These Chunky Monkey Pancakes were first posted back in 2010 (how has it been that long!) and they quickly skyrocketed to our list of all-time most popular recipes. I haven’t made them in a really long time so when I whipped them up to refresh the photos and update the instructions I even surprised myself about how good they were! We’ve added some beautiful new photos and a video and I hope if you haven’t tried this one, you’ll put it on your list of things to make!
Have I ever told you guys that I often dream about food? I can’t tell you how many recipes I’ve come up with because I cooked them in a dream and then woke up craving it. Such is the case with these pancakes! I woke up a couple of weeks ago and ran to the kitchen to see if they were as good in real life as they were in my sleep and I have to say- they even better. If only I had the body I have when sleeping, because I eat all I want and never gain weight when I’m dream-eating. These pancakes are light and fluffy and easy to make. They’re dotted with bits of melted chocolate and chunks of sweet banana. And the best part is the syrup. When I was a kid my friend Jessica introduced me to peanut butter and maple syrup on pancakes. Ever tried it?? It’s amazing. So that’s the inspiration behind the syrup; a sweet and creamy blend of melted peanut butter and maple syrup that takes these pancakes next-level.
We start by combining your average dry pancake ingredients with your average wet pancake ingredients. Originally I had you mixing these in separate bowls but now that I’ve made these lots of times, I know it works great to just make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and whisk in the wet.
Just don’t overmix. this batter is quite thick.
Next you’ll add a couple of mashed bananas. I use bananas that aren’t quite banana bread material. I don’t want mushy brown banana chunks in my pancakes, just soft sweet ones. And you don’t need to pulverize them either, leave some chunks in there.
And everything is better with a touch of chocolate, right?? Use mini chips, or roughly chop some regular chocolate chips. The smaller bits distribute better in the batter, and tossing them with a bit of flour helps keep them from all sinking to the bottom.
I think the best part about these pancakes is the syrup. And it only involves 2 ingredients: Creamy peanut butter and pure maple syrup.
Heat them up together in the microwave and watch the magic happen. Okay, it’s not really magic, it just tastes really really good. Trust me. It will be runny at first but as it sits it thickens quite a bit. If it gets too thick, just warm it up again in the microwave.
Spoon the batter out onto a hot buttered skillet to get your beautiful stack of chocolate banana pancakes.
I like to slather on some butter and then pour on that glorious syrup.
This syrup is EVERYTHING.
The sweet bites of banana aren’t overwhelming; it’s just enough to make the pancakes super soft with mild banana flavor and the little specks of chocolate are perfectly melted.
When you combine that perfect bite with the peanut butter maple syrup, it’s perfection.
Chunky Monkey Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 large or extra large egg
- 2 small-medium ripe bananas
- 6 tablespoons mini chocolate chips or regular chips chopped up mixed with 2 teaspoons flour
- Cooking Spray or butter for pan
- Syrup:1 cup 100% real maple syrup
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Combine flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl and whisk together. In a separate bowl combine buttermilk, eggs, oil, and vanilla and whisk well. Add the wet ingredients into the dry and mix just until moistened and combined. Place bananas in a bowl and roughly mash with a fork. Fold into batter. Add the chocolate chips that have been tossed with flour and stir.
- For syrup, heat peanut butter in the microwave for 30 seconds. Add maple syrup and gently whisk to combine. Heat in the microwave for another 30 seconds, whisk, and then set aside.
- Heat a nonstick griddle or skillet to medium heat. Coat pan with little butter and then pour on pancake batter. Use1/4 C batter for large pancakes (4-6″) and 2 T for kid-sized ones (2-3″). Wait until bubbles form and edges are set and then flip.
- Reheat syrup if necessary and pour over warm pancakes.
- Yield:28-30 2-3″ pancakes (using 1/8 C batter measure)14-15 4-6″ pancakes (using 1/4 C batter measure)
- Freezer Instructions: Let cooked pancakes cool to room temperature. Place in a single layer in the freezer until frozen and then place pancakes in a ziplock bag or airtight container. Reheat in a microwave or toaster until heated through.
Notes
Questions & Reviews
amazing work super well done
My husband and I love this recipe. For some odd reason my kids don’t like it though. Maybe it’s the banana in the pancakes, but I’m really not sure. I love it though and can’t get enough of it!
Oh my, I didn’t know peanut butter syrup was so easy! I’m doing it!
