Chewy Spelt Strawberry Mochi-Style Pancakes for Brunch

Servings: 4 Total Time: 35 mins Difficulty: Easy
Chewy spelt and rice flour pancakes packed with diced strawberries
Stack of chewy spelt strawberry mochi pancakes topped with sliced strawberries and maple syrup on a white plate View Gallery 2 photos

Spelt strawberry mochi-style pancakes use spelt flour and glutinous rice flour together, which gives the pancakes a chewy, soft bite instead of a light, fluffy one. Diced strawberries sit inside the batter, so every bite has a small pocket of fruit.

The texture stays dense and a little sticky, closer to a mochi cake than a diner pancake. That chew comes from the rice flour, and it stays soft even after the pancakes cool a little on the plate.

You mix the batter in two bowls, let it rest for 10 minutes, then cook the pancakes low and slow on a griddle. The rest step matters. Skip it and the centers can turn gritty instead of chewy.

These work well for a weekend brunch, since the batter comes together in one bowl and the pancakes stack up fast once the griddle is hot.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Chewy mochi texture from a simple two-flour batter
  • Fresh strawberries baked right into every pancake
  • One-bowl mixing with a short 10-minute rest
  • Works for a lazy weekend brunch spread
Strawberry pancake batter bubbling on a dark griddle while a spatula checks the golden edge underneath

Ingredient Notes

  • spelt flour: Gives the batter structure and a slightly nutty flavor. Whole wheat flour works as a substitute but tastes heavier.
  • glutinous rice flour: Also called mochiko or sweet rice flour. This is what makes the pancakes chewy, so don’t swap it for regular rice flour.
  • fresh strawberries: Dice them small so they cook through evenly and don’t tear the pancake as it sets.
  • milk: Whole milk keeps the batter rich. Oat milk works but the batter stays slightly looser.
  • maple syrup: Used as a topping, not in the batter. Honey works as a swap if that’s what you have.
Breakfast table with mochi pancakes, coffee mug, linen napkin, and fresh strawberries scattered under soft window light

Chewy Spelt Strawberry Mochi-Style Pancakes for Brunch

Difficulty: Easy Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 15 mins Rest Time 10 mins Total Time 35 mins
Cooking Temp: 160  C Servings: 4 Estimated Cost: £ 1.80 Calories: 420

Description

This batter blends spelt flour with glutinous rice flour for a dense, chewy pancake studded with fresh strawberries, cooked low and slow on a griddle until the centers set clean.

Ingredients

Cooking Mode Disabled

Batter

Topping and Griddle

Instructions

Make the Batter

  1. Whisk the spelt flour, glutinous rice flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt together in a mixing bowl until combined.
  2. In a second bowl, whisk the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  3. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until no dry streaks remain. The batter will be thick and slightly sticky.
  4. Fold in the diced strawberries. Let the batter rest for 10 minutes so the rice flour hydrates and the pancakes turn chewy instead of gritty.

Cook the Pancakes

  1. Heat a 25 cm / 10-inch nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat and brush with a little butter.
  2. Scoop 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto the skillet, cooking two at a time so they have room to set evenly.
  3. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until bubbles form across the surface and the edges look set and matte.
  4. Flip and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more until golden brown outside and cooked through, with no raw batter in the center and a light spring back when pressed.
  5. Transfer to a wire rack and repeat with the remaining batter, adding more butter to the skillet as needed.

Serve

  1. Stack the pancakes on plates, top with sliced strawberries, and drizzle with maple syrup before serving warm.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4


Amount Per Serving
Calories 420kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 4g20%
Cholesterol 60mg20%
Sodium 220mg10%
Potassium 180mg6%
Total Carbohydrate 55g19%
Dietary Fiber 3g12%
Sugars 8g
Protein 8g16%

Vitamin A 200 IU
Vitamin C 15 mg
Calcium 90 mg
Iron 1.5 mg
Vitamin D 10 IU
Vitamin E 0.5 mg
Vitamin K 2 mcg
Thiamin 0.1 mg
Riboflavin 0.1 mg
Niacin 1 mg
Vitamin B6 0.1 mg
Folate 20 mcg
Vitamin B12 0.2 mcg
Phosphorus 110 mg
Magnesium 20 mg
Zinc 0.6 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Additional Notes

