The Best Protein Pancakes Recipe (No Banana) (2024)

Make your mornings shine with this Protein Pancakes Recipe that’s made high in protein with a mix of whole eggs and egg whites, and protein powder. This recipe can be made dairy-free by using a non-dairy milk such as almond milk and can be made gluten-free by using a gluten-free baking flour. Most protein pancake recipes call for banana, but if you’re looking for one without banana, this is it!

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Protein Pancakes made with simple Ingredients

We’re all for keeping it simple and creating breakfast recipes that are easy to make and customizable to suit your preferences. But, if you want to take this protein pancake recipe to the next level, you have options. Try mixing blueberries or chocolate chips into the pancake batter for an added delicious touch. As far as topping, the possibilities are endless: Greek yogurt, maple syrup, peanut butter, fresh fruit, to name a few. You are going to love this healthy breakfast option!

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The Best Protein Pancakes Recipe (No Banana) (3)

Ingredients to make healthy protein pancakesRecipe

With these simple ingredients, you’ll have a fresh batch of healthy pancakes that provide 12 grams of protein per serving. This protein pancake batter can help you get a healthy breakfast on the table quickly. This recipe is also unique since it doesn’t include bananas like most protein pancake recipes do. You can save those for adding on top, if you wish!

  • Protein powder – feel free to use your favorite protein powder whether that be a plant-based protein or whey protein. The Real Food Dietitians team has tested thishigh protein pancake recipe with a few of our favorites, including KOS plant-based vanilla protein powder and Puori whey bourbon vanilla protein powder
  • Gluten-free flour blend – we recommend Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1:1 Flour Blend but you can also use regular all-purpose flour if you don’t need pancakes that are gluten free. Oat flour (or rolled oats ground into a flour consistency) is another good option for the flour
  • Milk of choice – both cow’s milk and almond milk work great in this recipe
  • Large eggs and egg whites – to sneak in some extra protein, this recipe calls for both egg whites and whole eggs
  • Pure maple syrup – you could also use honey as another sweetener option
  • Vanilla extract
  • Baking soda and Baking powder – the combination of baking powder and soda makes these pancakes perfectly fluffy.
  • Fine salt
  • Optional toppings – yogurt, blueberries, sliced bananas, nut butter, maple syrup, honey, and more

For the complete directions and ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card below. All of our recipes include the nutrition information, listing kcals, protein, carbohydrates, cholesterol, fiber, sugar, sodium, total fat, and more per serving.

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How to make these easy protein pancakes

This recipe has a prep time of about 10 minutes, and the total time it takes to make these pancakes is about 25 minutes (of course that depends on how large your cooking surface is and how many pancakes you’re making per batch).

  1. Combine the batter ingredients: In a mixing bowl add all ingredients. Stir well.*
  2. Prepare the cooking surface: Heat a griddle or nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add a teaspoon of butter, or coconut oil (may also use cooking spray), once melted and/or hot swirl in the bottom of the pan.
  3. Make the pancakes: Spoon batter (using a scant ¼ cup per pancake) into the skillet. Let cook for 2-3 minutes or until small bubbles appear on top of the pancake. Flip over and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the pancakes are golden brown. Remove the cooked pancakes from the skillet and repeat until all the pancake batter is used up.

* Alternatively you can make the pancake batter in a blender. Simply add all of the ingredients to a blender and give it a whirl.

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What is the best protein powder to use for pancakes?

When it comes to protein powder, we have a handful of ones that we reach for often. In fact, we wrote very in-depth articles on our favorite protein powders which we have linked to directly below. However, for this recipe, we tested it with two different protein powder (one whey protein powder and one plant-based protein pwoder) and both achieved great results. Here’s what we used:

  1. Puori Whey Protein Powder – Vanilla (use PUORIxRFD for 20% off)
  2. KOS Vanilla Plant-Based Protein Powder (use REALFOOD15 for 15% off)

Tip!

Using your favorite protein powder

Because different protein powders will result in a different consistency of the pancake batter, you may need to add additional milk or flour. If the batter is too thin, add an additional tablespoon or two of flour. If the batter is too thick, add an additional tablespoon of milk.

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Dietitian-Approved Plant-Based Protein Powders

We tasted and tested countless plant-based protein powders so you don’t have to! Find our top 7 favorites for smoothies, baking, and more.

