It’s a common misconception that pancakes are purely a ‘treat’ meal, to be reserved for special occasions, or the annual Pancake Day in February.

However, leading dietitian Susie Burrell is here to quash that myth and prove that pancakes can be a nutritious meal without the added sugar, for kids and adults alike, all year round.

“The best thing about pancakes is that they’re incredibly versatile and can be topped with a range of sweet or savoury toppings,” Susie says.

Rather than dousing our beloved pancakes in maple syrup or sugar on Pancake Day, Susie advises to reconsider healthier options to keep them nutritionally balanced, and just as tasty! Toppings like fresh fruit, greek yoghurt, sautéed vegetables and 100% natural peanut butter spreads with a touch of sweeter toppings can provide the right balance for you and your kids.

Susie says, “Toppings like Greek yoghurt and 100% natural nut spreads like Mayver’s Peanut Butter provide a great source of protein, which will help keep you fuller for longer and provide you with the energy you need to get through the day.”

Below are Susie’s five recommendations of simple, healthy recipes to transform your Pancake Day. 

Susie’s Peanut Butter Oat Pancakes

All this recipe requires is to substitute the flour that’s typically used in pancake recipes, for half a cup of oats and half a cup of Smooth Peanut Butter to increase the nutritional content of your favourite pancake recipe.  Serve with fruit and a drizzle of syrup such as honey or rice malt syrup and enjoy!

Chocolate spread pancakes

For those fellow chocoholics out there, swap choc-chips for Mayver’s Hazelnut, Cashew and Cacao Butter spread to give that much desired choccy fix, but with all natural ingredients and no added sugar. This can be paired with banana slices on top to add more substance.

Gluten Free PB Pancakes

With Coeliac disease affecting 1 in 70 Australians, this recipe is perfect for those who need a gluten free alternative on Pancake Day. Simply use gluten free flour of your choice with baking powder, milk and for a rich, nutty texture add Mayver’s Dark Roasted Peanut Butter. Top these pancakes with extra Peanut Butter spread, Greek yoghurt and honey, to provide a perfectly tasty GF alternative.

Banana peanut butter pancakes

By simply mixing banana into the recipe, Susie says it’s a “great way to sneak in an extra serving of fruit and if you add oats and peanut butter, the extra protein and fibre will help keep you fuller for longer too.”

Vegan peanut butter pancakes

Celebrations can be difficult for those following a plant based diet, but these Vegan PB Pancakes are a great solution. Susie suggests using wholemeal flour combined with coconut oil and almond milk. Toppings like coconut yoghurt and berries can be a delightful plant based addition to enjoy on Pancake Day.

What pancake toppings do your family love? Share in the comments below.