Guess what? Even if you’re a fitness fanatic who loves nothing more than staying in shape, you can still enjoy pancakes just like everyone else!
Because whilst we often think of pancakes as a treat food, this doesn’t have to be the case. Pancakes can definitely be healthy — it all depends what you put in, or on, them!
And these epic protein packed banana pancake recipes are perfect to try out:
Hold up: pancakes can really be healthy?
True: some pancakes can never be classified as ‘healthy’. If your daily helping is carb-heavy — and loaded with chocolate chips, syrup, whipped cream and a bunch of other super sugary toppings — then there’s very little health benefit to be gained.
But if you’re careful with your ingredients and make a conscious effort to avoid high-sugar additions, there’s no reason why pancakes can’t be a great addition to a balanced diet.
Especially when they are protein packed and paired with a naturally sweet fruit like banana.
Why are banana pancakes healthy?
When it comes to pancake toppings, no fruit is out of bounds!
Whether you love strawberries, blueberries, mango or kiwi, you have total freedom to decorate your pancakes with whatever you see fit.
But when making pancake batter, mashed bananas are a surprisingly beneficial addition for many reasons.
For one, adding ripe banana to your batter is guaranteed to provide added sweetness to their overall taste — without the addition of refined sugars or other unhealthy ingredients.
What’s more, bananas are a great source of energy (without unwanted cholesterol or fats!), and are also packed full of health benefits. Naturally high in vitamin B6, bananas can help speed-up carbohydrate metabolism, remove unwanted toxins from your body, and aid in the healthy function of your immune system. Nice!
And if that wasn’t enough, bananas are also rich in potassium and manganese. Together, this helps regulate blood pressure, boosts heart health and promotes clear, healthy skin.
3 protein packed banana pancake recipes you need to try
So, if you’re keen to harness the power of banana — whilst keeping your daily protein intake up — these 3 super simple recipes are well worth a try.
(There’s even a vegan-friendly option for plant-based eaters!)
Ultimate breakfast pancakes
This breakfast plate is the ideal way to kick off Pancake Day 2020, thanks to its perfect balance of carbohydrates and protein powder.
And the best part? You only need 4 ingredients and you should have enough for at least 4-5 pancakes.
You will need:
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup (one level scoop) protein powder
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- 1 ripe mashed banana
- Mix together your eggs and mashed banana, then combine with the protein powder and eggs until smooth.
- Place a non-stick frying pan on a medium heat, and leave for a few minutes to get hot.
- Add around a quarter of your batter to the frying pan, and spread until approximately 5” wide. Flip after 60 seconds, and cook for a further 60 seconds on the other side.
- Repeat until you’ve used all your batter — you should have at least 4 pancakes.
- Top with your favourite fruits and sugar-free maple syrup for the ultimate protein packed banana pancake breakfast!
Vegan protein packed banana pancakes
Whether you’re an avid vegan or simply want to try out a deliciously plant-based pancake recipe, this one is the perfect choice.
You will need:
- 2 mashed ripe bananas
- ½ cup (two level scoops) vegan protein powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups almond milk
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- Mix together your mashed banana and almond milk until smooth, then combine with all other ingredients (minus the coconut oil).
- Place a non-stick frying pan on a medium heat, and leave for a few minutes to get hot.
- Add coconut oil to your pan and, once melted, add about a quarter of your mixture to the pan.
- Due to the thickness of this mixture, cook for around 2 minutes on each side.
- Top with more sliced banana and peanut butter for the ultimate delicious vegan pancake stack!
Fluffy, low-carb pancakes
These light and easy to make pancakes are the perfect post-dinner snack — a fitting ending to Pancake Day. And as this entire serving of pancakes comes in at less than 200 calories, this recipe is essentially guilt-free. So, enjoy!
You will need:
- ½ cup (two level scoops) protein powder
- 2 large eggs
- ⅛ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 large ripe mashed banana
- Separate your eggs, and beat the whites until soft peaks are formed.
- Add all other ingredients (including egg yolks) to a separate bowl, and combine until smooth.
- Add ⅓ of your egg white mixture to your other ingredients, gently folding until almost combined. Add the rest of the egg whites in two remaining thirds, continuing to lightly fold until everything is fully mixed together.
- Place a non-stick frying pan on a medium heat, and leave for a few minutes to get hot.
- Add around a quarter of your mixture to the pan, and spread to your desired thickness. Flip after 60 seconds, and cook for a further 60-90 seconds on the other side.
- Serve immediately with your favourite toppings! A great option is low fat greek yoghurt, to keep your pancakes nice and light.
Do Pancake Day the protein way!
And there you have it: 3 super simple yet delicious protein packed, banana-based recipes to try out this Pancake Day.
But remember, these recipes are great to whip up all year round — you can enjoy them for brekkie or share them with friends for an evening treat.
If these recipes have got you hungry for more, then check out our guide to making delicious desserts that won’t ruin your diet. Yum!