Alternative pancakes for Shrove Tuesday

15 free-from pancake ideas

Dairy-free pancakes

1. Dairy-free pancakes

Pancakes in a pan, one folded and one flat with a squeezed lemon wedge.

There are plenty of great milk-replacement products out there for the dairy and lactose intolerant, or for those just wanting to cut down on the white stuff. Our food editor, Caroline uses hemp milk in her specially-tailored pancake recipe. It’s nutritious and has a slightly sweet flavour, so works better with fillings like syrup, sugar and fruit.

2. Banana oat pancakes

Three pancakes topped with yogurt, blueberries and strawberries

These healthier pancakes use rolled oats and bananas to provide fibre and natural sweetness. They’re also low in calories, making them our go-to feel-good breakfast or brunch, served with a dollop of yogurt and fresh berries.

Check out more banana pancake recipes and healthier pancake ideas.

Egg-free pancakes

3. Egg-free pancakes

Entering the world of egg replacements can feel like stepping into a confusing maze, so Caroline narrowed her choice down to Orgran No Egg. It comes in powdered form, but don’t be put off – mixed with water it makes a perfectly passable substitute for eggs. It’s also lower in cholesterol and has no lactose, so has wider health benefits too.

Gluten-free pancakes

4. Gluten-free pancakes

Folded pancakes topped with syrup and bananas

Beat the bloat and use a specialist flour in your pancakes. That way, coeliacs and the gluten-intolerant can get involved, and the rest of the gaggle will barely be able to tell the difference. Treat as a normal batter, but be careful when selecting fillings – some off-the-shelf products may contain hidden gluten.

Find more gluten-free pancake recipes.

5. Almond flour pancakes

Almond flour pancakes in a stack topped with syrup and raspberries

Swap plain flour for almond flour in these pancakes for a deliciously nutty twist—perfect drizzled with maple syrup and topped with sweet berries. Can’t find almond flour? No problem! Simply blitz whole almonds in a blender. Need a new one? Explore our best blenders guide for tried-and-tested picks.

6. Spinach protein pancakes

Stack of spinach protein pancakes with a poached egg on top

These gluten-free buckwheat pancakes are high in protein and folate, and packed with flavour from buttermilk, spinach and a pinch of paprika. We love ours topped with a perfectly poached egg, so that the oozy yolk can act as a savoury sauce as it drips over the stack. Delicious.

Get more savoury pancake recipes.

7. Buckwheat pancakes

Stack of buckwheat pancakes topped with syrup and blueberries

Buckwheat is another gluten-free alternative, and confusingly doesn’t contain any wheat. It has an earthy, grainy flavour, and is often used in blinis and Eastern European cooking. These brunch-friendly pancakes are thick and fluffy thanks to added bicarbonate of soda. Serve with fruit and some maple syrup.

Vegan pancakes

8. Vegan pancakes

Making dramatic cuts to your diet needn’t mean cutting out certain pleasures. This easy vegan crêpe recipe uses clever ingredient substitutions such as hemp or coconut milk, egg replacer and gluten-free flour, and the end result is a perfectly delicious replacement.

Egg, dairy and gluten-free pancakes

9. Vegan tofu pancakes

Stack of tofu pancakes topped with syrup, banana and berries

You’d better believe it – these pancakes are egg-free, dairy-free and gluten-free, they’re a vegan dream! The secret’s in the silken tofu, which enriches the batter without requiring your usual ingredients. Stack ’em high and serve with sliced fresh fruit, chopped nuts and your syrup of choice.

Discover more delicious vegan pancake recipes

10. American-style vegan pancakes

Stack of pancakes topped with syrup and bananas

For a lot of us, Pancake Day immediately conjures up images of Yorkshire pudding-style batter thinly applied to a sizzling hot pan. But the American way is to ramp up the volume, adding baking powder to create griddlecakes with a fluffy light lift. This delightfully light vegan pancakes are super-easy and can be made using a plant-based milk of your choice, such as oat, almond or soya. Stack them high with vegan choc chips, banana slices, blueberries, maple syrup and anything else you wish!

Find more fully-loaded American pancake recipes.

11. Savoury vegan pancakes

Vegan pancakes topped with mushroom and tomatoes

Sticking to a meat and dairy-free diet must feel like a challenge at times, but all it takes is some simple swaps to alleviate the hassle. These thin and crispy crêpes use soya milk, and the creamy mushroom topping contains soya cream. They’re versatile enough to be served as sweet treats too, so try banana and pecan as a vegan-safe topping.

12. Kimchi pancakes

These Korean-style kimchi pancakes are bursting with gut-friendly sour cabbage and spicy gochujang (Korean red pepper paste), delivering bold umami flavours in just 20 minutes. Finish with crunchy spring onions and a punchy soy, chilli, and ginger dipping sauce for extra aromatic depth.

Alternative ingredient fillings:

13. Potato pancakes

Make the most of your leftover mash with these hearty yet healthy spud-filled scones. Flavour with spring onions and top with fresh chard and a runny poached egg for ultimate savoury satisfaction.

14. Ricotta pancakes

Stack of pancakes topped with orange and nuts

Italian cheese adds a rich creaminess to your standard pancake, so these are quite an indulgent version. The end result tastes a little like cheesecake, and the texture goes a bit soufflé-like. These are great served with sweet toppings, like compote or ice cream.

15. Cornmeal pancakes

Cornmeal pancakes topped with pork and avocado salsa

Pancakes, but not as you know them, these thin and soft wraps are almost tortilla-like. They lend themselves well to Mexican fillings, like pulled pork, chicken with peppers, or some black beans. Our recipe serves them warm with a spoonful of homemade salsa. They do contain a little plain flour though, so they’re not completely wheat-free.

Pancake topping ideas

Lemon and sugar, hazelnut spread and golden syrup all occupy a special place in our hearts, but getting adventurous with fillings makes things a bit more interesting. Here are some of our favourites:

Suzette: This retro citrus treat may seem a bit Fawlty Towers, but who doesn’t love a flambé?
Crêpes Suzette

Salted caramel: The sauce of the moment – this trend shows no sign of stopping. Will its popularity ever screech to a halt? Who knows, but it’s delicious and easy to rustle up yourself.
Salted caramel sauce

A pancake cake: Sound intense? Be warned, it is! This dessert is served in wedges with a cream, brandy and dark chocolate sauce – one for special occasions.
Chocolate praline pancake cake

Dosa: Make our version of dosa filled with a spiced sweet potato mix complimented with a cooling coconut and coriander yogurt.

Sweet potato masala dosas with coconut raita