Oatmeal Pancakes with Kefir are hearty and delicious. This is a super easy-to-make pancake recipe from scratch.
Fibre and protein-rich pancakes are made with kefir instead of buttermilk. Wholesome and satisfying.

Fluffy protein pancakes with wholesome oats and probiotic-rich kefir. A healthy start to your day.
Great for breakfast, brunch, and dinner too. Make a huge batch and have them ready for the week. Easily warmed up for quick eating on busy weekday mornings. This is the best oatmeal pancake recipe in our house!!
Oatmeal is a healthy ingredient, and great in so many recipes. Perfect in apple muffins and baked oatmeal casserole. Make them on the weekend, and have leftovers for weekdays too. Apple cinnamon oatmeal is sure to be a hit.
Have you ever tried oatmeal breakfast donuts? You are in for a treat. Who says you cannot have donuts for breakfast? You can when they are healthy baked donuts.
Of course, this homemade muesli recipe is so much better than the boxed stuff at the store. Make it just the way you like. While you are at it, you might want to try this oatmeal and chocolate recipe too.
Overnight blueberry and banana oatmeal is an easy and healthy way to start your day. Breakfast is waiting for you, just dig in.
Healthy Oatmeal Kefir Pancake Ingredients
- old fashioned oats (not instant)
- kefir (flavoured or unflavoured)
- flour (all-purpose)
- honey
- chia seeds
- eggs
- oil (I used avocado oil)
- salt
- baking powder
- fruit for topping (optional)
You are getting protein from the oats, chia seed and kefir. There are no bananas in these fluffy oatmeal pancakes.
Have you ever tried kefir? It is similar to a yogurt drink. It comes in plain and flavoured forms. It is readily available at the grocery store in the dairy section, usually beside the yogurt.
This fermented milk product is highly popular around the globe and a great alternative to yogurt. It boasts many health benefits too. Feeling adventurous? Try making kefir at home.
Make Kefir Oatmeal Pancakes From Scratch
Pancake mixes are convenient, but really, making pancakes from scratch is super easy. Plus, these are super healthy too because of all the wonderful ingredients. Full instructions are in the recipe card below.
It’s just as simple as:
- Combining the dry ingredients in a bowl
- Combining the wet ingredients in a measuring cup
- Mix the two together
- Cook on a heated skillet
- Remove, garnish, and eat
Basically, all the same steps as using the store-bought mix, with just a little more measuring to get all the dry ingredients for the recipe.
Suggestions / Recipe Tips
- I use old-fashioned oats in this recipe. They are more nutritious and add a nice texture too. Regular oats will work, but not instant oats.
- These pancakes freeze well. I like to individually wrap them in plastic wrap. You can reheat them in the toaster, or microwave, or wrap in some foil and place them in the oven.
- I use avocado oil since it has a nice light taste. You can use any cooking oil you like.
Can You Substitute Kefir For Buttermilk In Recipes?
Kefir is actually fermented milk, very similar to buttermilk. Probiotic-rich drink with lots of gut-healthy bacteria. You can substitute it 1:1 in recipes. If you like, you can also use flavoured kefir in this recipe.
Looking for more recipes using kefir? This vanilla smoothie recipe is the perfect start to your day. Made with figs, cherries, kefir and oatmeal too.
Looking for a healthy treat? Give these kefir popsicles a try. The kids will love them, especially since they contain chocolate chips too.
Breakfast for dinner!! Do you do this at your house too? We often have breakfast items for dinner like these Waffle Sandwiches. Sometimes it’s fun to mix up the dinner scene and add some variety to the week.
Oatmeal Protein Pancakes with Kefir
Ingredients
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 2 cups kefir (flavoured or plain)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup avocado oil
- Toppings of your choice
Instructions
- In a bowl combine the oatmeal and kefir, and set aside.
- In a bowl or measuring cup, beat the eggs, oil and honey.
- In a large bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt.
- Add the egg mixture to the flour and mix well. Add the oatmeal/kefir mixture and combine well.
- Add the chia seeds and mix.
- Heat a nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, add about 2 tsp. of butter.
- Pour about โ cup batter (per pancake) into the pan. Cook (3-5 minutes) until the top of the pancake is bubbly.
- Flip and cook the other side.
- Remove cooked pancakes from pan. Place on a heatproof serving tray, and place in a warm oven to until you have finished cooking all the pancakes.
- Serve with your choice of toppings and sides.
Sharon
Not only are these pancakes delicious, but they are also full of good for you ingredients too.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
We love these for any meal of the day. They sure hit the spot.
