Do you ever wake up with an intense craving for banana pancakes? I know I do on the weekends when I have a little extra time to relax over a tall stack of fluffy flapjacks dripping with melted butter and sweet maple syrup. My local First Watch restaurant makes these utterly addictive Banana Crunch Pancakes that I just can’t get enough of.
Today, I’m sharing my secrets to creating a spot-on copycat First Watch Banana Crunch Pancake Recipe from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This First Watch Banana Crunch Pancake Recipe
First off, this First Watch Banana Crunch Pancake Recipe delivers everything you could ever want in a banana pancake. We’re talking soft and thick pancakes practically bursting with fresh banana flavor in every bite. And not only that, but they get topped with crunchy granola, providing the perfect sweet and salty balance with a fun textural contrast.
The preparation is super easy too. You likely have all the ingredients on hand, and you can throw the batter together in just 10 minutes tops. Within 20-30 minutes, you’ll be slicing into a tall teetering stack of the most addictive pancakes ever created. Even better, they freeze well so you can whip up a big batch and enjoy whenever those banana pancake cravings strike.
How to Make First Watch Banana Crunch Pancakes
Let’s get right to it! Here is everything you need along with step-by-step instructions for recreating the signature First Watch banana pancakes right from your own kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- A pinch of salt
- 1 cup of milk (240 ml)
- 2 ripe bananas
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 and a half teaspoons of baking powder
- A pinch of vanilla powder
- 2 tablespoons of oil
For decoration:
- Unsalted butter
- Honey
- Sliced bananas
Kitchen Appliance
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Fork
- Measuring Cup
- Ladle
- Skillet or Frying Pan
- Spatula
- Plate
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Wet Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, crack open the egg, add 1 tablespoon of sugar, and a pinch of salt. Using a whisk, mix these ingredients together until they’re well combined.
Step 2: Incorporate Milk
Pour in 1 cup of milk (240 ml) into the same bowl and continue mixing until everything is nicely incorporated.
Step 3: Mash Ripe Bananas
Now, take the ripe bananas, peel them, and mash them up using a fork. Add the mashed bananas into the same bowl with the egg and milk mixture. Give it a good whisk until the bananas are evenly distributed.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
Next, add 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 and a half teaspoons of baking powder, and a pinch of vanilla powder into the same bowl. Mix everything together until you have a smooth batter.
Step 5: Add Oil
Pour in 2 tablespoons of oil into the batter and mix until well combined. This will give your pancakes a lovely texture and moisture.
Step 6: Cook Pancakes
Heat up a skillet or frying pan over low to medium heat. Once the pan is hot, pour a ladleful of batter onto the pan to form a pancake. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, until they’re golden brown and cooked through.
Step 7: Prepare Decoration
While the pancakes are cooking, get ready to decorate! Spread a little unsalted butter on top of each pancake, drizzle with honey for that extra sweetness, and top them off with some sliced bananas.
Step 8: Serve Warm
Once your pancakes are beautifully decorated, stack them up on a plate and serve them warm.
Tips for Making the Perfect Copycat Banana Pancakes
- Use very ripe bananas that are covered in brown spots. They add the most intense banana flavor.
- Don’t overmix the batter or it can make the pancakes tough. Mix just until blended and stop as soon as the flour disappears.
- Cook over medium to medium-low heat. If the griddle is too hot, pancakes can burn on the outside before cooking through.
- Flip the pancakes when you see bubbles forming on top. This ensures even cooking on both sides.
- Add any additional toppings once the pancakes come off the griddle so they don’t fall off during cooking.
What to Serve with Pancakes
While these copycat pancakes are delicious enough to enjoy on their own, here are some tasty mix-ins and sides that take them over the top:
- Whipped cream – For an ultra-decadent twist, top your stack with a heaping dollop of freshly whipped cream.
- Chocolate chips – No explanation needed! Melted chocolate chips take these pancakes up a notch.
- Walnuts – For crunch and nutty flavor, sprinkle some chopped walnuts into the batter or onto the cooked pancakes.
- Bacon – Savory, smoky bacon pairs perfectly with the sweet banana pancakes.
- Fresh fruit – Load up your plate with juicy strawberries, pineapple slices or orange wedges for a vibrant breakfast.
