Struggle Pancakes – The Ultimate Broke & Hungry 2025 Breakfast

Broke? No eggs? No milk? No problem! If you’re staring into an empty fridge but still craving a warm, fluffy stack of pancakes, this recipe is for you. Struggle Pancakes prove that even on a tight budget, you can still eat good.

At Broke & Hungry 2025, we know what it’s like to stretch every dollar. That’s why this recipe is cheap, easy, and made with pantry staples—no eggs or milk required. You won’t believe how light, fluffy, and delicious these pancakes turn out with just a few simple swaps.

Join the Broke & Hungry 2025 Community! 👉 Follow us on Blue Sky (@brokeandhungry2025.bsky.social) and Pinterest (@brokeandhungry2025) for more budget-friendly meals!

🥞 Struggle Pancakes Recipe (Serves 2-3)

📝 Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup water (or milk if you have it)
• 1 tbsp oil or melted butter
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional, but makes them taste better)

Egg Replacement (Pick One if You Want Extra Fluffiness):

• 1 tbsp mayo (yes, really—makes ‘em rich!)
• 1 tbsp applesauce
• 1/2 mashed banana

🔥 Instructions:

1️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients – In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

2️⃣ Add Wet Ingredients – Pour in water (or milk), oil, and vanilla. Stir until just combined. If using an egg replacement, mix it in now.

3️⃣ Heat the Pan – Use a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease with butter or oil.

4️⃣ Cook the Pancakes – Pour 1/4 cup of batter per pancake into the pan. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbles form on the surface. Flip and cook another 30 seconds to 1 minute until golden brown.

5️⃣ Stack & Serve! – Drizzle with syrup, honey, or peanut butter—whatever you got!

Broke & Hungry 2025 Hacks:

✔️ No baking powder? Use an extra pinch of baking soda + a drop of vinegar or lemon juice. ✔️ No butter? Swap for more oil or even melted shortening. ✔️ No sugar? Use a little syrup, honey, or mashed banana for sweetness. ✔️ Want extra flavor? Add cinnamon or nutmeg for a cheap upgrade.

Meal Stretching Tips:

🎙️ "A broke budget means we gotta make every bite count."

• Double the batch and freeze leftovers for quick, budget-friendly breakfasts.
• Turn leftovers into a snack – add peanut butter & roll them up like a wrap!
• Savory twist – leave out the sugar, add garlic powder, and use them as a side for eggs or canned meat.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Okay, so let's get right into it.

(00:02):
You're trying to make an amazing breakfast,
but the budget is a little tight.
I've been there.
Haven't we all these days?
And that's where these struggle pancakes come in.
This recipe from broken hungry 2025
is all about making delicious food
even when your pantry's kind of bare.
Well, the name itself, I think, is just so perfect.
You know, struggle pancakes,
it kind of captures the mood these days.

(00:24):
It does, doesn't it?
But the cool thing is the recipe's so simple,
like surprisingly simple.
Flour, sugar, baking powder.
Oh yeah, baking soda.
Salt and moldar.
Just water.
That's it.
That's all you need.
And it's great because those are like basic pantry staples.
Right, and you probably already have them at home.
Exactly, which is the whole point, you know,
using what you've got.

(00:44):
But even with those simple ingredients,
you can make something delicious.
And it's all about understanding, you know,
the science behind how it works,
like the flour that gives the pancake structure
and then you have the baking powder
and the baking soda making them all nice and fluffy.
And a little sugar for some sweetness.
Yes, exactly, a little touch of sweetness.
Yes, now here's where it gets interesting.
No eggs or milk required.

(01:04):
Right.
Which is a total game changer when you're on a budget.
But mayo as an egg replacement.
Okay, hear me out.
I'm listening, but I need to be convinced.
So think about what mayo is.
It's basically oil and egg yolks blended together.
So adding a tablespoon of that to the batter,
it's kind of like you're adding eggs.
It binds everything and makes it nice and rich.

