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.
Ellie Heath says
how are these 200 calories per serving? Adding up the ingredients it’s at least 250/300
Danielle Green says
It depends on your protein powder. I linked to the protein powder that I used that made them lower calorie.
Ashley says
I like to use the Ghost vegan protein powder in either banana pancake or coconut ice cream flavor for these. With all ingredients, I get 4 normal or 2 huge pancakes for about 390 calories. These are amazing without any additional toppings when you use a flavored protein powder. The trick I’ve noticed is to whip your egg whites extremely thoroughly and mash the banana into liquid lol. Cook on medium low and make them thiner to avoid burning.
Amanda Adcock says
I made this with chocolate protein powder since I was out of vanilla. I also added in a bit of PB2. I kept burning them on the stove but put in my air fryer waffle pan at 320 for 8 minutes and they came out amazing!! Now I’m making more just to freeze for an easy breakfast!
Jannice says
I just made these and were impressed with how good they tasted with no added sugar and no flour! Who knew you could make pancakes with just protein powder! I’m curious what other people used to prevent sticking, but I did coconut oil and a nonstick skillet and the coconut oil started to burn them–this could just be me not knowing how to use coconut oil, but would love some healthy alternatives or tips to flipping them/getting them out of the pan easier.
Also how are folks ladling this into the pan? I used the spatula I was using to pour the egg whites into the main mixture and eye-balled the 1/4 cup. My proportions came out wildly disproportionately lol.
For anyone who is nervous about the dry ingredients not coming together smooth–have faith, keep beating them with whatever electric tool you have (I don’t recommend hand mixing which I tried at first.)
I ate this with frozen blueberries that I microwaved for a minute, the juice from the berries, and a cup of whole milk yogurt and it was perfectly sweet and delicious. They were surprisingly fluffy (I was skeptical). It’s not going to be exactly like a pancake but its probably better than a lot of the bad pancakes I’ve had.
Highly recommend for low calories, protein concentration, and sweet tooth fix!
Jenny says
I just don’t get it- do you cook the pancakes with absolutely no type of butter or oil ( be it coconut or grapeseed etc.) at all?
Many thanks
Jenny
Danielle Green says
They have a different texture than traditional pancakes, but there is no oil in the batter. I do recommend using some non-stick pan spray on the skillet so they don’t stick.
Leash says
I’m trying to find a balance of a healthy recipe that still tastes good. This for me was a massive fail, it was more a banana omelete than a pancake. It wasnt fluffy or smooth. The taste wasn’t terrible but I added honey and blueberries on top. However I couldnt get past the texture.
I think its still worth a try as peoples tastes and tolerances are different.
Melanie says
First, I hope your infertility struggles are now over and you were successful. I just made these and they were absolutely delicious! I used tera’s whey protein bourbon vanilla and added the trilogy of health seeds to the top before flipping them (hemp, chia, and flax seeds.) I typically add them when I can for more protein and nutrients. I also cooked them on low with a lid on the fry pan as the first batch seemed to stick and not cook through as well. The texture was different, but really satisfying, and they were sweet enough on their own without any added syrup or toppings. Thank you!!
Danielle Green says
Thanks Melanie! I have two beautiful and crazy 3 year old twins! I’m so glad that you enjoyed the pancakes, and thanks for the tip on covering them when cooking.
Hayley McDonald says
Not very appetizing
ubaTaeCJ says
1
Susanna says
Loved the texture and consistency of the pancakes – it was actually like biting into a cloud. But the flavor was almost like eating cardboard which could totally be up to the protein powder I used.
Jaana Vryenhoek says
Eggs.. pcos is made worse by eggs. It’s not that eggs are bad… it’s just they are food for the EBV. Research Anthony William, PCOS and you will be able to read & see if it helps xx 😘 all the best xx
Carolyn says
I used raspberries instead of banana and made 2 pancakes but then baked the rest of the mixture into mini muffins, which worked really well and were child approved.
Amy says
These were amazing. The best protein pancakes ever. I saw that someone had added coconut flour which I did to add extra fibre, just amazing
Tim Anderson says
I am obsessed with pancakes but also a gym guy. I like to stay lean and cut all year. I have made these a half dozen times now. They come out perfect every time! So light and fluffy and just delicious! I need to eat upwards of 230 grams of protein a day in my diet so I’ve started improvising and adding more egg whites and vanilla protein powder and they still turn out incredible. I just had them for dinner here on a Saturday night! Incredible recepie thank you 😊
A says
I was going to make these because I thought the extra step of separating the egg whites and whipping them up was just too much work… and I was hungry. But I made them anyway. Well worth it1 Ended up doing everything by hand because it turned out to be THAT easy. Light, fluffy, delicious. Will be going back to this recipe!
Gracie says
This did not really work. I could taste the banana front and centre and it did not firm up. Was squishy/mushy and fell apart really really easily and so hard to cook. Also burned really fast even on low temp but wouldn’t cook much in the middle.
Are other people magic? Anytime I cook with main ingredients being mashed over ripe banana and eggs it just isn’t good. Like a sweet egg, mushy and almost slimy. Maybe I don’t like over ripe banana.
I think it needs some kind of flour to not be so runny and bind.
Tina says
I followed the recipe – the batter is delicious. However the pancakes are not. The batter will not set up – if you cook them on low heat they will not cook, as the batter is a soufflé like batter and if you cook them on high heat they burn. You also have to cook one at a time.
Tina says
I followed the recipe – the batter is delicious. However the pancakes are not. The batter will not set up – if you cook them on low heat they will not cook, as the batter is a soufflé like batter and if you cook them on high heat they burn. You also have took cook one at a time.
Tina says
I followed the recipe – the batter is delicious. However the pancakes are not. The batter will not set up – if you cook them on low heat they will not cook, as the batter is a soufflé like batter and if you cook them on high heat they burn. You also have took cook one at a time.
Mary says
Where are you getting your information that “sugar free syrup is counterproductive to weight loss”? You realize that isn’t true, correct? People come to these pages looking for recipes- not fear based pseudoscience. There is nothing wrong with the ingredients in sugar free syrup, or any other sugar free product.
-Someone that has actually worked in biotech and food science.
Danielle Green says
Thanks for the feedback. I shared this recipe many years ago, and my own views have evolved over time. I’m not interested in pushing my beliefs on artificial sugars, so I have removed that portion.