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These 3-ingredient protein pancakes are the perfect way to kickstart your day! Packed with protein, naturally sweetened, and ready in minutes, they’re the ultimate healthy breakfast. Whether you’re fueling up post-workout or just want a quick and easy recipe, these pancakes have you covered!

maple syrup being poured over a stack of pancakes.

I’ve been making these protein pancakes for years! They’re hands-down my favorite way to start the day. Loaded with protein, super easy to make, and totally delicious. Enjoy these pancakes with a healthy smoothie or collagen hot chocolate for even more protein!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Simple Ingredients: Just three pantry staples are all you need – no complicated shopping lists here!
  • High in Protein: These pancakes are naturally high in protein, helping you stay full and energized throughout the day.
  • Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: Perfect for those with dietary restrictions or anyone looking for a wholesome, healthy option.
  • Quick & Easy: Ready in under 10 minutes from start to finish!

What You’ll Need to Make Protein Pancakes

Banana: Bananas add natural sweetness and act as the base for these pancakes, keeping them moist and tender. Use a ripe banana for the best flavor.

Eggs: Eggs provide structure and richness, ensuring the pancakes hold together and cook evenly.

Protein Powder: The secret to making these pancakes protein-packed! Vanilla protein powder adds a touch of sweetness and a boost of nutrition. I use Aloha Plant-Based Vanilla Protein Powder (click THIS LINK for 20% off Aloha), but any protein powder will work.

3 ingredient protein pancakes stacked on a plate and cut into.

How to Make Protein Pancakes

  1. Blend the Batter: Add the banana, eggs, and protein powder to a blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  2. Preheat Your Skillet: Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease with oil or cooking spray.
  3. Cook the Pancakes: Pour ¼ cup of batter onto the skillet for each pancake. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the edges look dry and the bottom is golden brown. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  4. Serve and Enjoy: Remove from the skillet and serve warm with your favorite toppings!

Toppings and Variations

Take these protein pancakes to the next level with your favorite toppings:

  • Fresh Fruit: Add a pop of freshness with sliced bananas, berries, or diced mango.
  • Nut Butter: Drizzle almond, peanut, or sunflower seed butter for an extra dose of healthy fats.
  • Maple Syrup or Honey: For a touch of natural sweetness.
  • Chocolate Chips or Cacao Nibs: Sprinkle in some indulgence!
  • Coconut Flakes: Add a tropical twist with unsweetened coconut flakes.
3 ingredient protein pancakes on a plate with butter and maple syrup.

Can I Meal Prep These Protein Pancakes?

Absolutely! These protein pancakes are perfect for meal prep. Here’s how to do it:

  • Refrigerate: Store cooked pancakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on a skillet before serving.
  • Freeze: Let the pancakes cool completely, then stack them with parchment paper between each one. Freeze in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen in a toaster or microwave.

Why This Recipe is a Must-Try

This recipe is:

  • Healthy: Packed with natural ingredients and free from refined sugar.
  • Gluten-Free: Perfect for those avoiding gluten.
  • Dairy-Free: Ideal for lactose-intolerant individuals or anyone avoiding dairy.
  • High-Protein: A great way to fuel your day or recover after a workout.
  • Made with Just 3 Ingredients: Simplicity at its best!
close up image of a stack of protein pancakes.
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3-Ingredient Protein Pancakes

These 3-ingredient protein pancakes are the perfect way to kickstart your day! Packed with protein, naturally sweetened, and ready in minutes, they’re the ultimate healthy breakfast. Whether you’re fueling up post-workout or just want a quick and easy recipe, these pancakes have you covered!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 servings

Equipment

  • 1 blender
  • 1 non-stick skillet

Ingredients

  • 1 large banana
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 scoops (1/3 cup) protein powder

