Make these low-carb protein pancakes for breakfast or as a keto-friendly snack. This delicious pancake recipe is made with eggs, protein powder, and whipping cream!
Why you'll love this protein pancake recipe!
Even though I love soft boiled eggs for breakfast, sometimes, I just want something different.
When I was a child, I loved pancakes! Thankfully, there are lots of ways to make keto pancakes, but this recipe is a little different than almond flour pancakes or coconut flour pancakes.
- My low carb protein pancakes are packed with protein and healthy fats, making them a great choice for starting your day off on the right foot.
- No bananas or oats are needed! Use protein powder as the base for your keto pancake batter and a boost of protein.
- They're fluffy and have a light texture, making them similar to traditional pancakes made with flour. No need to sacrifice taste or texture when you're following a low-carb diet!
- These pancakes are also gluten-free and grain-free, making them suitable for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.
- Get creative with toppings! Add some sugar-free chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or berries on top for added flavor and texture. You can also try different flavors of protein powder to switch things up.
Tip: Eating lots of protein first thing in the morning kickstarts your metabolism. It's been shown to help increase muscle mass and calorie burning when you eat it for the first meal of the day!
Ingredients needed for protein pancakes
Whipping up a batch of these tasty low carb protein pancakes is super simple. Here's a quick rundown of the ingredients you'll need:
Protein powder
To make really fluffy high protein pancakes, use unflavored whey protein powder. The best kind is a zero carb whey protein isolate.
If you use vanilla or chocolate-flavored powder, just cut back on the vanilla extract.
Note: Check out my guide on the best keto protein powders!
Sweetener
For the sweetener, use Swerve confectioners sugar substitute. It will make the pancakes fluffy! A granular sweetener will leave the pancakes kinda grainy.
If you are not a fan of Swerve, take a look at this list I put together of all of the low-carb sweeteners I recommend.
Spices
I also added some cinnamon and nutmeg to give the pancakes a yummy flavor. But feel free to leave them out for a plain pancake.
Please note: Check out the recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients used to make this low-carb recipe.
Baking tips
This is going to become your favorite pancake recipe ever! Here are my best tips for making a delicious batch of protein powder pancakes:
- Make double or triple batches. I suggest making a double or triple batch of them and freezing them! Then, you can grab one, put it in the microwave, and enjoy a hot breakfast without having to dirty more pans.
- Freeze them! When you freeze the pancakes, wrap them up individually in plastic wrap. Or, lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet that is covered in parchment paper - and after they are frozen, you can place them together in a zippered freezer bag.
- Do not place them in a zippered freezer bag when they are still warm. This will make them freeze in a big clump that is almost impossible to separate.
- Mix in some peanut butter! Another idea you should try - mix in some sugar-free peanut butter. Peanut butter pancakes are some of my favorite ones.
How to make protein pancakes from scratch
Get ready to make the best stack of protein pancakes you have ever tasted! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make them:
Step 1: Make the pancake batter
The first step is to add the whey protein powder to the egg. Use a whisk to mix them together really well before you add any other ingredients.
Step 2: Add sugar and spices
After those two are mixed together really well, add the baking powder, powdered sugar substitute, and vanilla. Mix it up really well.
Add the spices and mix everything together!
Note: It will still have a grainy texture.
Step 3: Add heavy whipping cream
Add the heavy whipping cream to the batter last.
You don't have to use an electric mixer for the step. Use either a wooden spoon or just keep using your whisk.
Step 4: Cook the protein pancakes
When you are ready to make the pancakes, spray your pan with some non-stick spray.
I like to use a silicone egg ring when I pour the batter into the pan. The ring keeps the batter from spreading out too much.
Note: This is a very thin batter. If you don't use the egg ring, you will end up with really thin pancakes that resemble crepes.
Once you start seeing golden brown edges, flip the pancakes.
Serve and enjoy!
What to serve with healthy pancakes
Even though pancakes are usually considered a breakfast food, you can eat them any time of day!
To enjoy a classic plate of warm, fluffy pancakes, drizzle them with your favorite sugar-free maple syrup and top with real butter! If you are not a fan, homemade blueberry syrup and warmed-up peanut butter make for great toppings.
For a hearty breakfast, serve them with a crustless quiche or a slice of sausage, egg, and cheese casserole.
You can also never go wrong with pancakes and crispy bacon! And, don't forget your bulletproof coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the questions I hear the most about my keto protein pancake recipe. If you don't see your questions answered here, please leave them for me in the comments below.
If you follow this recipe exactly, there are only 2g net carbs in each pancake. Every topping or ingredient that you mix into it will increase how many carbs there are.
Yes, you can. These pancakes are gluten-free, grain-free, and actually flour-free. It makes a thinner batter, but they still taste amazing!
Fruits are high in natural sugars, so if you top them with fruit, pay attention to how many carbs you are eating. I usually lean towards some type of berry.
A better idea is to use some sugar-free syrup (I really like one from ChocZero), butter, or even sprinkle them with a sugar-free confectioner's sugar substitute.
You can also drizzle the pancakes with sugar-free chocolate syrup!
Make some extra pancakes and store them in a resealable plastic bag in your refrigerator. Then, when you want a high-protein bread replacement, you can use these.
In fact, they will add some sweetness to your sandwiches.
Make a few of these breakfast sandwiches and swap out the croissant for the pancakes.