  • Rest the batter for a full 10 minutes or the centers turn gritty instead of chewy.
  • Keep heat at medium-low. High heat browns the outside before the inside cooks through.
  • Dice strawberries no bigger than 1 cm so they don't tear the batter as it sets.
  • Cook two pancakes at a time in the skillet so each one heats evenly.
Keywords: spelt strawberry mochi pancakes, mochi pancakes, spelt pancakes, glutinous rice flour pancakes, strawberry pancakes

Equipment

  • mixing bowls
  • whisk
  • 25 cm / 10-inch nonstick skillet or griddle
  • 1/4-cup measuring cup
  • spatula
  • wire rack

Tips

  • Rest the batter for a full 10 minutes so the rice flour hydrates and the crumb turns chewy, not gritty.
  • Dice strawberries no bigger than 1 cm so they cook through without breaking the batter apart.
  • Cook over medium-low heat since mochi batter browns fast outside but needs longer to set inside.
  • Cook two pancakes at a time in a 25 cm / 10-inch skillet so each one has room to set evenly.
  • Keep finished pancakes warm on a wire rack in a 90 C / 195 F oven while you finish the batch.

Variations

  • Swap the diced strawberries for diced mango or blueberries for a different fruit note in the batter.
  • Add 1 teaspoon of matcha powder to the dry ingredients for a green tea version of the batter.
  • Use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar in the batter for a deeper, caramel-toned flavor.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. The chewy texture firms up as they cool, which is normal for rice flour batter.

Reheat gently in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds, covered with a damp paper towel, so the pancakes soften back up instead of drying out. A low skillet with a small pat of butter also works if you prefer a warmed edge.

Freeze cooled pancakes in a single layer, then stack with parchment between them in a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Reheat straight from frozen in the microwave, adding 15 to 20 seconds to the time.

Serving Suggestions

Stack the pancakes two or three high and top with sliced strawberries and a drizzle of maple syrup. A dollop of Greek yogurt or whipped cream adds some richness against the chewy bite.

For a full brunch spread, serve alongside crispy bacon or a simple fruit salad. Coffee or hot tea rounds things out without competing with the strawberry flavor.

A light dusting of powdered sugar works well too, if you want something simpler than syrup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:

Why are my spelt strawberry mochi pancakes gummy in the middle?

This usually means the skillet ran too hot. Mochi-style batter browns fast on the outside because of the rice flour, so high heat cooks the surface before the center sets. Cook over medium-low heat for the full time and check for a light spring back before flipping.

Can I use regular rice flour instead of glutinous rice flour?

No, regular rice flour won't give the same chew. Glutinous rice flour, also called mochiko or sweet rice flour, has a starch structure that turns soft and stretchy when cooked, which is what makes these pancakes mochi-style. Regular rice flour bakes up dry and crumbly instead.

Can I make the batter ahead and refrigerate it overnight?

You can mix the dry and wet ingredients separately up to a day ahead and combine them right before cooking. Once strawberries are folded in and the batter rests, cook it within an hour, since the rice flour keeps absorbing liquid and the batter stiffens if left too long.

What goes well with spelt strawberry mochi-style pancakes?

Maple syrup and extra sliced strawberries keep things simple and let the chewy texture stand out. A dollop of Greek yogurt or whipped cream adds richness, and a pot of coffee or hot tea rounds out a brunch spread.

Are spelt strawberry mochi pancakes gluten free?

No, spelt is a wheat relative and contains gluten, so this recipe isn't suitable for a gluten-free diet. If you need a gluten-free version, swap the spelt flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend, though the pancakes will be slightly less chewy.

What's the difference between mochi pancakes and regular fluffy pancakes?

Mochi pancakes use glutinous rice flour alongside regular flour, which gives a dense, chewy bite instead of the light, airy crumb of standard buttermilk pancakes. They also brown faster on the outside, so the cooking heat needs to stay lower than a typical pancake recipe.

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