Oat Flour Pumpkin Protein Pancakes

October 18, 2022

Pumpkin Protein Pancakes are fluffy and light, packed with pumpkin flavor and naturally sweetened. This delicious, easy breakfast can be made in just one bowl with less than 10 ingredients. Perfect for weekdays and weekends alike.

Gluten Free, Nut Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free

Say hello to the first pumpkin recipe of 2022! I know, I’m a little late, but I’ve been working against a really big deadline, so mid-October, here we are.

Here’s the thing about pancakes… they’re put into the WEEKEND box. And I get it… they take a little bit more time to prepare, perhaps a few more dishes to clean, but they’re not just for weekends. Pancakes *can be* a great, balanced breakfast that’s easy to whip together.

And that’s exactly how these PUMPKIN PROTEIN PANCAKES were born.

I whipped up these pancakes on a whim for my kids one WEEKDAY morning. And I fly solo weekday mornings! It went something like…

“Mom can we have chocolate chip pancakes?” SURE, said the tired mama because she knew she could ADD some nutrition to help her 3-year-old son eat something other than sugar and carbs during this very frustrating carb- and dessert-only phase.

And that’s how I set out to make a pumpkin protein pancake recipe that focuses on ADDING nutrients to help us feel our best.

These Pumpkin Protein Pancakes are…

Easy to make in ONE BOWL
Delicious
Fluffy AF
Pumpkiny, but not in an overwhelming way
Made with higher fiber oat flour (gluten free, for those who need)
Extra delicious with chocolate chips
Great to freeze + reheat later too

Overall, I have ZERO complaints about this recipe. I always have the (fewer than 10) ingredients on hand. Dishes are minimal. It’s an easy recipe to double or triple so you don’t make them 5 days in a row like I did. *cheese face*

What makes these “protein” pancakes?

Over a decade ago I was first introduced to 2-ingredient protein pancakes (<– kinda like this recipe). If you mix together banana + eggs, you can make a “pancake batter.” This recipe is a pumpkiny twist on that.

This recipe contains 2 main sources of protein: eggs and protein powder.

One large egg contains 6 grams of protein, so it’s not so much protein from the eggs alone, which is why I also added the protein powder.

Do you need protein powder?

NO. The eggs alone lend protein too. Even oats have some protein as well. However, I often find that eating a larger dose of protein in the morning helps with satiety, so adding protein powder helps. Otherwise, I would serve with some Greek yogurt for an extra protein boost.

Ingredients to make Pumpkin Protein Pancakes

You need less than 10 ingredients to make these pumpkin protein pancakes. You’ll need:

Pumpkin puree
Eggs
Cinnamon
Baking powder
Vanilla extract
Chia seeds
Oat flour
(optional) Protein powder

The base of this recipe contains pumpkin puree, eggs and vanilla extract as the “wet” ingredients. Then you’ll add the dry ingredients, including oat flour, chia seeds, leavener (baking powder), and cinnamon for an extra hint of fall flavor.

Oat flour is the flour of choice because it’s a whole grain and boosts the fiber count in this recipe.

To make oat flour, add rolled oats to a high-powered blender or food processor. Blend/pulse until a flour-like consistency forms. IT’S THAT EASY to make!! Or you can buy it, here.

Chia seeds add healthy fats to this recipe, specifically omega-3 fatty acids.

Plus, fat is digested slowly so it will keep you full longer.

How to Make Pumpkin Protein Pancakes

As I mentioned earlier, it’s SO easy to make these protein pumpkin pancakes.

First, add the wet ingredients to a large bowl, including the pumpkin, eggs, and pure vanilla extract.

Next, add your dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Add the flour, chia seeds, baking powder, cinnamon, and protein powder. Mix together to form your batter.

If you’re my 3-year-old you request chocolate chips be added too.

Then you’ll cook them. I always cook my pancakes in butter. They just taste SO much better. Once the pan is hot I use a 1/4 cup scoop to make my pancakes an even size.

Cook for just 3 minutes on each side and you’re done!

Kitchen Tools for the Perfect Pancakes

As a pancake connoisseur, I know a few pancake tools you’ll need to make the best protein pancakes.

You’ll need…