These blood orange Greek yogurt poppy seed pancakes are full of bright citrus flavor and lots of protein from the yogurt, making them a healthy breakfast treat! Thanks so much to the California Milk Advisory Board for sending me a gift card to offset the cost of ingredients in this recipe. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by the California Milk Advisory Board and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.
blood orange greek yogurt poppy seed pancakes

How committed are you to this “give-up-dairy-eggs-and-butter-for-Lent” thing?

Because I’m not sure we could or should wait 40 days for these pancakes.

IMG_5954

I mean, Josh Hartnett somehow managed it back in 2002, but somehow pancake celibacy seems harder than, uh, that other kind.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, after all.

And weekend-worthy breakfasts? They should probably be protected by some kind of commandment or constitutional right.

Thou shalt not mess with pancake consumption. Or something.

IMG_5942

Did they have pancakes back in Moses’s day? If not, sad.

Just so sad.

IMG_6044

The best thing about these pancakes is that they don’t have to be reserved solely for weekend consumption because they’re good for you!

They don’t contain a single ounce of butter or oil, and instead get their fluff and richness from a serious dollop of high protein Greek yogurt. Combine that with a bright and happy blood orange zest infusion and a light drizzle of real maple syrup?

And you have yourself a breakfast of champions.

Just try not to power through your day after downing a batch of these. It will be near impossible.

IMG_6009

Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month?!

I think we can all agree that nutrition, health, and wellness are passions of mine.

Part of that is in making good healthy choices while still being able to incorporate many of the foods that you already love, which is why this year’s theme emphasizes “enjoying the taste of eating right”.

Many people equate dairy consumption with unhealthy eating, but it can be part of a balanced diet if you make the right kind of choices! I, for one, eat lowfat Greek yogurt every morning with a good dollop of peanut butter on it, as well as use it in countless other places as a substitute for sour cream, mayo and even heavy cream on occasion! It is a great healthy ingredient that is high in protein and calcium.

In order to raise awareness about how important dairy can be in a healthy diet, The California Milk Advisory Board and their nutrition partner, The Dairy Council of California have challenged Recipe Redux members to create a lightened up recipe using California Dairy, which is where these pancakes come in! I used Wallaby Greek yogurt in these, and it provided the perfect fluff factor to these pancakes, without the need for any extra milk, butter, or oil.

IMG_5938

One year ago…Bailey’s Mint Chocolate Whoopie Pies

Two years ago…Chocolate Brownie Cookies with White Chocolate and Roasted Macadamia Nuts

Three years ago…Roasted Leg of Lamb with Tzatziki and Pomegranate Tabbouleh

Four years ago…Baked Lemon Pasta, Spicy Turkey Burgers on Avocado-Guacamole Buns

Five years ago…Cajun Chickpea Cakes with Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Oatmeal-Raisin Pancakes, Fettuccine with Sun-Dried Tomato Turkey Meatballs

Blood Orange Greek Yogurt Poppyseed Pancakes
 
These blood orange Greek yogurt poppyseed pancakes are full of bright citrus flavor and lots of protein from the yogurt, making them a healthy breakfast treat!
Yield: 8-10 pancakes
Ingredients
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1¼ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 tsp blood orange zest
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 1 cup lowfat California Greek yogurt (I used Wallaby Greek yogurt)
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tbsp poppy seeds
Instructions
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a second small bowl, combine the blood orange zest and sugar, rubbing them together with your fingers to release the essential oils from the orange zest. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk in the orange sugar mixture until combined. Fold in the flour mixture until just combined.
  4. Stir in the poppy seeds.
  5. Heat a griddle or nonstick skillet. Pour the batter onto the griddle (or into the pan), a quarter cup at a time, making sure not to crowd the griddle/pan. Cook on one side until small bubbles start to form and pop, about 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook for another minute more. Remove to a plate and repeat with remaining batter. Serve with maple syrup.
Notes
Adapted from Baker By Nature
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 3-4 pancakes

IMG_6052

blog_share_subscribe
Share →

71 Responses to Blood Orange Greek Yogurt Poppy Seed Pancakes

  1. Wishing I could ignore Monday and just go to town on these instead. I’m loving the healthy, protein-filled take on citrus-poppy seed! Especially the protein part, because it wouldn’t lull me into a carby coma. I haven’t had poppy seed anything in a long time….that needs to change asap.

