Lazy Protein Pancake Bowl, Protein Powder, 5 Minutes

This is THE protein pancake bowl for busy mornings when you're looking to get some extra protein at the start of your day! It's the quickest and easiest way to make pancakes and you don't have to limit yourself to breakfast...it also makes a great snack or even dinner. 😊

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protein pancake bowl with greek yogurt, granola, and nut butter on top.

As a dietitian, I'm a long-time fan of homemade pancakes! On any given weekend morning. I've been known to whip up some banana pancakes or pumpkin pancakes.

But when it comes to easy breakfast recipes, pancakes take more time than I care to spend on busy days. And since I tend to lean toward a high-protein breakfast to keep me full longer, pancakes don't always cut it on days I'm doing physical activity. I knew I had to find a way to enjoy pancakes without needing to stand over a skillet. Again, great for a slow weekend morning but noooot so much for the days I am in a morning rush!

I tested MULTIPLE versions of this protein pancake bowl and even roped in my mom to help me test it (thanks, mom!) After many attempts - some not quite sweet enough, some not quite fluffy enough, some too doughy...I am happy to report that I have created a protein pancake bowl that is juuuust right. With a fluffy texture & perfectly sweet without a bunch of added sugar.

The best part is from start to finish it takes FIVE MINUTES and an entire bowl is around 300 calories and nearly 30 grams of protein. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! 😊

If you like this recipe, you may also enjoy my protein pancakes or some of my other high protein healthy breakfast recipes like a cottage cheese egg bake or creamy chia pudding with yogurt!

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Key Ingredient Notes and Substitution Ideas
How to Make Protein Pancake Bowls
Dietitian Tip
Variations
Equipment
Storage for Protein Pancake Bowls
Expert Tips
FAQ
Related
Perfect for Pairing
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💬 Comments

Key Ingredient Notes and Substitution Ideas

This Protein Pancake Bowl recipe is made with simple ingredients. Below are some ingredient notes. Check the recipe card at the bottom for measurements.

overhead view of ingredients for protein pancake bowl on a table.

Dry Ingredients

Oat Flour - this recipe uses oat flour because it contains more protein than all-purpose flour. Oat flour provides dietary fiber for a healthy gut. If you prefer, feel free to substitute for almond flour, regular all purpose flour, or whole wheat flour.
Protein Powder - I typically try to get my protein from whole foods, but in certain cases, protein powder can be such a convenient option and there are many protein powders made with minimal ingredients on the market. I use Truvani vanilla protein powder for this recipe.
Baking Powder - baking powder helps the pancakes rise and get nice and fluffy.
Cinnamon - cinnamon adds a touch of sweetness to the dry ingredients.

Wet Ingredients

Eggs Whites - using whipped egg whites adds protein and helps the pancake leaven and get nice and make for an extra fluffy pancake without weighing it down. I've tested this recipe using whole eggs and it's much more dense and less fluffy.
Greek Yogurt - Greek yogurt is higher in protein content than other yogurts and it serves as a source of many other nutrients, too. You don't taste it in this recipe, so even if you don't like Greek yogurt I encourage you to give it a try! If you want, you can substitute it with cottage cheese.
Milk - I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk for this recipe, but you can substitute it with another dairy-free milk like oat milk, soy milk, or cashew milk. Or use dairy milk!
Maple Syrup - all you need is a small amount of real maple syrup since the vanilla protein powder already adds sweetness.
Vanilla Extract - just a teaspoon of vanilla extract brings all the flavors together.

How to Make Protein Pancake Bowls

Below are the instructions for how to make this easy recipe with some visuals that I hope are helpful!

Step 1 - Add the egg whites to a glass container or glass bowl. Whip them until they are bubbly.

dry ingredients added to protein pancake bowl.

Step 2 - Add the remaining wet ingredients including the Greek yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla, and milk. Whisk to combine. Add the dry ingredients and slowly stir until just combined.

whisk with a protein pancake bowl in a glass container.

Step 3 - Push down the sides with a spatula as needed.

Step 4 - Microwave for 3-3.5 minutes or until the pancake bowl is fully set. Let it sit in the microwave for an extra 1-2 minutes. Add your favorite toppings!

Hint:

Dietitian Tip

When it comes to choosing a protein powder, look for minimal ingredients and less than 3g added sugar per serving.

Variations

One of the best things about protein pancake bowls is there are so many ways to customize them to your taste. Below are some examples of optional mix-ins, but feel free to get creative!

Fresh Fruit - add fresh or frozen blueberries or other fresh berries into the pancake mix before microwaving it.
Chocolate Chip - add chocolate chips into the batter or on top for a sweet breakfast!
Banana - mash half a ripe banana and add it into the dough for a banana protein pancake bowl!
Pumpkin - add ¼ cup of pumpkin puree and replace cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice.
Peanut Butter - my favorite toppings for this protein pancake bowl is a spoonful of Greek yogurt, granola, and a drizzle of peanut butter for healthy fats.

Equipment

You'll need a glass container for this recipe and I suggest using one holds 4 cups (32 oz).

Storage for Protein Pancake Bowls

Refrigerator - If you want to meal prep these protein pancake bowls, you can store them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Expert Tips

Use a protein powder that you like the taste of because it will make a difference in the end product!
You can easily replace oat flour with regular flour if it's what you have on hand.
I do suggest using egg whites instead of a whole egg. When I tested the recipe using whole eggs it didn't turn out as fluffy.
Whisk the egg whites before adding the other ingredients.
Careful not to over-mix, mix the dry ingredients until they're just combined to avoid a tough pancake.
If you have more time, you can bake these protein pancake bowls in the oven at 350 F for 30-35 minutes until cooked through.

FAQ

Are these protein pancake bowls healthy?

While healthy means something different to everyone, these protein pancake bowls are a nutrient-rich option and starting the day with protein can help with blood sugar control. Protein also helps to build and retain muscle mass which is important for overall health and metabolism. Adding ingredients like egg whites and Greek yogurt provide more protein and important nutrients like a bit of calcium and phosphorus, And oat flour provides some dietary fiber.

How many grams of protein are in these protein pancake bowls?

There are ~30g of protein in a single serving.

Looking for other dietitian recipes like this? Try these:

Perfect for Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Protein Pancake Bowls:

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram. Your reviews help support me and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love. 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian

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