Protein pancake bowls are healthy as oatmeal, quick as toast, and delicious as…pancakes! Microwave your yummy whole grain high protein pancake bowl in 1 minute!
If you love pancakes but don’t make them because they’re too much trouble, too many calories, or not on your diet, these one minute protein pancake bowls are for you!
If you were my best friend, my neighbor, or my sister, I’d be looking you straight in the eye and insisting you try this breakfast.
If you’ve got kids ~ omg, this is a parenting win. These protein pancake bowls are my new healthy breakfast obsession, and they come together in just a minute in the microwave!
Protein Pancake Bowls Are a Delicious Powerhouse Breakfast
I honestly think pancakes taste even better in their healthy form ~ and these bowls prove it.
- Whole grains mean you’re getting the bran, germ, and endosperm ~ all the good stuff. That means fiber, B vitamins, vitamin E, and minerals like iron and magnesium, plus a slower energy release (no sugar crash here).
- I toss in a palmful of rolled oats for even more fiber and staying power.
- A little fresh fruit on top adds natural sweetness, vitamins, and antioxidants ~ plus it makes the whole bowl feel like a treat.
Protein Pancake Bowl essentials
To make these bowls easy enough for busy mornings I use a good quality whole grain protein pancake mix. There are so many on the market and they’re easy to find in the regular supermarket. If the mix contains whole food ingredients such as oats, whole wheat flour, and protein powder, it can be a good source of fiber, complex carbohydrates, and protein making it a healthy idea for breakfast.
How to choose a healthy mix for pancake bowls
My personal choice is Kodiak whole grain protein pancake mix. I discovered the brand by accident when I bought one of their single serve pancake cups (you know I love my pancakes in a mug.) There are quite a few good healthy brands out there, so if you want to experiment here are some guidelines:
- Read the ingredients list: Look for mixes that contain whole food ingredients such as whole grain flour, oats, nuts, and seeds.
- Avoid mixes that contain a lot of added sugars.
- Avoid flavored mixes which can contain sugar and artificial flavors and additives.
- Check the numbers: Look for mixes that are high in fiber and protein, and low in added sugars and saturated fat. Aim for a mix that has at least 3 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein per serving.
- Look for ‘just add water’ mix which works best for these easy pancake bowls.
your toppings
My bowls get an added boost from fresh fruit, nuts, and seeds, although all you really need is butter and maple syrup!
- strawberries + flax seed
- diced peaches + rolled oats
- blueberries + granola or muesli
- blackberries + hazelnuts
- oranges + chia seeds
- bananas + wheatgerm
- raspberries + almonds
- mini chocolate chips (you didn’t hear it from me.)
100% pure maple syrup
Pure maple syrup is a sweetener, yes, but it also contains antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals such as zinc and manganese, which provide some nutritional benefits.
Compared to other sweeteners, pure maple syrup has a lower glycemic index, which means it doesn’t cause a spike in your blood sugar. Use it in moderation; I use about a tablespoon per pancake bowl. And make sure you always buy the real deal: pure maple syrup!
how to make a protein pancake bowl
Step 1. add pancake mix to a bowl
For a single bowl I use 1/3 cup mix. Choose a bowl with a deeper cup shape rather than a flat wide shape.
Step 2. add water and stir well
Stir just until there is no dry mix left. Small lumps are ok. The batter will be thin.
Step 3. microwave
This takes 60 seconds on high in my microwave. (You may need to test yours to find your perfect time.)
Step 4. add toppings
I add a pat of butter, fruit, and maple syrup.
questions…questions!
How many pancakes is a pancake bowl equal to?
- One good sized pancake. But it feels like you’re getting so much more 🙂
Can I use milk or buttermilk in place of water?
- Yes, test it to see how you like the results. I find that water results in the fluffiest pancake bowl, but milk will increase your protein count.
Can I use regular pancake mix this way?
- It depends. The regular pancake mixes I tested did not work as well, but you may find one that does. Make sure it’s an ‘add water only’ mix for best single serve results. Or you can make a batch of the mix according to instructions (with milk, eggs, oil etc.) and then divide between several bowls.
Can I use my own homemade pancake batter this way?
- Yes, but if your batter is thick you may need to thin it a bit to work better in a microwaved bowl. I have a recipe for a homemade pancake bowl here!
Can I make a bigger pancake bowl?
- I found 1/3 cup mix to be the best amount. Anything more and the pancake doesn’t cook properly.
Can I put fruit in the batter, rather than on top?
- Yes, that works but be careful, the fruit gets hot in the microwave and your pancake bowl may cook unevenly. I recommend adding the fruit on top after cooking.
Can I make a gluten free or vegan pancake bowl?
- Yup, Kodiak brand makes a gluten free mix, and a plant based protein pancake mix.
I’m a breakfast person ~ I’ve gotta have it every day. And I have not found a more delicious healthy breakfast than these pancake bowls ~ they’ve been a regular for me for years (I keep the whole grain pancake mix in a small canister with a 1/3 cup measure inside to make it super convenient.)
I use whatever fruit is in season, and I find that I make these in spring and summer just as often as in the colder months! I highly recommend you give them a try
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Protein Pancake Bowls
Equipment
- microwave-safe bowl (mine has a 2 cup capacity and is 5 inches in diameter.)
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup Kodiak whole grain protein pancake mix
- 1 Tbsp rolled oats, optional
- 1/3 cup water, experiment with the exact amount, you might want to add a bit more water if you are adding oats.
- butter
- maple syrup
optional topping ideas
- strawberries + chia seeds
- blueberries + granola or muesli
- blackberries + hazelnuts
- bananas and wheat germ
- oranges + flax seeds
- raspberries and almonds
- mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Put your pancake mix and oats (if using) in your bowl and add the water. Stir to mix until no dry flour is left. Small lumps are fine. The batter will be thin.
- Microwave on high for 1 minute.
- Remove and top with butter and maple syrup. Add any optional fruit toppings.
- Enjoy!
Why add the tablespoon on oats? Is it texture or added nutrition?
Both! You can absolutely leave out.
I have to microwave longer than 1 min, closer to 3 minutes, but this is such an enjoyable breakfast that keeps me fueled for a long time!
So simple and so delicious! I added a pinch of salt and a bit of cinnamon to the batter–just my taste. It seemed like magic, but it worked perfectly. I’ll be having these for breakfast often.
(I’d like to take this opportunity to say that I don’t understand why the Search option on your new Web site doesn’t work–and where did all my saved recipes go?)
I’m so glad you loved these! The search bars work for me, if you email me I can help you troubleshoot.
This was really good! I wanted a taste before I added the fruit and the next thing I know, it was gone and I never did add the fruit. Next time! I did have to add about 15 more seconds to the cook time, probably due to my higher altitude though.
I don’t use a microwave. Can I use my regular oven? Or perhaps an air fryer?
Unfortunately this is formulated for a microwave Lillian. The microwave is such a unique way of cooking that it can’t really be replicated. The best I can suggest is to make your protein pancake the traditional way and enjoy it with the toppings!
You can use club soda instead of plain water. Makes a fluffy pancake.
I like that!