Paleo Carob Pancakes recipe — a grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free pancake made with carob powder in place of cocoa.
Lately I’ve been experimenting with alternative flours and pantry ingredients, and carob powder has been a fun one to test. Made by grinding the dried pod of the carob tree, carob powder is frequently used as an alternative to cocoa: people use carob chips instead of chocolate chips and carob powder as a cocoa substitute. Its flavor is distinct — milder and naturally sweeter than cocoa — so I treat it as its own ingredient rather than a direct swap. For me, the best way to enjoy it is in pancakes: these Paleo Carob Pancakes are rich, satisfying, and naturally grain-free and dairy-free.
Carob brings its own sweet, mellow profile to baked goods and breakfast dishes. It’s caffeine-free and a helpful option for anyone with chocolate sensitivities or who wants to avoid caffeine in the evenings. Carob is also lower in fat than cocoa and relatively high in fiber; two tablespoons can provide a notable portion of daily fiber needs. Keep in mind it does contain more natural sugars and carbohydrates than cocoa.
I tried carob in brownies and found it wasn’t the right fit for a chocolate-style treat — carob doesn’t replicate chocolate exactly — but it works beautifully in pancakes and likely in muffins and hot drinks. I’m planning to try a caffeine-free carob hot chocolate for evenings. For now, these pancakes are my favorite carob use: they have a pleasant, unique flavor that pairs wonderfully with fresh berries, mint, and maple syrup.
These pancakes are a simple way to introduce carob into your breakfast rotation. They’re flavorful, quick to make, and keep well if you want to reheat leftovers. I enjoyed every bite and found myself saying “yum” with each forkful — they especially shine topped with berries and a drizzle of maple syrup.
If you already use carob or are curious about it, give these pancakes a try. They’re a pleasant twist on a classic breakfast and a great way to showcase carob’s unique, naturally sweet flavor.
Paleo Carob Pancakes (GF)
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 egg
- 2 Tbs olive oil
- ¾ cup almond flour
- ¼ cup tapioca flour
- 3 Tbs coconut flour
- 1/3 cup carob powder
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
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In a small bowl, whisk together the almond milk, egg, and olive oil until smooth.
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In a separate bowl, combine the almond flour, tapioca flour, coconut flour, carob powder, coconut sugar, baking soda, and salt; mix with a fork until evenly blended.
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Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk until fully combined.
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Heat a griddle or nonstick pan over medium heat and add a little oil. Pour a scant 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto the pan.
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Cook about 2 minutes, until the edges set and bubbles form on top.
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Flip and cook 1–2 minutes more until cooked through. Repeat with remaining batter.
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This recipe yields approximately 7 pancakes.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 17g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 11g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 7g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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