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.
Bob says
I think there is an error. It should say milligrams…
Popo says
These are the best pancakes I have ever tried. I’ve added some blueberries in between the pancakes and it is actually a game changer. Will definitely be making these a few times a week. I have also used Speculoos (MyProtein) protein powder As I don’t have vanilla. It just tastes like Biscoff pancakes.. just without all the unhealthy stuff! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Emily says
Oh I forgot to say the batter is very thick so I had to add some almond milk tot eh mixture.
Moira says
Honestly I have tried so many different protein pancake recipes and this one is the BEST!!! I always send this to people who are looking for a great, easy and delicious protein pancake recipe! Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe ???
Adam says
Sure they are light, but it’s more like a horrid scrambled egg white/soufflé than a pancake. The consistency was unbearable, it felt like eating raw egg with a slight fluff. The taste wasn’t bad, but these are NOT pancakes. Give me the “dense and unappealing” traditional pancake any day of the week. Don’t waste your time on these unless your into weird sweet scrambled egg like nonsense. Waste of time and effort, so annoyed I’ve left the kitchen in the state it’s in because it doesn’t even deserve the effort after that abysmal recipe ?
Olivia says
I’ve made these about 3-4x and they are DELICIOUS. my protein powder is really thick so I have trouble flipping the pancakes, and when I added water/milk they were too thin and still hard to turn lol…. even if they look ugly they are delicious, just need to find the perfect consistency 🙂
Dan says
I just made a double batch of these and they were incredible! My wife said, after eating these how could you go back and have normal pancakes! We both agree that you can eat these straight with nothing else, that’s how good they are. I used Jay Robb Vanilla Egg White Protein. I also had some blueberries and 1/2 Cup of Fage total 2% greek yogut with a teaspoon of honey on the side. I just love yogurt but as noted, pancakes are great solo!
Ashley says
These pancakes are so yummy and leave you feeling full for a long time! I eat them in the morning when I have a big workout planned and want more than a smoothie in my stomach to feel fuller longer.
I used chocolate protein powder instead of vanilla and it was great 🙂
Olivia L Bannister says
Really pleasantly surprised with these pancakes. I suffer with PCOS and am always looking for low carb alternatives this are the nicest non flour pancakes I’ve ever had! Thank you
Emie says
These are my go-to protein pancakes! They’re so good and have a nice banana flavour!!
Emilie says
This became my almost-every day breakfast! I tried with banana, strawberry or even apple mousse! Everything is great! Thanks for this recipe !!
Geeta Kumar says
Hi, I am looking at the nutrition information and it says 204g of trans fat? Is that a typo?
Paul says
Loved the pancakes! Such a healthy way to eat something delicious! Thank you for the recipe! I am also grateful that i found https://cutt.ly/nyv5Bnv. That helped me a lot in my journey. Hope it will help somebody else too!
Lauren Triplett says
I made today with chocolate whey protein powder.
Layered 3 pancakes with high protein plain yogurt and strawberries and it’s delicious and pretty. Thank you! Will be making regularly.
T says
I’m afraid I had very high hopes for this recipe and it let me down.
It tastes like an egg white omelet that you accidentally put sugar in instead of salt.
The texture is strange, the taste isn’t right.
Sonali P says
I have tried making these but they don’t seem to be working? They are too fluffy to cook and the middle is staying as a foamy liquid whilst the outsides are burning. I’m unsure how to make it work ?
Danielle Green says
Try and adjust the batter to a normal pancake consistency with a little extra water if you aren’t using the recommended protein powder. Also, don’t cook on too high of heat, that is the best way to burn the outside with the insides being undercooked.
Jennifer Campos says
I just made this recipe and WOW ? love it i just found the solution of my every morning struggle!!!
Thank you for sharing your recipe ?
Rebecca says
Directions when combining aren’t that clearly written. Cooked at med heat (not low) for 2 min each side. Did turn out nice and light! But flavor not as good as other recipes Ive tried.
Emil says
Hey! Thanks for the recipe. I used Dymatize ISO 100 and they turned out perfect. and a looot fluffier than i was expecting.
Added some blueberries to half the batter and those were quite nuce as well.
Thanks again and i think this will be my go to way to make pancakes from now on ?
Anna says
This has been the best tip for protein pancakes I’ve ever tried. I had to adjust the amounts to work with my meal plan. 2 eggs, 1 banana, 18g protein powder (used musclesport strawberry creme) my god they are amazing, no rubbery texture, my partner reckons they’re better than normal pancakes. I can’t believe I never thought about whisking egg whites, I do this for omelettes. Thank you!!