Light & Fluffy Banana Protein Pancakes are a healthy breakfast with 5 simple ingredients that taste amazing and fill you up! Whipped egg whites, protein powder and ripe bananas make up these low-fat and low-carb pancakes, for a complete and wholesome meal.
Protein Pancake Recipe
These Protein Pancakes are a fantastic low calorie breakfast loaded with wholesome goodness. Unlike most banana pancakes that can be flat and dense, we use a special technique to make them light and fluffy. They are the best protein pancakes you will make!
Whether you follow a low carb diet or are just looking for a wholesome breakfast recipe, these protein pancakes are filling and delicious. When I am craving something hearty for breakfast like pancakes, these are one of my go-to recipes for my kids and I.
Healthy Pancake Recipe
We grew up enjoying a hearty stack of rich buttermilk pancakes every Sunday. It was one of the few things my Dad cooked in our family, but boy were they delicious! I still love a good buttermilk pancake, but they aren’t necessarily the most sensible choice to make every week. These protein banana pancakes are a much healthier recipe.
Banana Protein Pancakes
I have tried versions of banana protein pancakes using protein powder in the past but they tend to be dense and unappealing. One day a light went off in my head…whipped egg whites!
By beating the egg whites alone, like you would for a meringue, it would make the batter much lighter and airier. The process worked wonderfully. They were like eating banana clouds!
Why are my protein pancakes burning?
Bananas have lots of natural sugars in them. If you cook these protein pancakes at too high of a temperature, they will burn on outside and not cook through the center well. It is important to cook these banana pancakes in a non stick skillet over medium-low heat.
Best Protein Powder for Pancakes
Another reason that protein pancakes can burn is the protein powder you use in the recipe. We use a low-carb and low sugar protein powder which results in a beautifully light and fluffy pancake. If you are using a protein powder that is higher in sugar, they will more difficult to cook.
I highly recommend Naturade Whey Protein Booster for a protein powder that doesn’t have any added sugars and therefore only has 1 carb per serving.
Another issue I have seen people run into, is the consistency of the batter. Some protein powders will make the batter too thick. If you run across this issue, just thin the batter a little with some water or milk until it is a good pancake batter consistency.
Can I freeze Protein Pancakes
This recipe makes two servings, so if you are flying solo you can toss the leftovers in the freezer. Layer the pancakes between parchment paper in a resealable bag and you will have a great breakfast option for the future! If you are heading to work and need a last minute breakfast, pop a few of the pancakes in the microwave. Cook them for a minute and you have an easy and healthy breakfast for an amazing grab and go meal.
Protein Pancake Consistency
Banana Protein Powder Pancakes don’t have the same consistency of a traditional pancake with flour, but they are equally wonderful in their own right! Top them with some honey yogurt and fresh fruit for the ultimate breakfast.
If you are looking for the same exact consistency as a regular pancake that is loaded with flour, this recipe is not for you. The absence of any flour will obviously create a different consistency.
Are pancakes a good source of protein?
Regular pancakes have minimal protein and are loaded with carbs. Protein Pancakes on the other hand have tons of protein and minimal carbs. This particular recipe for protein pancakes has a whopping 22g of protein per serving. That is a great way to start the day and fill you up and we all know how important protein is!
Are protein pancakes healthy?
If you are making clean protein pancakes with healthy toppings like fruit and Greek yogurt, they incredibly healthy! Bananas, strawberries and raspberries are all great options. Add a drizzle of natural peanut butter for even more protein and great flavor.
I like to use a healthy protein powder and avoid those with added sugars and subsequently higher carbs.
Low-carb breakfast recipes
Check out more great more low-carb breakfast recipes below. They are packed with protein and full of delicious flavors! Whether you want something quick and easy on-the-go or are looking for a great breakfast bake to serve to guests, we have got you covered.
- Light & Spicy Turkey Sausage Breakfast Burritos – This grab and go option is a fantastic meal prep option for a healthy breakfast.
- Goat Cheese & Pesto Veggie Scramble – This protein packed breakfast is loaded with amazing flavor.
- Easy Microwave Scrambled Egg Cup Recipes – Another great meal prep option, these premade jars are a great way to enjoy loaded scrambled eggs in just minutes.
- Ham and Cheese Egg Bites – These egg muffins made with cottage cheese and ham are a fantastic breakfast on the go.
Light & Fluffy Banana Protein Pancakes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 40 g vanilla protein powder
- 1 large very ripe banana
- 1/8 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- In two clean bowls, separate the eggs carefully so none of the yolk gets into the egg whites.
- Beat the egg whites on high for 2 minutes until they form soft peaks. (It is important that your bowl or beaters don't have any oil, fat or yolks on them, or the egg whites won't form peaks. Soft peaks are defined as barely holding their shape. The peaks flop over immediately when the beaters are lifted.)
- Add the egg yolks along with the remaining ingredients to a medium bowl and beat until smooth.
- Gently fold 1/3 of the egg white mixture into the banana mixture until roughly combined. Fold half of the remaining eggs whites into the mixture and finally the last portion until everything is well combined.
- Heat a skillet over low heat. Scoop 1/4 c. of the mixture onto the skillet and cook for 60-90 seconds on each side.
- Serve immediately.
- OPTIONAL: Top with fresh fruit and/or 1/3 c. plain non-fat Greek yogurt mixed with 1 Tbsp. honey.
Melissa Howell says
I love that this uses protein powder! I totally have to try these!
Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats says
Duh….egg whites! Why haven’t I thought of this? Looking forward to trying these soon.
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
Yum! I could eat pancakes every single day!
Annalee says
Hands down the best protein pancake recipe I’ve tried.
They’re a little eggy, but that’s just the texture and mine weren’t so fluffy, but they taste SO GOOD! I used chocolate protein powder.
Thanks so much for an excellent recipe!
Liam McMillen says
Make these every week. Love them. Thanks. Loam
Sabrina says
Just made these using chocolate protein powder and topped wth some maple & pecan peanut butter…Very yummy! Thank you.
Tips:
pancakes made better after letting the batter rest for a few minutes.
Make sure pan doesn’t get too hot.
Michele Seif says
I’ve be tried just about every protein pancake recipe there is and this is by far the best. Light. Fluffy. So good!! I used vanilla shakeology and added a tablespoon of chia seed. Heaven! Thank you!
Malinda Linnebur says
I use Naked Whey protein powder when making pancakes and waffles so I can’t wait to give yours a try! Thanks for sharing!
Coleen Koehl says
I was hesitant to try these due to the protein powder factor but they were so delicious!
Astrid says
I used a plant based protein powder and the consistency was perfect! I don’t even like regular pancakes; these were amazing 🙂
Paula says
Best protein pancakes I’ve ever eaten! Like you I have PCOS so I am trying to increase protein and reduce carbs, and this recipe is definitely helping, I do intermittent fasting, so I eat the whole damn lot ?
Danielle Green says
Happy to hear you enjoyed them! PCOS sucks, but it’s nice when you can find a good low-carb recipe to enjoy.
Chris says
Super delish! I actually cookies and cream protein powder because it’s what I had on deck……drinched them in honey and o boy! Thanks For this really really great recipe!
Megan says
I made these this morning and they were great! I only did a 1/2 recipe and added 20g almond flour to add some body as well as some almond milk and they turned out beautifully! Much yummier than some of the other pancakes I’ve tried!
Danielle Green says
Happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe. I might have to try your twist with almond flour for a more pancake like bite!
Danielle H says
What do u mean my 1/2 recipe. Did u do half the protein and substitute the rest with 20g almond flower? Or did u do everything half? Also do u know about how much almond milk u added. I have made them like they are and they are still ok but I want a more pancake consistency and adding the milk and the flower will seem like it would work.
megan says
How did you get 5 grams of fat? 2 eggs are more than 5 grams of fat. Are you sure the marcos are correct?
Danielle Green says
The 5 grams is for one serving, so there is 20 grams total in the whole recipe.
Ewan MacLean says
Will a griddle pan work fine too?
Danielle Green says
Yes!
Tania says
Do you have to use salt?
Danielle Green says
You never HAVE to use salt, but it brings out the flavors in any recipe.
Laura says
These were delicious. I used egg white vanilla protein powder and I topped with homemade peanut butter and blueberries. Mine were a little dense, probably because my stand mixer but the dust and I tried whipping the eggs by hand. Gave the satisfaction of a high carb snack without the guilt, and with peanut butter, each pancake (5 total) had around 15 grams of protein. A+
B says
I used a plant based protein powder and they were disgusting.
Whey protein is more creamy, almost all plant based (pea, soy, etc,) proteins have a more gritty texture that works well in smoothies.. And evidently works terribly in baking.
You must use whey for these not to taste like gritty slop. Recipe should specify.
Danielle Green says
The recipe includes a link to the specific protein powder I used. Every powder is different so there is always a risk when you swap out an ingredient.
Daz says
I made these using a plant based (pea) protein and they were so light, fluffy and delicious! And conveniently my protein was also bananas and cream flavoured which helped. I agree that some plant proteins are gritty, but not all are. Try being appreciative that someone is sharing a great recipe and not rude next time, hey?
Jennifer says
Hi! These seem amazing, I’m looking forward to trying them. Has anyone weighed the banana they used? I’d like to half the recipe and I don’t want to mess it up.
Cristina says
A medium banana is about 108 grams (not including the peel)
Elisa says
I just tried this, and it was a complete fail. ? I doubled the ingredients because I was making this for 4 people, but I followed the instructions line by line. When the first pancake didn’t raise, I tried adding more baking powder to the rest of the batch. The second pancake raised a bit but was still too gummy and gooey and not fluffy at all! I’m thinking it must of have been the protein powder. I used whey protein powder, chocolate flavor, instead of the one on the ingredients list (because that was the only kind I had available at the moment). It was a complete disappointment.
I will try again with the right kind of protein and see how it goes. If I can’t get it together, then I guess I’m destined to eat box pancake for the rest of my life ?lol
Danielle Green says
Sorry to hear it was a flop. I’m guessing you are right and it was the protein powder. They all have such different consistencies.
brian bee says
I used NOW unflavored whey protein powder, and they turned out perfect!
Natalie says
I’ve tried the recip this morning and the batter looked really good. They looked beautiful after I flipped them and I thought they would be perfect. But they didn’t really cook and tasted really foamy and spongy almost like mousse? They were still wet no matter how long I left them on the stove and you couldn’t eat them because it just didn’t have the consistency of a pancake 🙁 really disappointed
Danielle Green says
Hey Natalie, in the post I mentioned that they aren’t going to have the consistency of regular pancakes. You will need a recipe with flour to get that consistency. Sorry to hear you were disappointed.