What do pancakes symbolize? Pancakes are an important symbol in many religions, especially among Christians who believe that Jesus Christ was served pancakes at the Last Supper. There are many other theories regarding the spiritual meaning of pancakes, the biblical meaning of pancakes, and the reason why they precede every religious event.
Pancakes are a delicious, fluffy breakfast staple that makes everything better. From Sunday morning breakfasts at home to live music and dancing with family and friends at a local pancake house, pancakes are a delicious way to start the day or end the night.
The spiritual meaning of pancakes is a reflection on the nature of the soul and how it might be expressed in the body.
Pancakes are often associated with comfort food, and they’re usually served at special occasions, like birthdays or holidays. This is because pancakes are a reflection of our physical needs as humans—we need food to survive and thrive, and we often associate pancakes with happiness and celebration.
Spiritual Meaning of Pancakes
The spiritual meaning of pancakes relates to the soul’s journey through life. Pancakes are flat (like our souls), but they also have a round shape that represents wholeness; this means that our souls can grow into wholeness through experience in this world.
Pancakes are associated with many different things. The most common associations are with breakfast, as pancakes are a popular breakfast food. Other associations include the holiday season and even Jesus Christ, for whom pancakes are said to be named.
The spiritual meaning of pancakes is that they represent the idea of balance and harmony in life. When you mix all of your ingredients together you get a balanced dish that has all of its flavors represented equally. The pancake itself represents the universe and all of its components, while the toppings represent the different parts of our lives that we need to balance out in order to live happy and healthy lives.
Spiritual Meaning of Pancakes in The Bible
When smothered in butter and drowning in maple syrup, pancakes aren’t the healthiest breakfast option — but with a little know-how, you can turn them into a nutritious, energizing, and tasty meal.
“The part about pancakes that’s ‘unhealthy’ isn’t necessarily the pancakes themselves, it’s what you put on top of them,” says Charlotte Martin, RDN, a physical therapist and recipe developer in Baltimore. “Calories, fat, and sugar can really start to add up when you start adding mix-ins like chocolate chips and toppings like butter and syrup,” Martin says.
Another issue: Most popular store-bought mixes lack fiber, Martin says. A diet high in fiber is satiating and is associated with healthy weight, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, according to the Mayo Clinic.
How can you build a healthier pancake recipe? Start by using whole grains in place of refined flour, and opt for applesauce with no added sugar or mashed banana instead of sugar. You can even sneak in more fiber by adding shredded zucchini or carrots, says Sonya Angelone, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, which is based in San Francisco. “And if you’re looking to add some protein to a typically lower-protein breakfast, try adding some cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, or protein powder to the mix,” she says.
Next, look for healthier toppings. Great options include fresh-cut fruit, warmed berries, no-sugar-added nut butter, and spices like cinnamon. “You can still have a nutritious pancake breakfast while enjoying more classic pancake toppings like maple syrup and butter, but portion control is key here,” Martin says.
Finally, consider adding other foods to bolster the nutritional value of your pancake breakfast. “I love pairing my pancakes with Greek yogurt and fruit—one way to get extra protein and make a balanced meal,” says Yasi Ansari, RDN, a certified specialist in sports dietetics and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in Los Angeles.
Sweet Potato Pancakes
Sweet Peas & Saffron
This lightly and fluffy pancake recipe from Sweet Peas and Saffron blends sweet potato puree, coconut oil, all-purpose or whole-wheat flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sweet potatoes offer a rich source of vitamin A, a key nutrient for vision, immune function, and reproduction, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). One baked sweet potato contains roughly 1,403 micrograms (mcg), or 156 percent of your daily value (DV) of vitamin A, according to estimates from the NIH. Each pancake has 636 mcg of vitamin A, or about 71 percent of the DV, along with 89 calories, 3 grams (g) of fat, 12 g of carbohydrates, and 2 g of protein.
Easy Fluffy Buckwheat Pancakes
Inspired Taste
Buckwheat flour lends these pancakes from Inspired Taste a slightly nutty flavor — along with 12 g of fiber (about 43 percent of the DV) and 15 g of protein per cup, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Despite its name, buckwheat isn’t a type of wheat; instead, it’s a type of gluten-free seed, according to Bob’s Red Mill. One serving of this recipe (two pancakes) offers 4.5 g of fiber (about 16 percent of the DV), along with 312 calories, 14 g of fat, 40.5 g of carbs, and 10 g of protein.
Flaxseed Meal Pancakes
Kristen McCaffrey, Slender Kitchen
These gluten-free pancakes feature flaxseed meal, which offers a rich source of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, according to a review published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid that may offer health benefits including lowering cholesterol and supporting heart health, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Three of these Slender Kitchen pancakes provide 8 g of fiber (about 29 percent of the DV), plus 235 calories, 14 g of fat, 10 g of carbs, and 12 g of protein.
Blueberry Protein Pancakes
Lee Funke, Fit Foodie Finds
This pancake recipe from Fit Foodie Finds combines protein powder, mashed banana, whole-wheat flour, and fresh blueberries. These berries may be small, but don’t underestimate them: Each cup offers 3.5 g of fiber (about 13 percent of the DV), and 14.4 g of vitamin C (16 percent of the DV), according to the USDA. Plus, research shows that berries in general offer some of the highest levels of antioxidants among common fruits like melons, bananas, and apples.