(01:25):
Okay, I'm willing to try it.
But for those who aren't quite ready
for that mayo adventure,
the recipe also suggests applesauce
or mashed banana as egg replacements.
Yeah, you can totally do that.
And you know what, those substitutions
will even add some extra flavor.
Like the applesauce would give you a little bit of sweetness
or that classic banana taste.
Yeah, so you can really adapt it

(01:46):
to what you have and what you like.
And the cooking process itself is super simple.
You mix the dry ingredients,
then you add in the wet ingredients
and your egg replacement of choice.
You heat up a pan, pour the batter
and cook until they're golden brown.
Don't forget about the technique though.
For those light and fluffy pancakes,
you gotta watch for those bubbles forming on the surface.

(02:06):
Oh yeah, I've heard that.
That means they're ready to flip.
And remember, be gentle when you flip them.
You don't wanna deflate all those beautiful air bubbles.
Good tip.
And they have these broken, hungry 2025 hacks
to make things even more budget friendly.
Like no baking powder, no problem.
Just use baking soda and a bit of vinegar or lemon juice.

(02:28):
See, it's brilliant.
But wouldn't that change the taste?
That's a good question, but the amounts are so tiny
that you really won't even taste the vinegar or lemon juice.
The acid in those ingredients just reacts
with the baking soda to create that same lift
that you would get from baking powder.
It's basic chemistry.
Okay, so those little science tricks
can really help you out in the kitchen.
What about the other hacks?
Well, if you're out of butter,

(02:48):
you can just use more oil or even some melted shortening.
And if you're out of sugar, you know, get creative.
You can use syrup honey or even mashed banana
for that sweetness.
It's about understanding what each ingredient does
and finding substitutes.
That's really smart.
Especially when you're cooking for a family
and broken, hungry 2025,

(03:09):
they even suggest dabbling the batch
and freezing some for later,
you know, for a quick breakfast throughout the week.
I love that.
And they have more ideas about stretching meals.
Turning those leftover pancakes into snacks
by adding peanut butter
or even using garlic powder
to make them into a savory side dish.
Those are great ideas.
You know, it's amazing how resourceful people
can be when they have to be.
It really is.

(03:29):
It's like, this recipe isn't just about making pancakes.
It's about adapting and making the most of what you have.
Exactly.
And it makes you wonder, how did we get to this point,
you know, where struggle meals are becoming the norm
for so many people?
Yeah, it really makes you think.
It's not just about, you know,
forgetting to buy milk at the store.
It's a much bigger issue.
Like food insecurity is a real problem in 2025.

(03:51):
It is.
And it feels like it's just getting worse,
especially with how 2025 has been going.
Tell me about it.
Inflation is out of control.
Grocery prices are insane.
And wages just haven't kept up with it.
It's a tough situation for a lot of people, you know,
trying to make ends meet and still put food on the table.
That's why I think this broken hungry 2025 movement

(04:12):
is so important.
It feels like a direct response to all of this.
Absolutely.
It's definitely a reflection of, you know,
the challenges that people are facing.
But it's also more than that.
It's a community, a support system,
where people can share their experiences and tips.
And struggles too.
Right, like they're not shying away from the hard stuff.
Yeah, exactly.
It's about being honest about the struggles,

(04:33):
but also finding solutions together.
It is inspiring to see people coming together like that.
But it's also kind of sad that we're at this point
where so many people are struggling to afford food.
It is sad.
And we need to be talking more about it.
You know, food insecurity has consequences
that go way beyond just being hungry.
Oh, absolutely.
Yeah.
It affects people's health, their well-being.
It can even impact things like education

(04:54):
and job opportunities.
Exactly.
It's a complex issue with far-reaching consequences.
So we need to be asking ourselves,
what can we do about it?
How do we tackle this problem of food insecurity?
Yeah, that's the big question.
What can we actually do to make a difference?
Well, I think the first step is acknowledging the problem.
Really understanding the root causes and the systemic issues

(05:15):
that contribute to poverty and food insecurity.
So you're talking about things like income inequality,
the lack of affordable housing, and limited access
to health care.
Exactly.
Those are all huge factors.
And we need to be advocating for policies
that promote economic justice and create
a more equitable society.
It's a long-term solution, but it's
essential if we want to address the root causes of food

(05:38):
insecurity.
That makes sense.
But what about in the meantime?
What can we do to help people who are struggling right now
in our communities?
There are actually a lot of things
we can do supporting our local food banks and pantries is huge.
Volunteering your time, donating food or money,
those things can make a real difference in people's lives.
And it's not just about providing food.

