Chocolate Pumpkin Protein Pancakes

Are you getting sick of things pumpkin yet?? Are you tired of pancakes yet?? Well, I am not!! I don't think I will ever get tired of pancakes and pumpkin.  I did decide to switch it up a bit this week and try some chocolate pumpkin pancakes.  With an extra boost of protein of course.

Now that is a big stack of pancakes! 8 total in case you weren't sure.  And like always, these were all for me.  That is a huge serving for under 300 calories.  I swear these are way better than any boxed pancake mix too.  I feel like the boxed mixes don't have much flavor...kinda boring.  These are certainly not boring! Pumpkin, chocolate, and cinnamon are amazing together.  I can also guarantee that mix stuff will not make pancakes as moist as these.

You really don't even need many more ingredients.  When you use the mix you still have to add oil and eggs.  Plus, these are 438,298 times better for you!

You will need canned pumpkin, egg beaters, chocolate protein powder, cinnamon, baking powder, a dash of salt, and sweetener of your choice if desired.

These are super easy too.  Everything can be mixed in one bowl with one spoon.  

Just dump all your ingredients in there and mix until smooth.  Gotta love that baby food looking batter again.

Get your pan nice and hot and use some non stick spray.  You will get 8 pancakes from this batter.  I made two batches of four.

Look for those tiny bubbles around the edges to tell you when to flip.  

Close up of my most round pancake ever!! I am getting good at flipping!

Can you see how soft and moist these are?! I topped mine with some sugar free syrup and a touch of cocoa powder just to make it look even prettier.  

In case you didn't catch it earlier, this whole stack is only 285 calories! That's only about 35 calories per pancake.  Not only that, but this breakfast is packing a whopping 44 grams of protein! Can your boxed mix do that?! Oh, and they are fat free too. That's because I used an egg white protein powder, but you can use any kind.  

Chocolate Pumpkin Protein Pancakes

• 1 cup canned pumpkin (240g)
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder (30g)
• 2/3 cup egg beaters (138g)
• 1/4 t baking powder
• 1 t cinnamon 
• dash salt
• sweetener if desired 

Simply mix all your ingredients together until smooth.  Cook like regular pancakes.  Eat the whole stack!! Enjoy!

285 calories for whole stack

0g Fat

44g Protein

23g Carb

Caramel Pumpkin Bars

Recently I have been experimenting with chickpeas in the kitchen.  Not so much in savory dishes, but in baking sweets! That's right, chickpea cookies and chickpea blondies.  You wouldn't think a bean would taste good in a sweet treat, but it is quite amazing! They have a really nice and smooth texture when pureed.  And when you add things like pumpkin, vanilla, cinnamon, peanut butter, you can't even tell there are chickpeas hiding in there! 

My husband, who is NOT the health freak like myself, even said they tasted good!!  I think he was quite surprised himself.

Enough rambeling...Let's get baking some Caramel Pumpkin Bars.  

WHEN you make these, see if someone can guess the secret healthy ingredient...I bet they won't be able to tell there is a 1/2 cup of chickpeas in there!!!

 And you will need...canned pumpkin, chickpeas (or garbanzo), egg beaters, MTS Caramel Sutra whey, cinnamon, baking powder, vanilla, and sweetener of choice.

You can absolutely use vanilla protein powder for this recipe! The MTS Caramel Sutra really is amazing though...you can order it here if you wish! Use code KH30 to save 30%

Easy peasy lemon squeezy!! 

First, drain and rinse the canned beans. You will find out that after getting rid of all the liquid, there is only a little over 2 servings of beans in the can.

Add all ingredients to blender or food processor and mix til smooth!! You may or may not need a tiny bit of water or milk to get it all blended.  I added about 1tsp of water to help it along.  

Once again...looks like baby food...at this point my husband walks in and says "Ew.." The same husband that later said they were suprisingly tasty!!

