Pancake To Curry: 5 Dishes With Bananas For Breakfast And Lunch

Fruit is a vital part of a balanced diet. They provide the essential nutrients to our body that are necessary for overall well-being. Apart from being enjoyed directly, fruits can also be incorporated into our meals in the form of juices, smoothies, and salads. Bananas are among the few fruits that are available throughout the year.

Bananas are a widely consumed fruit that is known for its sweet taste and creamy texture. Packed with essential nutrients like potassium, vitamin C, and dietary fibre, they offer a range of health benefits. They support heart health, aid digestion, promote healthy blood pressure, and provide a natural energy boost. Versatile and convenient, bananas can be used to make plenty of dishes.

Bananas can be incorporated in every meal as they are a good source of carbs and the fibre present in them helps in boosting your digestion. They are the top choices for breakfast and post workout diet as; this fruit is low in fat and cholesterol but provides with instant energy that is required for the rest of the day. Including bananas in your lunch can also help you manage sudden fluctuations in your blood sugar levels as they are low in glycemic index.

If you are also looking for some healthy dishes to prepare with this versatile fruit, here are five recipes for you:

Banana Pancake

Video Credits-Priya Vantalu/facebook

Total Time: 15 minutes 

Servings-6 

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup of all-purpose flour 
  • 1 tablespoon of white sugar 
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder 
  • ¼ teaspoon salt 
  • 1 egg, beaten 
  • 1 cup of milk 
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil 
  • 2 ripe bananas, mashed

Method  

  • Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Mix together the egg, milk, vegetable oil, and bananas in a second bowl. 
  • Stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture; the batter will be slightly lumpy. 
  • Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. 
  • Cook until pancakes are golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Serve hot. Banana pancakes are best enjoyed for breakfast.

Banana Smoothie 

Total Time: 5 minutes 

Servings-1 

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup of sliced banana 
  • ¼ cup Greek yoghurt, plain or vanilla 
  • ¼ cup almond milk 
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract 

Method 

  • Place all ingredients in a blender.  
  • Blend until smooth, adding more milk if needed to reach the desired consistency. 
  • Serve immediately. This smoothie can be enjoyed with breakfast as well as for untimely hunger pangs.

Banana Oatmeal 


Total Time: 10 minutes 

Servings-2 

Ingredients 

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats 
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt 
  • 1 cup of any non-dairy milk of choice 
  • 1/4 cup water or additional milk of choice 
  • 1 overripe banana, mashed
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 
  • Crushed walnuts, mini chocolate chips, and shredded coconut for topping 

Method 

  • Combine all ingredients in a small pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, stir only occasionally to prevent sticking or boiling over.
  • Sweeten as desired. Add your favourite toppings. 
  • Serve hot, or refrigerate overnight and serve the next day. Banana oatmeal can be best served as breakfast.

Banana Buckwheat Muffins 

Total Time: 30 minutes 

Servings-6 

Ingredients 

  • 3 large, ripe bananas
  • 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds 
  • 3 tablespoons of water 
  • 1/4 cup olive oil, melted 
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup 
  • 1 cup of buckwheat flour
  • 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon 
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder 
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Method 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a standard muffin tin with 12 paper or silicone liners. Peel the bananas and mash them on a plate with a fork until they look relatively smooth. 
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground flax seed and water and whisk well. Then add in the mashed banana, olive oil, and maple syrup. Mix well. 
  • Add in the buckwheat flour, cinnamon, and baking powder, and stir again.  
  • Use a ¼ cup to scoop that batter into the lined muffin cups, distributing the batter evenly in the pan. Bake at 350°F for 22 to 25 minutes, until the muffins rise and the tops have started to crack. 
  • Remove the muffin tin from the oven, and let the muffins cool for at least 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy it for breakfast or an evening snack.

Banana Curry 

Total Time: 30 minutes 

Servings-4 

Ingredients 

  • 3 raw bananas, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes 
  • 1 onion, chopped 
  • 1 cup scraped coconut
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons red chilli powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
  • 1 tablespoon of tamarind pulp
  • 1 tablespoon of coconut oil

Method 

  • In a grinding jar, take coconut, red chilli powder, salt, turmeric, and tamarind. Add sufficient water and grind to a smooth paste. 
  • Take a nonstick pan. Add bananas, onions, ground paste, garam masala, and salt. Add 1½ cups of water and mix well. Now put the pan on the stove and turn it to medium heat.
  • Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 8–10 minutes, or till the bananas are cooked. 
  • Add the coconut oil mix and further cook for a minute. Transfer to a bowl and serve hot. 
  • Banana curry goes well for lunch as well as dinner with both rice and roti.