Oat & Banana Pancakes

These two-ingredient pancakes are a minor miracle. Just oats and a ripe banana, mashed together and fried. They're soft, slightly sweet, and cost pennies. The banana should be very ripe—the spottier, the better.

Approx cost per serving: £0.25

Ingredients (Serves 1, makes 4–5 small pancakes):

• 1 very ripe banana (15p)
• 50g rolled oats (10p)
• A tiny pinch of salt
• A little oil for frying

Method:

1. Mash the banana thoroughly. Stir in the oats and salt. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
2. Heat a tiny bit of oil in a non-stick pan. Spoon tablespoon-sized dollops of the mixture into the pan. Flatten slightly.
3. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side until golden.
4. Serve as they are. They don't need syrup.

Why it's gut-friendly: Oats are packed with beta-glucan, a prebiotic fibre. Bananas are gentle on the stomach and provide potassium. No flour, no sugar, just fruit and grain.