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.
Mikaela says
The taste is spot on 10/10. I really liked it. However, I don’t think it was cooked enough as I found myself running to the bathroom shortly after. They felt cooked enough but were soft on the inside. But am assuming they are supposed to be!? Disappointed because I could eat these daily! I used ghost vegan protein in flavor pancake batter. Would you ever post a video of you making them yourself. Just want to see if I did anything wrong!
Teddy says
The mixture works well and holds together, some of the best pancakes I have made! However the texture/taste wasn’t as good as hoped but suppose that’s just because of the protein in it, but for the calories it was great
Kristina Chovanova says
Sooo!!! I made them using chocolate-coconut flavoured powder.. and because im a foodie I put dark chocolate chips in them too… i didnt put honey in to youghurt topping… just plain with a little bit of lemon juice. Aaand 9h my good!! Thats was great ❤
Mandi says
These are the best protein pancakes I’ve ever had and are approved by my other half, who is a pancake lover!!!
If I want to freeze some, how do you suggest to heat them up? I’ve never frozen pancakes
Enya says
Thank you so much. I’m trying to be healthier with food choices and these really hit the spot after a run. Amazing recipe. Tasty and healthy! Win win 😉
Lily says
Tried making these, was so excited. They didn’t cook right. Inside didn’t cook and I had to throw them away because I was scared the eggs weren’t cooked.
Ava says
I love these!! Low in calories and perfect!
I use 1 egg, 20g protein, etc for one serving size and it comes to approx 225 cal. For 3 pancakes! Awesome thaank youuuu
Virginia Palmer says
Are yo kidding me !! Who wrote the recipe it’s rediculous,, read it over yourselves so stupid good thing I am a cook for several decades good thing I knew to add a 1/3 cup of cream or milk into this recipe otherwise it’s awful!!
Marie says
The recipe calls for 40g of Vanilla Protein powder. Does it make a difference of the Protein powder I use?
And, how many cups of the 40g I have to pour in the pancake mixture.
Also, why do you separate the eggs?
I had planned to make these pancakes but I didn’t know how much protein powder to use. I don’t know what 40g equals in cups.
Well, have a great day?
Sincerely,
Marie
Danielle Green says
Your protein powder will tell you on the nutrition label how many grams are in the included scoop. For the powder I use, it is 2 scoops.
As for using other protein powders, just keep in mind that some of them have lots of added carbs and other ingredients that can alter the taste and texture. I’ve seen some reviews that people use their protein powder and the mixture ends up like a cement mix, so they just have to thin it with some liquid.
As for separating the eggs, that is what makes them light and fluffy. You don’t have to separate the eggs, but they will be much denser.
Leah says
This recipe was easy to follow. I waited all week for my banana to ripen nicely and I even had to buy electric beaters for the egg whites. I was excited to try this recipe. Unfortunately my pancakes didn’t work out. I used tasteless protein powder (collagen instead of whey). So this must be why they didn’t cook well. I will try again, but with whey protein. I feel like the mixture was too fluffy.
Jennifer says
Just made these! They were coming out burnt at first so I red the comments and added a tiny drop of milk which solved the problem. I topped them with manuka honey, They were really delicious (even the burnt ones) and light! Thanks for a great recipe
Lisa Ann says
I absolutely LOVE pancakes so I was excited to try these. They have a wonderful flavor and the texture isn’t awful considering what we’re working with here! After the first batch I decided to put a lid on my skillet and it helped tighten things up a bit and made them easier to flip. I will definitely make these again and again! Especially considering that I have five or six bananas on the counter and their days are numbered!
Yulia says
Hi everyone,
If your pancakes are too gooey inside and stick to the skillet as mine did — bake them in the oven! I used a different brand of whey protein powder, Pure Protein vanilla.
Yulia
maxime says
I tried the receipe iwthout separating the eggs; it wasn’t that good, I’m surprised by some comments. Follow the receipe and don’t heat to the maximum the pan. it’s going to be ok. I got full very fast. So tasty and filling. Thank you!!
Aisha says
I was so confused. For a second I kept wondering how does each pancake have 22 G protein but you mean 1 serving which is 4 pancakes and the yield is 2 servings so 8 pancakes omg . Btw I used light butter to grease the pan but I know that’s not healthy even if it’s light and do you recommend something else to use?
Danielle Green says
A touch of coconut oil would work great, but a good non-stick pan won’t need any grease.
Victoria J Wolfe says
I have been struggling since being diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and these protein pancakes make me feel a little more human again. I cut the amount of banana by half to lessen my glycemic impact, but even still they were absolutely delicious and not far off from a real pancake’s texture! Even my husband and son ate them without any complaints! Thank you for this recipe! 🙏🏼
Traci-Rose says
they came out raw in the middle and burnt on the outside, to prevent this from happening i just pop a lid on the pan and keep it on a low heat. i like to fold in chopped dark chocolate to the batter as well, delicious!!
William says
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Sonja says
Prepped a bunch with Liquid Muscle brand egg whites(Piña Colada flavour) and ON’s French Vanilla Whey. Boosted the fiber by adding 1/3 cup crushed bran buds cereal per indicated recipe perportions(11g fiber by the way). Will be popping these in my toaster before my early morning lifting sesh! Yummers 😊 Hurray for Danielle!
Danielle Green says
So glad enjoyed them and thanks for sharing your take on them Sonja!
Megan O'Neal says
can the batter be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge? or is it better to cook all at once and save for later?
Danielle Green says
Better to cook at once and save for later or the egg whites will start to fall and you will be left with typical dense banana pancakes.