Does bread flour make a difference to make pancakes?
Pancakes are a classic breakfast food. They’re usually fluffy and light, and they can be tricky to make.
The key to making perfect pancakes lies in the flour you use. If you buy the wrong flour, then your pancakes could end up tasting flat and heavy.
But what if you don’t have access to high-quality flours like wheat or rye flour? Can you still make good pancakes with regular store-bought all purpose white flour or any alternative flour?
Well, yes! you can use bread flour to make pancakes,
And while there is a substitute for quality ingredients, these homemade pancakes will taste just as delicious as any other traditional ones.
This blog post will teach you how to make the perfect pancake using bread flour. It’s an easy way to make the perfect sticky pancakes every time.
We’ll also share some tips on choosing the best pancake mix for baking great pancakes at home.
How to make pancake using bread flour?
First things first: What exactly is bread flour?
Bread flour is unbleached plain whole meal flour that has been milled from soft white breads such as baguettes, ciabatta, focaccia, etc.
This type of flour contains more protein than normal all-purpose flour because it comes from softer grains.
It doesn’t contain gluten free flour so it won’t give rise when mixed with liquid. This means that you need to add extra leavening agents to get air bubbles into the batter.
You should always check the label before buying bread flour. Some brands may include additives like emulsifiers, stabilisers, preservatives, artificial flavours, colours, etc.
These might not affect the flavour, but they change the texture of the final product.
- You can make a pancake using bread flour by combining it with a liquid vegetable oil, such as canola oil.
- You need to use 3 teaspoons of batter for each pancake and you need to cook them in a heavy-bottom pan.
- A recipe for a thin crepe is just a little of the mixture poured into the hot pan with a small amount of vegetable oil.
- When the mixture is cooked, it is flipped.
- You can use a medium size skillet for cooking a large amount of crepes.
Which type of flour is used for pancakes?
There are two types of flour used for standard pancakes: All Purpose White Flour and Whole Grain Wheat Flour.
Whole grain wheat flour gives off a nutty aroma and tastes better than APWF. However, it takes longer to prepare and requires more effort to bake.
If you want to save time, use APWF instead. But remember that this type of self-rising flour does not provide enough structure to hold its shape during frying.
If you prefer lighter, perfectly pancake, try adding 1/3 cup of milk powder to the dough. The result will be much thinner and less dense.
Another option would be to replace half of the APWF with cornflour. Cornflour provides a lot of starch, which helps keep the pancakes moist.
What is the healthiest flour for pancakes?
The most important thing about making pancake recipe is getting your hands dirty.
All those chemicals found in commercial mixes clog up our arteries.
So why not skip the chemical laden products and start preparing your own healthy doughy pancakes right away?
Here are three options for healthier alternatives to conventional pancake recipes.
Option 1 – Use coconut oil instead of vegetable oils
Coconut oil is one of the healthiest oils out there. It’s high in saturated fat content and low in cholesterol.
Coconut oil is solid at room temperature and melts easily. So if you’re looking for an easy way to incorporate coconut oil into your diet, then consider replacing vegetable oil with coconut oil.
- To make fashioned pancakes with no added sugar or salt, combine 2 cups of shredded unsweetened coconut flakes with 4 tablespoons of melted coconut oil.
- Mix well until combined. Add some cinnamon and vanilla extract for flavouring.
- Add eggs and mix thoroughly. Then fold in all purpose white flour along with baking soda and baking powder. Finally, stir in milk powder.
- Cook on a griddle or cast iron skillet according to directions below.
Option 2 – Replace butter with applesauce
Butter has been linked to heart disease because of the unhealthy fats contained within it.
However, when we talk about healthy fats, we mean monounsaturated fatty acids. These have been shown to reduce bad LDL cholesterol levels while increasing good HDL cholesterol levels.
Applesauce contains MUFAs, so it makes sense to substitute butter with applesauce.
- Combine 2 cups of whole wheat pastry mix for flour with ½ teaspoon of baking soda. Stir together until mixed evenly. In another bowl, add 3 egg whites and beat them lightly.
- Then slowly pour in ¼ cup of apple sauce followed by ⅓ cup of water. Continue mixing until everything comes together as a smooth batter.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Pour approximately ¼ cup of batter onto the heated surface. Cook each side for around 5 minutes before flipping.
- Repeat steps above using other ingredients listed here.
Option 3 – Try almond meal
Almond meal can also help lower blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Almonds contain magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin E, folate, fibre, protein, omega-6 fatty acid, and antioxidants.
- Mix 1½ cups of almond flour with 2 teaspoons of baking powder. Combine these two dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together 6 egg yolks and 1 tablespoon of honey. Slowly drizzle this mixture into the larger bowl containing the dry ingredients.
- Whisk vigorously until completely incorporated.
- In a third bowl, sift together 1¾ cups of unbleached bread flour, 1 cup of cornmeal, and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×13 inch pan.
- Pour half of the pancake batter into prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes.
What reliable flour has the lowest carbs?
If you want to cut down on carbohydrates but still enjoy delicious baked goods, try making muffins instead of cakes.
Muffin recipes are usually made from cake mixes that use only three types of organic flour: pastry flour, leavening agents, and liquid.
Muffins are typically smaller than cakes and don’t require frostings or icings. They are healthier too, since they often include more fruits and vegetables.
What makes pancakes unhealthy?
The main problem is that most pancake batters contain refined grains like white plain flour, which are means there’s lots of empty calories.
The second issue is that many people eat way too much syrup. It adds up quickly!
A better option would be to bake your own homemade waffles or crepes. Both will provide plenty of nutrients and won’t leave you feeling bloated after eating.
You could even experiment with different toppings such as fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, granola, etc.
Another great alternative is oatmeal. Oats are naturally gluten free, baking regular flour and high in soluble fibre, which helps keep us full longer. Plus, oats are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrient.
How to make my pancakes healthier?
There are several ways to improve upon traditional baking pancakes without sacrificing taste. Here are some tips to get started:
- Use whole grain soft flour rather than all purpose flour.
- Use low fat milk rather than regular cow’s milk.
- Add extra veggies to your breakfast plate.
Add berries to your fluffy pancakes. Berries have been shown to reduce inflammation and fight against cancer cells.
Try adding cinnamon to your fluffier pancake. Cinnamon contains anti-inflammatory properties and may protect against heart disease.
Top off your flat pancakes with sliced bananas. Bananas are rich in potassium, an essential mineral needed to maintain healthy nerves and muscles. Potassium also lowers bad cholesterol levels.