These healthy Banana Protein Pancakes can be whipped together in a matter of 10 minutes and only a blender is required! Made with oatmeal and banana, they’re high in protein and fibre, making for an ultra filling and healthy breakfast. Say hello to your new favourite pancakes! {Gluten-free & dairy-free}
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Banana Protein Pancakes Recipe
Protein pancakes are one of those foods that I’ve always loved at breakfast time.
I’ve done my fair share of pancake experiments over the years, and out of all my pancake experiments, these super easy banana protein pancakes are definitely one of my go-to recipes, along with these Pumpkin Protein Pancakes, which are great for the Fall!
Loaded with simple ingredients like oatmeal, banana, eggs, and protein powder, these healthy banana pancakes are not only super tasty, but are also a good source of protein and fibre, and so easy to make! And did I mention, they’re great for meal prep?
You can’t go wrong with this simple power-packed breakfast option!
For more healthy pancake recipes, check out these Chocolate Banana Protein Pancakes and Strawberry Banana Pancakes. Or, if you want to get a head start on your breakfast meal prep, whip up a batch of this Homemade Protein Pancake Mix!
Why We Love These High Protein Banana Pancakes
- No added sugar: They’re naturally sweetened with bananas, so no additional sugar is required. No added sugar equals more awesomeness for your body. Enough said.
- Full of protein: There’s about 20 grams of protein for a serving of four pancakes, which is much more than regular pancakes. As a Dietitian, you have no clue how many conversations I have with people trying to get them to up their protein intake at breakfast time. These pancakes help solve the protein problem.
- Packed with fibre: The banana, oats and chia seeds add a dose of fibre to these pancakes. Fibre equals fullness.
- Blender pancakes: You make the batter in a blender. That’s right. Throw all of the ingredients in a blender and press start. It’s that simple.
- Easily customizable: You can eat these fluffy banana protein pancakes plain because they resemble that banana bread kind of taste. Or if you’re feeling decadent, you can top them up with with all the things.
Ingredients for Protein Pancakes
So let’s get to the ingredients list because I know you’re dying to know what goes into these healthy pancakes ;)
- Oats: Are blended into an oat flour to provide that pancake consistency. Use quick or rolled oats.
- Chia seeds: Incorporate extra fibre and healthy fats into the pancake batter. You can use ground or whole chia seeds, or sub in ground flax seeds.
- Eggs: Help bind the pancakes together while acting as a source of protein. Brown or white large eggs can be used.
- Egg whites: Used as a substitute for additional eggs to provide extra protein to the pancakes, while reducing saturated fat. You can use the egg whites from whole eggs and save the egg yolks or purchase a carton.
- Banana: Adds natural sweetness and moisture to the pancakes. Use ripe bananas for the best flavour.
- Baking powder: Helps the pancakes become more light and fluffy.
- Flavouring agents: Cinnamon, salt and vanilla extract incorporate extra flavour to the pancakes.
- Protein powder: This is optional, but will provide an extra boost of protein. You can use whey or a plant-based protein powder.
How To Make Protein Pancakes – Step by Step Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients for the pancakes to a high-speed blender.
- Mix together all of the ingredients until combined and smooth.
- Preheat griddle or a large nonstick skillet to medium-high heat. Spray with cooking spray or use a bit of coconut oil. Using a tablespoon, scoop pancake mixture on the pan so it forms a medium-sized circle (use about 2 heaping tablespoons of pancakes mixture for each pancake).
- Cook for 4-5 minutes on the first side or until edges start to harden and bubbles start to form on top of the pancake.
- Flip and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with your favourite toppings.
It literally takes 10 minutes to whip these babies up!
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!
Tips for the Best Protein Pancakes
- Use an overripe banana to infuse maximum sweetness into these pancakes. I like to store any overripe spotty bananas that are about to go bad in the freezer. They come in handy for recipes like these!
- You can use egg whites from a whole egg or purchase a carton of egg whites. We always like to have a carton of egg whites in the fridge to incorporate into things like omelettes or pancakes.
- If you include the protein powder, try to look for one that’s low in sugar and has minimal processed ingredients. I generally like to use the Vegan Vanilla Protein Powder by Genuine Health.
- If the pancake batter is sitting for a while, it may start to thicken up slightly. You can thin it out by adding a bit of regular milk or a milk alternative such as almond milk.
