It is pretty normal to get tired of having the same breakfast every morning, you can add some colour to it without the artificial dyes. “Blue Spirulina Pancakes” are not just visually stunning, giving a vibrant, “ocean-inspired” hue, but they are also packed with a nutritional punch that traditional pancakes simply cannot match.
What Is Blue Spirulina
Blue spirulina is an extract derived from green-blue algae, specifically the pigment “phytocyanin.” Contrary to its cousin, “green spirulina,” the blue version has a completely neutral taste. This literally means that having it can give you all the antioxidant benefits and the magical color without that “earthy” or “swampy” flavor profile. It's the perfect way to add a healthy and a colour twist to your morning breakfast.
Why You Should Add Blue Spirulina To Your Batter
The most obvious reason to add this colour and nutritional component to your batter is “aesthetic.” Blue spirulina is known for its power of having anti-inflammatory properties and it is also rich in B-vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
By including this superfood into your batter, you are turning a high-carb comfort food into a nutrient-dense meal. Because it is highly concentrated, you only need a small amount, usually a teaspoon or two, to achieve a deep, royal blue color. It's a natural, plant based alternative to synthetic food colouring that keeps your gut health healthy.
Ingredients You Require
To get that perfect fluffy texture and have a vibrant blue finish, you will need the following ingredients. To ensure best results, you can also use a light-coloured flour to ensure that the blue pigment really pops.
• ½ cups of light coloured flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder and a pinch of salt,
• 1 to 2 teaspoons of high quality “Blue spirulina powder,"
• 1 ½ cups of almond or coconut milk, 1 large egg and 3 tablespoons of melted butter or coconut oil.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to bring out the sweetness.
Step By Step Instructions
You can take a large bowl and start to whisk your dry ingredients like flour, sugar, baking powder, etc. Then, add the blue spirulina powder at this stage to ensure there are no clumps, as the pigment is very fine and needs to be evenly distributed to avoid the appearance of “blue spots” in your pancakes.
Again, take a separate bowl and whisk together the milk, sugar, melted butter and vanilla. Slowly pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Now, stir everything gently until just combined; remember to not over mix because it can result in tough pancakes. Let the batter sit for a minimum of five minutes; this is helpful in activating the baking powder and the blue pigment to fully hydrate, resulting in a more uniform shade.
Lastly, take a non-stick skillset over medium-low heat and then use a light coating of oil or butter. Then, pour about ¼ cup of batter for each pancake. Continue cooking until you see bubbles forming on the surface and the edges look set, then flip to the other side. Since you want to preserve that bright blue colour, you can avoid over-browning and then cook the second side for just a minute or until you see a “golden blue colour” on the pancake.
Tips For A Perfect Presentation
To make your blue pancakes truly stand out from the crowd; you can try mixing bright fruits such as blueberries, strawberries or sliced bananas providing a beautiful color balance. You can even drizzle maple syrup or a dollop of green yoghurt to add a creamy layer that complements the fluffy cakes!
