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These protein pancakes are made with only 5 ingredients and are perfect fuel for a busy morning or a pre-workout breakfast! They’re gluten-free, nutrient-dense and pack a punch of added protein!
5-Ingredient Protein Pancakes
I am obsessed with these protein pancakes! Just 5-ingredients, one-bowl, and they result in fluffy and delicious healthy pancakes! These healthy protein pancakes have a WHOLE LOT of protein per serving, and are super quick for an easy breakfast any day of the week. There was a good 6 weeks in my life where these beauties were made every single morning and I never got sick of them! I couldn’t get over how nutritious and customizable they were. Add banana, blueberries, chocolate chips… the options are endless! I also started adding spices such as cinnamon to change things up a bit.
Protein Pancake Ingredients
- Bananas
- Eggs
- Protein Powder
- Coconut Flour
- Baking Powder
- Vanilla Extract (optional)
- Cinnamon (optional)
- Ghee or Avocado Oil
How to Make Protein Pancakes
These don’t act the same as traditional pancakes, so don’t fear if your batter has a thin consistency.
The batter can be made either in a bowl, or in the blender.
- To make them in a bowl, mash the bananas really well and then whisk in the remaining ingredients.
- To make in a blender add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until just combined, about 30 seconds.
Tip: I recommend cooking these in a nonstick skillet. Again, these aren’t traditional pancakes so you’ll need to cook them over low heat for a longer amount of time to fully cook through the batter. Cover the pan to help them cook through evenly. Flip them when they’re lightly golden brown and cook on the other side the same way.
Top these with either maple syrup and butter or some drippy or warmed nut butter for an extra dose of protein and serve immediately.
Protein Powders
For these pancakes I have used the SFH brand of protein powder, Garden of Life, and Vital Proteins. Try your favorite, non-gritty protein powder.
Looking for more breakfast recipes? Check out these:
- Classic Fluffy Paleo Pancakes
- Blueberry Pancake Fat Bomb
- Easy Pizza Scramble
- Cherry, Coconut, and Chocolate Granola
PROTEIN PANCAKES
Ingredients
- 2 medium bananas ripe
- 2 eggs
- 2 scoops about 32 grams protein powder
- 2 tablespoons 15 grams coconut flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon optional
- 1-2 tablespoons Ghee or avocado oil, for cooking
Instructions
- Mash banana in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk in the eggs, protein powder, coconut flour, baking powder, vanilla extract and cinnamon until no lumps remain. If adding any additions such as chocolate chips, add them in here.
- Heat ghee or avocado oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, turn down heat to low and pour in batter. Cover and let cook for 3-4 minutes. Flip, and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until golden brown on each side.
- Serve warm with maple syrup or warmed nut butter.
Notes
- Alternatively you could make the batter in a blender.
- I like Vital Proteins and SFH protein powder.
- This recipe was originally published in 2013, and republished in 2020.
I made these this morning (coconut and berry compote) and my entire family enjoyed! I really love this combination and the use of incorporating protein powder. Thank you Lexi! Can’t wait to try another combination next weekend!
These are delicious!! I just added a bit of pure maple syrup and yum!!
Hi
Do you have to use protein powder?
These are super easy to make and have an amazing flavor! My daughter is vegan so i used a flaxseed egg instead and added 1/4 cup almond milk and they turned out great!
Thankyou for the slow and low tip! I’ve always had mine turn to mush but this time they didn’t! Yummy 🙂
For the past several weeks, I have been trying (unsuccessfully) to satisfy my pancake craving with a healthy recipe. I have started to want more savory, or non-traditional breakfast foods in the morning. Pancakes are filling in terms of volume, but I never feel satisfied afterwards, and end up eating a second breakfast. However, these pancakes are different! I made them this morning (two batches with vanilla and one with chocolate protein powder), and they were perfect and satisfying. I used unsweetened applesauce for the last two batches and actually preferred the apple sauce to the banana. I felt energized, rather than sluggish afterwards, and everyone loved them! Thank you for this recipe! I’m excited to try the sweet potato pancakes next!
I made these pancakes this morning. Absolutely delicious! My husband and daughter loved these pancakes. I will definitely be making these again!
I made blueberry with vanilla protein then iAds a batch with chocolate protein and added a teaspoon of almond butter!
Thanks for all your recipes!
Absolutely adore these pancakes – they’re just perfect! Keep up the great work!
Thanks Sonya! Happy you like them!