I used a small 5x7 glass baking dish.  You could use a round one, or easily double the recipe to fit a bigger dish.  I have also made these as cookies! They are best as bars in my opinion. Lightly coat with some non-stick spray and pour the batter in.  At this point you could get creative! I have added mini chocolate chips which turned out awesome! You could add any type of nut and I bet raisins would be tasty too!

Bake at 350 for about 20-25 minutes.  

And Voila!  Makes 6 nice sized bars.  The pumpkin in these makes them the perfect texture. They are amazing topped with a little cream cheese or peanut butter! Or just eat them plain.  Delicious AND healthy either way.  

Can you see that super creamy texture!? Oh gosh! Like most things I make these freeze great.  Although, at only about 45 calories a piece...they probably won't even make it to the freezer.  Who am I kidding...the whole batch is only 270 calories so I just eat them all! With more protein than most store bought protein bars, these are a great breakfast or snack!

Caramel Pumpkin Bars

• 1/2 cup chickpeas/garbanzo drained and rinsed (130g)
• 1/4 cup canned pumpkin (60g)
• 3 T egg beaters (46g)
• 1 scoop MTS Caramel Sutra whey (30g)
• 1/4 t baking powder
• 1 T cinnamon
• sweetener to taste (4-5 packets)

1. Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth.  May need to add a dash of water or milk to get it all mixed.  
2. Lightly coat dish with non stick spray and pour in batter. I used a 5x7 glass dish.
3. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. 

Makes 6 bars - 45 calories each

270 calories for WHOLE batch

2g Fat

27g Carb

33g Protein

Protein Fluff!

Ya know how sometimes you are in the mood for something cold and creamy and tasty?! BUT you want more than a tiny little scoop of it?! AND you want it to actually be good for you?! Problem solved! I give you Protein Fluff!!

This creation truly is magical. You will be amazed when you see how much volume you get from so little ingredients.  All you need is any kind of milk, any protein powder, and the magical xanthan gum.  You can find xanthan gum at most normal grocery stores in the baking aisle and sometimes in the gluten free section.  I am not exactly sure what it is, but it is basically a thickening agent.  It is used in milkshakes a lot to make them super duper thick!

Measure out 1/2 cup (4oz) of your milk of choice.  I use unsweetened almond milk because it has less calories and I really like the taste. You will also need 1 scoop of your protein powder and 1 tsp of the xanthan gum.  

You can use absolutely any flavor of protein powder.  I used a vanilla ice cream flavor this time. I have used cookies and cream, chocolate, vanilla, cake batter...I have only ever used whey protein, but I have been told any type will work.  In fact, I hear casein fluffs up the best!

Add everything to your mixer and set it to HIGH! A hand mixer will work but you will get pretty tired holding it because we are going to mix for 15 minutes! A hand whisk is out of the question...unless you are the Hulk...

 You can also add some sweetener and any other flavors you might enjoy.  I added some splenda and cinnamon to this batch. 

It is best not to watch it...it is more magical that way.  Just set it to high and set your timer for 15 minutes.

When the timer goes off prepare to be amazed!

 Now that is a lot of fluff!! It is basically a whipped cream texture. Very light and airy.  

Check out those peeks!! 

 Scoop it all into a bowl and stick it in the freezer for about 15 minutes so it gets nice and cold. Then it's ready to be devoured!! Whole bowl is less than 150 calories and an amazing 25 grams of protein!

 It is great just plain, but I usually like to jazz it up a bit.  Add some fruit, chocolate sauce, sugar free syrup, peanut butter, nuts, sprinkles...Basically whatever you would put on ice cream!

My favorite combo is just frozen banana slices and sugar free syrup :)

Protein Fluff

• 1 scoop any flavor protein powder (30g)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any milk) (4oz)
• 1 t xanthan gum (3g)
• sweetener to taste
• Electric mixer

Add your ingredients to the mixer and set on the highest speed.  Let mix for 10-15 minutes.  Scoop fluff into a bowl and stick in the freezer for another 15minutes.  Top with ANYthing and enjoy :)

150 calories for fluff without toppings

3g Fat

6g Carb

25g Protein

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I am so in love with super easy AND super healthy recipes lately.  I recently posted my easiest cookie recipe ever.  I stand by the fact that it is the easiest EVER! This might be second easiest though.  Equally yummy and healthy! Get ready for some cookies!

