By Dr Yakira Mishan

Cocoa powder is made by crushing cocoa beans and removing the cocoa butter. It is extremely high in antioxidants and polyphenols and as a result, has been found in some studies to increase nitric oxide release, lower blood pressure, and reduce diabetes risks.

These pancakes offer a great way to get that chocolate hit without the deleterious health effects of the additional processing, added sugars, and added fats found in chocolate.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups rolled oats
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp flax seeds
• 1 cup non-dairy milk
• Nut butter, fruit, honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup for toppings

Methods:

1. Blend the oats, banana, flax seeds, and milk together.
2. Pour the mixture into a bowl and add the remaining ingredients.
3. Mix well.
4. Slowly add water or more milk as you mix the mixture so that you are left with a slightly runny batter. It will be thicker than conventional pancake batter but you do not want it to be too thick and gooey.
5. Allow the batter to stand for 10 minutes.
6. Heat a nonstick frying pan.
7. Using a measuring cup pour a cup full of batter into the pan and allow it to cook. Once you start seeing bubbles forming gently lift up the flapjack and flip it over allowing it to cook on the other side.
8. Plate your pancake and top it with fruit, nut butter, non-dairy yogurt, honey, or maple syrup as you like.
9. Enjoy!