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
  • Add some oil to a nonstick skillet and place it over medium heat on the stove.
  • Once the skillet is hot, pour ¼ cup of batter onto the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the edges of the pancake start to look dry and the bottom side of the pancake is golden brown. Carefully flip each pancake and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on the other side.
  • Remove the pancakes from the skillet, and repeat this process until no more pancake batter remains. Transfer the pancakes to a plate and serve warm with whatever toppings you’d like!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 242kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 7g | Sugar: 8g

Here are the 5 smoothie recipes I make every week! They’re SUPER healthy, incredibly delicious, and come together in only a few minutes. These healthy smoothies are the perfect quick, easy, and portable breakfast or snack!

all 5 smoothies lined up in glasses with toppings on each

How to Make a (Delicious) Smoothie

  • Pick your frozen fruits. Every smoothie recipe starts with a curated selection of frozen fruit. The frozen fruit is what you’ll taste the most of in your smoothie, so make sure it’s a combination you’ll love!
  • Add in some healthy fats. Now that you have your fruit, it’s time to round the nutrition out with a bit of healthy fats. Healthy fats will slow the digestion of the naturally occurring sugar in fruit, which will stabilize your blood sugar and provide you with a long-term source of energy to get you through the morning! My favorite healthy fats for smoothies are unsweetened almond butter, avocado, or hemp seeds.
  • Consider adding fresh or frozen vegetables. Depending on which vegetable you choose to add to your smoothie, you most likely won’t be able to taste it at all! Spinach is always a great addition, yielding very little flavor yet TONS of nutrients. Or, steamed then frozen cauliflower is a perfect way to not only add nutrients to a smoothie, but helps to thicken it up as well.
  • Give it a boost with protein and/or powdered superfoods. I prefer unsweetened, unflavored, and plant-based protein in my smoothie recipes. However, feel free to use whichever protein powder is your favorite! Though in my chocolate peanut butter protein smoothie recipe, I highly recommend the Aloha Chocolate Protein Powder – it’s so darn good.
  • Select a liquid to blend. Any liquid will work! Water or milk will yield the least flavor, allowing the fruit to shine. Or, you can use juice for an even sweeter and fruitier smoothie if you’d like.
all 5 smoothies in cups with ice, blueberries, and almond milk on the side

Blenders 101

I’ve owned many blenders in my day, though these two have stood out the most:

  • Vitamix: I know …she’s expensive, but boy is she incredible! I purchase a refurbished Vitamix a few years ago after saving up for one. And let me tell ya, it was worth EVERY penny. There’s nothing the Vitamix can’t blend, it’s truly the most powerful blender on the market. So if you’re looking to splurge, the Vitamix is definitely the blender for you!
  • Nutribullet: The nutribullet is great for everyday use! It takes up very little counter space, and is super easy to clean. I had my first nutribullet for almost 10 years before it eventually died on me. And that was after daily use in a four-person household! Also, the larger cup is enough to blend up to two serving sizes. I really can’t recommend the nutribullet enough, it’s fairly priced and comes with a one year warranty.

Turn Any Smoothie Into a Smoothie Bowl

Turn any of the below smoothie recipes into a smoothie bowl! It’s seriously so easy, all you’ll need to do is start with half the amount of liquid listed in the recipe. Then, continue to add more liquid as needed or until it’s perfectly thick and smooth. Once smooth, transfer your smoothie to a bowl and top with some fresh fruit, a handful of granola, and maybe even a scoop of almond or peanut butter!

Can I Add Protein Powder To These Smoothie Recipes?

Yes! Feel free to add a scoop of your favorite vanilla or unflavored protein powder to any of these smoothie recipes. I almost always throw in a scoop of either Aloha vanilla protein powder and/or Further Foods unflavored collagen to boost the protein and overall nutrients in my smoothies!

close-up overhead image of all 5 smoothie recipes
5 from 2 votes

5 Healthy and DELICIOUS Smoothie Recipes

Here are the 5 smoothie recipes I make constantly! They’re SUPER healthy, incredibly delicious, and come together in only a few minutes. These healthy smoothies are the perfect quick, easy, and portable breakfast or snack!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 serving