Hi Lexi,
I love these pancakes! They are my easy go to sweet snack. I ran out of protein powder last time and used 1 tbsp coconut flour and 1/2 tbsp almond flour and they were still yummy yummy yummy! Thank you for all of the great recipes and awesome website!
Hi Lexi!
I tried your pancake recipe this morning and LOVED it! I substituted pumpkin purée for mashed bananas (mine weren’t ripe enough!) and chocolate whey protein for vanilla (because that’s all I had!). I use milled golden flax seed along with gluten-free pancake flour and added vanilla extract, as suggested. They were wonderful! No syrup needed and sweet enough to satisfy a sweet tooth! I quadrupled the recipe and will freeze them to enjoy later! Can’t wait to try other versions! Thanks for a great recipe!
Hi, just wondering do you need the egg? Or could I leave it out? Allergic to eggs.
Just made these for the first time… they are fabulous! Im new to eating grain free and wasn’t sure how the coconut flour would work….but we loved it. My 3 year old didnt even ask for syrup! Cant wait to try other variations!
Lexi-I have been playing around to make a recipe for protein pancakes, and our is almost same.Which means DELICIOUS! 🙂 So, I’m glad I found this website! I wanted to let you and everyone else know of a variation.
Instead of flour, I used ground flax seed. Just a table spoon or so. I just let batter sit as the pan became hot. I’ve also used almond flour, which is awesome.
You have great ideas- Apple and sweet potato?! Genius. I’m may make them both tomorrow. Thanks again!
Thanks for sharing Liz! Great minds think alike?? 😉
Hi Lexi! I love reading and trying all your healthy treats! I want to try the protein pancakes for my kids and myself tomorrow- can I use almond flour instead of coconut flour- happens to be what I have in my house! Would you also suggest adding flax for added benefits? Thanks!!
Hi Jenifer! That should work fine. You may need to add a drop more. And as for flax, I can’t promise the same results if you add! Have a great night, let me know how they turn out 🙂
Lexi , how many pancakes does this yield? What should you substitute Protein Powder for? Thanks!!
4-6 pancakes!
Hi- is there anything else I could use to replace the banana? I’m allergic 🙁
Hi Sophia! Pumpkin puree and cooked sweet potato are delicious in place of the banana. I bet you could use some apple sauce in place as well, with some minor adjustments to the rest!
Hi….they really do look delicious but can you tell me what a scoop of powder would be equal to? I live in the UK and we have different measures here but I do have some american cups. Thank you Jenny
Hi there! Each protein powder generally comes with their own scooper which vary in size, so a scoop depends on your specific protein. Did yours come with a scooper?
Found your website yesterday and tried your pancakes first thing this morning. Hands down, most delicious clean recipe ever! Thanks for sharing. I cannot wait to try your other creations.
Hi Jill! I’m so happy you liked them! 🙂
This base protein pancake recipe is the best I’ve had! I feel like I have tried every possible combo of protein/carbs and this one is by far the best. The banana makes it sweet enough to where you don’t even need syrup! I’m lazy, so I throw everything in my magic bullet & blend instead of mash (note: if you choose to do this method you’ll need to add some liquid (egg whites or almond milk work best). Lexi, your blog/instagram is the best!
Matt, I’m so so happy you liked them! Thanks for sharing that tip, and thank you for the kind words!
Just needed to tell you that you’re a genius!! I tried this recipe this a.m. and had to make them again for dinner…addicting! Came out perfect…love your recipes, your blog and follow you on IG! I’m so glad I’ve come across your amazing ideas–you’re brilliant and inspiring!
Carissa, thank you so much for your kind words! I think I ate those pancakes everyday for over 2 months, haha. Enjoy!
Hey Lexi! Your blog is absolutely awesome, I’m so inspired! I saw this recipe and decided to give it a try this morning. I had chocolate whey protein so I used that instead of vanilla, and I threw in chocolate chips and coconut shavings. They were so easy (I’m definitely not a pancake-making expert and it took me around 10 minutes), delicious, and, as importantly, so filling! I’m not a GF eater exactly so I still have to get used to the texture, which isn’t as fluffy as traditional pancakes, but I’d still much rather have protein powder in a yummy pancake than in a smoothie, where I still can’t stand the chalkiness. I will definitely play around with the mix-ins and try this again!
Hey Nicole! Thank you so much for taking the time to write to me. I’m so happy you tried them! They definitely are super easy and filling! Next time mix in an additional tbsp of flour of your choice (I like coconut flour) for extra fluffiness! 🙂