3 Ingredient Protein Pancakes that Rule Over Any Other Protein Pancake Recipe

I've been on a bit of a hiatus. I purposely did not take on any dessert orders for the month of May because this month is insane for me! I just got back from vacation in Miami with my boyfriend visiting my brother which was awesome. Before that I had something to do each weekend.. this weekend is me and Louis' anniversary weekend plus Memorial Day, and next weekend my cousin gets married.. SO, I have not had any time for cooking or baking.. we've been eating a lot of salads!

Anyways I slept until 11am this morning because my body was yelling at me "you need sleeeeeep" so sleep is what I did and when I got up I was hungryyyyy! So, I whipped up these pancakes, which were just.. amazing. They are a muted banana flavor, so if you love banana these are for you. This is what my plate looks like now:

Yup.. gone. SO GOOD. So here is the recipe and I hope you create them and enjoy them! This made four little perfect pancakes for one person, at only 243 calories and 8 grams of protein.  It is the perfect dish to have when you're craving a fattening Friendly's breakfast, but know you just should NOT do that! Dont' do that!!

Start with your three ingredients (see I wasn't lying!)-- one banana, one egg, 1/4 scoop vanilla protein powder. I like baking with muscle milk, it's flavorful and there is sugar in it so it makes things sweet. I know a lot of people prefer other brands, so use what you got!

Mash your banana like so..

In a separate bowl, whisk your egg. Then add it to the mashed banana, and add your protein scoop on top.

Next, mix everything together! I added a bit of cinnamon at this stage, because I love it so much and I put it on everything. So I guess I lied when I said 3 ingredients... I used four! But this is why I love this recipe, it is a great base and you can add what you like! I suppose you could add chocolate chips at this point if you're feeling naughty!! 

Ok now add some oil to your pan. I prefer using coconut oil, but if olive oil or butter is what you have, go for it.  Then plop your batter into the pan.

Let these little babies cook for about 4 minutes on one side, until the tops start bubbling then flip.  They will be brown, but the are not burned! Remember, bananas have a lot of natural sugar, so they will caramelize and be SO YUMMY. Trust me. We're almost there.

Ok so most of the world loves maple syrup. I hate it. I prefer butter.... or brown sugar, but bad bad bad. So how do we makes these things delicious for only 40 calories more and 4 whole grams of protein!?? You make a protein glaze. 

One tablespoon protein powder goes into a bowl..

Followed by 1/2 tablespoon of almond milk. Mix, then add more milk until it reaches a glaze consistency. You don't want it watery! Think glazyyyy.

 

OH YEAAAAAA! 

 

Look at that! A delicious breakfast with only a sliver of the calories you'd get at your local breakfast joint.

Ah these were so good. Banana and vanilla and a little cinnamon and it's a great way to get my protein from egg too without having to cook eggs (ew). 

Try these and let me know what you think! You won't be sorry! Don't forget to double the recipe (2 eggs, 2 bananas, 1/2 cup protein powder) to make them for two!

For 1 serving (4 little cakes):
243 Calories, 27 Carbs, 12 Fat, 8 Protein, 71 Sodium, 14 Sugar

-Elena

Five Ingredient Protein Bars

Adulthood has taught me a lot of things... life isn't as fun as when you were a kid; the real world is expensive; there are bad days (weekdays) and good days (weekends); the littlest things will make your day (like a Reese's cup.. or a bottle of wine). I think the most important thing I've learned so far though, is in order to be successful you need the right tools for the job.  You can try your damn hardest at something and give it your all but without the correct tools, whether they be physical tools or metaphorical tools (support, confidence) it can't be done.

In the kitchen, I feel super prepared. I've accumulated so much stuff; been given lots of tools from grandparents and my mom and friends; I usually always have what I need.  Except for lately... When I moved, I didn't think of the most important tool I need to do ANYTHING related to my baking -- a mixer.  Ohhhhh it's been fun without one! I've been hand mixing cakes (I make 4-6 a week).  I've been whisking and mixing and using my little $19 smoothie mixer from Target to break things down and sort of mix them.  Meanwhile, I've been ferociously stalking any website that carries Kitchenaid stand mixers, waiting for them to go on sale.. and today was the day!!

My baby! God it's beautiful!  Yes, I dream for the 7qt, but that will be on my wedding shower registry ;) This baby will hold me over!

So naturally I rushed home, decided I'd go for a run, and use the mixer to motivate me to move my butt so I could get back and use it!  And that is what I did!

I made five ingredient protein bars! Delicious, so easy, and healthy!).  The thing about protein bars is most of the recipes call for some sort of flour other than gluten flour (rice flour, almond flour, coconut flour) which are all so drying and end up tasting awful, especially when mixed with protein powder (also drying!).  I am using oats instead!  I like this recipe because it omits flour (yay!), is low on sugar, and is still moist and yummy!

The first five ingredients are the base. The "Optional" ingredients are what make them yummier! Use whatever you'd like!

Five Ingredient Protein Bars

2 Cups of Oats (I had instant oatmeal on hand, worked great)
1 Cup Almond Butter, plus more for later (you can use PB if you want)
2 Scoops Protein Powder  (I used vanilla)
1/3 Cup Honey, plus more for later
1/4 Cup Almond Milk, plus more for later

Optional
1/4 Cup Chocolate or Butterscotch Chips
1/4 Cup Dried Fruit (cherries, cranberries)
Shredded Coconut

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray a glass 8X8 baking dish with non-stick spray.  Combine oats, almond butter, protein powder, honey and almond milk in a mixer until combined.

It should not be soupy! You want minimal liquid, just enough so it all sticks together. Essentially you should be able to pick up the entire mixture as a "ball." 

Add in a little more almond butter and a little more honey if needed, until your mixture is sticking together.  If desired, toss in chocolate or butterscotch chips and/or dried fruit. Pour your mixture into the prepared baking dish.  

Press your mixture into the dish, covering the bottom.

If desired, drizzle honey on top and sprinkle coconut shavings on top.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.  Let cool, cut up, and eat one a day in the AM to stave off those 10:00am hunger grumblings :)

I already ate one!

There's so many things you can do with this 5-ingredient base. Have fun with it!

Well this weekend is the start of my busy month!  Some really exciting projects to come, can't wait to share here on the blog! Stay tuned!

-Elena