If you’ve ever had a pancake that made you want to skip straight to the dessert section, then you’re about to meet its magical cousin: the fluffy ube pancake. Now, you might be wondering: what in the world is ube? Well, brace yourselves, because it’s not just any old purple vegetable; it’s a Filipino superfood that’ll make your pancakes not only taste heavenly but look like something straight out of an Instagram dream.
Picture this: fluffy pancakes, with a subtle sweet flavour and a vibrant purple hue. It’s basically a breakfast that’s as photogenic as it is delicious. If you’ve grown up in the Philippines or even in the Filipino diaspora (hello, fellow Filipinos in Canada and Australia!), you’ve probably seen or eaten ube in various forms—ube ice cream, ube cake, ube everything. But pancakes? Now we’re talking next-level breakfast goals.
What Makes These Pancakes So Fluffy?
Let’s talk fluffiness. Because let’s be honest, pancakes are only as good as they are fluffy. Nobody wants a pancake that’s dense enough to double as a doorstop. No, no, we’re after clouds here, my friend. The trick? A well-balanced mixture of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and the magical ingredient: ube.
Baking powder is your secret weapon. It helps your fluffy ube pancakes rise like a champion, ensuring they don’t stay flat as an ironing board. The ube (whether you use ube halaya or rehydrated powder) not only brings in a touch of creamy sweetness but also gives the pancakes their signature purple colour. And let’s be real—who wouldn’t want to start their day with food that’s basically the colour of royalty? It’s like eating a fancy dessert at breakfast, but without the guilt.
The Ube: Purple, Sweet, and Very Much on Trend
Ah, ube. The purple yam that’s taken the world by storm. If you’re Filipino, you probably grew up with ube halaya (a sweet purple yam jam) smeared on toast, tucked inside pastries, or swirled into ice cream. But in pancake form? It’s a revelation. Ube adds a creamy texture, and a subtle vanilla-like sweetness that’ll make you wonder why you ever settled for plain pancakes.
And here’s a fun little tidbit: Did you know that ube has been having a moment lately? In Canada, where maple syrup is basically the national treasure, ube is now giving maple a run for its money. (And in Australia, it’s just another excuse to get extra creative with your breakfast.) So, while your friends are still arguing over whether they like their pancakes thick or thin, you’ll be sitting pretty with your fluffy ube pancakes—purple perfection in every bite.
The Cooking Method: Timing Is Everything
Cooking these fluffy wonders is about more than just mixing ingredients. It’s all about timing and heat. Too hot and your pancakes will burn faster than you can say “flip.” Too cold and they’ll stay gooey on the inside. But get it just right, and you’ll be rewarded with pancakes that are golden brown on the outside and impossibly fluffy on the inside.
When you pour the batter onto the pan, keep your eyes peeled for those little bubbles that start to form on the surface. That’s the cue to flip! When you do, you’ll reveal a golden, fluffy pancake with a surprise purple centre that’ll have you feeling like a breakfast wizard.
Why These Pancakes Are More Than Just Breakfast
Let’s face it: breakfast can be boring. We all know the drill—cereal, toast, repeat. But these fluffy ube pancakes? They’re a showstopper. Whether you’re brunching with friends, treating yourself after a long week, or impressing your in-laws (because let’s be real, showing off your cooking skills can never hurt), these pancakes will make you feel like a culinary genius.
And if you’re feeling extra creative (or just looking to use up what’s left in your fridge), you can top these beauties with anything from coconut syrup and whipped cream to fresh fruit, or even a scoop of ube ice cream if you’re feeling fancy. Seriously, the possibilities are endless.
Why You Need to Try Fluffy Ube Pancakes Today
If you’re in Canada and can’t handle another snowy morning without a comforting breakfast, these pancakes are here for you. In Australia, where breakfast is more than just a meal, these fluffy ube pancakes are your new go-to brunch dish. Either way, this recipe will change the way you think about pancakes forever. No more boring breakfasts, no more settling for plain old eggs and toast.
Get ready to fall in love with the sweet, creamy, purple magic of ube. Fluffy, beautiful, and utterly delicious, these pancakes are the breakfast of your dreams.
Go ahead—give it a try and prepare to impress everyone with your new secret weapon: fluffy ube pancakes. And when you do, remember to send a thank-you note to the Filipinos who brought ube into the world, one purple bite at a time.
Fluffy Ube Pancakes Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup ube halaya ube jam
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp melted butter plus more for cooking
- Optional: coconut syrup maple syrup, fresh fruit, or whipped cream for topping
Instructions
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt until well combined.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients:
- Mash the ube halaya a little bit to separate the jam.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, milk, ube halaya, vanilla extract, and melted butter until smooth and well incorporated.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture.
- Gently stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix — the batter should be slightly lumpy.
- Cook the Pancakes:
- Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease it with butter.
- Pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the skillet for each pancake.
- Cook until bubbles form on the surface (about 2-3 minutes), then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve and Enjoy!
- Stack your fluffy ube pancakes high and serve with your favorite toppings like coconut syrup, maple syrup, whipped cream, or fresh fruit.
- Enjoy your beautifully purple, deliciously soft fluffy ube pancakes for breakfast or brunch!
Notes
- For those with wheat allergies and/or gluten intolerances, you may substitute the all-purpose flour with your favourite gluten-free all-purpose flour mixes. A couple of brands that I’ve found success with this recipe is Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour and Robin Hood Gluten Free All Purpose Flour Blend.
- Coconut milk and ube make a fantastic pairing. When combined, the coconut milk enhances and complements the unique flavours of ube in several ways such as, adding a rich and creamy texture, balances the natural sweetness of ube, and imparts a fragrant aroma that elevates the dish, making it more inviting and flavourful. However, if you don’t have coconut milk on hand, this recipe will also work with regular milk. You just won’t have the added flavour and texture from coconut milk.
- You may substitute ube powder for the ube halaya. Just remember to rehydrate the powder before adding it to with wet ingredients mixture. Mix together 2 tablespoons of ube powder with 4 tablespoons of water.