Learn how to make these decadent chocolate pancakes with a hint of smoky chipotle heat and the richness of olive oil. These gourmet chocolate pancakes deliver a sophisticated twist on a breakfast classic—perfect for special brunches or luxurious weekend mornings.
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Chipotle Pancakes
These unique chocolate pancakes transform your breakfast routine with their perfect balance of rich chocolate, subtle smoky heat, and the unexpected fruitiness of extra virgin olive oil. They’re decadent enough for special occasions yet simple enough to prepare whenever you crave something extraordinary to start your day.
Key Ingredients That Make These Pancakes Special
The Chocolate Foundation
These pancakes begin with a blend of all-purpose flour and high-quality cacao powder, creating a rich chocolate base with complex flavor notes. The cacao adds deep chocolate intensity with a hint of bitterness that perfectly balances the sweetness and spice elements. For even more chocolate flavor, the recipe calls for chocolate milk in the batter—though regular milk with additional cocoa powder works beautifully as well.
The Unexpected Heat: Chipotle Pepper
Ground-dried chipotle pepper is the secret ingredient that elevates these pancakes from simply chocolate to extraordinarily complex. This smoked jalapeño adds a subtle warmth and smoky depth that complements chocolate’s natural richness. The heat builds gently with each bite without overwhelming your palate, creating a sophisticated flavor profile rarely found in breakfast dishes.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Instead of butter, these pancakes incorporate extra virgin olive oil both in the batter and for cooking. This Mediterranean touch adds a silky texture and delicate fruitiness that enhances the chocolate and chipotle flavors. The result is a lighter, more complex pancake with a beautifully tender crumb and unique flavor notes that butter simply cannot provide.
How to Make Perfect Chocolate Chipotle Pancakes
The preparation process for these gourmet pancakes is straightforward. Dry ingredients are mixed first, then wet ingredients are incorporated to form a smooth, chocolatey batter. The pancakes are cooked in a hot skillet drizzled with olive oil, creating a perfectly crisp exterior while maintaining a fluffy interior.
The key to perfect texture lies in the leavening agents (baking powder and baking soda) and proper cooking technique. Look for bubbles forming on the surface before flipping, then cook briefly on the second side for pancakes that are evenly cooked with a beautiful rise.
The Finishing Touches
What takes these chocolate pancakes to the next level is the homemade chocolate syrup—a velvety blend of cacao powder, sugar, water, salt, and vanilla extract. This rich topping enhances the chocolate intensity while adding moisture and sweetness.
For the perfect presentation and flavor balance, garnish with:
- A light dusting of additional ground chipotle pepper
- Fresh raspberries for bright, tangy contrast
- A final drizzle of warm chocolate syrup
Serving Suggestions
These chocolate chipotle pancakes work beautifully as:
- The centerpiece of a special brunch
- A luxurious weekend breakfast
- A surprising dessert option
- A romantic breakfast-in-bed treat
Serve with coffee with chocolate or cinnamon notes to complement the complex flavors, or a glass of cold milk to balance the richness.
Why This Recipe Works
The combination of chocolate, chipotle, and olive oil creates a sophisticated flavor profile that elevates these pancakes far beyond ordinary breakfast fare. The chipotle’s smoky heat prevents the chocolate from becoming too sweet, while the olive oil adds complexity and ensures a tender texture.
These Chocolate Chipotle Olive Oil Pancakes deliver a gourmet breakfast experience that’s as impressive as it is delicious. Each bite offers a symphony of flavors—rich chocolate, subtle heat, fruity olive oil, and bright raspberry notes—making this recipe a standout addition to your culinary repertoire.
Chocolate Chipotle Olive Oil Pancakes
2
servings20
minutes25
minutes45
minutesChocolate Chipotle Olive Oil Pancakes combine rich chocolate, subtle chipotle heat, and fruity extra virgin olive oil. They are topped with homemade chocolate syrup and fresh raspberries for a unique and indulgent breakfast.
Ingredients
- For the Pancakes
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cacao powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground dried chipotle pepper
1 cup chocolate milk
1 large egg
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (plus additional for cooking)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
for garnish, fresh raspberries
- For the Chocolate Syrup
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup cacao powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Prepare the Chocolate Syrup:
Whisk together the water, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in a small saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring frequently. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the syrup thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Allow the chocolate syrup to cool slightly before using. Transfer to a jar or bottle and refrigerate if not using immediately. - Prepare the Dry Ingredients for Pancakes:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cacao powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground dried chipotle pepper. - Prepare the Wet Ingredients:
In another bowl, combine the chocolate milk, egg, extra virgin olive oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined. - Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Don’t overmix; overmixing can make the pancakes tough. - Cook the Pancakes:
Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly grease with extra virgin olive oil. Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto the skillet for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set, 2-3 minutes. Flip the pancakes and cook for another 1-2 minutes until cooked through. - Serve:
Drizzle the warm chocolate syrup generously over the stacked pancakes. Sprinkle a small amount of ground dried chipotle pepper on top for an added kick. Garnish with fresh raspberries for a pop of color and a fresh contrast to the rich, chocolatey flavors.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Grinding Chipotle Pepper: To grind a whole dried chipotle pepper, remove the stem and seeds, then break it into smaller pieces. Use a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle to grind the pieces into a fine powder.
SUGGESTED RECIPE: Blueberry Buckwheat Pancakes
If you loved the Chocolate Chipotle Olive Oil Pancakes with their bold, smoky-sweet kick, get ready for something completely different but equally delicious: Blueberry Buckwheat Pancakes. These nutty, hearty pancakes combine earthy buckwheat flour with tangy buttermilk for the perfect fluffy texture. Each stack comes drizzled with maple blueberry syrup, adding natural sweetness to these nutrient-packed breakfast treats. They’re wholesome yet indulgent, making them perfect for both health-conscious foodies and anyone craving a fresh twist on their morning pancakes.
