Can You Add Protein Powder To A Pancake Mix?

Miloš Lepotic

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Last Updated On September 22, 2023

We both know that eating a protein-rich breakfast will support muscle growth, help weight loss by increasing satiety, and make snacking throughout the day less likely.

Have you tried protein pancakes? Protein pancake recipes are something I give my clients to ensure they're getting in enough protein, which can sometimes be tricky.

Adding protein powder to pancakes gives you a nutritious, tasty, and easy breakfast to start your day right. So let's dive in -- I'll even tell you how to make delicious protein pancakes at home.

Can Protein Powder Be Added To Pancake Mix? (Yes!)

Yes, protein powder can be added to the pancake mix! 

Pancakes are not traditionally known for being a healthy breakfast option, and they certainly aren't high in protein, so by adding whey protein powder to the pancake mix, you are giving your first meal of the day an easy protein bump.

I make my pancakes with protein powder every time to make sure I’m getting in my daily protein target for strong muscles.

You can also use protein powder to substitute wheat flour in protein pancakes. If you want to make flourless pancakes, then rolled oats blended into oat flour are a perfect substitute.

Using heat with protein powder pancakes is absolutely fine, and it won't ruin the protein content of the protein powder.

You will still get the same amount of protein if you were to mix it with water, in a smoothie, or cook it in pancakes.

For 3 easy protein powder pancake recipes that help you get more protein into your diet, read on.

How To Choose The Best Protein Powder For The Mix?

Look For Protein Powders With A High Protein Content Per Serving

Not all protein powder has the same protein content per serving. It is best to choose a high-quality protein powder that is higher in protein, aiming for one that has around 25g per scoop.

High-quality protein such as whey isolate is best because it contains a higher leucine content which is vital for muscle growth, and I will always recommend it to my clients.

Choose A Tasty Flavor

The fun part about protein powder is all the great flavors there are! Many protein powders on the market have a sweet taste without added sugar.

I prefer to use either vanilla or chocolate protein powder, then add more flavor and variety with toppings.

Consider The Type Of Protein

There is a huge number of different protein powders to choose from, not only in flavor but different types such as whey protein, casein, isolate, and a variety of vegan protein powders.

Choosing the right protein is important because protein powder varies in terms of the quality of ingredients, the protein content, your dietary needs, and the number of additives. 

Read All The Ingredients

A good rule I give my clients when choosing a protein powder is to choose a protein that is high-quality whey with high protein content and minimal additives. The fewer ingredients you don’t know, the better.

Podium Whey Protein Powder Pancake Recipe

5 Tips for Adding Protein Powder To Pancake Mix

Protein pancakes are very easy and quick to make and don’t require a long list of ingredients, making them a very appealing breakfast choice and something that can easily be stuck to in the long run.

The advice I give my clients who want to focus on better nutrition is if you consume a healthy breakfast that you love the taste of and that can be easily varied, then you'll be more likely to continue to eat it.

1. Start With A Small Amount Of Protein Powder

Using too much protein powder can create a very dry pancake, so it is best to start with a small amount of protein powder in the pancake batter and increase it a bit more if they're not dry.

You can always counteract any dry protein pancakes by increasing liquid, such as water or milk, to balance out the powder.

Work out the protein powder pancake servings and aim for each serving to have around 25-30 grams of protein.

2. Use A Blender Or Mixer

For best results, mix your protein pancake batter in a blender or with a hand mixer to create a smooth consistency and to ensure all ingredients are well mixed together.

3. Adjust Liquid Ingredients

To make the perfect light and fluffy pancakes that aren’t dry, the liquid ratio is important. Wet ingredients that make good protein pancakes are almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk, and water

It is best to make your pancakes thicker at first and gradually add in the liquid. By doing this, you will avoid a lumpy pancake batter that is unlikely to cook well; plus, you can add liquid but can't take it away.

If you want to make protein powder pancakes that are plant-based and don't contain eggs, almond milk is an alternative that I find works well. 

4. Use Non-stick Cooking Spray

Once the batter has been blended to a nice, smooth consistency, it's time to get cooking.

Heat a pancake griddle or frying pan and add a non-stick cooking spray such as coconut oil or olive oil. Using a spray means you can create a consistent layer of oil on the pan without overdoing the oil.

5. Don’t Overcook

Nobody wants to burn their pancakes and waste the batter.

The protein pancakes should take around 2-4 minutes on each side to cook, depending on how thick the batter is. Watch for the outside of the pancakes to harden, and they are ready to flip.

The protein pancakes should be a golden brown color throughout when cooked. If the pancakes are overcooked, they risk either being burned or overcooking them might make them dry.

Benefits of Adding Protein Powder to Pancake Mix


  • More Nutritious
    Regular pancakes made with flour and sugar certainly aren’t known for being a healthy breakfast choice. Healthy pancakes can be part of a healthy and balanced diet by easily substituting flour and sugar and by adding protein powder.
  • More Energy
    Protein is vital energy for muscles and helps keep you satiated for longer.[1] I know that when I have had a high-protein breakfast, I feel full for much longer.
  • Muscle Growth
    Whey protein powder contains all amino acids, which are known as the building blocks of muscle. Whey protein powder is a complete protein which means it contains all the essential amino acids your body needs to build muscle.[2]
  • High Fiber
    Fiber intake is important for gut health, and getting enough fiber is important if you need to lose weight. When you add protein to pancake recipes, it will help to reduce your cravings, snack less and help you feel full longer.

Easy Protein Powder Pancakes Recipe Ideas

There are endless variations of healthy pancake recipes to suit any taste buds and make a nutritious breakfast.

There are a few different ways to make protein pancakes, and all of them are super easy.

Here are my top 3 easy protein powder pancakes recipes that require only simple and healthy ingredients. You can find plenty more healthy pancake recipes across the web.

