Healthy Cocoa Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes

One of my favorite pancakes ever! These are delicious, chocolaty pancakes with high fiber, reduced fat, reduced sugar, and even some fruit snuck in there (shh... don't tell!). Very yummy, very satisfying. If you wish to enjoy these plain, boost the sugar and the chocolate chips.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 5
• Yields: 10 pancakes

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup skim milk or 3⁄4 cup 1% low-fat milk, plus
• 3  tablespoons skim milk or 3  tablespoons 1% low-fat milk
• 2  egg whites, lightly beaten or 1  egg
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄4 cup  pureed overripe banana
• 1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1⁄3 cup  unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons ground flax seeds
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 3 -4  tablespoons  milk chocolate chips, mini (or semi-sweet)

• Topping

•  strawberry jam (warmed) or   raspberry jam (warmed) or   caramel sauce (warmed)

Directions

1. In a small bowl whisk milk, egg whites, vanilla, and banana.
2. In large bowl, mix flours, cocoa powder, sugar, flax seed, baking soda and salt.
3. Add wet mixture to dry, and whisk just until dry ingredients are moistened, folding in chocolate chips.
4. Pour pancakes onto greased griddle (at about 350-375°F) and let sit until lightly bubbling and edges have began to firm. Flip and cook until firm and browned. Top with jam or a sweet sauce.
5. FREEZING INSTRUCTIONS: If you make these to freeze them, don't make the topping. Cool the pancakes on a wire rack, and then when they are completely cool, wrap them in tinfoil (I wrap them in packs of two for 1 serving) and freeze. Microwave until warm, then toast to unfreeze them.