Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Pancakes

Who doesn't love chocolate chip oatmeal cookies?  Who doesn't love pancakes?  Putting these two together was the best 'ah-ha' moment of the weekend (and I did this all before nine AM and finishing my coffee).  I think the genius part of this breakfast is that you have oatmeal in the batter.  Instead of eating a bunch of sugar for breakfast, you're at least getting a bit of whole grain to help keep you full longer.  The basic recipe is from Smitten Kitchen, but I have modified it adding the chocolate chips and using regular quick cooking oatmeal and replaced honey for vanilla because I like that much better.

Makes 8 small pancakes (enough for 2 people)

Ingredients

1/2 cup cooked oatmeal (from about 1/4 cup dry quick cooking oatmeal)
1/2 cup oat flour (take 3/4 cup dry oatmeal, process in food processor until flour like consistency)
3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
sprinkle salt
2 tablespoons melted butter
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chocolate chips

1. Prepare cooked oatmeal first so it has time to cool.
2. Combine both flours, sugar, baking powder in salt in a small bowl and whisk to incorporate.
3. In another larger bowl combine melted butter, milk, egg and vanilla and stir until well incorporated.
4. Add cooked oatmeal and stir to incorporate
5. Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and use a spatula to incorporate and mix in.  Once it is combined, add chocolate chips and fold in carefully.  Stop mixing.
6. Heat a griddle or cast iron skillet over medium high heat.  When hot add a tablespoon or two of butter to grease the pan.
7. Cook pancakes until golden brown on each side, adding more butter if necessary.
8. Keep in oven warmer until ready to eat.