Equipment

  • blender

Ingredients

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie

  • 1 1/2 frozen bananas
  • 1 scoop chocolate protein powder or 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter
  • 1 cup almond milk, or regular milk

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 tablespoon almond or peanut butter, optional
  • 1 cup milk, I used almond milk

Glowing Green Smoothie

  • 1 cup frozen mango
  • 1/2 cup frozen peaches
  • 1 cup fresh spinach
  • 1/2 avocado
  • 1 cup water or milk

Tropical Smoothie

  • 1 cup frozen mango
  • 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt, unsweetened
  • 1 cup coconut milk

Very Berry Smoothie

  • 1/2 cup frozen cherries
  • 1 cup frozen mixed berries
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt, unsweetened
  • 1 cup water or milk

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.

September is my birthday month! So it’s also the month I add rainbow sprinkles to, well.. everything. And this 5 ingredient birthday cake banana bread is no exception. But also, who knew adding sprinkles to banana bread would make for the most delicious and fun addition ever?! Not sure if I’ll ever not add sprinkles to my banana bread from now on. It’s really THAT good!

This birthday cake banana bread is just one of the recipes I’ll be baking for myself this month. I’ve already made my healthy gluten-free mug cakes a few times – because why not?? they’re SO easy. And as part of a larger celebration I’ll be baking up this gluten-free and dairy-free carrot cake because it’s simply my all-time FAVE. It’s shaping up to be a delicious month, friends! Happy birthday to me. 🙂

slices of birthday cake banana bread.

What You’ll Need to Make This Recipe

  • Bananas: Overripe bananas provide the natural sweetness and moisture for this recipe. The more ripe the bananas, the sweeter your banana bread will be, making them the key ingredient.
  • Eggs: Eggs act as a binder in this recipe, helping the banana bread rise and stay moist. They also contribute to the fluffy texture.
  • Vanilla Extract (Optional): Adding vanilla enhances the sweet, cake-like flavor, but it’s optional if you prefer a more banana-forward taste.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and a slight caramel-y flavor to complement the bananas. It also keeps the bread moist while baking.
  • Self-Rising Flour: If you don’t have self-rising flour, use all-purpose flour with baking powder. This gives the bread structure and helps it rise properly. To make this recipe gluten-free like I did, use a gluten free self-rising flour, I recommend this one.
  • Rainbow Sprinkles: The fun part! Sprinkles give this banana bread a celebratory birthday cake vibe. Be sure to use rainbow sprinkles that hold up well during baking. I use and love these dye-free rainbow sprinkles from Amazon.
5 ingredient gluten-free birthday cake banana bread slices stacked on top of each other.

How to Make 5 Ingredient Birthday Cake Banana Bread

  1. Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing or lining a loaf pan. This ensures the bread doesn’t stick and bakes evenly.
  2. Mash the Bananas: In a large bowl, mash your overripe bananas until smooth. This will be the base for your bread, adding natural sweetness and moisture.
  3. Mix the Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs and vanilla extract (if using), and whisk everything together until fully combined.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the brown sugar, flour, and rainbow sprinkles to the banana mixture, stirring until no flour pockets remain.
  5. Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake for 55-60 minutes. The loaf should be golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
  6. Cool and Glaze: While the bread cools, mix powdered sugar and milk to make the glaze, then drizzle it over the cooled bread for extra sweetness.

How Can I Store the Leftovers?