Recipe FAQs
You can use large flake oats or quick oats for the purpose of this recipe. The only type of oats that I don’t recommend are steel cut since they are too hard and won’t blend well to form a smooth pancake batter.
It’s possible that the pan isn’t quite hot enough so you may need to turn up the heat so that the pancakes become firm enough on one side before flipping.
The other reason the pancakes may be falling apart is that you might be trying to flip them too soon after pouring the pancake batter on the cooking surface. It’s generally best to leave them alone until you see bubbles start to form on the surface of the pancakes. When you reach this point, you can flip the pancakes.
Definitely! The protein powder increases the protein content and adds some additional sweetness, especially if you use a flavoured variety. You can use a whey protein powder or a plant-based protein powder depending on your dietary preferences.
I’ve personally tested out this recipe using whey and a vegan protein powder, both vanilla flavoured and the unflavoured variety. I tend to prefer the vanilla protein powder as it makes the pancakes a bit sweeter and gives them more flavour, but you can certainly use unflavoured if you prefer.
If you don’t have any protein powder on hand or prefer not to use it, you don’t have to add it in. Keep in mind that it will increase the protein content of these pancakes in addition to the eggs and egg whites. If you choose not to incorporate it, the protein content will be slightly lower.
Yes, I love freezing protein pancakes for a quick and easy breakfast or snack! You can freeze them for up to three months in a freezer safe bag or container. If you’re stacking the pancakes, separate them with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.
How to Store
Refrigerator: These banana protein pancakes can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container or covered with saran wrap for up to four days.
Freezer: Alternatively, you can freeze them in a freezer-friendly container or Ziploc bag for up to one month.
How to Reheat High Protein Pancakes
You can reheat the pancakes by either popping them in the microwave for a couple of minutes or placing them in the toaster or toaster oven until heated through.
Toppings for Banana Oatmeal Protein Pancakes
Now pancakes wouldn’t be all that exciting without those delicious toppings.
Here are some tasty ideas:
- Fresh banana slices
- Natural peanut butter or almond butter
- Hemp hearts
- Chocolate chips
- Shredded coconut
- Maple syrup
- Chia seed jam
- Berries
- Other fresh fruit
The options really are endless.
The best part is, you can switch up the flavour profile for any given day!
Recipe Variations
- Add fruit: Mix some blueberries or diced strawberries into the blended batter before cooking the pancakes.
- Add chocolate chips: You can toss some chocolate chips right in the batter for extra chocolatey flavour.
- For extra protein: Add some hemp hearts, extra protein powder, Greek yogurt or cottage cheese.
Looking for other delicious recipes? Check these out:
- Banana Protein Muffins
- Protein Banana Bread
- Protein French Toast
- No Bake Protein Balls
- Yogurt Smoothie
- Baked Cod with Panko
- Quinoa Cakes
- Shrimp Taco
- Easy Stir Fry Sauce
- Pear Salad
- Kale Salad
- Chicken Burger
- Breakfast Ideas for Kids
Did you make this recipe? Scroll down to leave a star rating and review!
Healthy Banana Pancakes with Protein
Ingredients
- 1 cup oats
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup egg whites
- 1 large ripe banana
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vanilla protein powder optional
Instructions
- In a blender, mix together all of the ingredients until combined and smooth.
- Preheat griddle to medium-high. Spray with cooking spray. Using a tablespoon, scoop pancake mixture on the pan so it forms a medium circle (use about 2 heaping tablespoons for each pancake).
- Cook for 4-5 minutes on the first side or until edges start to harden and bubbles start to form on surface. Flip and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes on the other side.
- Top with sliced banana, peanut butter, chocolate chips, coconut and maple syrup, if desired.
Video
Notes
- For best results, use a very ripe banana to incorporate more sweetness into the pancakes.
- You can use a whey or vegan protein powder for the purpose of this recipe. I have tested both and enjoyed the taste with each one.
- You can use egg whites from a whole egg or purchase a carton of egg whites.
- If the pancake batter is sitting for a while, it may start to thicken up slightly. You can thin it out by adding a bit of regular milk or a milk alternative such as almond milk.
- The nutrition information included is calculated for one pancake and includes the use of vanilla protein powder.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted in February 2020, but was updated in November 2022 to include more helpful tips and photos.