(05:59):
Right.
It's about showing people that they're not alone,
that someone care.
Exactly.
We need to create a culture of compassion and understanding.
Check in on your neighbors, offer to share a meal,
or even just listen to someone who's struggling.
Those small acts of kindness can go a long way.
And we shouldn't underestimate the power of education either.

(06:19):
Teaching people how to cook on a budget, how to meal plan,
and how to maximize their resources
can really empower them to take control of their food choices.
Absolutely.
Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to something
as essential as food.
And that's one of the things I love about Broken Hungry 2025.
It's not just about sharing recipes.
It's about sharing valuable life skills.

(06:40):
Yeah, those struggle pancakes, hacks.
Yeah.
Those are life skills.
Right.
Turning baking soda and vinegar into baking powder
or using applesauce instead of eggs, it's like magic.
It really is.
Yeah.
And that message of turning limitations into opportunities
and showing that good food doesn't have to be expensive,
I think that resonates with everyone.
It does.
It's a powerful message.
And it's a message that we can all learn from.

(07:01):
It's about being resourceful, resilient, and community-minded.
Exactly.
Those are the values that we need to embrace
if we want to create a more just and sustainable food system.
We've talked about the recipes and the hacks,
but I'm really curious about the Broken Hungry 2025 community
itself.
Like, who are these people?

(07:22):
And what are they sharing with each other?
It's amazing to see how this community has grown online.
I know.
I was looking at their Blue Sky and Pinterest pages,
and it's really inspiring.
You see all these people from different backgrounds
sharing tips on how to stretch ingredients,
how to make creative meals with leftovers,
and even navigating food assistance programs.
It's really heartwarming to see how supportive everyone

(07:44):
is in the comments.
Yeah.
You can tell that they find comfort in knowing
they're not alone in this.
They're all in it together.
Exactly.
One post that really stood out to me
was from this single mom who was feeling down
about not being able to afford fancy ingredients
or make elaborate meals for her kids.
And someone in the comments suggested struggle pancakes
and said something like, even simple meals can be full of love.

(08:06):
And that sparked this whole conversation about how it's
not about the fancy ingredients.
It's about the connection and the love you put into the food.
That's so true.
Food is more than just fuel.
It's about nourishing our bodies and souls
and creating memories.
Exactly.
And that's what Broken Hungry 2025 is all about.
They're finding ways to make food fun and celebratory,

(08:28):
even when times are tough.
Do you see any posts that really resonated with you?
Oh, yeah, definitely.
There was this one post from a college student
who was basically living off ramen noodles
and was feeling pretty discouraged about it.
And the community just rallied around them
sharing all these budget-friendly recipes and tips
on how to make healthier choices, even with limited resources.

(08:50):
I love that.
It's like a real support system.
It is.
And it's a testament to the power of community, people
coming together to help each other out.
Absolutely.
It's incredible to see that resilience and ingenuity.
People turning limitations into opportunities.
They're stretching their budgets and their imaginations
in the kitchen.
Right.
And it's not just about individual resourcefulness

(09:11):
either.
The Broken Hungry 2025 community is really
sparking these larger conversations
about food accessibility, affordability,
and sustainability.
That's a really important point.
It's about recognizing that these are systemic issues
that need to be addressed.
Exactly.
They're raising awareness about food waste,
advocating for better food policies,
and encouraging people to really think critically

(09:33):
about the systems that contribute to food insecurity.
It's like they're taking back the narrative around food
and saying that everyone deserves to eat well,
regardless of their income.
And they're doing it with so much creativity and humor.
And pancake power.
Yes, pancake power.
So as we wrap up this deep dive into struggle pancakes
and the Broken Hungry 2025 movement,
what do you think are some of the key takeaways

(09:55):
for our listeners?
Well, for me, it's a reminder that we
can all make a difference.
Whether it's by sharing a recipe,
offering a kind word, or advocating for change.
Yeah, it's about recognizing that we're all in this together
and that we need to support each other.
And never underestimate the power of a good pancake.
Especially a struggle pancake.
Right.
So thanks for joining us on this journey
into the world of budget-friendly cooking.

(10:17):
We hope you feel inspired to get creative in the kitchen,
and maybe even try a little mayo in your next batch
of pancakes.
Who knows?
Yeah, you might be surprised.
Until next time, happy cooking.