A breakfast treat that all will enjoy, these apple cinnamon oatmeal pancakes will fill you up while the bananas and apples will provide a natural source of sugar.

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 10 am 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!)
If you’re looking to lower the cholesterol in these protein pancakes all you need to do is use 4 egg whites instead of 2 eggs.
Your fork is waiting.

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Protein Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups oats
- 1 apple shredded with cheese grater
- 1 banana mashed with fork
- ½ cup milk
- 2 eggs whisked
- ¼ cup 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
Instructions
- 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 the first side is browned – about 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook additional 2-3 minutes or until the second side is browned.
- Continue working in batches until all of the pancake batter is gone.
- Serve with pure maple syrup.
Denise Tiemissen
I found your website while looking for a recipe for protein packed pancakes. I just tried the Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Protein Pancakes. Wow! Great recipe! And it made my house smell so good! Thank you much for sharing it!
I’m so glad I came across your website! The recipes you share look so simple and full of fresh ingredients. I tried the Shish Tawook Chicken and the Lebanese Hummus with Toasted Pine Nuts last night. Both were a hit with my family and me! The best Hummus recipe I’ve ever made! Thank you!
Denise
Liz DellaCroce
So glad you found my website Denise!!! Keep me posted on the other recipes you try – I have over 1000 now!!! Are you signed up to get my weekly newsletter? It’s a great way to stay up to date with my new recipes each week. :) http://bit.ly/18xmnC5
Kimberly
Looks fantastic, but I don’t use protein powders (I use hemp seeds in smoothies for extra protein.) Any suggestions for what to sub for the protein powder? Coconut flour maybe? Thanks!! I’m hoping my 14 year old son will like these for breakfast. He’s not hungry in the morning and it’s hard to get something healthy into him on school mornings at 7 a.m.
Liz DellaCroce
Coconut flour should work!! Let me know if you try it!! Enjoy!
Nicole
But you don’t state how much – a scoop is not a measurement.
Liz DellaCroce
Hi Nicole – Sorry about that! I just edited the recipe to include the measurement.
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
Duh… apples, cinnamon and oatmeal – I’m in! Obviously! ;)
Liz DellaCroce
These are so good! I had them for breakfast this morning and wondered why I don’t make them more often. :)
Janell
This sounds awesome! I’m going to try it this weekend. What kind of apples did you use..Granny Smith or red apples?
Liz DellaCroce
I usually use Gala apples but use whatever your favorite type of apples are! Granny smith might be a bit too tart but it’s up to you. :)
Aggie
Oh my heaven, can you come over and make these for me this morning?
Liz DellaCroce
I wish we were eating them together!!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
Yay! I love protein pancakes. :) And apple cinnamon? That can only make things better! Love the ingredient list for these.
Liz DellaCroce
These are so good!!! Let me know if you try them!!!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
I’ve seen these before?! And haven’t made them yet?! Oh wait. I know what it was. Apples in February does not compute in my head. I’m totally making these in a week or two!
Liz DellaCroce
hahahha Sadly we are pretty much stuck with apples until strawberries pop up in June. It’s a loooonnnnggg winter. It’s part of the reason I hold off on buying them until the last minute!!! Let me know if you try these. :)
Julee
These were wonderful! Such great flavor. Thank you so much. My husband even loved them.
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much for letting me know! I’m so glad to hear!!!
patricia van dyke
Liz, Thanks so much for this delicious recipe. Just made these for breakfast this morning after seeing on pinterest last night. Aaamazing!
Liz DellaCroce
SO glad to hear!! Keep me posted if you try anything else!
Walt
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.
Yasmeen @ Wandering Spice
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!
Deanna Murray
We made these today and they are amazing!! Easy, tasty and very filling.
Liz DellaCroce
So glad to hear!! Thank you for letting me know. :-)
Renee
These were a bit tricky to keep from falling apart on me but I loved the taste!
Thank you!
Renee
Oh AND I sauteed half an apple with a little cinnamon and honey while these cooked for a topper! Delish!
Liz DellaCroce
Oooo GREAT idea!!!!!!
Liz DellaCroce
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!!
addie | culicurious
wow, these look great! :) So healthy and tasty!
Liz DellaCroce
Thanks so much Addie!! They are really good and filling.
EA-The Spicy RD
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!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you friend!! The protein powder works really well and I find they do keep me fuller much longer. :-) Mmmm…maple syrup…
Cari
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!
Liz DellaCroce
Wow what a great idea, Cari!! I bet they turned out great with the sun flower seeds!
Amanda
What a great recipe! Full of flavor but none of the icky stuff! :)
Liz DellaCroce
It’s like having your pancakes and eating them too! :-)
Hilani @ Handmade by Hilani
Hel-lo!!! These are so me!
Liz DellaCroce
You need to make these!! So good!!
Carolyn
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!
Liz DellaCroce
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! :-)
Alyssa (Everyday Maven)
These sound like the perfect thing to make a big batch of and freeze. Easy, healthy weekday breakfast!
Liz DellaCroce
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!!
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
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… ;) )
Liz DellaCroce
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!
Allison @ Life's a Bowl
Yummm, oatcakes! I’ve been eating them daily since I whipped up a back a few weeks ago- love the texture oats add :D
Liz DellaCroce
I need to start eating them more often – I also LOVE the texture of the oats!! :-)
claire @ the realistic nutritionist
I just want to eat pancakes all the time.
Liz DellaCroce
LOL. I heart you. :-)
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
Love the idea of fruit mixed in to make them healthier! Definitely trying these with my son!
Liz DellaCroce
Fruit is a great way to sweeten and moisten pancakes without sugar and butter. Let me know what you think!! :)
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
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!
Liz DellaCroce
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!
Kim | At Home With Kim
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!!!
Liz DellaCroce
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!!
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch
Such a great pancake recipe, Liz!
Liz DellaCroce
Thanks so much Robyn. Happy Friday!!
Cookin Canuck
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.
Liz DellaCroce
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!
Carrie @ Bakeaholic Mama
Ohhhhh these sound fantastic. I think I will make these post workout on Sunday for Hubs and I. YUM
Liz DellaCroce
Yes – these are PERFECT post workout!! Very filling. Enjoy Carrie!