How to Store Banana Crunch Pancakes
Freshly made, these pancakes are at their peak when enjoyed immediately. However, leftover pancakes can be stored in the fridge for several days and revived beautifully.
Let any leftover pancakes cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. They will keep fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days.
To reheat, place a single layer of pancakes on a baking sheet and warm them in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes. Or microwave each pancake for 30 seconds, or until warmed through.
The vanilla crunch topping can also be made ahead. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.
Common Banana Pancake Questions
How do I stop my banana pancakes from browning too quickly?
Cook over medium-low to medium heat to prevent the exterior from cooking faster than the interior. Also avoid overmixing the batter which develops gluten for browner pancakes.
Why are my pancakes not fluffy?
Be careful not overmix the batter which can cause it to get tough and dense or add too much flour which weighs down the batter. Use an ultra-ripe banana and avoid using cold ingredients for lighter, airier pancakes.
What can I do if my banana pancakes stick to the griddle?
Make sure to grease the cooking surface adequately before spooning on batter. Cook over slightly lower heat. And flip the pancakes more gently using a thin spatula and avoid a harsh scraping motion against the griddle.
What pancake mix can I substitute?
You can substitute an equal amount of bisquick or other premade pancake mix in place of the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt called for in this recipe. But homemade is best for banana flavor!
Can I freeze leftover banana pancakes?
Yes! Allow pancakes to cool fully before freezing between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight container or bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat until warm. Frozen pancakes keep 2-3 months.
First Watch Banana Crunch Pancake Recipe
Love First Watch's famous banana crunch pancakes? Get my easy from-scratch recipe for sweet, fluffy banana pancakes topped with a crispy vanilla oat crunch and caramelized bananas - an irresistible crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- A pinch of salt
- 1 cup of milk (240 ml)
- 2 ripe bananas
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 and a half teaspoons of baking powder
- A pinch of vanilla powder
- 2 tablespoons of oil
For decoration:
- Unsalted butter
- Honey
- Sliced bananas
Kitchen Appliances Needed:
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Fork
- Measuring Cup
- Ladle
- Skillet or Frying Pan
- Spatula
- Plate
Instructions
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, crack open the egg, add 1 tablespoon of sugar, and a pinch of salt. Using a whisk, mix these ingredients together until they're well combined.
- Incorporate Milk: Pour in 1 cup of milk (240 ml) into the same bowl and continue mixing until everything is nicely incorporated.
- Mash Ripe Bananas: Now, take the ripe bananas, peel them, and mash them up using a fork. Add the mashed bananas into the same bowl with the egg and milk mixture. Give it a good whisk until the bananas are evenly distributed.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Next, add 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 and a half teaspoons of baking powder, and a pinch of vanilla powder into the same bowl. Mix everything together until you have a smooth batter.
- Add Oil: Pour in 2 tablespoons of oil into the batter and mix until well combined. This will give your pancakes a lovely texture and moisture.
- Cook Pancakes: Heat up a skillet or frying pan over low to medium heat. Once the pan is hot, pour a ladleful of batter onto the pan to form a pancake. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, until they're golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare Decoration: While the pancakes are cooking, get ready to decorate! Spread a little unsalted butter on top of each pancake, drizzle with honey for that extra sweetness, and top them off with some sliced bananas.
- Serve Warm: Once your pancakes are beautifully decorated, stack them up on a plate and serve them warm.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 200Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 180mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 2gSugar: 7gProtein: 6g
The nutrition information provided below is estimated using an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered medical advice or guaranteed to be accurate. Please consult a professional for any dietary needs or restrictions.
Satisfy Your Banana Pancake Cravings at Home
I hope this easy copycat recipe helps you conquer those intense First Watch banana pancake cravings from the comfort of your own kitchen. They truly deliver on all fronts – fluffy, banana-packed pancakes topped with a sweet and salty granola crunch.
Whip up a batch on a lazy weekend morning or even make ahead to freeze so you can enjoy whenever the banana pancake urge strikes. Let me know if you give this First Watch Banana Crunch Pancake Recipe a try and how your homemade version stacks up against the original First Watch favorite!
