Protein Powder Pancake Recipes (Plus Healthy Topping Ideas)

Shrove Tuesday (or Pancake Day) always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday, so the date varies each year. In 2021 we’ll celebrate it on 16th February. Shrove Tuesday is the traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Lent is the 6 week period leading up to Easter and is one of the most important times of the year for Christians around the world. Lent is a season of reflection, and traditionally a time for fasting or giving something up. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days.

Shrove Tuesday was considered the last opportunity to use up eggs and other ingredients before Lent, and making pancakes was seen as the perfect way to do it. Pancake recipes feature in cookery books as far back as 1439, and while recipes can vary a little, the main ingredients of pancakes can be seen to symbolise 4 points of significance at this time of year:

• Eggs - Creation
• Flour - The staff of life
• Salt - Wholesomeness
• Milk - Purity

Us Brits are so crazy about pancakes that traditional ‘pancake races’ take place every year.

Legend has it that in the 15th century, a woman heard the shriving bell (calling people to church to confess their sins) and rushed to the church. Forgetting she was mid-way through making pancakes, she ran with her pancake and pan. Whether this is true or not, it does make a great story. But of course, rather than running with your pancakes, why not start a new tradition with our healthy and delicious protein powder pancakes?

Protein pancakes are simply pancakes which contain protein powder. These high protein pancakes taste amazing and they fill you up. They’re low-fat and low-carb, and they make a perfect breakfast, or a healthier alternative for Pancake Day. They can easily fit into your clean eating plan, without the refined sugars and flours that you’re used to. And with just a few simple ingredients, you’ve got yourself a well-balanced, high fibre, protein-packed delicious meal.

Protein is essential in our diet. It accounts for around 20% of our bodyweight, and it’s found in everything from our organs to our muscles and tissues, to our bones, skin and hair.

Protein is also a critical part of the process that fuels our energy and carries oxygen throughout our body in our blood. It also helps make antibodies that fight off infections to keep as healthy. It’s estimated on average that men should get about 56 grams of protein a day, and women should get 46 grams. And with the right mix, pancakes can provide your body with enough protein, amino acids and healthy carbs to fuel your workouts.

That’s why they make a great breakfast! Or if you’re trying to lose weight, cook your pancakes in coconut oil, as the lauric acid in coconut oil helps to boost your metabolism. Just make sure your toppings are healthy too, as there is little point in making healthy protein pancakes, just to smother them in chocolate or a super-sweet syrup (as delicious as they may be).

There are lots of different protein pancake recipes out there, but ours is simple, and just uses 4 ingredients. This recipe will make around 15 pancakes (depending on the size of the pancake).

Ingredients:

• 4 scoops of whey protein powder
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 170ml of water or almond milk

These protein stacked pancakes have no oats or bananas, and you don’t need a blender—easy-peasy! They’re also gluten free, keto and low carb too. And you can use any flavour of protein powder really depending on your preference (see Decathlon’s whey protein range).

Method:

1. Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and add a little butter or coconut oil to the pan.
2. Mix the eggs, protein powder and baking powder in a large bowl, and add the water or almond milk a little at a time until it’s the right consistency.
3. Pour out the required amount of batter into the frying pan (approx. a 1/3 cup measure).
4. When bubbles start to form on the top of the pancake, flip it over (you may be able to get 2 or 3 pancakes into a large pan at once).
5. Serve with a choice of healthy and delicious toppings, and enjoy!

Simple, right? You can also adapt the recipe to suit you.

Substitute water for low-fat cow's milk, or add oats, a banana, peanut butter or shredded coconut to the batter for some added flavour and texture. But you will probably need a blender for this. Then it’s onto the toppings!

Congratulations on taking the first step towards a healthier you by indulging in protein pancakes! But why stop there? Take your fitness journey to the next level with Decathlon's range of high-quality proteins and supplements. Whether you're looking to build muscle, improve performance, or simply recover faster, we've got everything you need to achieve your goals. Don't settle for mediocrity when greatness is within reach. Click the link now and unlock your full potential with Decathlon!