In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the white whole wheat flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps and everything is well mixed.
In a separate bowl, beat the large egg, then add the vanilla extract, buttermilk, and canola oil. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine. This will help keep your pancakes light and fluffy.
Gently fold in the chocolate chips. You can add as many or as few as you like, depending on how chocolatey you want your pancakes to be.
Heat your griddle or non-stick skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease it with a little canola oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto the griddle for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set, about 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on the other side until golden brown.
Remove the pancakes from the griddle and keep them warm while you cook the remaining batter. Serve warm with maple syrup, fresh fruit, or a dollop of yogurt.