Fluffy Keto Ricotta Pancakes

Name: Fluffy Keto Ricotta Pancakes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 large eggs; 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese; 1/4 cup whole milk; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from a large lemon); 1 teaspoon stevia glycerite (equals 1/3 cup of sugar); 6 tablespoons coconut flour (42 grams); 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided, for the griddle)

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These fluffy keto ricotta pancakes are made with coconut flour and are pleasantly flavored with vanilla and lemon zest. Ready in about 30 minutes, they make the perfect low-carb weekend breakfast!

Keto ricotta pancakes are stacked on a white plate and topped with butter.

These pancakes are amazing. They are flavorful and fluffy. The ricotta cheese adds wonderful creaminess and greatly enhances their texture. Coconut flour is not always easy to work with because it's extremely absorbent. However, once you get the ratios right, it produces amazing baked goods.

Ingredients

The full list of ingredients and exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here are my comments on some of the ingredients.

Ricotta cheese: Definitely use whole-milk ricotta in this recipe. Low-fat ricotta is not very good, in my opinion, in terms of texture and flavor.
Whole milk: You can use heavy cream if you'd like.
Lemon zest: A must in this recipe. I'm all for adapting recipes to your own needs (while accepting that results may or may not be disastrous). But the lemon zest really is an integral part of this recipe.
Sweetener: I like to use stevia.
Coconut flour: Try to measure it by weight and not by volume. It's extremely absorbent, so each gram makes a difference.

Variations

Replace the stevia with a granulated sweetener.
Substitute 2 teaspoons of baking powder (gluten-free if needed) for the baking soda.
Cook the pancakes in ghee instead of butter.

Instructions

Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making this recipe:

Whisk the ingredients (except for the butter) in a bowl.

Cook the pancakes in butter on a nonstick griddle for about 3 minutes per side over medium heat.

Serve immediately, topped with butter and/or syrup.

Cutting a stack of pancakes with a knife and fork.

Expert Tip

Make the pancakes small - 2 tablespoons each - so they'll be easier to flip. If you make them bigger, you might run into trouble when it's time to flip them.

Recipe FAQs

What flour should I use?

I typically use either almond flour or coconut flour when making pancakes. Sometimes, I don't use flour at all - see these protein pancakes, for example, made with protein powder and no flour.

Almond flour is easier to work with but is more calorie-dense. Coconut flour can be a bit of a challenge to work with as it requires extra liquids and eggs, but once you get the ratios right, it works well in keto recipes.

Can I use low-fat ricotta cheese?

Please don't. In terms of flavor and texture, it's important to use whole-milk cheese in this recipe.

Can I use a sweetener other than stevia?

Yes. You can use a granulated sweetener to equal ⅓ cup of sugar, adding 1-2 tablespoons of water or milk to the mixture if needed.

Are they really fluffy?

Yes! Coconut flour produces fluffy baked goods when the ratios are right. These coconut flour pancakes are fluffy, too, as are these coconut flour muffins. See the photo below - it shows you the texture of these pancakes. Lovely!

Serving Suggestions

The classic topping for these pancakes would be a sugar-free syrup. You can also top them with unsalted butter and sprinkle them with powdered sweetener. Or go all out and top them with keto whipped cream and berries!

Storing Leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Separate them with wax paper squares so they don't stick. Reheat them in the microwave at 50% power.

You can also freeze these pancakes in freezer bags. Again, make sure you separate them with wax paper. They can be thawed in the microwave using the "defrost" setting.