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How to meal prep this protein pancakes recipe

What’s better than a recipe you can make ahead and then reheat throughout the week for a healthy breakfast!? Not much. Spending 1-2 hours on the weekend prepping food for the week ahead is our ‘hack’ to feeding our families and ourselves well throughout the week. This Protein Pancake recipe is perfect for adding to a weekend meal prep. Here how:

  1. Make the batter and cook the pancakes
  2. Allow the pancakes to cool at room temperature
  3. Store the protein pancakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge or in the freezer for up to 3 months
  4. Reheat pancakes in the microwave for 30 seconds or until warm. You can also reheat the pancakes in a toaster or toaster oven. Of course, if you reheat from frozen, you’ll have to increase the heating time

Now you also may be wondering if you can make the batter ahead of time?

You can! This is a great way if you want to serve fresh pancakes in the days to come. If you choose to make the batter ahead, store it in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When ready to make pancakes, simply remove from the fridge, stir the batter again, and get cooking! Note: you may need to add a little water to thin the batter before cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are protein pancakes actually healthy?

Yes, pancakes can certainly be made with health in mind. Don’t get us wrong, we love a stack of fluffy, regular pancakes but we also love to sneak in a little protein when we can (not just for ourselves but for our children, too). Serve these protein pancakes with toppings like Greek yogurt, nut butter, and fresh fruit for a balanced and healthful breakfast.

Can I use protein powder in pancakes?

Absolutely! Read above for our protein powder recommendations. This protein pancake recipe is one you’ll want to try.

How much protein is in a protein pancake?

The answer to this question depends on the ingredients and the size of the pancakes. In this recipe, one serving provides 12 grams of protein (that’s 2 pancakes, each made from 1/4 cup batter) .

Is this protein pancake recipe low carb?

This recipe contains 25 grams of carbs per serving without toppings, so this pancake recipe is not particularly low carb keto. For a low carb pancake recipe, try this one!

Make it Dairy-Free

To make this recipe dairy-free, use a non-dairy milk such as almond milk, plant-based protein powder such as KOS, and use coconut oil instead of butter for the cooking.

Make it Gluten-Free

To make this recipe gluten-free, use a gluten-free baking flour such asBob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1:1 Flour Blend or King Arthur’s Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Baking Flour.

More Breakfast Inspiration

Fluffy Sweet Potato Pancakes (gluten-free)Easy Banana Oatmeal Pancakes RecipeEasy Sheet Pan Pancakes (Meal Prep Breakfast Recipe)Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Banana Waffles

All Breakfast Recipes

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Recipe

★★★★★5 from 4 reviews

The Best Protein Pancakes Recipe

Start your morning right with these delicious protein pancakes! A serving provides 12 grams of protein, which will have you feeling ready to tackle your morning (and your morning workout). Serve them with Greek yogurt, fresh berries, and a drizzle of nut butter for a balanced and delicious meal that satisfies.

Prep: 10 minsCook: 20 minsTotal: 30 mins

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Print Recipe

Servings: 1012 pancakes 1x

Ingredients

  • 2 servings protein powder*
  • 1 cup gluten-free flour blend** or all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup milk of choice (non-dairy milk for for dairy-free)
  • ½ cup egg whites (2 egg whites)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon fine salt
  • Butter, coconut oil, or nonstick cooking spray

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients; stir well.
  2. Heat a griddle or nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add a teaspoon of butter or coconut oil (may also use cooking spray) to the surface. Once melted and/or hot, swirl around to coat the bottom of the pan.
  3. Spoon batter (using a scant ¼ cup per pancake) into the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until small bubbles appear on top surface of the batter. Flip over and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the pancake is golden brown. Remove the cooked pancakes from the skillet and keep warm. Repeat until all of the pancake batter is used up.
  4. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat: microwave for 30 seconds or use a toaster or toaster oven to warm them.

Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive so we can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.

Notes

*We recommend Puori Whey Protein Powder – Vanilla (use PUORIxRFD for 20% off) or KOS Vanilla Plant-Based Protein Powder (use REALFOOD15 for 15% off). Because different protein powders will result in a different consistency of the pancake batter, you may need to add additional milk or flour. If the batter is too thin, add an additional tablespoon or two of flour. If the batter is too thick add an additional tablespoon of milk.

**We recommend Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1:1 Flour Blend or King Arthur’s Measure for Measure Gluten-free Baking Flour.

