Healthy Simple Red Velvet Pancakes

You will love these healthy and exciting red velvet pancakes. They are not only naturally bright red and gorgeous but they are also gluten free, grain free, paleo friendly and so simple to make. All you need is a blender!

Dave’s favorite cake is red velvet. He goes crazy and ever since he found out that he had a gluten allergy he hasn’t been able to enjoy the red velvet cake at a few of the parties we have attended lately. Which was heartbreaking (it didn’t stop me though). He loves red velvet cake like I love carrot cake, so I knew I needed to find him a way to enjoy red velvet flavors, without stressing out his digestive system. Thank goodness for beets and coconut butter!

These red velvet pancakes have no added food coloring, nope the beets contribute to all the gorgeous color you see here! In order to heal Dave’s gut we have decided to cut out all (or as many as possible) dyes and food coloring from our diet. These man made chemicals are not helping heal our gut and are likely contributing to poor gut health among other things. Besides, beets have some awesome health benefits including:

• Can help lower your blood pressure. Did you know that beets have naturally occuring nitrates that are converted into nitric oxide in the body. This helps relax and dilate the blood vessels in the body, improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure. Pretty cool right?
• Beets are known for their ability to help fight inflammation. One of the nutrients found in beets is called betaine which can help protect cells in the body from stress (from the environment). It helps protect your organs and reduce the inflammation in the body.
• Need a good pre-workout meal – these pancakes!! That’s right beets have been shown to boost your stamina in the gym!! WOOHOO you have got to love natural ways to improve your workout routine.
• You will see beet juice in a lot of the natural detox drinks. This is because beets are known for their ability to help support the detoxification process in the body including helping to purify your blood and your liver.

See beets are pretty awesome right? So if you are looking for a simple recipe to make your sweetie this weekend, try these easy red velvet pancakes. What makes these the easiest red velvet pancakes? The blender! Yup everything goes in the blender, you just pour onto the griddle, flip and serve! So simple!

When I was recipe testing these pancakes, I presented them to Dave and asked him if he thought they were “blog-worthy’. He looked at me like “Is it is special day, our anniversary? My birthday?” because these pancakes look fancy (but you know they aren’t fancy). So if you are trying to impress a guest, a new love, or even your spouse, make these pancakes for no reason at all. They will instantly think you spent all morning slaving over them (success).

These pancakes are also packed with protein, healthy fats and just a hint of chocolate, they wouldn’t be red velvet without it! I didn’t stray far from the original recipe, you still have to make “buttermilk” but I just use coconut milk and vinegar. Perfect solution! Oh and the frosting, you can find the recipe for it in my own personal favorite pancake recipe of all time, Carrot Cake Pancakes. You will want to lick the frosting from the bowl!

If you aren’t sure how to steam your beets, check out this quick video! They only take about 10 minutes, and are so simple! I have had a plethora of beets in the fridge lately, so they were already steamed for this recipe, however, you can make them the morning of or buy them already steamed in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. Be sure to get organic beets though! Oh and if you make extra beets, you have to try this Vanilla Beet Smoothie. It’s perfect as a pre or post workout recovery drink!

What about you?

• Have you ever made red velvet pancakes?
• Do you love beets?
• What is your go to recipe to show love to your significant other?