There are lots of things you can mix into these basic pancakes. If you like chocolate, add some sugar-free chocolate chips.
Even though they will add a few more carbs, you can sprinkle in a few fresh blueberries too.
To give the pancakes a citrus flavor without the carbs, add about ¼ teaspoon of orange extract and top with orange zest.
These are fluffy and protein-packed pancakes that are so easy to make you'll want to add them to your morning routine!
Make a double batch if you have kids. As they taste yours, they are going to want their own.
Love this healthy protein pancake recipe? Try these!
If you enjoyed these keto protein pancakes, you will enjoy these low-carb breakfast recipes too. They are some of my favorite ways to start the day.
- Keto Granola Bars are a portable breakfast that you can take with you throughout your day.
- Keto Pancake Mix Donuts is a really sweet choice that also looks like chocolate donuts, but with a fraction of the carbs.
- Keto Biscuits and Gravy are a savory and classic breakfast recipe with a slightly spicy gravy.
- Low-Carb French Toast Sticks are also a cinnamon-sweet breakfast treat that looks beautiful enough for brunch.
- Keto Cinnamon Rolls are deliciously warm and coated with melted cream cheese icing!
Follow us on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, and INSTAGRAM for even more tasty keto-friendly recipes!
Recipe
Keto Protein Pancakes
Video
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 2 scoops unflavored whey protein powder use a zero carb whey protein isolate (60 grams)
- ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons Swerve confectioners sugar substitute
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch nutmeg
Instructions
- Add the protein powder into a large mixing bowl with the eggs, and mix to combine.
- Whisk in the sugar substitute, baking powder, vanilla extract, cinnamon and vanilla.
- Pour the heavy whipping cream into the mixture and whisk to combine. If the mixture is too thick, add some water until it has a consistency like traditional pancake batter. If too thin, add a tiny bit of xanthan gum.
- For well formed circles, use greased pancake or egg rings. Heat a skillet over medium heat and place a little of the batter into it. Cook for a minute or so on one side and the flip to cook the other. Repeat this process with the remaining batter.
- Serve with your choice of keto friendly toppings.
Notes
- I recommend making a double or triple batch to freeze some of them. Then, you can grab one, put it in the microwave, and enjoy a hot breakfast without having to dirty more pans.
- When you freeze the pancakes, wrap them up individually in plastic wrap. Or, lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet that is covered in parchment paper - and after they are frozen, you can place them together in a zippered freezer bag.
- Do not place them in a zippered freezer bag when they are still warm. This will make them freeze in a big clump that is almost impossible to separate.
- Another idea you should try - mix in some sugar-free chocolate chips! Chocolate chip pancakes are my favorite ones. I like to buy them from ChocZero.
- Even though they will add a few more carbs, you can sprinkle in a few fresh blueberries too.
- To give the pancakes a citrus flavor without the carbs, add about ¼ teaspoon of orange extract and top with orange zest.
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
Notes on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Copyright
© LowCarbYum.com - Unauthorized use of this material without written permission is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.
Lisa
Has anyone tried to use premade protein shake in place of the heavy cream?
Silver
The recipe worked out great for me, I added a tablespoon of oil which made the pancake more moist.
Claire
Delicious! But need to be cooked gently as they take a while to cook through.
Denisse
The taste was delicious, but they aren’t pancakes, they are more like crepes. They are completely flat
P
I don’t usually comment on recipes, but you should be aware
She does not warn you of this until you are ready to actually cook these ‘pancakes’. “ I like to use a silicone egg ring when I pour the batter into the pan.
The ring keeps the batter from spreading out too much. This is a very thin batter. If you don’t use the egg ring, you will end up with really thin pancakes that resemble crepes.”. Who has egg rings? I had one metal ring I tried using to cook 1 small cake at a time! No way to flip the cake as it was stuck to the inside.
2) these are extremely dry
3) they stick to pans and utensils. I’m still soaking things
We ended up with a mess of spread out, dry, crusty things which we so tired in butter and syrup to eat.
Lots of protein, nothing else to recommend these
Lisa MarcAurele
So sorry about that! I can add a note earlier on. You can also add some xanthan gum or similar to thicken up the batter.
Aydann
Syrup and raspberries solved the dry issue for me, also after a while you can take the egg ring off to flip it, the pancake will harden up to where it won’t spread out anymore.
Catherine
Made this with a few modifications:
-used egg whites instead of whole eggs
-used cottage cheese instead of heavy whipping cream.
Changes the macros, but the end result makes a pretty amazing flatbread. Will make again.
DONNY
This exactly the kind of high-protein breakfast I'm looking for. Thanks!
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats
These look delicious! I have all the ingredients on hand to make them this weekend! so looking forward to it! Thank you!
Yang
How interesting to use protein powder to make pancakes. I can't wait to try!
Jean Choi
Love how fluffy these are! So perfect for weekend brunch.
Joanna
Would love to try this at the weekend. Since different protein powders come with difference sizes of scoop, could you give a standard volume or weight measure for the amount of whey? Thanks!
Lisa MarcAurele
I added the weight to the recipe which is zero grams.
Elizabeth
The recipe says (60g). If you have a food scale, put a bowl on the scale, zero it out and add protein powder until it reads 60 grams.
Susie Que
Really good- not perfect but a good start as base