Healthy pumpkin protein pancakes are a nutritious and delicious breakfast option, perfect for a fall-inspired morning treat. Made with wholesome ingredients, they will fill you with energy all morning.
What are Pumpkin Protein Pancakes made of?
Here’s a description of each ingredient in your healthy pumpkin protein pancakes:
- Oat Flour: Oat flour is made from ground oats and offers a nutty flavor and fiber content. Oats are incredibly nutritious, studies show that oats and oatmeal have many health benefits. These include weight loss, lower blood sugar levels, and a reduced risk of heart disease.
- Vanilla Protein Powder: Vanilla protein powder is a powdered supplement containing protein derived from whey (if whey-based) or plant sources (if plant-based). It enhances the protein content of the pancakes and adds a pleasant vanilla flavor.
- Baking Powder: Baking powder is a leavening agent that helps the pancakes rise and become fluffy when cooked.
- Pumpkin Spice: Pumpkin spice is a blend of spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and sometimes ginger. It adds warm and aromatic flavors, perfect for fall-inspired recipes. If you don’t have Pumpkin spice, just mix these spices.
- Pumpkin Puree: Pumpkin puree is made from cooked and mashed pumpkin. It adds natural sweetness, moisture, and pumpkin flavor to the pancakes.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk (or any milk of your choice): Unsweetened almond milk is a dairy-free milk alternative. It provides liquid to the batter and can be chosen for its mild flavor and lower calorie content. You can use any milk you prefer.
- Small Egg: A small egg serves as a binding agent in the pancake batter and contributes to the pancakes’ texture.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: Honey or maple syrup is used to sweeten the pancakes, although it’s listed as optional. They add a touch of natural sweetness to the batter. Adjust the amount to your desired level of sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract is a flavoring derived from vanilla beans. It enhances the overall flavor of the pancakes with a pleasant vanilla aroma.
- Coconut oil: Coconut oil helps pancakes not t stick to the pan.
Are protein pancakes healthy?
The healthy pumpkin protein pancakes can be a nutritious breakfast option when prepared thoughtfully and eaten in moderation. Here are some points to consider regarding their healthiness:
- Protein Content: These pancakes contain protein from the vanilla protein powder and the egg. Protein is essential for muscle repair and overall satiety, making these pancakes a good choice if you’re looking to increase your protein intake.
- Whole Grains: The use of whole wheat flour or oat flour provides fiber and nutrients compared to refined flours, contributing to a more balanced meal.
- Pumpkin Puree: Pumpkin puree adds vitamins, minerals, and fiber to the pancakes while imparting a natural sweetness. It’s a healthy choice.
- Low Added Sugar (Optional): The use of honey or maple syrup for sweetness is optional and can be adjusted to your preference. You have some control over the added sugar content.
- Pumpkin Spice: Pumpkin spice adds flavor without extra calories or sugar, making these pancakes a great option for fall flavors.
- Low Fat: These pancakes use minimal fat, primarily from the egg and a small amount of oil for cooking. This keeps the fat content relatively low.
In summary, when made with wholesome ingredients and mindful portion control, these pumpkin protein pancakes can be a nutritious and satisfying breakfast choice, especially for those looking to incorporate more protein and whole grains into their diet.
How to make Pumpkin Protein Pancakes?
In a mixing bowl, blend together oat flour, vanilla protein powder, baking powder, and pumpkin spice. Stir thoroughly to ensure an even distribution of the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, unsweetened almond milk, a small egg, coconut oil, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Continue whisking until you achieve a smooth, wet mixture. Gently pour the wet ingredients into the bowl containing the dry ingredients, and stir until they are just combined. It’s important not to overmix; a few lumps in the batter are perfectly fine. Let the batter rest for about 10 minutes.
Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium-high heat, and lightly coat it with cooking spray or a small amount of oil. Ladle approximately 1/4 cup of pancake batter onto the skillet for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, usually taking about 2-3 minutes.
Carefully flip the pancakes and continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes on the other side, or until they turn a golden brown color and cook through. Present your healthy pumpkin protein pancakes with your preferred toppings. Consider fresh berries, sliced bananas, Greek yogurt, a drizzle of pure maple syrup, or a sprinkle of chopped nuts for added enjoyment. Bon appétit!
If you like healthy pancakes, check out these recipes:
Healthy Pumpkin Protein Pancakes
Ingredients
- ½ cup oat flour
- ¼ cup vanilla protein powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 small egg
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp Coconut oil, melted
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Cooking spray or a small amount of oil for the skillet
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, unsweetened almond milk, small egg, honey or maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla extract. Blend until you have a smooth, wet mixture.
- In another bowl, combine the oat flour, vanilla protein powder, baking powder, and pumpkin spice. Mix well to ensure even distribution of the dry ingredients.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing; it's okay if there are a few lumps in the batter. Let the batter rest for about 10 minutes.
- Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and lightly grease it with cooking spray or a small amount of oil. Ladle approximately 1/4 cup of the pancake batter onto the skillet for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, usually about 2-3 minutes. Flip the pancakes and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on the other side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve your healthy pumpkin protein pancakes with your favorite toppings. Options include fresh berries, sliced bananas, Greek yogurt, a drizzle of pure maple syrup, or a sprinkle of chopped nuts. Enjoy!
Healthy Pumpkin Protein Pancakes