What if pizza night could be healthy, fun, and packed with plant-powered protein? Say hello to Red Lentil Pizza Pancakes. It's our new one-pan wonder that turns an everyday ingredient - that your kids will usually turn their nose up at - into a crave-worthy, kid-approved meal.
It's easy. It's fun. And you'll get the kids involved in prep. They'll never know you're loading them up with protein and fiber.
Plus, no gluten, no mystery ingredients, and no complaints at the dinner table.
The Base: Red Lentils, Reinvented
Red lentils are kind of a superhero in our kitchen. They’re soft, fast-cooking, and blend like a dream into smooth batters. When soaked and blended, they make the perfect base for savory pancakes. It's kinda of like a tortilla-meets-crepe-meets-pizza crust.
And the best part? Red lentils are rich in:
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Protein (great for growing bodies)
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Iron (which helps deliver oxygen to muscles)
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Fiber (for happy tummies and gut health)
The Recipe: Red Lentil Pizza Pancakes
Prep time: 10 minutes (if you forget about the overnight soaking prep)
Cook time: 30 minutes
Pan Needed: Just one non-stick skillet or griddle
Kid-approved: 100%
Ingredients
For the pancakes:
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1 cup red lentils (soaked for 3+ hours or overnight)
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1/2 cup water
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1/2 tsp sea salt
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1/2 tsp garlic powder (can be omitted for sensitive stomachs)
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1/2 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
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Optional: 1 tbsp nutritional yeast (for a cheesy boost and extra gut health benefits)
For the toppings (customize to taste!):
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Pizza or marinara sauce
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Shredded mozzarella (best if you buy blocks of organic mozzarella and have your kids grate it or dairy-free cheese)
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Bell peppers, olives, spinach, mushrooms (get creative. Let your kids pick the toppings.)
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Mini pepperoni or plant-based version
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Pineapple, sweet corn, or anything your kids love
Instructions
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Blend: Drain soaked lentils and blend with water, salt, and seasonings until smooth. (If you add a little too much water and your batter is too runny you can add some chick pea flour, or some ground flax seed, or chia seed. If all else fails let it sit about 15 minutes. It often will thicken up naturally.)
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Heat your pan: Lightly oil a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
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Pour & Cook: Spoon batter into small rounds (about 4” wide). Cook 3-4 mins per side.
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Add toppings: Once flipped, spread sauce and sprinkle toppings directly on the pancakes in the pan.
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Cover & Steam: Cover for 2-3 mins until cheese melts and toppings are warm.
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Cool & Serve: Let cool slightly before serving. No slicing required!
Kid Help Ideas
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Let them pick and add their toppings.
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They can help blend the batter or ladle it into the pan.
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Turn it into a build-your-own pizza night.
Variations
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Sweet version: Skip the savory spices and top with peanut butter + banana slices. You'll need to remove the pancakes from the pan and let them cool a little before you spread on the peanut butter (or nut butter of your choice).
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Mexican-style: Use salsa + shredded cheese + black beans (Any beans work great. Or spread with hummus for a different international touch.)
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Breakfast style: Add scrambled eggs or a side of fruit.
Make it a Pizza Party
Let the kids take the lead! Whether it’s spooning on sauce or choosing their own toppings, little hands love being part of the process. Cooking becomes quality time, and mealtime becomes something they actually look forward to.
Pro Tip: Set up a “pizza bar” with colorful bowls of toppings and let them decorate their own pancakes. It’s edible art with built-in nutrition.
💡 Why Parents Love It
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✅ One-pan = easy cleanup (Ok. I'm cheating a little. We're not counting the pans used to soak the lentils or the blender. Still, minimal clean up.)
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✅ No added sugars or flours
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✅ Naturally gluten-free & allergen-friendly
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✅ Packs in protein, fiber, and flavor
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✅ Great for picky eaters (and flexible for your pantry!)
Storage + Leftovers
These pancakes taste best fresh, but you can refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Use them like you would a tortilla. Reheat on a skillet or toaster oven to crisp them back up. Perfect for school lunches or snacks.
Our goal is to make nourishing meals the new normal. Get your kids cooking with you.
Chef's Note:
Red lentil batter should have a smooth, pourable texture, slightly thicker than crepe batter but thinner than traditional pancake batter. If it’s too thick, pancakes will be dense; too thin, and they’ll spread too much and break apart.
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Ready to Try It?
Take a pic of your Pizza Pancakes and tag us on Instagram with #SneakzKitchen! We’d love to see how your little chefs get creative.