  2. What a unique and healthy pancake! I could never give up pancakes for Lent, especially ones like these. 🙂

  3. You must have read my mind because I have been seriously craving pancakes lately! And no, I could never, ever give up eggs and dairy for 40 days. I’d pretty much have nothing to eat.

  4. Susan says:

    These are lovely. Blood orange, greek yogurt and pancakes for the win! Everyone has been posting pancake recipes lately and now I have a feeling they might become dinner one night this week!

  5. Love how you lightened up these pancakes with Greek yogurt! And blood orange is always so fun!

  6. Julia says:

    Ohhhhh gawwwwl! How you speak my language! I absolutely love any citrus/poppy seed combo and you’re making my mouth water for breakfast here with your zest blood orange stack of pancake lovin!! Hope you had a wonderful weekend, my dear!

  7. bellini says:

    Woah, I just love the flavours here Joanne.

  8. HA! These look like lovely pancakes… I agree no one should ever give up such wonderful things. Not even for lent. Find something else. Like wine. No, not that.

  9. Jessie says:

    Yay for National Nutrition Month! Weekend-worthy breakfasts are certainly essential to keep in the queue, and this one makes the number one spot on the list! I’m all over these high protein, good-for-you pancakes, with poppy seeds no less! You’ve done it again, Joanne 🙂

  10. Oh man!! These pancakes look so freaking good!

  11. Kinsey says:

    I love adding Greek Yogurt to pancakes and baked goods–it does such a good job of keeping everything tender and fluffy! I will have to try these pancakes soon, because I have a tub of yogurt and a bowl of blood oranges that need something to do!

  12. I never thought I’d say this, but these pancakes sound so refreshing. And I want a huge bite!

  13. Lynn says:

    I always think about giving up something for Lent, but never do. 🙂 No way could I give up something as good as recipe sounds!

  14. I’m not usually a huge orange fan, with the only exception being cakes but these pancakes look delicious! I’d eat them any time of day.

  15. I covet pancake recipes and have never seen a blood orange/poppyseed combo before – YUM!!!

  16. Send a giant stack my way…..please! I’ve been on a huge pancake kick lately, and I’m definitely not one to turn down anything with blood oranges!

  17. danielle says:

    I love the idea of replacing the fat with Greek yogurt, they look awesome!

  18. Teffy says:

    I love blood oranges!! They’re such a beautiful fruit, and the fact that they come out when it’s cold outside makes them so special. On pancakes? That’s heaven!

    {Teffy’s Perks} X

  19. Glad I’m not Catholic, because pancakes. Nothing could convince me to give up these babies! My sister and I were just talking about how deliciously decadent ricotta pancakes sound, but Greek yogurt pancakes sound even more amazing.

  20. Love the orange and poppyseed combination! These look perfectly thick and fluffy!

  21. What a gorgeous combination! These pancakes look super!

  22. Good thing I’m Jewish because giving up pancakes for 40 times would probably lead to an untimely death for me…

  23. Monica says:

    Now you have me really wanting to try yogurt in pancakes – they look so good! I was just cooking with yogurt in place of butter/cream this weekend and it worked wonders. I’m really glad we’re getting more educated and finding ways to eat deliciously but maybe a bit more nutritiously most of the time. Keep your healthy ideas coming!

  24. Abby says:

    I couldn’t get by without my daily dose of cheese! Beautiful pancakes, this would definitely start my day off right.

  25. sandra says:

    what a great combination for pancakes! They sound so lovely – bright and decadent at the same time.

  26. Pam says:

    Pancakes I can eat without feeling a ton of guilt?? SOLD. They look fantastic.

  27. I think the Lord would forgive us if we had these pancakes just for one day, especially these yummies. He’s gotta like pancakes, too. 😉

  28. Love the idea of using Greek yogurt in pancakes!

  29. cheri says:

    Love this combination of flavors, your pancakes really look fluffy to, like the addition of the Greek yogurt.

  30. “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” OH YEAH!!! And pancakes are one of my breakfast favs – so great to know I could eat these any day of the week or ALL the days of the week seeing they are so healthy! Great flavor combo with the blood oranges and poppyseeds.

  31. We have been on a major pancake kick lately and these flavors are so fresh and yummy sounding!

  32. Eileen says:

    Haha, yes! Yogurt pancake fist bump! 🙂 That sugar-zest combination looks just fantastic too.

  33. Kate says:

    And here I just bought a bag of blood oranges yesterday!

