welcome to creating calm chaos. please make yourself at home
Banana Oat Pikelets
Soft, naturally sweet little pancakes ready in 15 minutes
EASY MEALS FOR ELDERLY PARENTS
6/6/20263 min read
Pikelets are one of Australia's most beloved snacks - and this banana oat version is one of the most nourishing and delicious things you can make in 15 minutes. Give it a try from wherever you may be in this world.
They're small, soft and perfectly sized for a snack or light breakfast. The ripe banana adds natural sweetness and moisture, the oats add nourishing fibre and the whole thing cooks in minutes on a frypan. Served warm with a little butter and honey or a spoonful of yoghurt they feel genuinely special despite being incredibly simple.
Mum absolutely loves these. She calls them her little treats and I make a big batch for her freezer every fortnight.
Why This Recipe Works
Perfectly soft texture - small, thick and tender with no tough edges
Naturally sweet - ripe banana means very little added sugar needed
High in fibre - oats support healthy digestion
Perfect portion size - small pikelets are ideal for elderly parents with smaller appetites
Freeze beautifully - stack with paper between each and freeze for up to 2 months
Quick to prepare - ready in 15 minutes from start to finish
Finger food - easy to pick up and eat independently
Recipe Details
Makes: 18–20 small pikelets Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Freeze: Up to 2 months
Ingredients
2 very ripe bananas, mashed
2 large eggs
¼ cup full cream milk
¾ cup rolled oats
¼ cup plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
½ tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Butter or coconut oil for cooking
To serve:
Butter and honey
Thick yoghurt and stewed fruit
A drizzle of maple syrup
Method
Step 1 - Make the batter Mash bananas thoroughly in a large bowl. Add eggs, milk and honey and mix well. Add oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Stir until just combined. The batter will be thicker than regular pancake batter - this is correct. Allow to rest for 3 minutes.
Step 2 - Heat the pan Heat a non-stick frypan or flat griddle over medium-low heat. Add a small knob of butter and swirl to coat. The pan should be warm but not too hot - pikelets cook best on a gentle heat.
Step 3 - Cook the pikelets Drop heaped tablespoons of batter into the pan leaving space between each. Cook for 2–3 minutes until bubbles appear on the surface and the edges look set. Flip carefully and cook for a further 1–2 minutes until golden and cooked through. They should be a gentle golden colour - not dark brown.
Step 4 - Keep warm Place cooked pikelets on a plate covered with a clean tea towel to keep warm while you cook the remaining batches.
Step 5 - Serve Serve warm with your choice of toppings.
Freezing Instructions
Cool pikelets completely on a wire rack
Stack in groups of 4–6 with a small square of baking paper between each to prevent sticking
Place in zip lock freezer bags
Label with name and date
Freeze up to 2 months
To reheat: Microwave on medium power for 20–30 seconds until just warmed through. Or pop briefly in the toaster for a slightly crispy exterior. Or thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Kim's Tips
💕 Low and slow is the key - pikelets need a gentle heat to cook through without burning. If your first few are too dark reduce the heat.
💕 Wait for the bubbles - only flip when you see bubbles forming across the surface and the edges look set. Flipping too early gives raw middles.
💕 Ripe bananas make all the difference - the riper the banana the sweeter and more flavourful your pikelets will be. Brown spotty bananas are absolutely perfect.
💕 Make them tiny for easier eating - for elderly parents with reduced dexterity make the pikelets even smaller — one teaspoon of batter each. Bite-sized pikelets are much easier to manage.
💕 These are also brilliant for grandkids - exactly the same recipe, equally loved by little ones. Make a big batch and share across the whole family. 😊
💕 Add blueberries - drop 3–4 frozen blueberries onto each pikelet just after you pour the batter into the pan. They cook beautifully and add wonderful flavour.
What You'll Need
A good non-stick frypan is essential for perfect pikelets. I've linked my favourite on my Amazon storefront.
👉 Shop my kitchen recommendations on Amazon
More Recipes
👈 Back to the full recipe collection
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own.
These are such a joy to make and eat - I'd love to hear what toppings you used! Leave a comment below or come and find me on Instagram. You're not doing this alone. 💕