Tips From A Trainer!

Make protein pancakes ahead of time for easy meal prep. All of these pancake recipes can be stored fresh in the fridge for 2-3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. 

Chocolate Protein Pancakes

This protein pancake recipe will satisfy any chocolate cravings without all the added calories. Extra protein in this pancake recipe means you turn a not-so-healthy breakfast into a nutritious one.

Makes 8 protein pancakes

Prep time: 5 minutes  Cook time: 10 minutes  Total time: 15 minutes  Servings: 2 (8 pancakes) Calories: 118kcal per serving

INGREDIENTS
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 ripe bananas
  • ¾ cup uncooked rolled oats
  • ¼ cup chocolate protein powder
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ⅛ tsp sea salt
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil for cooking
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Add all the ingredients, except the oil, to the blender and mix until nice and smooth.
  2. Melt the oil in a hot skillet.
  3. Pour batter once the oil is hot.
  4. Pour about 1/3 of a cup of the batter onto the hot griddle.
  5. Cook the pancakes for 2-4 minutes and until the edges turn firm and use a spatula to carefully flip to the other side.
  6. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes or until golden brown
  7. Serve immediately with your favorite pancake toppings. Other ingredients to add are sugar-free maple syrup, powdered sugar, peanut butter, nut butter, fresh berries, or fresh fruit or chocolate chips for a treat.
MyProtein Protein Pancake Mix Chocolate Protein Pancakes

Banana Protein Pancakes

This delicious and easy protein pancake recipe only takes 15 minutes to whip up and uses only healthy and simple ingredients.

This is my favorite recipe as I'm a big fan of bananas, and I find this recipe works well for experimenting with different toppings.

Makes 6 protein pancakes

Prep time: 5 minutes  Cook time: 10 minutes  Total time: 15 minutes  Servings: 2 (8 pancakes) Calories: 118kcal per serving

INGREDIENTS
  • 1 cup uncooked, rolled oats
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup egg whites
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • ⅛ tsp sea salt
  • ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup vanilla protein powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp flaxseed meal
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil for cooking
  • Banana and maple syrup for toppings
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Blend all the ingredients together except the oil and toppings.
  2. Blend until smooth without any lumps.
  3. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat to medium-high heat and melt the coconut oil.
  4. Pour about 1/3 of a cup of the batter onto the hot griddle per pancake.
  5. Cook the pancakes for 2-4 minutes and until the edges turn firm
  6. Flip the pancakes using a spatula and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes or until golden brown
  7. Repeat with the remaining batter
  8. Top with sliced banana, maple syrup, and Greek yogurt for extra nutrients.
Ghost Protein Powder Banana Protein Pancakes Recipe

Oatmeal Protein Pancakes

This protein powder pancake recipe is made with oats and is a healthy breakfast option that will keep you fuller all morning.

Makes 6 protein pancakes

Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Total time: 15 minutes Servings: 2 (3 pancakes) Calories: 106 kcal per serving

INGREDIENTS
  • 1 cup egg whites
  • ⅔ cup uncooked rolled oats
  • ¼ cup vanilla whey protein powder
  • 1 tbsp pure maple syrup (plus more for topping)
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1tsp vanilla extract
  • ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ⅛ tsp sea salt
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil for cooking
  • Fresh fruit for toppings
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Mix all ingredients together in a blender except the oil and toppings.
  2. Blend until smooth without any lumps.
  3. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat to medium-high heat and melt the coconut oil.
  4. Pour about 1/3 of a cup of the batter onto the hot griddle per pancake.
  5. Cook the pancakes for 2-4 minutes and until the edges turn firm.
  6. Flip the pancakes using a spatula and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
  7. Repeat with the remaining batter.
  8. Top with fresh strawberries, maple syrup, and Greek yogurt.
Swedish Supplements ISO Whey Oatmeal Protein Pancakes Recipe

Adding Protein Powder To Pancake Mix Questions

How long do protein powder pancakes last?

I have found that protein powder pancakes don’t last too long in the fridge. They should be eaten within 3 days or stored in the freezer if they aren’t going to be eaten straight away.

Can you freeze protein powder pancakes?

Yes, you can freeze protein powder pancakes if you don't plan to eat them all within 3 days. Pop them in freezer bags, and make sure you squeeze out the air. They can then be stored frozen for up to 3 months. Making protein pancakes for meal prep and freezing them is super easy and helps you eat a healthy breakfast in less time.

How do you reheat protein powder pancakes?

There are two ways you could reheat protein powder pancakes. You can reheat the protein powder pancakes that were already cooked either in the pan or in the microwave (the pan works better). Otherwise, you can store the protein pancake mix in an airtight container in the fridge and then cook them fresh when you want to eat them.

Can you replace flour with protein powder in pancakes?

Yes, you can replace flour pancakes with protein powder. This will increase the amount of protein in the pancakes, but it doesn't create a delicious light pancake, and they could end up dense and hard to flip. If you want a healthier substitute for all-purpose white flour, try using whole wheat flour or oat bran. If you need your pancakes to be gluten-free, you can use almond flour or oat flour.

In Summary, Enjoy!

If you are bored of the same breakfast, and you love pancakes but want a healthy alternative, then protein powder pancakes are perfect for a highly nutritious and delicious breakfast.

There are many ways to substitute ingredients, create different flavors and add toppings that mean you’ll never run out of variety. 

References: 

  1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18469287/
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6142015/
Miloš Lepotic

Miloš Lepotic

Meet Miloš, a certified sports nutritionist and self-taught supplement expert whose pharmacological background and nearly a decade of gym experience make him the perfect guide for optimizing your health and athletic performance through supplement reviews and practical advice rooted in factual, science-backed information.

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