Maria says
Sooo good and fluffy 🤩
Elysia Cartlidge says
Yesss!! Glad you agree ;) Thanks for the kind review!
Jae says
This my new go to recipe for pancakes!! I made these with lactose free milk (instead of 1/2 cup of egg whites) and chocolate protein powder. These are so good!!!!
Elysia Cartlidge says
Yum!! Thanks for sharing these substitutions! Glad you were able to adapt the recipe to meet your dietary needs :)
Nicole lee says
These turned out great topped with a little almond butter and maple syrup very yummy
Elysia Cartlidge says
Awesome, thanks for the feedback! That’s one of my favorite ways to serve them too :)
DaveM says
Forgot to mention, it is worth tripling this recipe as it will still fit in a Vitamix. Then, freeze the pancakes in ziplock baggies for an easy breakfast.
DaveM says
My go to pancake! I add a bit of avocado oil to keep from sticking.
Elysia Cartlidge says
Awesome! So happy you’ve been enjoying the recipe. Great tip about tripling the recipe and freezing…definitely makes for a quick and easy breakfast!
Beth says
So easy and delicious.
Elysia Cartlidge says
Yay! Glad you enjoyed them :)
Ashley B says
I just made this recipe for myself and my mom tasted it. I explain to her what was in it and she said oh my God I can’t believe that has healthy ingredients. It doesn’t even taste like it. I really really love this recipe!!! I did substitute the egg whites (which i didbt have) for some cottage cheese/Greek yogurt. I did have to add some lactose-free milk at the end to thin it out but overall I love this recipe. It’s my favorite protein recipe that’s Far, be sure to add any berries or nut butter at the end, which was so delicious.
Elysia Cartlidge says
Thanks for the amazing feedback! Glad it worked out well with the cottage cheese/Greek yogurt — that’s great to know! And I agree, definitely tastes great with nut butter and berries!
H green says
These were delicious
Elysia Cartlidge says
So glad you enjoyed them!!
D bounds says
Fantastic recipe! I added a bit more protein and doubled the vanilla. They were perfect. Thanks for the recipe!
Elysia Cartlidge says
That’s awesome! Can’t go wrong with a bit of extra protein and vanilla! Thanks so much for your feedback on the pancakes :)
Taps says
Added chocolate chips and another batch added blueberries. Cooked them In tiny waffle maker makes about 6. Delicious. I eat them on the go and sometimes top with peanut butter.
Super easy to make. Thank you!
Elysia Cartlidge says
Ooh I love this idea!! So brilliant making them in a waffle maker! I bet they were delicious with the chocolate chips and blueberries too…such a great on the go snack idea! :)
Cathy says
Hello Elysia, would there be any substitute for the egg whites?
Thank you:)
Elysia Cartlidge says
Hi Cathy, I haven’t personally tried it myself but you could maybe try using cottage cheese as a substitute for the egg whites. It’s a higher protein option similar to the egg whites. If you find that the pancake batter is too thick once you add the cottage cheese, you could always add a bit of milk or milk alternative to thin out the batter a bit. Let me know how it goes if you try it out!
Megan Leigh Grummert says
8-10 pancakes is the portion/serving size for one person? How many servings does this recipe make?
Elysia Cartlidge says
The recipe makes 8-10 pancakes total, so about 2-3 servings depending on how many pancakes you choose to have. Hope that helps!
Ashley says
Does this mean that the macros you posted are for one pancake or 2-3?
Elysia Cartlidge says
The macros listed are for one pancake, but the entire recipe makes about 8-10 pancakes. So if you were to have more than one, you would have to multiply those nutritional values by the number of pancakes you choose to have. Hope that makes sense!
Lily says
Just made these and they’re great! I’m notoriously bad at making pancakes and these turned out delicious.
Elysia Cartlidge says
That’s awesome! So glad you were able to up your pancake making game ;)
Graham says
I tried these last week and they were really good! I didn’t have chia seeds so I used a little bit of extra oats. They still turned out great!
Elysia Cartlidge says
So happy you enjoyed them and glad they worked out with the addition of some extra oats! Thanks for returning to leave a review!
Ben Boulle says
Can’t wait to try this! Can I use regular flour instead of oats, and if so, how much would be ideal?
Elysia Cartlidge says
I haven’t tried subbing in regular flour but you can certainly try it! I would start with maybe half a cup of flour, blend the mixture and then increase the amount if desired until you reach a pancake batter consistency. Let me know how it goes if you try it out!
