Happy Pancake Day!
There’s nothing quite like a holiday which revolves solely around food, especially pancakes. Because who doesn’t love pancakes? You'd have to be crazy.
The history of pancake day
Pancake day has a fascinating history, far beyond that time when you were a kid when your dad flipped the pan too hard and a pancake got stuck to the ceiling. Also known as Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day is the traditional feast day at the start of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday.
On this day, Christians go to confession and are ‘shriven’, or absolved from their sins. Lent is a time for reflection and self-sacrifice, so Pancake Day is the last chance to use up eggs and milk before embarking on the Lenton fast.
Are pancakes healthy?
Whilst when making pancakes from scratch, the mixture is relatively healthy and gives a range of vitamins and minerals, this question largely depends on what toppings you add to your pancakes.
From the classic sugar and lemon sprinkle to a slathering of chocolate spread, your pancake recipe can quickly go from savoury and a safe-bet, to a high-fat, high-carb and high-sugar no go.
While old-school pancakes are delicious, we think that we could up the nutrients and health level of a good old fashioned pancake, to create the perfect yummy (yet healthy) pancake mixture. There’s nothing wrong with trying something new, either.
For this one, you're going to need The Fit Protein, or any of your other favourite Innermost protein blends. Let's begin...
Our favourite easy protein pancakes
Our pancake recipes below include a serving or two of our protein powders, so you know that our pancakes are doing you good as well as tasting good. Every one of our protein powerhouses are research-backed and formulated to target different goals across body and mind and contain functional ingredients, nootropics and adaptogens that set you up perfectly to operate at full capacity in both body and mind.
Let’s get flipping! We’d love to see your incredible pancake creations, so tag us on Instagram at @liveinnermost to show off your skills.
To make sure everyone can enjoy a scrumptious pancake stack this Pancake Day, we've included a range of healthy pancakes, protein pancakes and even some vegan protein pancakes, too. Don't say we don't treat you over here on Insight.
Applesauce protein pancakes
For the pancakes:
- 90g wholewheat flour
-
40g Innermost Protein in Vanilla
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 180g unsweetened applesauce
- 1 egg
- 150ml milk (whichever type you like!)
For the cinnamon apple topping:
- 1-2 apples, peeled and diced
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp cinnamon
-
1-2 tbsps maple syrup
Easy Protein Pancake 1: Method
Whisk the dry ingredients together in one bowl and the wet ingredients together in another bowl.
Then stir the wet mixture into the dry and mix until fully combined.
Heat up a frying pan (non-stick if possible), and add a little butter or coconut oil. Once the pan is hot, pour in some mixture. It should sizzle lightly as it’s poured into the pan.
Leave for 2-3 minutes, or until you see plenty of bubbles rising to the surface of the pancake. Loosen the bottom with a spatula, then try your hand at the perfect pancake flip.
Cook for another 2 minutes on the other side, and then remove to a plate. Repeat until you’ve got a good-looking stack.
To make the topping, add the apples, butter and cinnamon to a small saucepan and heat on medium for around 5 minutes, until the apples are soft. Remove from the heat and stir through the maple syrup, then pour over the pancakes and demolish.
Berry and banana protein pancakes
For the pancake:
- 100g plain flour
- 40g Innermost Protein in Vanilla
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 large banana (the riper the better), mashed
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 135ml milk of your choice
For the smashed berry topping:
- A handful of mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
- Dash of water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Easy Protein Pancake 2: Method
Follow the method in the first recipe, combining dry ingredients and wet ingredients in separate bowls, and then mixing together and frying on a medium high heat for 2 to 3 minutes on each side once the pan is good and hot.
To make the topping, add your fresh or frozen mixed berries to a pan along with a dash of water and a few squeezes of lemon juice, and allow to simmer on medium heat for 15 mins or until the berries are softened and broken down. Allow to cool a little then push through a sieve or blend.
Pour your berry coulis over the pancakes, sprinkle a few more fresh berries over the top, and dig in!
Chocolate-peanut protein pancakes
For the pancakes:
- 90g flour
- 30g cocoa, sieved
- 30g Innermost Protein in Chocolate
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 eggs
- 180ml milk of your choice
- 1 tbsp smooth peanut butter
As many chocolate chips as you like!
For the PB and chocolate sauce topping:
- 2 tbsp smooth peanut butter
- 4 tbsp hot water
- 2 tsp cocoa powder
- 2 tsp maple syrup (or other sweetener)
Easy Protein Pancake 3: Method
Combine all of the dry ingredients except the chocolate chips in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another bowl. Then stir the wet mixture into the dry and mix until fully combined. Then, stir through the chocolate chips.
Complete the cooking process as per the above recipes.
To make the topping, add the peanut butter and hot water to a small saucepan and stir together over a low heat until you have a thin, smooth paste (it will take a bit of time but don’t worry, it’ll get there!). Then stir through the cocoa powder and once combined, add the maple syrup and mix until combined.
Drizzle your sauce over the pancakes, sprinkle over some more chocolate chips and indulge!