Peantbutter pancakes (grain-free)

While I don't follow a grain-free or gluten-free or low carb or Paleo or whatever label diet, I do believe each of those diets has merits and the potential to make a lot of difference in one's health. I did follow a grain-free diet for about a year and I credit it with helping rid me of moderate adult acne and very painful menstrual cramps. These days, I'm much more moderate, but I still love a good protein and fat-packed grain-free recipe.

The inspiration for these pancakes came from a gal I follow on Instagram, @holy_kale. She cites this recipe . < That link has great instructions and pics. Those ladies both use almond butter, which I'm sure is superb. I use peanut butter because frankly, it's less expensive and I ALWAYS have it on hand.

So many great things about these pancakes!
-They are baked in the oven, so I don't spend my Saturday morning babysitting my cast iron skillet.
-They are super soft, an awesome baby food, but my older kids and my husband love them too.
-They use ingredients I almost always have around.
-They are loaded with protein - eggs and peanut butter -which I'm always trying to get more of into my children.

This recipe makes about 12 pancakes for me. The first two times I made it, I doubled it. This morning, I tripled it, and they all got eaten, and that was without me eating any!  My toddlers can easily eat 6 or more of these apiece, for better or worse!

Ingredients
2 eggs
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla
pinch salt

Whisk all ingredients together. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (a must!). I use a soup ladle to drop about 1/4 cup of the batter into "pancakes" on the baking sheet. They'll spread a bit as you ladle them on and as they bake. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 min. I let them cool for about a minute on the baking sheet.

These hold up great as an on-the-go snack too. Plain, or with butter sandwiched between a couple of them.

Rainy Saturday pancakes. I need a camera.

Happy eating!