But would you be able to tell me how much a cup or half cup is in MLs or spoons? As we don’t measure in cups in the uk 🙁
Oh MY! Having just read this, I absolutely have to go out and make it…. Chocolate, bananas, syrup & peanut butter! Sounds like heaven!
I just made these and I’m pretty sure they changed my life. Such a simple idea!
Featured your recipe on my blog today! It was fantastic!
My husband and I love these pancakes! They’re so easy and taste way better than the bisquick mix. I haven’t had any bananas handy lately so I’ve just been making them into chocolate chip pancakes–still amazing 🙂 The other day I told my husband I wanted pancakes for breakfast, and he said he’d only eat them if they were being served with peanut butter syrup 🙂
This recipe has become an absolute favorite at my house! I’m linking up to you on my blog today: http://viewalongtheway.blogspot.com/2011/03/thursday-links-i-love.html
Yummmm. 🙂
Normally I don't like bananas in anything and chocolate chips only in cookies, but I definitely have to make an exception for these! That peanut butter syrup is divine….
Wow, these look wonderful! The peanutbutter and syrup together… Wow! 🙂 ~Thanks! Take Care
I just made these and I'm coo-coo for coco puffs over them. Mine aren't as nice and fluffy as yours but the flavors are awesome. Like dessert. 🙂
I made this last night. My two year old ate THREE! I did make some modifications (just couldn't pull the trigger on all that sugar). I left out the chocolate chips (although my children would have thought they died and went to heaven). I also did 1/2 wheat flour. I also substituted the maple for Wal-mart sugar free syrup (it actually is not too bad).They were great!
Pancakes are one of my comfort foods anyway and this is seriously a little slice of heaven right here on Earth!!! THANK YOU so much for the idea (although my waist-line doesn't)!!! ; )
Just wanted to say thank you for this one. My 3-year old loves to bake and this is her specialty. I add pecans (we already live on pb), use stevia vs. sugar and coconut oil instead of canola. Ooooo!!! They're SO good!!
Last night I tried a new recipe for a banana-chocolate chip cake. The recipe didn't call for frosting, just a dusting of powdered sugar, and the cake was pretty mediocre. Then I remembered this post and mixed up some PB syrup to use as a glaze. It was so good! As it cooled it set up nice and shiny — I think it would be perfect for a Bundt cake. I think I might also try adding some powdered sugar to make frosting. Thanks for all the great ideas!
Oh my goodness! I'm not sure if there's anyone on this earth who loves peanut butter more than I. I can't wait to try this as soon as my son is done nursing! Another HUGE thank you!
Thank you for the idea about the peanut butter maple syrup. It's probably the best thing ever.
I usually make pancakes for my boys after I go for a run on Sunday morning, and I <3 the pb syrup…. I *need* it after a run, y'know.
Oh my, that sounds like pure heaven. =]
This looks great! Definitely a vacation breakfast. Bravo!
Plan B
Think I decided what to make for dinner… Night Breakfast tonight!
These look so good, I am so positive this will be a hit with the kiddos.
I made these thinking my Littles would love them- and they did. What I didn't expect was that I would be gobbling them up mindlessly as well! I can't believe how close these come to heaven on a fork! It's that divine PB Maple Syrup.
Blogged about them here:
http://www.smilelaughloveblog.com/2010/09/tasty-tuesday.html
I made these for breakfast for my little guy this morning and they were a big hit! I loved them too…I have been combining pb and syrup since I was a kid!
I made these for Sunday breakfast and they were so good! Thanks for another wonderful recipe.
I want this RIGHT NOW. As is, I might make this instead for brunch tomorrow…
Wow, talk about a sugar coma! I need a nap now! These were super tasty…Though I had to break it up a bit with some fresh peaches, and next time I think I'll add some sausage too, just to cut back on the sugar! 🙂
Question: I am cheap so I never buy real maple syrup, can I mix the pb with the cheap syrup? 🙂
BTW:this sounds/looks divine and fattening…but I guess the latter doesn't really matter! 😉
I dream of a world that doesn't mix fruit and chocolate together.
Oh my! I'm a pancake-aholic. I can't wait to try this!
Made these tonight for dinner(love breakfast/dessert for dinner:) and it was a huge hit! I love to have fun names like "Chunky Monkey Pancakes" for the food we eat. My son who is obsessed with monkeys was especially happy. Thanks!