Moroccan Semolina Pancakes (Vegan Baghrir)

Moroccan Semolina Pancakes are one of a kind breakfast recipe that is sure to impress anyone. Uniquely spongy, lacy and easy to make, these beautiful vegan pancakes are perfect for a cozy weekend breakfast or brunch.

Middle Eastern cuisine sure knows how to impress.

Take these Moroccan pancakes - Beghrir for example. Although the process of making these is familiar, they are not like your regular pancake.

Jump to:

• 📋 Ingredients
• 💭 Top Tip
• 🔪 Instructions
• 🍫 Serving Suggestions
• 📖 Recipe

First of all, the batter for Beghrir are made with yeast. Unlike the regular pancake batter, where you don't want to mix the batter to much, the batter for Beghrir is actually mixed in a blender for several minutes.

Another interesting thing about Moroccan Beghrir is that you fry them only from one side. That means that as soon as the bubbles appear on top of the pancake, they're ready.

Let's look at the process more closely.

📋 Ingredients

One of the most significant things about these lacy pancakes is that they're made with 2 types of flour.

• flour. In this recipe we use semolina flour and all-purpose flour. Please see my Top Tip for a more detailed explanation on the flours
• rising agents - active dry yeast and baking powder
• organic cane sugar - the amount of sugar in this recipe is really small. Baghrir pancakes are usually plain, but served with the variety of sweet toppings.
• vanilla extract
• water
• coconut oil - for brushing the pan before frying the pancakes

💭 Top Tip

So here's the deal. Traditionally this recipe is made with the Cream of Wheat Hot Cereal. It's a popular ingredient across the Middle region but also in Ukraine, where I grew up.

Cream of Wheat is much easier to find than semolina so when I made this recipe for the first time, it was with the Cream of Wheat Hot Cereal.

If you want to try these pancakes in their authentic version, try them with the Cream of Wheat. It has a very mild flavor which is perfect for when serving these pancakes with different sweet toppings.

Where to find the Cream of Wheat?

Sometimes Cream of Wheat Hot Cereal is also called Farina and it's actually very easy to find in most grocery stores.

Just by quick googling, I saw that it's available in Walmart in Target.

You can also find in Amazon.

🔪 Instructions

1. Combine flours and yeast

In a large bowl combine semolina flour, all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, salt and sugar. Mix well.

2. Add the liquid ingredients

Whisk in warm water and vanilla and using an immersion blender or stand blend process the batter on low for 2-3 minutes.

Add the baking powder and blend for 30 more seconds. If the batter is too dense, you can add 1 tbsp of water until the batter is the consistency of a heavy cream.

If the batter is too dense, you can add 1 tbsp of water until the batter is the consistency of a heavy cream.

3. Let the batter rest

Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm place for 40 minutes.

4. Fry the pancakes

Place a medium or small pan on a medium heat. Brush the pan with ½ tbsp of coconut oil. Whisk the batter once again and pour about ⅓ cup of batter into the center of a pan.

You'll see lots of tiny bubbles appear on the pancakes. Fry until the top of the pancake in no longer sticky.

Important - fry Baghrir only on one side, don't flip it. If the top of the pancake is set and the batter is not sticky, the pancake is ready. Transfer Baghrir to a big plate.

🍫 Serving Suggestions

These low fat Moroccan Semolina Pancakes taste best when consumed warm and with the variety of toppings. Here're some of my favorite ones:

• melted vegan butter and a few drops of honey - this is also a traditional topping for Baghrir
• jam or fruit spread
• Maple syrup
• chocolate syrup

📖 Recipe