used a heart-shaped mold I found at a discount store last year for $2.99! (You can also use these silicone molds to make fried eggs!) As with all pancakes, flip when you see little bubbles and the outer edges appear dry. You should have no trouble moving the pancakes around the pan with a spatula when they are ready to flip.

Top your pancakes with Earth Balance spread and maple syrup – Eat! Enjoy!

How are you celebrating National Pancake Day?