Vanilla Okara Pancakes

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• If you make soya milk, these vanilla okara pancakes are a great way to use some of the leftover fresh soya bean pulp.
• These okara pancakes are lower in calories than pancakes made with all flour.
• The batter is quick to prepare and easy to cook. 

What is Okara?

Okara is the leftover pulp from making soy milk or tofu, known as a Japanese term.

It is packed with fiber, calcium, protein, and other minerals, making it a healthy ingredient for various dishes.

While fresh okara is commonly found in Japan, Korea, and China, it is not as easily available elsewhere unless you make soy milk or tofu at home.

If you are curious about using okara, check out our helpful article on "What To Do With Soya Bean Pulp," where we discuss how to cook, store, dry, and even turn it into a powder.

For more insights into okara, you can also read our post "What Is Okara?"

Can You Eat Uncooked Okara?

To know if okara is safe to eat, it is important to know where it comes from: if it was made from cooked or uncooked soybeans.

You can figure this out by understanding how it was used when making soy milk.

There are two methods of making soymilk:

• One method is to grind soaked uncooked beans, squeeze the milk from the pulp, then heat the pulp free milk for safety. The raw okara from this method requires cooking for dishes like salads but can be used in recipes that involve cooking, to ensure safety.
• The other method is to cook soaked beans in water, then grind and extract the milk from the pulp. Okara from this method is already cooked and safe for use, especially in cold dishes.

If there is any uncertainty about how it was made, it is best to cook the okara to ensure safety.

If you are using powdered okara, it has already been cooked and is safe to use in cooking.

Ingredients

Please note that below is a guide for some of the ingredients we used in the recipe. The printable recipe further down the page has the complete list of ingredients, including quantities and step-by-step instructions.

Fresh okara - this is the damp soya bean pulp left after making soya milk. Read this article if you would like to know more about okara.

Eggs - use large eggs with an average weight of about 58 grams (2 ounces).

Flour - use plain white (all-purpose flour).

Corn flour replaces a portion of plain flour and makes the pancakes lighter and fluffier.

Baking powder - a rising agent will also help make the pancakes light and fluffy.

Milk - we used dairy milk for this recipe. It can be made dairy-free by replacing the milk with a nondairy alternative like oat or soy milk. 

Sugar - we used white granulated sugar.

Vanilla bean paste or extract will give added flavor.

Salt a little salt will enhance the flavors of all the ingredients.

Oil or butter for frying the pancakes.

Equipment

Use a good nonstick frying pan because it means you can reduce the amount of oil or butter used for cooking to make healthy pancakes that are not oily or greasy.

Instructions

Step 1 - Place the okara in a bowl and use a fork to fluff it up and break up any lumps.

Step 2 - Add the sugar, flour, cornflour, salt, and baking powder into a bowl and mix until evenly combined.

Step 3 - In another bowl add the eggs, vanilla paste, and milk mix well. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry.

Step 4 - Mix the batter until just combined.

Step 5 - Heat a non-stick frying pan over low heat, add a little oil or butter, pour in a ¼ cup of pancake batter, and cook on low heat until bubbles appear on top and the bottom has turned a golden brown.

Flip and cook the other side and cook for 1-2 minutes or until it has turned golden brown. Repeat the process for the remaining pancake batter. Serve hot or warm with your choice of toppings.

Recipe Tips

If the batter is too thick

If the batter seems too thick, mix in a little more milk.

Use a nonstick frying pan 

A good nonstick pan not only stops the pancakes from sticking to the pan, but you can also reduce the amount of oil or butter needed, making it a lighter and healthier pancake.

Avoid burning

Don't rush cooking these pancakes - these should be cooked over low heat.

Measuring the batter

To make 12 even-sized pancakes use a ¼ cup to measure the batter, but do not fill to the top. The batter level should be slightly below the top of the cup.

How to tell when a pancake is ready to flip?

A pancake is ready to flip when:

1. Bubbles rise and start to form on the surface, and they will pop, creating little holes on top and
2. The edges of the pancakes start to look dry and set.

Serving Size

This recipe makes about 12 vanilla okara pancakes, each made with almost ¼ cup batter and measuring about 10 cm (4 inches) in diameter. A serving size is 3 pancakes.

Calories Per Serve

Each pancake is about 91 calories, and a serving size of 3 pancakes is about 273 calories and does not include toppings or syrups. We used a nonstick frying pan to make these and only a light brushing of oil to cook these pancakes.

Serving Suggestions

Our favorite way is to eat these is sprinkled with granulated white sugar and freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice, but they are also delicious with jam, maple syrup, honey, butter or biscoff spread.

Variations

The recipes below are a variation of this recipe and are equally as easy to make and delicious.

• Banana okara pancakes - this recipe uses a whole banana in the batter and is delicious with fresh slices of banana, whipped and maple syrup.
• Chocolate okara pancakes - these indulgent pancakes are decadent and packed with a generous amount of milk chocolate chips.

If you are after a savory pancake, you might like to try our spring onion okara pancakes. These are delicious with the gyoza dipping sauce we have included in the recipe.

Storage

Refrigerator: The pancakes can be stored in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic in the fridge for about 2-3 days.

Freezing: These pancakes freeze well. Make small stacks of pancakes separating each layer with a piece of parchment paper to prevent sticking. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or place in zip lock bags with the air squeezed out. Freeze for 3- 4 months.

Reheating

These pancakes reheat very well, and the quickest way is to heat one or two at a time in the microwave for a short time on high.

We have an 850-watt microwave oven and will microwave them at 15 - 20 seconds intervals until hot.

Frozen pancakes need thawing before reheating.

Meal Prepping

For easy breakfasts or quick snacks, make these pancakes in advance. They will keep well in the fridge for about 2-3 days or freeze in small packs for quick defrosting and heating on busy days.

FAQ

More Easy Recipes

• Scrambled Silken Tofu
• Sesame Ginger Tofu
• Dairy Free Coleslaw
• Non Dairy Custard With Soya Milk