Serves: 3
Serving size: 2 pancakes
Calories per serving: 123 (244 with optional ingredients)
Pancakes made from cauliflower? Just wait until you taste them! Forget about the maple syrup. These savory pancakes will inspire a new appreciation for one of the healthiest foods on earth. The rich supply of health-promoting phytochemicals and anti-inflammatory compounds found in cauliflower helps in the prevention of cancer and heart disease and promotes weight loss.
Riced cauliflower is exceptionally versatile and works as a substitute for simple carbs like rice and flour. You can reduce a head of cauliflower to the size of rice kernels in a food processor or purchase a 12-ounce bag of riced cauliflower from your local grocery store to save time on making it from scratch. It doesn’t take much time, so give it a try at least once.
Olive oil cooking spray
1 (12-ounce) bag cauliflower rice, or 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
1½ teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoons chopped scallions
1½ tablespoons almond flour or almond meal
1 egg, beaten
¼ cup shredded low-fat cheddar cheese
3 strips cooked turkey bacon, broken or chopped
⅓ cup honey (optional)
1 tablespoon Sriracha (optional)
Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray the parchment paper with cooking spray.
(If you are using the pre-bagged riced cauliflower, you can skip this step.) Put the cauliflower florets in a food processor and pulse until they break down to the texture of rice. Put the prepared cauliflower in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes, until cooked through. Cauliflower is very moist and microwaving cauliflower rice draws out the moisture. Let cool for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a large bowl.
Add the olive oil, garlic, chives, scallions, almond flour, egg, cheddar, and bacon and combine the ingredients with a fork. Form the mixture into 4 to 6 patties and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
For heightened flavor, in a small bowl, whisk together the honey and Sriracha and drizzle over the pancakes.