Yum! Pancakes for breakfast!  You love the basics–buttermilk, plain, banana–but there’s a multitude of more “exotic” pancake recipes…and they’re not just for breakfast. We’ve gathered together some of the best unique pancake recipes, and some of these unique pancake recipes double as side dishes or dessert.

This sweet potato pancake recipe is a delicious option for breakfast, but also as an accompaniment to a main dish, like roast pork loin.

Sweet Potato Pancakes

This makes about 2 dozen medium pancakes. So as a side dish, it serves about 8, as breakfast it serves about 6. They reheat well, and make a delicious snack.

Try sweet potato pancakes with pork loin

• 1 1/4 cups mashed cooked (roasted or baked) sweet potatoes
• 1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup butter, melted

Instructions: Sift flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg into a mixing bowl. Combine remaining ingredients then add to flour mixture, stirring just until moistened. Drop by tablespoons onto hot greased griddle or skillet and fry, turning once, until browned on both sides.

Serve with maple syrup if you’re having them for breakfast. As a side dish, add a little salt, freshly ground pepper and sage for  a perfect complement to a pork dish.

Applesauce Pancakes

These work as dessert as well as a breakfast dish. For breakfast, these will serve about 8 people. As a dessert, half the recipe for a group of four.

You’ll need:

• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup melted butter

Instructions: Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Separately, combine eggs, milk, applesauce, and butter; add to dry ingredients and mix well. Pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto a lightly greased hot griddle. Turn when bubbles form on top; cook until second side is golden brown.

Serve with maple syrup or cinnamon applesauce for breakfast. For a decadent dessert, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, with cinnamon and ground nutmeg on top.

Rustic Blueberry Pancakes

These make a hearty breakfast, and the blueberries are a great source of anti-oxidants. It’s a unique pancake recipe in that the cornmeal gives it texture and flavor. This makes about a dozen pancakes.

You’ll need:

• 1 to 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup stone-ground cornmeal
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 cup Canola oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 3/4 to 1 cup low-fat milk

Instructions: Combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder and soda, salt, and sugar. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, eggs, buttermilk, and 3/4 cup milk. Combine with the flour mixture, stirring just until blended. Add a little more milk if the batter is too thick. Fold in blueberries.

Pour about 1/3 cup of the batter onto a lightly greased hot griddle or skillet. When bubbles appear, flip the pancakes and continue to cook until golden brown.

A trio of delicious and nutritious unique pancake recipes!