Chocolate Buckwheat Pancakes
Light, fluffy and healthy, these chocolate buckwheat pancakes are the perfect way to switch up your morning routine! Top with fresh strawberries and nut butter for the perfect breakfast. Dairy free, gluten free and vegetarian.
These chocolate buckwheat pancakes are the newest addition to my go-to breakfast lineup.
And quite the addition they are. I cannot stop making them. Obsessed might be the appropriate word here.
Which is saying a lot, considering I am that person who typically refuses to make pancakes. Because I am literally the worst pancake flipper ever. Ever.
But anyway. Have you heard of buckwheat flour?
Despite the name, itβs actually not related to wheat at all (and is instead made from the seed of a plant related to rhubarb!). Itβs gluten free and lends this awesome dark color and unique nutty taste to dishes.
Not to mention that itβs quite good for you. Itβs an excellent source of fiber, protein and calcium, among others.
As for todayβs recipe? The base of these pancakes is a combo of both buckwheat flour and unsweetened cocoa powder.
The combo of the two is just pure magic (in my opinion!) and results in light, chocolate-y, fantastic pancakes that pack a nutritional punch.
Thatβs a breakfast win!
Tips & Tricks
- The base of these pancakes is only mildly sweet. This way you can drizzle on however much maple syrup or honey you like as a topping. And when combined with those fresh strawberries? Gah, so good. Chocolate + strawberry = perfection.
- Another serving suggestion? Try smearing on a good dollop of sunflower seed butter (other latest obsession) or almond butter, a light drizzle of honey and then the strawberries. The combo is out of this world.
- Be sure to melt the coconut oil first, then measure out the correct amount. Otherwise you may use too much.
- While pancakes are definitely best freshly made, Iβve been doing the following so I can enjoy these throughout the workweek as well. Make the pancakes as directed, then allow to cool to room temperature. Wrap individually (or two together) in plastic wrap and store in the fridge. In the morning, just pop into the microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds to warm, and then top as desired (remove the plastic wrap before heating). The amount that I look forward to breakfast when I do this is slightly ridiculous.
Additional Breakfast Recipes You Might Enjoy:
- Vegan Sweet Potato Pancakes
- Vegan Buckwheat Pancakes
- Almond Milk Pancakes
- Macadamia Nut Pancakes
- Healthy Banana Walnut Waffles
- Chocolate Whole Wheat Waffles
- Peanut Butter Banana Bread Waffles
Did you make this recipe? Rate and review it down below! I’d love to hear from you.

Chocolate Buckwheat Pancakes
Light, fluffy and healthy, these chocolate buckwheat pancakes are the perfect way to switch up your morning routine! Top with fresh strawberries and nut butter for the perfect breakfast. Dairy free, gluten free and vegetarian.
Ingredients
For the pancakes:
- 1 cup buckwheat flour
- Β½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 Β½ teaspoons baking powder
- ΒΌ teaspoon baking soda
- ΒΌ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 Β½ cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- ΒΌ cup melted coconut oil
- Β½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ΒΌ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons honey
For serving:
- pure maple syrup or honey
- chopped fresh strawberries
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the buckwheat flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt until well combined.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, almond milk, coconut oil, vanilla extract, almond extract and honey until well combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix until just combined (the batter will be a little lumpy).
- Set a large nonstick skillet (or a griddle) over medium / medium low heat. Once heated, spray with olive oil or another nonstick spray.
- Give the batter a quick stir, then scoop / pour about ¼ cup for each pancake into the skillet (as many as you can comfortably fit).
- Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes, until small bubbles start to form on the surface (and the edges are starting to look set). Flip the pancakes and continue to cook for another about 1 minute, until golden brown and set.
- Serve the pancakes topped with a drizzle of maple syrup (or honey!) and plenty of fresh strawberries!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 109Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 139mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 3g
Nutrition data shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for a medical professionalβs advice.
Have you tried to make these into waffles instead of pancakes? If so, what measurements did you change, if any?
Hey Amanda! I haven’t tried that myself. Waffle recipes usually need a bit more fat, so if it was me I’d probably add about 2 tablespoons of extra oil and see how that goes (but again, I haven’t tried it myself so I’m not totally sure how they’ll turn out!).
Yes yes yes yes yes yes. I am scarfing these down as I write this. Never had buckwheat flour before today. Where were these glorious pancakes all my life?!
I love this! Totally made my day Candice! Thanks for letting me know π
I just made buckwheat pancakes for the first time this morning, and I thought they were great! While I was eating them I wondered if there were recipes calling for cocoa powder in them, and I found yours. The question I have is, do I have to use the almond milk or can something else be substituted? The recipe I used called for buttermilk, so I still have a lot of that left over and I can’t use it for anything else. Thanks for putting your recipe out and I look forward to trying it!
Hey Eric! Any milk should work just fine here – I’ve made these with half almond milk and half leftover dairy-free buttermilk and they worked like normal for me. So I think that would be completely okay! Hope you enjoy.
