This delicious (and slightly more nutritious) take on the festive dessert is perfect for an indulgent breakfast. It’s a celebration after all, right? Made with Lifeway Farmer Cheese and Lifeway kefir, this is a probiotic sensation of a dessert, if we do say so ourselves! Bananas and kefir are also excellent sources of potassium to help support your muscles and more, so feel free to indulge, all on us.
Cultured Dairy: The Nutrition Benefits You Actually Need to Know
With increasing research linking the correlation between probiotics, gut health, and immunity, it’s no secret that the integrity of our gut is vital to our health. Although additional factors such as stress, antibiotic usage, and individual health conditions can contribute to the condition of our gut, a focus on healthy food choices is one of the easiest ways to support the microbiome.
Several studies have shown a strong association between the gut-brain-microbiota. Probiotics introduced to the gut have been found to support immunity, improve allergies, and improve digestion.
Studies have shown that reduced diversity of healthy gut bacteria during early years is associated with an increase in food allergies during school-age years. In addition, kefir made from whole milk helps absorb key nutrients such as Vitamins A, D, E, and K. Vitamin K is important because it helps your bones absorb calcium. It’s important to know that kefir contains a special trio: vitamin D, K, and calcium – all three crucial elements to support bone health.
Prebiotics + Probiotics = A Healthier You
Prebiotics are non-living, non-digestible carbohydrates naturally found in a variety of foods. Your body actually can’t digest prebiotics, so they’re what probiotics feed off of to remain actively working in your digestive system. They help the digestive system by promoting the growth of good bacteria. Prebiotics and probiotics work together in balance to make sure our digestive system stays on track and regular. Research has found that consuming a variety of prebiotic and probiotic food sources may improve your body’s natural functions, including both your immune and digestive systems.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 - 3 cups Lifeway Organic Organic Plain Whole Milk Kefir
- Lifeway Farmer Cheese
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 1 Tbsp butter, melted
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 3 Tbsp coconut oil
- 2 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- Sea salt, as needed
Directions
- To make the crepes: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, a pinch of salt and baking powder. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted butter, vanilla and 2 1/2 cups of kefir.
- Stir the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients. The batter should be the consistency of heavy cream. Add additional kefir as needed to reach this consistency, up to an 1/2 cup.
- Warm a six-inch non-stick skillet over medium heat and spray with cooking spray. When the skillet is hot, measure and pour 1/3 cup of the batter onto the skillet, swirling and tilting the skillet until the batter is evenly distributed.
- Cook the crepe until the edges peel from the pan and the middle is mostly set (about a minute). Flip and continue to cook for an additional 20-30 seconds. Transfer to a hot plate and cover to keep warm.
- Continue cooking the crepes, re-spraying the skillet as needed, until all of the batter is used.
- To make bananas foster: Melt the coconut oil in a saucepan over medium heat. When melted, add the vanilla, cinnamon, salt and brown sugar and stir until bubbly. Lower heat and cook, stirring consistently, for about five minutes, or until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the bananas. Stir slowly and consistently for one minute, until the bananas are warmed through.
- To serve: Lay one crepe open on a plate. Scoop 1-2 big scoops of banana filling into the center of the crepe and fold. Top with Frozen Kefir and additional bananas. Spoon caramel sauce on top and sprinkle with cinnamon and a final small pinch of salt before serving.