Lisa Collins says
This is the first banana pancake recipe that had chia seeds in it. Loved them! Super easy to make and simple ingredients.
Elysia Cartlidge says
So happy you loved the pancakes Lisa — the chia seeds are definitely a great addition and help add that boost of nutrients! :) Thanks for swinging back to leave a review!
lina lora says
Hi! Flavor was delish but it came out a bit dry and tough. What did I do wrong ?
Elysia Cartlidge says
Hmm it’s tough to say without having a few more details. A few things I can think of:
1. The type of protein powder used. Certain protein powders could result in a more dry/tough texture.
2. How long was the pancake mixture sitting prior to cooking? The chia seeds tend to absorb excess moisture, causing the mixture to thicken up more over time, which could result in pancakes that are more dry and tough. In this case, you may want to add some extra liquid to the mixture if it seems too thick before cooking.
3. How long after cooking did you consume the pancakes? They tend to get more dry as they sit.
4. Is it possible that they may have been overcooked?
You could also try leaving out the chia seeds next time to see if that helps with the texture. They add some additional nutrients, but aren’t essential to the recipe. Hope that helps and I’m glad you enjoyed the flavour!
Gloria says
Do I put in a 3rd egg is I don’t have a carton of egg whites? Or what do you recommend ?
Elysia Cartlidge says
Half a cup of egg whites is equivalent to four large eggs, so you would need to sub in four eggs to replace the egg whites. You could also try making chia or flax eggs if you don’t want to use that many eggs in the recipe. To make one chia or flax egg, soak 1 tbsp of chia seeds or ground flaxseed with 3 tbsp water. Allow to thicken for 5 minutes. Use as you would a regular egg. Hope that helps!
Gloria Song says
Amazing thank you!! Just made them and they are delicious :)
Elysia Cartlidge says
That’s awesome — so happy you enjoyed them! Thanks so much for sharing your feedback :)
Carla says
There are no quantities on the recipe, am I missing something??!!
Elysia Cartlidge says
The quantities are at the bottom of the post in the recipe card :)
Alexie Antonopoulos says
Hands down the best protein pancake I have found. The texture is almost identical to regular pancakes.
Elysia Cartlidge says
Yay!! Love getting that kind of feedback! So happy you enjoyed the recipe :)
Nicole Dewhurst says
These came out great! I like to add more protein powder and a little more banana :) how much is the serving size, one pancake?
Elysia Cartlidge says
So glad you enjoyed the pancakes! Can’t go wrong with a little extra protein powder and banana! And yes, the nutritional information is for one pancake, so typically the recipe makes about 2-3 servings.
Lynn says
Can I store unused batter in the fridge?
Elysia Cartlidge says
You should be able to keep the batter in the fridge for a day or two. It may thicken up the longer that it sits, so you may need to add some additional liquid (i.e. egg whites or milk/milk alternative) to the mixture if you find that it’s too thick. Let me know how it goes if you try it!
Lorena says
Omg so good I’m so glad google brought me here after a good workout I looked up protein pancakes because I’m so tired of smoothies 🤮 I surprisingly had all the ingredients and whipped it up (blended) lol super fast. I added frozen blueberrie🤌🏽✨✨
Elysia Cartlidge says
I’m so happy that you found these pancakes too! I totally get it with the smoothies haha…nice to have other options to get that protein post-workout. Love the addition of the blueberries too! Thanks so much for stopping by :)
Shelli says
These come out perfectly delicious every time!! A high protein breakfast I’ve enjoyed throughout my pregnancy guilt free !
Elysia Cartlidge says
So happy you’ve been enjoying the pancakes Shelli! I appreciate you stopping by to comment :) Best of luck with your pregnancy and new baby!
Maureen Evans says
I would love to try this recipe but don’t have any chia seeds. Do you think that ground flax would be a good substitute?
Thanks
Elysia Cartlidge says
Yes flax would work well too! Or you could leave the chia seeds out altogether as it won’t significantly alter the recipe. Hope you enjoy the recipe if you try it out!
Nadia says
These were great-had to stop myself from eating more than one serving!
Elysia Cartlidge says
I totally get the struggle! I have that same issue when eating these pancakes!! So happy you enjoyed the recipe :)
Nicole says
Hi! The calories given, is that for the serving size of 8-10 or for only 1 pancake? And they tasted amazing!! Thank you!
Elysia Cartlidge says
Sorry for the delay Nicole! Yes, the nutritional information is for one pancake, so typically the recipe makes about 2-3 servings. So happy you enjoyed the pancakes! :)
Rianna Chehayeb says
These were some the best protein gluten free pancakes I made! I love the clean ingredients and how fluffy they were and how simple they were to make! I posted on my ig with whipped cream and sprinkles on top of the stack they were a nice looking stack!
Elysia Cartlidge says
So happy you loved the pancakes Rianna! I bet they were delicious with the whipped cream and sprinkles..so pretty too! Thanks so much for stopping by to comment :)
Stephanie says
I can’t believe how light and fluffy these pancakes were for being protein pancakes! YUM YUM YUM
Thank you for this recipe
Elysia Cartlidge says
My pleasure Stephanie! So happy that you enjoyed these pancakes! Definitely one of my favourites :)
Sneha says
BEST PROTEIN PANCAKES EVER. Nothing beats the fluffiness of this one!! Cut recipe in half for one serving and here’s the changes I made:
-1 egg to 2 1/2 tbsp of egg whites
-filled up oats halfway in a 1/2 measuring cup and the rest with vanilla protein powder
-didnt use blender. just mixed with fork
get creative!! i added hemp seeds and topped with berries and maple syrup. add sprinkles, chocolate chips, food coloring, whatever you want!!
Elysia Cartlidge says
Thanks so much Sneha! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Love your modifications and serving suggestions!!
Shannon R Roberts says
Wow these are amazing. I added chocolate chips to them kids love these.
Elysia Cartlidge says
Thanks so much Shannon! Love the addition of the chocolate chips! I bet that tasted amazing!!
Steph K says
A new favourite breakfast!
Elysia Cartlidge says
Yay!! Aren’t they delish?! So glad you enjoyed them!
Julie says
Absolutely loved this recipe! Will definitely be on a regular rotation.
Elysia Cartlidge says
Thanks Julie! So happy you enjoyed it :)
Britt says
Does the nutritional info you posted include the protein powder?
Elysia Cartlidge says
Yes, it does include the protein powder. It’s just a rough estimate though since the amount of protein in each protein powder will vary. Hope that helps!
Kaleb says
These are soooo delicious! thank you for sharing
Elysia Cartlidge says
My pleasure! So glad you enjoyed them!
Diya says
These are wonderful! I beat the egg whites by hand and the pancakes still turned out fluffy and so tasty! Great idea!
Elysia Cartlidge says
Thanks so much Diya! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Great idea to beat the egg whites by hand!
Erika says
Haha, I am SO DOWN to have these pancakes for dinner or dessert. I am hoping I can make this with flax eggs and vegan protein powder to make this recipe vegan!
Elysia Cartlidge says
You and me both!! Love pancakes anytime of day! Please let me know how the pancakes turn out if you try subbing in the flax eggs and vegan protein powder!
Victoria Grijalba says
Are the 92 calories per pancake? So I figured I wanted to eat 5 of these it would be a little under 500 calories?
Elysia Cartlidge says
Yup, that’s correct! Usually I’ll have half a batch of the pancakes in one sitting which is 4-5 pancakes. The calories will vary slightly depending on your protein powder as well. Hope you enjoy!
kylie says
does the nutritional info include the protein powder?
Elysia Cartlidge says
So sorry for the delay! Yes, the nutritional info does include the protein powder. Keep in mind that the protein content will vary depending on which protein powder you use!
kaylee says
5/5 that’s how good it was
Elysia Cartlidge says
Thanks so much Kaylee!! So glad you loved these pancakes!
Molly says
These are soooo delicious! They look too pretty and fluffy to be healthy, they taste too yummy to be healthy, but yet they are. I didn’t have chia seeds but that would dial up the healthiness even more. Thanks for my new go-to recipe!
Elysia Cartlidge says
Yay!! SO happy you loved these pancakes! So easy and healthy, right?!
Gemma says
These pancakes look delicious and such perfect timing seeing as it’s pancake day today too! I need to give this recipe a try :)
Elysia Cartlidge says
Thanks Gemma! Wow I didn’t even realize that it was pancake day today…that worked out well haha! Hope you enjoy the recipe if you try it out!