What’s the deal with Ube Pancakes? Why everyone’s going crazy for this purple root!

Have you been seeing pictures of fluffy purple ube pancakes popping up all over your social media feeds lately? If you’re anything like me a few months ago, you’re probably wondering – what even is ube?

Ube, pronounced “oo-bay”, is a purple yam native to Southeast Asia. It’s widely grown in the Philippines and it has a natural bright purple color that comes from its anthocyanin content. Anthocyanins are plant pigments that give certain fruits and vegetables their deep purple, red, and blue hues.

Here in the Philippines we’ve been enjoying ube in many desserts for generations. Halaya or Ube Jam, also known as ube halaya, is a popular ube jam that’s often served during the holidays such as Christmas. But recently it seems like ube has taken the world by storm! Food blogs and Instagram have really helped introduce ube to a wider audience beyond just Filipino communities.

People seem to go crazy for anything with that vibrant purple color. Ube donuts, ube macarons, ube ice cream – you name it, someone has probably tried to put ube in it! But one of the most popular ube creations taking over social media right now has to be ube pancakes.

There’s just something so visually appealing about a stack of fluffy, light purple pancakes. And unlike a lot of other traditional Filipino ube dishes that might be an acquired taste for some, ube pancakes are universally delicious! The subtle natural flavor of ube pairs so well with our favorite pancake toppings like butter, syrup, fresh fruit, and whipped cream. It’s the perfect weekend breakfast or brunch dish.

Being here in Marinduque where ube is readily available, ube pancakes was something I hadn’t really explored in my home cooking before. But after seeing all the buzz about ube pancakes online, I knew I had to try making them myself. Here’s what you need:

Ube Pancakes Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 piece large-size egg
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 cup fresh milk (or water)
• 1 pack MAYA Whole Wheat “Thinkheart” Pancake Mix 200g
• 1/2 cup ube jam (store bought or homemade ube jam)

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, beat together ube, egg, oil, and fresh milk until well blended.
2. Add pancake mix and continue mixing until mixture is smooth and free of lumps. Do not overmix.
3. Heat the frying pan over medium to low heat and lightly brush with oil.
4. Scoop ¼ cup pancake batter and pour onto the preheated pan.
5. Cook pancake until bubbly, flip pancake and cook the other side of the pancake for 45 seconds to 1 minute. Repeat procedure with the remaining pancake batter.
6.  Serve with butter and pancake syrup, if desired. Makes 8 6-inch pancakes. Serve.

After making these, I totally understand the hype. The ube adds such a beautiful pop of color but more importantly, it gives the pancakes a subtle natural sweetness. You get hints of vanilla and creaminess from the ube that really elevates the pancakes. And since ube root is already quite starchy, it makes the pancakes extra fluffy and light too. If you noticed, I also used the Maya Pancakes Heart series since I think it gives a slightly grainy texture that I like.

While ube root can be harder to find in Manila, I’ve found that some wet market occasionally has some during ube season. Or you can even order frozen ube tubers online these days. Making your own ube pancakes at home is so worth it for a special weekend breakfast. They’re sure to impress any guests you have over!

I hope you’ll give these ube pancakes a try. Let me know if you do – I’d love to hear what you think! And if you want more ube recipe ideas, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter below. I’ll be sharing my favorite ways to use up ube all month long.

Whipping up homemade ube pancakes is one easy way we can all enjoy this trending Filipino superfood while relaxing at home. Salamat and enjoy!

Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter below to get more ube recipe ideas delivered to your inbox every month. Just add your email to receive the latest!