Orange Ricotta Chocolate Chip Pancakes Recipe
Delight in fluffy Orange Ricotta Chocolate Chip Pancakes, perfectly balanced with fresh orange zest and juice, creamy ricotta, and sweet mini chocolate chips. These pancakes offer a unique twist on a classic breakfast favorite, delivering a moist, tender texture with a subtle citrus flavor and a touch of indulgence. Ideal for a weekend brunch or a special morning treat.
- Author: Lila
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 pancakes 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Griddle/Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Zest of 1 orange
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 large egg whites
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins and Serving
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- Butter and maple syrup for serving, if desired
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined to ensure even leavening in your pancakes.
- Prepare sugar and zest mixture: In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and orange zest. Rub them together between your fingers until fragrant to release the oils and enhance the citrus flavor. Then add this mixture to the dry ingredients and whisk to combine. Set aside.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese, whole egg, egg whites, fresh orange juice, canola oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and homogenous.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined and no flour pockets remain. Be careful not to overmix, as the batter should remain thick. Fold in the mini chocolate chips evenly.
- Cook pancakes: Heat a griddle or nonstick skillet over medium heat and spray lightly with cooking spray. Drop about ⅓ cup of batter per pancake onto the hot surface. Cook until the underside is golden brown and the tops begin to set, approximately 2 minutes.
- Flip and finish cooking: Carefully flip the pancakes and cook the other side for about 2 minutes until golden and cooked through. Continue this process with the remaining batter.
- Serve: Serve the pancakes warm with butter and maple syrup as desired for a delicious, comforting breakfast.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the batter to keep the pancakes light and fluffy.
- Use fresh orange juice and zest for the best citrus flavor.
- Mini chocolate chips distribute more evenly and melt nicely in the batter.
- Ricotta cheese adds moisture and a rich texture but can be substituted with cottage cheese for a different texture.
- For fluffier pancakes, ensure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pancakes (approx. 140g)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: orange ricotta pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes, breakfast pancakes, citrus pancakes, ricotta cheese recipe, fluffy pancakes