I have been looking for new breakfast ideas lately and these are perfect.  They are so great to throw in a little bag and take with you to work or school or just to the couch while you sip coffee! Very easy to customize too.  You can make a single serving or a big batch to share.  

This is all you will need. And actually, you don't even really need the cinnamon or chocolate chips. They are super good with them though.   

Simply mix together 3/4 cup canned pumpkin and 3/4 cup quick oats.  Notice the handy dandy 1:1 ratio?! You can make more or less, just keep the amount of pumpkin and oats the same.

Mash it up good.  Feel free to get messy with your hands or stay clean with a spoon.

Here is where you can get a little crazy.  Feel free to add basically anything you want! Raisins, nuts, spices, chocolate, some protein powder... I kept it simple with some a lot of cinnamon and just a bit of chocolate... I also snuck in a few splenda packets...  

I bet white chocolate chips would be amazing!!! Making a note to try next time. 

Using these measurements you will get about 10 cookies.  Roll into balls and smash em down a bit.  

You can put them really close together on the pan because they won't rise or spread at all!

Bake at 350 for about 12-15 minutes.  I only did 12 minutes because I like my cookies really soft.

And done!! They pretty much look exactly the same as they did in dough form.  Just a bit darker.  They are so soft and moist from the pumpkin.  I will make a few batches of these to freeze.  The entire batch is only 370 calories! Makes a nice breakfast to take on the go1

At only about 37 calories each (with 1 T chocolate chips) you can eat more than one all of them! No guilt!

 So that's it.  I would say second easiest cookie recipe ever! Healthy, tasty, easy, portable, customizable...what more could you want in a cookie?!

Pumpkin Cookies

• 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
• 3/4 cup quick oats
• 1 T mini chocolate chips
• 1 t cinnamon
• sweetener if desired

1. Mash together pumpkin and oats
2. Add any additional ingredients you want! You can even leave out the chocolate chips and cinnamon for an even easier recipe
3. Roll into balls and flatten
4. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes (use parchment paper or baking mat)
5. Enjoy!

Makes 10 small cookies

Entire batch - 370 calories
9F 66C 12P

Easiest Cookies Ever!

I know I know, there are a lot of very easy cookie recipes. I guarantee this is the easiest one out there!! All you need is two ingredients. And guess what?!? You don't even need an oven! A microwave will do just fine :) I told you...EASY!

Quick oats and a super ripe banana is all you will need. 

Simply take 1 cup oats and mix it together with your banana. Mash it up good! Hands work best for the part.

Your dough is ready to bake at this point! You can also get creative with add ins here. I chose cinnamon and raisins. 

Ok, up to four ingredients, but still! EASY! You could also add chocolate chips, crushed nuts, pumpkin pie spice, blueberries, cranberries, sweetener,  vanilla, a little peanut butter...use your imagination. Just be careful not to add too much or your cookies will fall apart. 

Form into balls and squish them down a bit. I got 7 little cookies. 

Put parchment paper down on a microwave safe plate. It would probably work without parchment but I haven't tried it. Now for the "baking". Microwave for about one minute. Watch them closely! Depending on add ins they might need a little more or less time. I did 1:20. 

And done!! Super easy and healthy cookie! Great for a breakfast on the go. They are so chewy and moist!

And yes, I ate them all! Only about 400 calories for the basic cookies. A little more depending on what else you add. 

Leaning tower of breakfast cookies!! So that's it!! Easiest cookie recipe ever :)

Easiest Cookies Ever!!

- 1 cup quick oats

- 1 very ripe banana

Mash together. Form balls and flatten. Microwave for about 1 minute. Enjoy!

Whole batch without raisins - 400 calories

6g Fat

80g Carb

11g Protein 

What's your favorite breakfast on the go??