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These pumpkin protein pancakes need just 4 ingredients and come out soft, thick, and SO fluffy. Over 12 grams of protein per serving.
In need of more protein-packed breakfast recipes? Try my protein oatmeal, coffee protein shake, and protein waffles next.
If you’ve made my healthy pumpkin pancakes and protein pancakes before, you’ll love this hybrid of the two: protein pumpkin pancakes!
The texture of the pancakes is light, thick, and fluffy, and the pumpkin puree adds tons of moisture. They’re lightly sweetened and perfect any time of the year.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Just 4 ingredients. Simple pantry staple ingredients that are blended to make the batter.
- Diet friendly. Without even trying, these pancakes are egg-free, dairy-free, AND gluten-free.
- Lowkey healthy. Like my banana protein pancakes, these pancakes sneak in plenty of protein, fiber, and antioxidants.
- The perfect texture. Thick, fluffy, and pillowy, like all good pancakes should be.
Ingredients needed
- Pumpkin puree. Make sure to use unsweetened canned pumpkin and NOT pumpkin pie filling, which has tons of sugar and spices already added. I like to make my homemade pumpkin puree when I can.
- Rolled oats. AKA old fashioned oats. These will be blended to a flour-like consistency. If you have oat flour on hand, you’re one step ahead!
- Protein powder. I used vanilla protein powder, but opt for any protein powder with a flavor you enjoy.
- Milk. I used unsweetened almond milk. For more protein, use a high-protein milk like Fairlife.
- Maple syrup. Optional, but add this in for sweeter pancakes.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to make pumpkin protein pancakes
Step 1- Blend all the ingredients until a smooth batter remains. If the batter is too thin, add more oats. If it is too thick, add more milk.
Step 2- Rest. Transfer the pancake batter to a bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
Step 3- Cook. Spray oil in a non-stick griddle over medium heat. Once hot, drop spoonfuls of the pancake batter in the pan and cover immediately. Cook for 2-3 minutes before flipping and cooking for 1-2 more minutes. Repeat with the remaining pancake batter.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Always cover the pan as the pancakes are cooking. My #1 hack for making pancakes. Covering the pancakes while they cook will trap the heat and yield super thick and fluffy pancakes.
- Store the cooked pancakes on a baking sheet in the oven at its lowest setting while you cook the rest.
- Know when to flip. When you notice bubbles forming on the top and the edges lifting from the skillet, it’s time to flip!
Variations
- Add warm spices. While optional, I like to add a little pumpkin pie spice. If you don’t have pumpkin spice, make your own with a little cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground ginger.
- Play around with mix-ins. Fold through some berries, chocolate chips, pecans, or almond butter.
- Don’t forget the toppings! I’m boring and keep my pancakes simple with maple syrup and butter, but you can add a dollop of Greek yogurt or a drizzle of caramel sauce for more flavor.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to one week.
To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled pancakes in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Reheating: Microwave pancakes for 20-30 seconds.
More pancake recipes to try
- Zucchini pancakes
- Healthy oatmeal pancakes
- 2 ingredient banana pancakes
- Eggless pancakes
- Or any of my pancake and waffle recipes
4-Ingredient Pumpkin Protein Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup protein powder
- 1 1/2 cups milk I used skim milk
Instructions
- In a high speed blender, add the rolled oats, protein powder, pumpkin puree, and milk, and blend until a smooth batter remains. If the batter is too thin, add more oats. If it is too thick, add more milk.
- Transfer the pancake batter into a bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes, to thicken.
- Spray oil in a non-stick pan and place over medium heat. Once hot, drop spoonfuls of the pancake batter in the pan and cover immediately. Cook for 2-3 minutes, before flipping and cooking for a further minute or two.
- Remove the pancakes off the pan. Repeat the process until all the batter is used up.
BEST pancakes ever.
Love these pancakes! I substituted oat flour for the coconut flour, used Golden monk fruit (adds to the Fall flavors), and made 3 servings (meal planning y’know?). Thanks for such a yummy recipe!
Hey!!! So I know this post is old, but I just tried your pancakes! The taste was delicious, I omitted only the protein powder bc I didn’t have it, but the pancakes themselves didn’t stick together and had no bread like consistency to them. Do you have any suggestions bc the taste was AWESOME! Thanks!
Hi there! Perhaps you could add some baking powder and extra flour, but I haven’t tried it without protein powder! You could make my flourless pumpkin pancakes which are egg-free and made from rolled oats! 🙂
Would maple syrup or honey work in place of granulated sweetener?
You can try- I’d keep an eye on them while frying 🙂
Do you have to whisk the egg whites to peaks??? Ours ended up not very fluffy and a bit sticky, any suggestions?? SOOOOO YUMMMMM though!!
Hi Georgia! You don’t really need to, it sounds like the protein powder is the culprit here- Some fluff so much better than others 🙂
Hi Arman! I was going to make these for breakfast, but now its afternoon. Can I make the batter and spoon it into muffin tins to bake? Do you have muffin recipes? I love your site!
Hi Jen! I haven’t tried it that way, but please let me know how it works! I do have muffin recipes, enjoy! 🙂
I really wanted to love these but they completely fell apart. I doubled the recipe and couldn’t get one to turn out, but I may eat the piles of crumbs. 🙂
Hi Lynne! I’m so sorry to hear that- Did you alter the recipe at all?
Thanks for asking – I left out the protein powder, but no other changes other than doubling the recipe. I ended up adding quite a bit of coconut milk trying to get it to a batter consistency, but it remained pretty thick, I’m guessing due to the coconut flour. I’ve made coconut flour pancakes before, and they turned out great, but these would not flip. At all.
I have made these multiple times and they are by far the best protein pancakes – the consistency taste and texture are bang on! My go to and something I actually crave. Thanks 🙂
Oh fantastic- This means so much, Avtar- Have a fantastic day!