If you follow me on Instagram or read my blog regularly, you’ve probably noticed how much I love smoothies and oatmeal. In fact, they are my go-to breakfast most days of the week. But every now and then I crave a hearty stack of warm pancakes. Who doesn’t?
Instead of the white flour and sugar laden pancakes that cause blood sugar levels to spike, I encourage you to fill your short stack with the magical combination of protein and fiber. Not only will it add texture and flavor to the pancakes but it will also help sustain your energy levels. (Read: avoid the 10am sugar crash.)
Another trick? Bananas and apples are a natural source of sugar that not only sweeten the pancakes but also add vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber not found in white sugar. The riper the banana, the less syrup you’ll need. (Try telling that to my husband!)
Your fork is waiting.
- Serves: 4
- Serving size: 4 small pancakes
- Calories: 253
- Fat: 5.9g
- Saturated fat: 1.4g
- Unsaturated fat: 1.5g
- Trans fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 38.8g
- Sugar: 11.2g
- Sodium: 196mg
- Fiber: 6.4g
- Protein: 14.1g
- Cholesterol: 95mg

- 1½ cups oats
- 1 apple – shredded with cheese grater
- 1 banana – mashed with fork
- ½ cup milk
- 2 eggs – whisked
- 2 scoops protein powder (vanilla is great!)
- 2 tablespoons flax seed meal
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- pure maple syrup to serve – optional
- Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside.
- Heat griddle or non-stick saute pan over medium-high heat. Spray with non-stick spray once hot.
- Pour pancakes on to griddle, ¼ cup at a time, and cook until first side is browned – about 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook additional 2-3 minutes or until second side is browned.
- Continue working in batches until all of the pancake batter is gone.
- Serve with pure maple syrup.










{ 48 comments… read them below or add one }
Ohhhhh these sound fantastic. I think I will make these post workout on Sunday for Hubs and I. YUM
Yes – these are PERFECT post workout!! Very filling. Enjoy Carrie!
Yep, these are my kind of pancakes (apparently, we both had pancakes on the brain today). I love that you used grated apple in these for flavor and moisture.
Too funny Dara!! Yes I started grating apple a lot for my little one who can’t quite chew apples yet. We do it in oatmeal all the time.
Happy Friday!
Such a great pancake recipe, Liz!
Thanks so much Robyn. Happy Friday!!
I am an oatmeal lover too, so these definitely catch my eye…. and just in time to make tomorrow for a lazy Saturday morning treat! Happy Weekend!!!
I knew they were a hit when my husband and 16 month old both cleared their plates. The apples really add a lot of great moisture and flavor. Enjoy!!
I think I may have done the happy dance! I love, love, love pancakes! But I don’t make them as much because they “used” to be unhealthy. Now, I’m going to get my pancake making on, for sure!
I’m the same way – I had stopped making them for awhile for that very reason but I’m really learning that there are so many great ways to create healthy pancakes. Enjoy Lauren!
Love the idea of fruit mixed in to make them healthier! Definitely trying these with my son!
Fruit is a great way to sweeten and moisten pancakes without sugar and butter. Let me know what you think!!
I just want to eat pancakes all the time.
LOL. I heart you.
Yummm, oatcakes! I’ve been eating them daily since I whipped up a back a few weeks ago- love the texture oats add
I need to start eating them more often – I also LOVE the texture of the oats!!
These look so delicious and hearty! I have a similar recipe except without the apple. They are one of my favorite ways to start the day and leave me feeling full forever! (well, almost…
)
I started grating apples a lot because my 16 month old can’t quite chew apple chunks yet. We do it in oatmeal a lot too! Have a great weekend Amanda!
These sound like the perfect thing to make a big batch of and freeze. Easy, healthy weekday breakfast!
It’s so funny you mention that – I have plans this weekend to do just that!! Every week day I wish I had them in the freezer!!
This is a great recipe, Liz. I can’t really do the oats like that in high quantity but I can see my kids loving these!
I only have one and he’s just 16 months but he couldn’t get enough of these. (Husband too!!) Let me know what they think!
Hel-lo!!! These are so me!
You need to make these!! So good!!
What a great recipe! Full of flavor but none of the icky stuff!
It’s like having your pancakes and eating them too!
These were amazing, I didn’t have flax seed so I added in a couple table spoons of sun flowers seeds for some added texture. Yummmmm!! Thanks for a great breakfast food!
Wow what a great idea, Cari!! I bet they turned out great with the sun flower seeds!
Im reading this as I’m getting ready to whip up an oatmeal, apple, pb smoothie for breakfast
These pancake look super yum! I’ve never tried adding protein powder to my pancakes, but definitely want to try this recipe. P.S. Maple Syrup is never “optional” in my house~it’s a must!
Thank you friend!! The protein powder works really well and I find they do keep me fuller much longer.
Mmmm…maple syrup…
wow, these look great!
So healthy and tasty!
Thanks so much Addie!! They are really good and filling.
These were a bit tricky to keep from falling apart on me but I loved the taste!
Thank you!
Oh AND I sauteed half an apple with a little cinnamon and honey while these cooked for a topper! Delish!
Oooo GREAT idea!!!!!!
Pancakes are always a little tricky for me too! I often have to have the heat lower than I want to keep it. Glad you liked them!!
We made these today and they are amazing!! Easy, tasty and very filling.
So glad to hear!! Thank you for letting me know.
We adore pancakes in this house, and often beef them up with healthy ingredients to make them enjoyable but also better for our bodies. Apple, cinnamon and oatmeal is one of my regular breakfasts, so what a great idea to turn it into a treat!
Great pancakes. Gluten free! Can also substitute soy flour for the protein powder and, surprisingly, grated carrots for the apple to further reduce simple sugars. Some Real Fruit spread or honey instead of the corn syrup we are all trying to avoid – sort of.
Liz, Thanks so much for this delicious recipe. Just made these for breakfast this morning after seeing on pinterest last night. Aaamazing!
SO glad to hear!! Keep me posted if you try anything else!
These were wonderful! Such great flavor. Thank you so much. My husband even loved them.
Thank you so much for letting me know! I’m so glad to hear!!!
Yay! I love protein pancakes.
And apple cinnamon? That can only make things better! Love the ingredient list for these.
These are so good!!! Let me know if you try them!!!
Oh my heaven, can you come over and make these for me this morning?
I wish we were eating them together!!
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