Magically Nutritious Pancakes (Gluten-Free Edition)

Mmmm...stock photo pancakes

Here's the skinny: my kids are as thin as rails. Chocolate chip pancakes are one of the things they will eat with almost 100% certainty...so I make a lot of pancakes (probably three times a week). Tonight, since Prickly Dad had to work late, I decided the boys and I would have bacon and pancakes for dinner (Prickly Dad is not a dinner-for-breakfast kinda guy).

Since I was going to be eating this batch, I made them gluten-free (if the pancakes are strictly for the boys, I'll just use my regular recipe). Regardless of the gluten status, I try to pack as much nutrition into my pancakes as I can. And I do feel good when I see my kids gobble them up.

Prickly Mom's GF Pancakes

1 cup gluten-free flour blend (I usually use Bob's Red Mill)
1 tsp guar gum or xanthan gum
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp flaxseed meal
1 tbsp sugar (I use Sugar in the Raw)
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup applesauce
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp lemon juice (this will react with the baking soda to help form bubbles)
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (if desired)

Mix dry ingredients, add wet ingredients. Mix well (unlike regular pancake batter, you want to mix gluten-free batter well). Proceed to cook as you would any pancake batter. These can be eaten like cookies if desired...no plate or syrup required.

Hope your kids like them!