This banana bread keeps well for 3-4 days at room temperature when covered tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. If you want it to last longer, you can refrigerate it for up to a week, or freeze individual slices for up to 3 months!

overhead image of sliced birthday cake banana bread
5 from 1 vote

5 Ingredient Birthday Cake Banana bread

Author: Samantha Russo
This 5 ingredient birthday cake banana bread is not only super easy to make, but it’s also gluten-free and dairy-free! Whether you’re looking for a fun birthday-inspired dessert or just a unique spin on classic banana bread, this recipe delivers in taste and fun factor.
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12 slices

Equipment

  • 1 large bowl
  • 1 9×4-inch loaf pan

Ingredients

  • 3 large and overripe bananas
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract optional, but recommended
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups self rising flour (I used gluten-free self-rising flour) or 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour PLUS 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles

For the optional glaze:

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and line a 9×4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, then lightly coat the inside of the pan with oil.
  • Place the bananas in a large bowl and mash well with a fork, until mostly smooth.
    birthday cake banana bread step 1
  • Add the eggs and vanilla extract (if using) to the bowl the and whisk to combine. Then, add the brown sugar, flour, and sprinkles then mix again until fully combined and no pockets of flour remain.
    birthday cake banana bread step 2
  • Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted down the center of the bread comes out clean.
  • Remove the birthday cake banana bread from the oven and let it cool while you make the glaze.
  • Add the powdered sugar and milk to a small bowl, then whisk together until smooth. Pour glaze over the cooled banana bread.
    birthday cake banana bread step 3

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice

We’ve been on a big banana bread kick in my house. But the problem was… every time I make a new loaf, it’s gone in a couple days! So I needed a quick, easy, and SIMPLE recipe to get in our banana bread fix without spending too much time in the kitchen. *enter 4 ingredient banana bread.*

And if you’ve been around here a while, you know I’m all about the easy sweet treats! This time last year I went through a huge 5-ingredient edible gluten-free cookie dough phase (major pregancy craving!) and over the summer, I couldn’t stop making my 6-ingredient healthy gluten-free mug cake. There’s just something about having a healthier sweet treat on-hand that leads to happier days and a happier life.

Something else I always have on-hand? Bananas. I pretty much buy a bunch of bananas every week because, again, we just love them in this house. However, we often find ourselves with a few overly ripe bananas by the end of the week. But thanks to this 4 ingredient banana bread recipe, I always have a way to put them to good use!

I made my banana bread gluten-free, but you totally don’t have to! This recipe is also naturally dairy-free which I LOVE. And I should mention, it’s easily made refined sugar-free as well. For all dietary swaps, check out the “adjust this recipe to your dietary needs” section below. Happy 4-ingredient baking, friends!

a slice of 4 ingredient banana bread with a bite taken out.

What You’ll Need to Make 4 Ingredient Banana Bread

Bananas: The star of the show! These bananas bring natural sweetness and moisture to the bread. The riper, the better – those speckles on the peel are a sign of maximum flavor.

Eggs: Eggs play a crucial role in binding the ingredients together, providing structure to the bread. They contribute to the moist and tender texture we all love.

Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a rich caramel flavor and sweetness to the banana bread. It complements the bananas perfectly, creating a delightful depth of taste.

Self-Rising Flour: The key to keeping it simple! Self-rising flour contains baking powder and salt, eliminating the need for additional leavening agents. It ensures your banana bread rises beautifully. But if you don’t have self-rising flour, feel free to use regular flour instead, then add 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda to the recipe!

Tips and Tricks

  • The riper your bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your banana bread will be. Don’t shy away from those brown speckles!
  • Mix the ingredients until just combined. Overmixing can affect the texture, so keep it simple and stir until everything is blended.
  • Allow your banana bread to cool slightly in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack. This patience ensures a neater slice and preserves the bread’s texture.
sliced 4 ingredient banana bread with a knife on the side.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Gluten-Free: Swap out the self-rising flour for a gluten-free alternative to make this banana bread gluten-free. I used Beth Blends Grain-Free Flour Blend in my 4 ingredient banana bread and it worked great!

Make it Refined Sugar-Free: Opt for coconut sugar as a substitute for brown sugar for a refined sugar-free option.

Stacked slices of 4 ingredient banana bread, with a hand lifting the top slice.
4.22 from 19 votes

Incredible 4 Ingredient Banana Bread (gluten-free!)