Antioxidants scavenge damaging free radicals, which are often found in pollutants like cigarette smoke and industrial chemicals, which are associated with a higher risk for chronic disease, according to research published in Pharmocognosy Review. One serving of these pancakes provides 6 g of fiber (about 21 percent of the DV), along with 305 calories, 11 g of fat, 34 g of carbs, and 17 g of protein.
Lemon Greek Yogurt Pancake
Kristine Rosenblatt, Kristine’s Kitchen
These thick, soft, lightly zesty pancakes from Kristine’s Kitchen get a protein boost from Greek yogurt. Indeed, just one cup of plain nonfat Greek yogurt offers 25 g of protein, along with 270 milligrams (mg) of calcium (21 percent of the DV), and 331 mg, or 26.4 percent DV, of phosphorus, according to the USDA. Calcium plays a key role in heart and muscle function, according to the NIH. Meanwhile, phosphorus pairs with calcium to keep bones and teeth strong, per the NIH. One serving (two pancakes) provides 123 mg of calcium (about 9 percent of the DV), and roughly 164 calories, 2 g of fat, 28 g of carbs, and 8 g of protein.
Fluffy Quinoa Pancakes
Feasting on Fruit
All you need is six ingredients and a blender to whip up these fluffy pancakes from Feasting on Fruit. The base is homemade quinoa flour, which is naturally gluten free and packs plenty of protein thanks to its main ingredient. Just one cup of cooked quinoa provides 8 g of protein, 5 g of fiber (about 18 percent of the DV), and 118 mg of magnesium (28 percent of the DV), according to the USDA. Magnesium is a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure and contributes to healthy bone development, according to the NIH. The recipe offers a tutorial for DIYing quinoa flour, or Bob’s Red Mill offers an organic quinoa flour that you can buy online ($11.49; Bobsredmill.com), but you can use any flour you prefer, such as oat or whole-wheat. Once the final product is done, you’re free to add your favorite toppings, like fruit, nuts, seeds, and nut butter.
No Added Sugar Blueberry Pecan Pancakes
Natalie Rizzo, Nutrition a la Natalie
Banana and vanilla lend a naturally sweet flavor — no other sugar needed. Meanwhile, blueberries (choose frozen or fresh) and unsalted pecans add texture and nutrients. A one-ounce serving of unsalted pecans provides 1.24 mg of zinc (11.2 percent of the DV), according to the USDA. Zinc is an essential mineral that supports immune function, normal growth and development, and wound healing, according to the NIH. One serving (two pancakes) of this recipe from Nutrition a la Natalie provides 336 calories, 13 g of fat, 48 g of carbs, and 10 g of protein.
Paleo Pancakes
Neli Howard, Delicious Meets Healthy
Thanks to the blend of almond flour, coconut flour, banana, and eggs, these pancakes from Delicious Meets Healthy offer protein and carbs — without grains, dairy, or sugar, making them a good fit for anyone on a paleo diet or Whole30. Plus, the eggs provide essential nutrients like vitamin B12 and vitamin D, which affect, among other things, red blood cell formation and brain health, along with mood and bone health, respectively, per the NIH. One large egg offers 0.6 mcg (25 percent DV) of vitamin B12, and 1 mcg (6 percent DV) of vitamin D, according to the NIH. Each pancake has 103 calories, 6 g of fat, 8 g of carbs, and 4 g of protein.
Ricotta Pancakes With Wild Blueberry Reduction
Amy Gorin Nutrition
This recipe from Amy Gorin Nutrition features protein-rich ricotta (a ½ cup serving of part-skim ricotta has 14 g of protein, according to the USDA), low-fat milk, eggs, lemon juice, and blueberries. Make the accompanying blueberry reduction sauce and drizzle it over the pancakes for even more berry flavor. One serving (three pancakes) provides 270 calories, 7 g of fat, 43 g of carbs, and 10 g of protein.
Green Smoothie Pancakes
Lindsay Livingston, The Lean Green Bean
Transform a healthy green smoothie into a short stack with this recipe from the Lean Green Bean that combines vanilla yogurt, kiwi, peanut butter, maple syrup, and baby spinach. The spinach gives these pancakes a fun green hue, along with 141 mcg of vitamin A per cup (15.6 percent of the DV), according to the USDA. And thanks to the peanut butter, you’ll also get protein, fat, and vitamin E. Just one tablespoon of peanut butter provides 3.5 g of protein, 8.2 g of fat, and 1.5 mg of vitamin E (10 percent of the DV), according to the USDA. Just like a produce-rich smoothie, you can feel good about noshing on these pancakes—their vitamin E helps bolster immunity and scavenge free radicals to help fend off disease, notes MedlinePlus.
What Do Pancakes Symbolize
The spiritual meaning of pancakes relates to living in the present and how that can be a great life lesson.
Pancakes are a comfort food, after all: they’re sweet, they’re fluffy, they’re warm and gooey on the inside—they can make you feel like everything’s going to be okay. They’re also easy to make—even a kid can do it! So while pancakes might not be complicated or difficult to make (and are therefore not very exciting), they are still pretty amazing.
So what is the spiritual meaning of pancakes? Well, it’s simple: when you live in the present moment and don’t worry about anything else, you’ll find yourself with a lot more time for things that matter most to you.