HELLEN NYAMBURA
Great have always made oat pancakes but never used chia seeds added could not stop eating them for sure my daily breakfast and snack too
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Yes they are awesome for snacks. I cover them in peanut butter and roll.
Renu
Very healthy, yummy and delicious breakfast. Much needed after all that eating in this holidays.
Homemade & Yummy
I hear you….healthy eating for sure for the next several months and beyond. ENJOY!
Trish
Weekends are MEANT for pancakes! We often have rushed breakfasts too, and even our weekend breakfasts aren’t as great as they could be. I love love love oatmeal pancakes and these ones sound amazing with the kefir and chia seeds!
Homemade & Yummy
I know, you get the best of both worlds with this recipe. Hope you give it a try soon.
Dana
I haven’t made pancakes in ages and I’ve been *craving* them! I was actually going t make a batch on Christmas morning, but my husband beat me to the kitchen and made us scrambled eggs and bacon (I wasn’t going to stop him, lol). I have all of these ingredients in my pantry though, so it’s obviously a sign. These are happening. They look so fluffy! <3
Homemade & Yummy
Even though they are hearty, they still are fluffy. They for sure will keep you satisfied till lunch.
Carmy
I love how nutritious you made these pancakes! Usually pancakes aren’t healthy but I eat it anyways because theyre delicious so this is a nice change. I’ll need to get some kefir!
Homemade & Yummy
These are healthy, nutritious and totally delicious. I hope you give them a try.
Marisa Stewart
I just wanted to let you know that I made these pancakes for breakfast yesterday morning and they were everything you said they were — delicious. Normally pancakes aren’t that appealing for the first meal of the day, but let me tell you that I was super glad I made them. They were satisfying but they didn’t leave me with a stuffed feeling. Great recipe I’ll be making again.
Homemade & Yummy
So glad you liked the recipe. Nutritious and delicious is the perfect way to start the day, whether that is breakfast or brunch. I love these as a snack too.
Tina
Love, love pancakes! This recipe is such a healthy alternative to what I normally make. I like the addition of the avocado oil, and the fact these can be made a head for a brunch or for breakfast meal prep. Thanks for the recipe!
Homemade & Yummy
Hearty, delicious and nutritious all in one pancake. ENJOY!
Traci
Oh yeah, love pancakes for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! I love how nutritious you’ve made these with the additional chia and kefir. I’m a huge fan of pancakes, but only when they have “extras” like these. Great recipe…thanks for sharing!
Homemade & Yummy
You are welcome, enjoy these super healthy pancakes soon.
Mackenzie
I love adding chia seeds to different brunch foods, like oatmeal, but I’ve never thought to add them to pancakes before. This is so brilliant. Chia seeds are so good for helping me to feel full that I often look for recipes that have them. Our pancakes have now forever been revolutionized by this addition!
Homemade & Yummy
Well thanks, enjoy these healthy and delicious pancakes.
Tracy
These were so delicious, thank you! My toddler LOVES pancakes and I just loved how healthy these were!! She actually told me they were her favorite so we’ll be making these all of the time now – thank you!
Homemade & Yummy
WOW….I love little food critics…that makes me so happy!! Thanks for letting me know.
Debra
I’m all about a hearty breakfast…any day of the week. I’d definitely take your tip, make a big batch and freeze some. How decadent to wake on a weekday and pop one of these into the toaster! Meal prep at it’s finest.
Homemade & Yummy
YES I totally agree. I need to make another batch soon. ENJOY!
April
I really prefer recipes that can be warmed up if needed without losing much of their original taste. These pancakes look exactly like that and I assume that they taste great both cooked and warmed up. Saving this for later!
Homemade & Yummy
YES they are tasty either way, and great to have for a quick breakfast any day of the week.
DANIELA
Brunch is my favorite meal, and I always get pancakes, so this recipe is right up my alley! I love that you’ve made the pancakes healthy and light with the addition of the kefir and chia seeds, which are full of nutrients and vitamins. I’m definitely making these for Christmas brunch this year!
Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY I’m sure your family will love them, we sure do.
Marisa Franca
I’ve always been partial to eggs. Omelets, stratas, breakfast casseroles, etc. Savory for me is the best. But I have to admit these pancakes sound really good, especially with the kefir and the chia. I’m already making plans for the new year that we will make our breakfasts more exciting. I’m saving this recipe.
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give this a try. A great recipe to get the New Year started in a healthy direction.