Applesauce Oatmeal Pancakes

While boxes of pancake mix are convenient, it really doesn't take much time to make your own pancake batter. In this easy and delicious recipe, you'll moisten a few pantry staples such as flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, sugar, and oats for an extra kick of fiber and texture. Combine those dry ingredients with fat-free milk and apple sauce and bond it all with egg whites to make a tasty low-fat mixture that you can cook without using any added oil on a non-stick pan or griddle. Use quick-cooking oats if you prefer a smoother texture or old-fashioned rolled oats for a sturdy pancake. Serve these pancakes with fruit, maple syrup, or honey, or eat them with a few slices of sliced turkey and low-fat cheese for a fiber and protein-packed breakfast or snack.

This batter is easily doubled or tripled so you can mix and cook as many pancakes as you'd like and freeze the ones you're not eating right away. Having pancakes at hand is just one of the few simple things you can do to save big money and avoid consuming premade pancakes or similar items that are packed with sugar, sodium, additives, and preservatives. Simply use parchment paper to separate the cooked pancakes and place them in a zip-top bag in the freezer. For a pretty presentation, add a few dry blueberries or strawberries to the batter to make a colorful pancake or add a few shaves of unsweetened dark chocolate for a boost of tasty anti-oxidants.

Serve with low-fat Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of your favorite granola or simply with warm applesauce and a sprinkling of cinnamon.