Sheet Pan High Protein Pancakes

Are you looking for a fast and easy way to make a high protein, gluten free breakfast or snack? These sheet pan high protein pancakes are exactly what you need to give a try. No more messy batter and no more trying to get the perfect circle for each pancake! You are going to love how easy these will be compared to the traditional pancakes. Not only are they easy, but they are packed with 26 grams of protein; perfect for a healthy morning start!

What is a Sheet Pan?

Sheet pan refers to a rectangular baking pan that is flat and has a large surface area with a 1 inch raised rim. I have found aluminum or steel pans in stores. There are 3 standard sizes: full sheets (18×26 inches), half sheets (18×13 inches), and even quarter sheets (13×9 inches). Half sheets and quarter sheets are the type of sheet pans you will use for your home oven.

Sheet pans are very versatile and can be used for baking, roasting vegetables, or baking all-in-one meals that include protein, starch, and vegetables. One great example is my Cinnamon Salmon Recipe. With these sheet pan high protein pancakes, all you do is mix your batter and pour into the sheet pan to bake- like you’re baking a cake!

Benefits of Sheet Pan High Protein Pancakes

I often find myself too busy to eat breakfast in the morning. A quick pour of some cereal and milk or grab a cereal bar will do. However, foods like this can be full of sugar and very little protein. This recipe solves both of those woes! I like to bake these high protein pancakes the night before and store them in my fridge for quick grabbing. I can grab a few in the morning and do a quick reheat in the microwave.

Oats is the primary grain in these pancakes; oats are gluten-free and pack 5 grams of fiber in one serving. These pancakes use cottage cheese and eggs as their main source of protein. In just one serving, your body gets fuel with 26 grams of lasting protein!!

Cottage Cheese, the Special Ingredient, in Sheet pan high protein pancakes

Cottage cheese is the special ingredient in this recipe that really packs this meal full of protein! In one cup you will get 26 grams! Protein is the most satiating macronutrient. This means that it will help you feel fuller longer and not cause a large rise in your blood sugar.

I also love that cottage cheese provides healthy fat- anywhere from 2-4.5 grams of healthy fats per 1/2 cup serving. Many people trying to lose weight might opt to choose a cottage cheese that is low fat. Food products labeled “low fat” typically have sugar added to the product. Fat provides great flavor. When the fat is removed, often a sweetener needs to be added to balance out the flavor and texture. I want you to be adding more protein, fat, and fiber (PFF) to your meals. So don’t be afraid of the fat content in dairy foods like cottage cheese. The benefits of this food are too good to worry about that.  Check out my free handout on the Protein, Fat, Fiber (PFF) Method.

{Learn more about building meals with Protein, Fat & Fiber with your FREE Protein, Fat, Fiber Guide!}

Aren’t Eggs High in Cholesterol?

Have you ever wondered, “are eggs good or bad for cholesterol?” Let’s discuss this a little more thoroughly. Studies have shown that eggs are an exception to that concern because they are so nutrient dense. They contain high-quality protein and rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. In fact, more studies are showing that blood cholesterol is more affected by excess sugar intake not dietary cholesterol.

I want you to be more aware of added sugars and other strange fillers when picking out cottage cheese for this recipe, which may mean you’ll be buying cottage cheese that is not low-fat. Look for products that contain just milk, cream, salt, and sometimes live cultures (probiotic bacteria). An example of a whole-food ingredient brand of cottage cheese is Good Culture. Check ingredients labels on packages to avoid filler ingredients like carrageenan, gums, and maltodextrin. There’s no need for these in a high-quality cottage cheese!

What About Toppings For Sheet Pan High Protein Pancakes

These pancakes are healthy and pretty tasty on their own, but toppings give a little extra deliciousness. However, some toppings can quickly make pancakes more like dessert. Do you top it with high sugar syrups or whipped cream? Ask yourself, “do I really need this topping or is this just a want or craving?”. You might be pleasantly surprised that as you begin to incorporate the PFF concept into your lifestyle that you may not want or need that extra sugary topping like you did in the past. So I want to challenge you to give it a try without the syrup or whipped cream, you might just like it the way it is!

If it’s too soon and you need just a little sweetness, then think about using smaller portions of that sugary topping. You could also try something different like honey, real maple syrup, Greek yogurt, stevia, or monk fruit. If you’re a peanut butter lover, try spreading peanut butter on your pancakes or any nut butter, which will add even more healthy protein and fat to your meal making it a great, well-balanced PFF meal!

If you’re looking for more well-balanced PFF breakfast options be sure to check out other recipes on my website.

Recipe blog content written by Jennifer Franzen, RDN