I hear you on the flipping issue, I make pancakes quite often but can never share them on the blog because while they may taste great they look awful! I mean terrible miss-shaped and usually broken because of bad flipping skills….lol! Oh well never mind, these do look amazing π
I would wake up early for a breakfast like this! Wouldn’t these make a great base for a gluten free dessert too?! Maybe with Nutella, strawberries, and whipped cream?!
Oooo yes! That’s a fantastic idea!!
I love how gorgeous these pancakes look! I love using buckwheat flour too! It’s such a versatile flour and it gives results almost similar to plain flour! Can’t wait to make this version! Love it!
I know these must be good if it made its way into your breakfast rotation, Ashley! I am a girl of habit too so I know what you’re saying. : ) I have been wanting to try buckwheat crepes for ages and never thought of pancakes…not to mention chocolate ones. I love the way it looks and really sounds delish!
I’m glad it’s not just me with the breakfast routines!! π Thanks Monica!!
I’ve been meaning to get on the buckwheat pancake train for awhile now but just haven’t. But your chocolate spin has won me over. Healthy but not too sweet with a chocolate spin. Β I’m definitely going to have to try these asap!!!Β
Yes! Exactly! Thanks Laura!
I’m not the greatest pancake flipper but I just wait till the bottom is set well before I flip…sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t! I love using buckwheat flour but I’ve never used it on it’s own. I need to try these — my kids would love ’em since they’re like me and they LOVE their chocolate! lol
I’ve never tried pancakes with buckwheat flour. I’m loving the chocolate flavor in here though and I’m sure your flipping skills are way better than you think!
My husband makes the pancakes in our house, because he’s way better at flipping than I am! We’ll need to add these to our weekend brunch menu!
I so need to rope my husband into making these for me! π
I recently got into pancakes! I love the buckwheat ones, because as you said, they pack a serious nutritional punch. But I’ve never made my own buckwheat pancakes, I usually use a mix- gotta try this chocolate version π
I’m the same way with a limited palette for my AM palate. This recipe seems like I might need to make room for one more option though!!
Haha I’m with you on the pancake flipping but I think these look delicious! Love the buckwheat flour and pretty strawberries …and chocolate for breakfast is always a nice treat π
I am always & forever obsessed with pancakes! Luckily there are endless pancake options… and I actually also have a chocolate buckwheat pancake recipe on my blog πΒ
I’m certainly not perfect at it, but I think that a key to great pancake flipping is the spatula that you use. It’s got to be the right size, and with stuff like pancakes, it has to be heavy enough to easily hold the pancakes as you’re flipping!Β
Great minds think alike right!?
These pancakes look awesome, Ashley! Love the fact they are made with buckwheat, perfect guilt-free breakfast or dessert! Absolutely in love with this 4th addition to your breakfast, I should also add this to my favorite breakfasts! π
I adore buckwheat pancakes, but never have I tried a chocolate buckwheat pancake! This stack looks fantastic – your flipping skills are better than you make them out to be π Happy Monday Ashley!
You must try them with chocolate! So good!
Well I can totally see why these beauties got added to your breakfast lineup, Ashley! They look amazing! I can’t even tell that you are a self proclaimed terrible pancake flipper!! π I have only cooked with buckwheat flour once, so clearly I need to get on the buckwheat train and make these fabulous ‘cakers STAT! I have a feeling Boy will be requesting these on the regular… I mean who doesn’t want to start their day with chocolate pancakes?! SO GOOD! Pinned! Cheers, sweets!
haha not pictured – all the ridiculous looking pancakes from the batch!
These look more like dessert than breakfast but I’ll take any excuse to eat chocolate first thing in the morning! I’m also a huge fan of buckwheat flour. It gives pancakes the best texture and I love how healthy it is too.Β
I’m not the pancake flipping champion of the world, either..it definitely takes some practice…alllll in the wrist π I LOVE buckwheat pancakes! I made chocolate chip banana buckwheat pancakes a while back and they were one of my faves. These look absolutely mouth-watering!
haha I’m slowly getting better! I’m not great at flipping burgers either but it’s harder to tell with them looks wise! π
These look so delicious!! Β I love buckwheat pancakes and add the chocolate….. over the top yum!!
They look indeed very good and healthy as well. I would love to pamper myself with a huge stack of these pancakes!
Chocolate for breakfast? Sign me up! I think these beauties would get added to my breakfast rotation, too. These look gorgeous, Ashley!
Thanks Gayle!
If chocolate-y pancakes isn’t doing Monday the right way, I don’t even know what is!! I mean, this is the PERFECT stack, Ashley! And since they’re guilt-free I don’t have to feel bad about um, multiple stacks, right?
If you are going to repeatedly eat anything for breakfast, it should definitely be chocolate pancakes. Strawberries are a must on chocolate pancakes!
haha right??
So…I make chocolate buckwheat pancakes on the reg π Buckwheat is my favorite flour <3 It's magic…espeically when used in pancakes!