Baking doesn’t have to be complicated, and this 4 ingredient banana bread proves just that! With one bowl and a handful of simple ingredients, you can whip up a loaf of incredibly moist and delicious banana bread. Best enjoyed as a breakfast, snack, or dessert!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 10 servings

Equipment

  • 1 large bowl
  • 1 9×4-inch loaf pan

Ingredients

  • 3 large and overripe bananas
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour see Notes

Optional Add-Ins

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and grease or line a 9×4-inch loaf pan.
  • Place the bananas in a large bowl and mash well with a fork, until mostly smooth.
  • Add the eggs to the bowl and whisk to combine. Then, add the brown sugar and flour, then mix again until fully combined and no pockets of flour remain.
  • Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted down the center of the bread comes out clean.
  • Remove the banana bread from the oven, then let it cool completely before slicing.

Notes

If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can use all purpose flour instead. But, if you use all purpose flour, make sure to add 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to this recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 3.5g | Fat: 1g | Sugar: 10g

Looking for a way to boost your milk supply? Try this nourishing green lactation smoothie! Loaded with fruits, veggies, healthy fats, and plenty of protein.

lactation smoothie being poured into a glass.

As a first-time breastfeeding mom, I’m always looking for ways to increase my milk supply. And after lots and lots of research, I found the best way to increase my supply was through food. Aside from simply making sure I’m eating enough foods, there are certain foods that can actually boost milk production! So I took as many of those foods as possible (oats, greens, flaxseeds, brewer’s yeast) and added them to this lactation smoothie in a way that actually tastes good.

Nourishing green lactation smoothie with a metal straw.

What You’ll Need to Make a Nourishing Green Lactation Smoothie

Banana – A whole frozen banana makes this smoothie ultra-creamy, and gives it just a hint of natural sweetness. If you don’t like banana, you can use 1 cup of frozen mango instead!

Spinach – Dark leafy greens, such as spinach, are a great source of iron and calcium, which are essential for boosting your milk supply. Fresh spinach will have the most nutrients, but if you don’t have any, frozen spinach will also do the trick.

Oats – Look up any lactation recipe, and it’ll likely have oats in it. Oats are a go-to ingredient for increasing breast milk production. This is because oats are high in iron, and act as a complex carbohydrate – two vital components to a lactating mama’s diet!

Almond Butter – I add a healthy fat to all my smoothie recipes, which helps slow down the body’s digestion rate of the fruit, allowing us to absorb as many nutrients and hold onto as much protein as possible. Almond butter is a delicious healthy fat option in this lactation smoothie! Though feel free to use any nut butter you’d like – peanut, cashew, pecan, etc.

Brewer’s Yeast – Another lactation essential is brewer’s yeast! Brewer’s yeast is a known glactagogue, and thought by many to help increase milk supply. It’s totally flavorless, and a great addition to this smoothie recipe. Here’s a link to the brewer’s yeast I’ve been using and loving!

Overhead image of a nourishing green lactation smoothie with oats and spinach on the side.

Optional Add-Ins

Give your nourishing green lactation smoothie a boost with any of the following…

  • Chia Seeds – more healthy fats, omega-3s, and fiber.
  • Hemp Seeds – extra protein, healthy fats, omega-3s, and omega-6s.
  • Protein Powder – I love this Aloha Vanilla Protein Powder!
  • Honey – for an extra bit of sweetness.
  • Frozen Cauliflower – because why not?! more veggies!

Nourishing Green Lactation Smoothie

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: Breakfast, SnacksDifficulty: Easy
Servings

1

serving
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

5

minutes

Looking for a way to boost your milk supply? Try this nourishing green lactation smoothie! Loaded with fruits, veggies, healthy fats, and plenty of protein.

Ingredients

  • 1 frozen banana

  • 1/2 cup frozen strawberries

  • small handful fresh spinach

  • 2 tablespoons oats

  • 1 tablespoon almond butter

  • 1 tablespoon brewer’s yeast

  • 1 teaspoon ground flaxseed

  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, optional

  • 1 cup water or milk, I used unsweetened almond milk

Directions

  • Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.

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