Do you need easy, kid-friendly meals
When I was a younger mother, feeding picky eaters was a frustration for me and I needed to figure out creative ways to get them some more balanced nutrition. That’s when these pancakes came about. These protein-loaded pancakes were a dinner that made them happy and me too.
Even if they were adding maple syrup on top, it was still better than pasta, and paired with a fruit smoothie, they were full and everyone was happy all around.
Recently, it was my children that reminded me that I need to make these again. Attention Gluten-Free moms–I make a version of these on Pesach, swapping out the flour for half tapioca starch/half almond flour (potato starch also works fine instead of tapioca, but we like the taste of the tapioca ones slightly better). After making batches and batches on erev Yom Tov and every single Chol Hamoed morning, my kids said, “Ma, we like these pancakes so much better than regular pancakes. Why can’t you make this version all year?”
And, so, the protein pancakes came back on the menu. This time, it was without the picky eater angst. (Nowadays, I learned. I don’t call my kids “picky,” rather, I call them “easy.” If I can say it’s pasta or pizza bagels for dinner and they say, “Yay!” that’s not frustration for me, that’s ease.)
I can simply mix the ingredients together right before they come home. I use the larger sized container of vanilla Greek yogurt for this recipe rather than open up lots of small ones.
In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
Add yogurt, milk, egg, and vanilla.
Mix until fully combined. It’s ok if there’s still some lumps. Once the batter is mixed, dinner is almost ready. Then, just add scoops of batter fresh to the frying pan or Betty Crocker when they come home.
Pancakes are ready to be flipped when they’re bubbling up.
And, yes, the side dish is a fruit smoothie! I start with 1 cup ice + 1 cup banana + 1 cup milk (a spoon of vanilla extract or vanilla pudding powder is a nice addition). Whoever wants a “plain” smoothie takes first. Then, we add frozen fruit like mangos, strawberries, or blueberries to the banana base for whoever wants a fruit smoothie.
And that’s a perfect summer dinner that’s fun for kids and takes no more than a minute of advance prep for me.
Do you need a quick, easy dinner for the adults while the kids are eating pancakes (unless your adults will also eat pancakes). Try this Turbot with Roasted Veggies – it takes five minutes and can be made with any fish!
Protein Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups vanilla Greek yogurt
- ½ cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- nonstick cooking spray or butter, for greasing pan
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Add yogurt, milk, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until fully combined. It’s ok if there’s still some lumps.
- Grease a pancake pan or skillet (or simply make them in your Betty Crocker) with nonstick cooking spray or melted butter. Heat over medium-high heat. Scoop a scant ¼ cup batter to form each pancake. Cook until bubbles appear at the top and edges seem firm, about 90 seconds. Flip and cook for an additional 1 minute, until golden. Enjoy immediately with your favorite pancake toppings.
Notes
May I also suggest doing half flour and half oats.
Oats are an added nutritional value and are delicious.
Great idea! If anyone tries it and it goes over well, let us know!
Did anyone try this? Wanna know if it’s good…
I love the switch from picky to easy, that’s such a good way to look at it!
I make fruit smoothies with a Greek yogurt base, sneaks in even more protein! And comes out creamy for those “Easys” who won’t touch bananas.
Absolutely!
Yes I make a mango smoothie everyone loves, it’s one greek yogourt, about 3/4 cup milk and a bunch (a cup?) of slightly defrosted mango cubes, Sometimes I add some OJ or mango-OJ. Original recipe called for sugar but it’s totally not needed. Personally, I dont care for the taste of banana in smoothies so this works well.
I also make a healthy pancake using cottage cheese which is enjoyed. I’m going to make this version and see which they like better!
Looks great!
Would this work in a waffle iron?
I’m not sure but if you try it and it works, let us know!
I tried this recipe in a waffle maker, it came out perfect
Kids loved it, will definitely make it again!
Thanks for letting us know!
Is there any way to make a dairy free version?
I’ve never tried, but that might defeat the purpose as Greek yogurt is the point here. It would have to be a non dairy vanilla yogurt alternative with a high protein content.
Anyone know how these compare to the high protein pancakes in dinner done?
I find that they taste completely different. To me, the BCP Cheese Pancake is more cheesy – like a healthier latke – to me these taste more like a classic pancake.
Btw Dinner Done pg 184 is another high protein pancake option. My kids love it, and its good cold too, so leftovers are great for the kids lunch the next day!
Thank you BCP for coming thru time and time again!
I’ve been making a really filling smoothie for 2 weeks,
I add a half cup of blueberries + 1 banana +milk to cover + abt a 1/4 cup plain yogurt with some chia seeds. Blend and enjoy
Would this work by using plain yogurt and ripe bananas?
Thanks for sharing this great and interesting information.
Is it 1 or 2 eggs?
list of ingredients says 2 eggs but the intro and instructions say to add the egg
thanks for great content!
Edited, thanks!
These are yum
I thought these pancakes were very tasty, but my kids wouldn’t touch them. Just saying.
Thank you so much for this incredible recipe! I prepare a big batch of this on Sunday and we have pancakes for breakfast all week! I love that it’s healthy but doesn’t ‘taste healthy’.
Great recipe.
Your article is incredibly insightful and thought-provoking.