  34. You have somehow managed to make pancakes that seem incredibly refreshing and light. Love this recipe!

  35. I love how greek yogurt fluffs up pancakes. And I love that you added blood orange juice. Yum!

  36. What a creative way to use blood oranges – great recipe! Also, I may or may not have tried to make pancakes this weekend for my boy and totally misread “baking soda” and “baking powder.” Who knew there was such a difference!

  37. YUM! Look at these fluffy babies, take me to the pancakes!

  38. P says:

    Pancakes are a necessity! I have a weakspot for chocolate chip pancakes, but these look so divine!

  39. What a fansatic healthy recipe Joanne! Well done! I LOVE it and they are soooo pretty! Love the photos too!

  40. Johanna GGG says:

    these look amazing – I want a bit stack right now – they would be perfect breakfast fare for me – I am curious about your yoghurt with peanut butter habit – just by itself? I could imagine some yoghurt and peanut butter on these pancakes would do me nicely

  41. Shannon says:

    those look delicious! but i’m not sure i can get behind the giving up butter and eggs thing 🙂

  42. ramblingtart says:

    What a delightful collection of flavors and textures. 🙂 I agree, pancakes should never, ever be given up. 🙂

  43. Life without pancakes. NEVER!
    These pancakes look insanely yummy.

  44. I don’t believe in giving up anything that makes me overwhelming happy. Like said pancakes.

  45. elly says:

    These sound so good!

  46. These make me feel so happy! They would be so perfect with a side of blood oranges for weekend (or weekday) breakfast!

  47. These pancakes sound bloody fantastic (see what I did there) 😉

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  48. Everything in moderation is the key to a healthy life. I love poppy seeds in pancakes 🙂

  49. Oh my. I want some of these pancakes ASAP. I bought poppyseeds a while back, but have never used them. Time to bring them out for some pancakes 😉

  50. Katerina says:

    They look heavenly and Greek yogurt is the perfect ingredient!

  51. These are so fluffy! I bet they’d be perfect as pikelets, as mini pancakes are called here 🙂

  52. Between these pancakes and Blahnik Baker’s blood orange macarons I really need to find some!

  53. Gorgeous, gorgeous pancakes! Blood oranges are the best!

  54. I can’t believe how healthy these are! Yum!

  55. I could not give up these fluffy pancakes after so much as one bite. Gorgeous and delicious!

  56. Chris says:

    Alexis is a big big BIG fan of blood oranges and looks forward to their arrival early each Spring. They are here for such a short time but dang are those great! The pancakes seem like a good idea for using them, we’ll have to give them a shot in the last week or two of the season, since they are almost gone.

  57. gloria says:

    and these… look fantastic how I don’t see yesterday??
    I love poppy seeds!!!!

  58. Wow , what a great recipe, can’t wait to try these pancakes this weekend. I love the ingredients and no butter and no oil – even better!

  59. Veronica says:

    Squee! I actually have blood oranges on hand, and poppy seeds! Just gotta get me some Greek yogurt. Sounds so yum.

  60. Yum, I love the orange and poppyseed combination.

  61. I am with Colleen at What’s Baking in the Barbershop—-I would never give up pancakes for
    Lent. I find myself randomly adding Greek yogurt to cake recipes that don’t call for it. It seems to
    make the cake more moist. Plus doing that gives me a spurt of creative freedom—devil may care—
    what the hey—-a little attitude. Middle age women have to be reminded of that segment of themselves. It gets buried. Making these pancakes will put in that same frame of mind. Yep, I am going to enjoy those ‘cakes’ on many levels.

  62. Sarah Grace says:

    Wow what a great combination. I love poppyseed anything so I am sure I would absolutely love these. Great job!

    xoxo Sarah Grace

  63. Corina says:

    These look lovely – I love the poppy seeds in them.

  64. My husband and I LOVE breakfast foods! These pancakes are so pretty. 🙂

  65. Serena says:

    That photo of the whisk in flour and cut oranges is stunning! And of the course…another one of your recipes goes onto my to-make list! Pinning now!

  66. Where have I been that I missed this post? It sounds delicious!

  67. These look awesome! I love adding chia seeds in my pancakes (read: having Dino add them when he makes pancakes) but next time, I’m gonna have to have him use poppy seeds. Yum!

  68. Nutmeg Nanny says:

    Oh my god, this recipe is perfection!! I am dying to get a taste of these babies 🙂

  69. […] – after all a candlelit dinner is so clichéd and overrated right? Or try this version of pancakes with Greek yoghurt and poppyseed (optional) – fluffy, rich and high protein with the use of yoghurt but no oil or […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *