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These fluffy banana protein pancakes keep you full for hours! Made with 6 wholesome ingredients, they have a sweet banana flavor and are a perfect post-workout meal.
These banana oat protein pancakes are the extra sweet and banana-y version of my protein pancakes and cottage cheese pancakes.
They are a wholesome way to satisfy the ‘dessert for breakfast’ cravings but pack in a nutritional punch. These pancakes are quick to make and taste incredible!
Table of Contents
Why this recipe works
- Incredible texture and flavor. The texture of these pancakes is fluffy, thick, and almost pillow-like. As for the flavor, if you love banana bread, it’s a cross between that and classic pancakes.
- Secretly wholesome. Like almond flour pancakes, these are disguised as classic fluffy pancakes but are made with mostly healthy ingredients, like rolled oats and mashed bananas. No sugar, milk, or flour is needed.
- A post-workout meal. Swap the post-workout protein shake for these sweet and protein-packed banana pancakes instead. Your muscles will thank you.
- Made in a blender. Best of all, the pancake batter is made entirely in a blender. This helps you avoid a mess in the kitchen while the cleanup process stays speedy.
Ingredients needed
This protein banana pancake recipe is so easy and besides eggs and oats, there isn’t much else needed to make. Here is what you’ll need:
- Bananas. You’ll want to use the ripest, spottiest bananas you can find. Ripe bananas are soft, which helps them blend flawlessly into the batter. They’re much sweeter and have a stronger banana flavor.
- Eggs. These add a rich flavor and help bind the pancakes together.
- Rolled oats. The oats are blended into a flour to give the pancakes substance and to make them extra filling. Remember to use certified gluten-free rolled oats if you need the pancakes to be gluten-free.
- Whey protein. I like vanilla protein powder best here, but plain or chocolate-flavored should work, too.
- Vanilla extract. For flavor.
- Baking powder. To help the pancakes rise and fluff up.
Protein powder substitute
You aren’t limited to whey protein here. Instead, you can use your favorite vegan protein powder, pea protein powder, casein protein powder, or hemp protein powder. Just remember to use a brand and flavor you already enjoy.
How to make banana protein pancakes
Protein pancakes with banana are so easy: just remember to use a large enough skillet to cook several pancakes at once.
- Blend: Blend the oats and protein powder in a blender until it turns into flour. Then add the eggs, bananas, and vanilla extract and blend until smooth. Finish by blending in the baking powder.
- Cook the pancakes: To a non-stick pan, add scoops of the batter and cook until bubbles appear on top, then flip.
- Serve: Serve the cooked pancakes with the toppings and sides of your choice. Enjoy!
Tips to make the best recipe
Don’t over-blend the batter: An overworked blender will lead to dense and gummy pancakes.
Thin out the batter: If the batter is too thick, blend in a scoop of Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or a splash of milk or water.
Let the batter rest: Giving the blended batter time to rest helps it thicken, which leads to thick and fluffy pancakes.
Keep the pancakes warm: To keep the cooked pancakes warm, place them on a baking sheet in a preheated 200ºF oven while you cook the rest of the batter.
Recipe variations
Like a classic banana bread, this recipe is so easy to customize to suit your preferences or flavors! Here are some ideas:
- Add warm spices: Blend cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice into the batter to give the pancakes a warm and comforting flavor.
- Add-in ideas: After blending, fold walnuts, shredded coconut, slivered almonds, chocolate chips, or blueberries into the batter.
- Egg free: You can easily make eggless pancakes by either omitting them from the recipe, swapping them for two flax eggs (2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed + 6 tablespoons of water), or replacing them with one extra banana.
- Chocolate banana pancakes: Make a more wholesome version of our chocolate chip or classic chocolate pancakes, use chocolate protein powder, blend up to a ¼ cup of cocoa powder into the batter, or top the pancakes with chocolate chips.
Storage instructions
To store: Transfer the leftover pancakes to an airtight container or ziplock bag and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled pancakes in a ziplock bag and freeze for up to 6 months. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight or reheat from frozen.
To reheat: You can reheat the pancakes in a toaster, toaster oven, microwave, or skillet over medium heat.
More protein-packed breakfasts to try
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can blend the pancake batter without the baking powder the night before making this recipe. Keep it in the covered blender bowl in the fridge overnight.
Only blend the baking powder into the batter right before cooking the pancakes. If you add it too early, it will lose its leavening powers, resulting in not-so-fluffy pancakes.
Yes! Unsweetened applesauce or pumpkin puree are two fantastic alternatives to bananas in this recipe. Start with 2/3 cup and add more if needed.
Easiest Banana Protein Pancakes
Ingredients
- 2 large bananas ripe
- 2 large eggs
- 2/3 cup rolled oats
- 2/3 cup whey protein powder vanilla flavored *
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Add oats and protein powder in a high-power blender. Blend until smooth and the oats are pulverized. Add eggs, bananas, and vanilla extract and blend until smooth.
- Add baking powder and blend for 5 seconds. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add large spoonfuls of the batter into the skillet. Cook pancakes until bubbles appear on the surface. Gently lift and flip the pancake. Cook for 1 minute more.
- Repeat the cooking process with the rest of the pancake batter.
Listen. These pancakes made my day. I used Steel Protein Banana Pancake flavor and added a splash of unsweetened almond milk as others suggested. They were delicious. I didn’t add syrup, just snacked on them.
Thanks, Khops!
So simple and so tasty!
I tried these because I bought some protein powder that wouldn’t blend well. Alternatives I used: steel cut oats (since I had some that needed to be used), a splash of Oatmilk.
My main recommendation is that you definitely need a blender. I tried it with one of those magic bullet things and it was too much for the little motor. Then I moved it to a shaker bottle and that got it pretty well mixed but still lumpy.
Taste was actually very good!
I’m going to invest in a blender and try again.
Great to hear it worked with steel cut oats!
These are great pancakes! The texture isn’t like super fluffy diner pancakes, more like fluffy whole wheat pancakes. 2/3 cup of my whey protein is a whopping 50g of protein! Mixed in apple pie and pumpkin pie spice. Dropped blueberries in while they were on the pan- they form such a nice edge and are easy to flip. Topped with cottage cheese and maple syrup!
These were pretty good and flavorful. Very filling but next time I may add a smidge of ff milk or water.
Loved this recipe! Could use a dash of milk or coconut oil in the batter but still a 5 star for taste.
This may be a stupid question, but as someone who is not experienced with protein powder, do you have a favorite that you used? I bought it once(and was quite expensive) and did not care for the taste. TIA
Hi Mary Anne! Yes- I love optimum casein for baking because it’s super thick. Vanilla or chocolate 🙂
I have tried similar ones that come in a box, but I am excited to make my own.
It is so healthy and delicious recipe without sugar and flour, and besides others…appropriate for people who avoid white sugar and white flour like me, and for others who use gluten free meals ect…
Thank you.
These banana protein pancakes were delicious, you taste the banana, a keeper for sure.