Chocolate Protein Pancakes

On a recent pancake post, I asked what flavor I should try to make next.  One reader asked for some chocolate pancakes.  Well, ask and you shall receive!! I will admit, it did take me a few tries.  Third times a charm.  Don't worry though, no pancakes were wasted in the creation of these.  The other batches were OK, just not blog worthy.  They still ended up in my belly :) Enough rambling...

Excited yet?!

Ingredients are quite simple, as always! No need to complicate things!

You will need chocolate protein powder, unsweetened cocoa powder, canned pumpkin, egg substitute, nonfat greek yogurt, baking powder, salt, and sweetener.  You can also add some vanilla which is not photographed! You all know what vanilla looks like...

*If you don't have pumpkin, you could sub mashed banana or applesauce and just use less.  They will be much thinner though*

Put it all in a bowl.

If you are feeling crazy you could add some cinnamon and vanilla, but honestly I don't really think you will miss it.

Mix it up nice and smooth.  The batter will be a little thick.

Perfect!

Get that pan nice and hot and coat with non stick spray. 

You should get 8 pancakes.  Too bad you can't make scratch and sniff pictures because the chocolatey goodness smell is amazing! As soon as they hit the hot pan you will smell the awesomeness!

Flip! Not you...the pancakes!

Ok, get out the compass, I am pretty sure these are perfect circles!

Now, just because I am making chocolate pancakes, it does not mean they won't be super healthy!!  This whole stack is only 285 calories.  They are also very low carb and low fat.  Oh, and don't forget about the 44 grams of protein in these flap jacks!

How can you pass up that stack?! I just topped this batch with some Walden Farms chocolate syrup, but you can get as crazy as you want.  Try some fat free whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or even regular old maple syrup.

That was one chocolatey bite!! The pumpkin makes them so soft and moist!

So there ya have it! I am so glad someone asked me to try making these!! They will be a new regular breakfast in the Hoeltje household :)

Chocolate Protein Pancakes

• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder (30g)
• 3/4 cup canned pumpkin (180g)
• 1/4 cup nonfat greek yogurt (56g)
• 6 T egg substitute (92g)
• 2 T unsweetened cocoa powder (10g)
• 1/2 t vanilla
• 1/2 t baking powder
• dash salt
• sweetener to taste

Mix all ingredients in the same bowl and cook like regular pancakes! Be sure to use nonstick spray!

285 calories for whole stack

1g Fat

27g Carb

44g Protein

**What was your favorite breakfast as a child??