Nutrition Information

  • Serving Size: 2 pancakes (made with Puori whey protein powder)
  • Calories: 174
  • Fat: 3 g
  • (Sat Fat: 1 g)
  • Sodium: 350 mg
  • Carbohydrate: 25 g
  • (Fiber: 1 g
  • Sugar: 2 g)
  • Protein: 12 g
  • Cholesterol: 53 mg

Dietary

Dairy-FreeGluten-freeNut-freeVegetarian

© The Real Food Dietitians

Recipe By: Ana Ankeny

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The photos in this blog post were taken by Rachel Cook of Half Acre House.

For ultimate success, we highly recommend reading the tips in the full blog post above. All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish a recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words. Link back to the source recipe here on The Real Food Dietitians. Thank you!

The Best Protein Pancakes Recipe (No Banana) (2024)

FAQs

Why are my protein pancakes so dry? ›

The two most common reasons why your protein pancakes are so dry are that you haven't added enough liquid to the batter or you're cooking them too quickly. First, make sure that you add enough liquid to the batter. If the batter is too dry, it will result in dry pancakes. Second, cook the pancakes on low heat.

What makes IHOP protein pancakes? ›

The plain protein power pancakes take the classic IHOP pancakes and elevate them with whole grain rolled oats, barley, rye, chia, flax and whey protein, plus butter on top.

Can you put protein powder in pancake mix? ›

You can definitely add protein powder to pancake mix without compromising taste or texture. Experimenting with different types and amounts of protein powder can help you find the perfect balance. Enhance the flavor and texture of your protein pancakes by adding fruits, nuts, or spices.

How do you make protein pancakes less rubbery? ›

Don't Use Too Much Protein Powder

A key mistake when making protein pancakes is using too much protein. If your batter is more than half protein powder, the resulting pancakes tend to be dry, rubbery, and fall apart. To prevent this, reduce the protein powder and increase the flour element of the batter.

Are protein pancakes really healthy? ›

Compared to the ingredients in your standard pancake, this combo could cut the amount of carbs by 67 percent. A pancake with these kinds of healthy ingredients will also help you feel fuller longer (via Dr. Oz). So, yes, protein pancakes can actually be good for you.

How do you make pancakes moist and not dry? ›

Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing can lead to tough pancakes. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined, leaving some lumps in the batter. Rest the batter: Allow the pancake batter to rest for about 10-15 minutes before cooking. This resting period allows the flour to fully hydrate, leading to li.

What is the two bite two minute rule? ›

The two-bite, two-minute rule is a guideline for waiting staff to check on diners approximately two minutes after they have taken two bites of their meal. This ensures that staff are attentive and responsive to customer needs without being overbearing.

Are Kodiak protein pancakes healthy? ›

'There's more than twice as much protein in a serving of Kodiak Cakes than in buttermilk pancakes, and you are getting five times as much fiber. ' Translation: Your blood sugar levels stay on a healthier, more even keel. Studies have linked refined foods, such as white flour, with heart disease and diabetes.

Are Kodiak pancakes protein pancakes? ›

Kodiak Buttermilk Power Cakes are carefully crafted with 100% whole grains and 15 grams of protein per serving to give you the great-tasting nourishment you need to take on the day.

How do you make Kodiak pancakes not dry? ›

If your Kodiak Power Cup is too dry, try adding a little more liquid the next time you make one. If it is too moist, try reducing the amount of liquid before mixing the batter. We suggest keeping the consistency of your cup's batter more sticky than runny to help it rise while cooking in the microwave.

Can you save protein pancake batter? ›

You can save pancake batter in the refrigerator or turn it into frozen pancakes for breakfasts to come. Published Sept. 12, 2022.

What to do if pancake mix is too dry? ›

Add Some Butter

Melted butter rounds out the texture of pancakes by adding just the right amount of fat to keep the stacks rich and moist. No need to go crazy with it, though; a little goes a long way. Just add a tablespoon of melted butter per cup of pancake mix for super tasty pancakes.

How do you make protein waffles less dry? ›

Melted butter, olive oil, coconut oil can all be added to protein waffles to make them less dry.

Why are my pancakes rubbery not fluffy? ›

If you stir your pancake batter too much, the gas bubbles that your acid and base just produced will be released. Over stirring causes tough, rubbery pancakes. You should barely stir your pancake batter.

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