Nutella oat pancakes

The ongoing quest to expand my pancake recipe repertoire continues today with Nutella oat pancakes!  I once again have Erika at Southern Soufflé to thank for this recipe.  I couldn't resist the sound and look of these pancakes made with a little Nutella chocolate-hazelnut spread and I just wanted a taste as soon as I saw them (I also love her five year old son's adorable artistic rendition of an ice cream cone made with the pancakes, and it really made me smile).  

We always have Nutella on hand but I didn't have the quick-cooking oats needed for this recipe.  So I put it on my grocery list and then with oats in hand, made a batch of these Nutella oat pancakes for my family this past long weekend.  It didn't disappoint and we all give it two-thumbs up!  

The buttermilk-based pancakes are moist and fluffy.  Two tablespoons of Nutella stirred into the batter essentially takes the place of butter and sugar typically included in a pancake recipe.  The quick oats (I realized that I'd never had/made pancakes with oats before and I was concerned that they'd be too overbearing in pancakes) easily soften in the liquid and meld right into the pancakes.  

At first bite, my 11-year old said it tasted like an oatmeal cookie, which I thought was a very good sign.  My husband and I thought they were fantastic - pancakes with a familiar fluffy texture, but with a subtle hint of Nutella flavor.  The only thing that could make them even better was a little more Nutella spread over each pancake.  I don't know about you but at our house, Nutella gets spread on top of pancakes often so it's a familiar routine.  In this way, we get more of our favorite thing!

For that true diner vibe, we often deploy the whipped cream in the canister, too. That's my husband's preferred way to roll when pancakes and Nutella are involved.

There is no better place to be than the breakfast table on the weekend. Pancakes are certainly a great make-ahead to heat up in the morning for a quick breakfast during the week but my favorite thing is a leisurely breakfast at home on the weekend.  We had some great family breakfasts this past Labor Day weekend, starting with these awesome pancakes!

I love getting into the kitchen and cooking weekend breakfast for my family. Pancakes (and bacon) happen often since they're my son's favorite.  I was a little nervous about what he'd think of these pancakes - because of the oats - but it was definitely worth the trip to the supermarket to get the quick-cooking kind; I now know they work perfectly in pancakes.

After whisking the dry ingredients together (I might substitute some of the all-purpose with white whole wheat flour next time), make a well and add the wet ingredients. Aside from buttermilk and 2 tablespoons of Nutella, there's an egg hidden in there!

When I first looked at the recipe, I thought the butter was missing...then I realized the Nutella was taking their place. That's a great substitute in my book! 

I started whisking in the center, working the Nutella into the buttermilk and egg, then finished by bringing the wet and dry ingredients together.  I do like looking at the process pictures and seeing how the food comes together. 

Looks a bit like chocolate oatmeal when it's first combined.  Then, start ladling the batter and flipping those pancakes.  Before you know it, you're filling a plate with these wonderful Nutella oat pancakes, ready for the breakfast table. 

The weekend breakfast table is another one of my happy places.  And it's even more fun when my family and I are trying something new and we talk about what we think as we eat (what's more fun than a taste-test!). They're always curious (and sometimes a little dubious at first in the case of my little guy) and it's fun to see how things go over.  These pancakes went over quite well; I enjoyed them very much and will be happy to flip these any morning for breakfast...though I'm not opposed to pancakes for dinner, either!

Recipe:

Nutella Oat Pancakes
From Southern Soufflé

- For 6-8 pancakes, depending on size - 

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cup buttermilk
1 egg
2 tablespoons Nutella (plus more, for serving, if desired)

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make a well in the center of the bowl.  Add the buttermilk, egg, and Nutella into the well.  Whisk, starting in the center, then working your way to combine the ingredients together.

Heat and lightly grease a griddle or non-stick pan over medium-high heat.  Spoon batter onto the griddle (I used about 1/3 cup or so for each but follow your own preference).  Cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until bubbles begin to form around the edges of the pancakes.  Flip, and cook for another minute or so, until the other side is golden.  Plate, and continue to remaining batter. 

Serve with a little extra Nutella spread on top of each pancakes, if desired.