Low Sugar Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pancakes (With Protein!)
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These Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pancakes are the perfect way to start a cozy autumn morning! Packed with warm pumpkin pie spices and a boost of protein, these pancakes are not only delicious but also a balanced breakfast option that will keep you satisfied until lunch.
These healthy pumpkin pancakes have become a favorite fall recipe in our house – they’re a great way to sneak in some extra vegetables (hello, pumpkin!) while still feeling like you’re indulging in a special breakfast treat.
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make these Gluten Free Pumpkin Pancakes:
Ingredient Notes
- Gluten-Free Flour: I use a 1:1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour for this recipe. It’s formulated to replace regular flour in equal amounts, making it easy to use in your favorite recipes.
- Protein Powder: I use a vegan vanilla protein powder. Look for one with no added sugar, minimal additives, and no artificial sweetener. Be Well by Kelly’s Vegan Vanilla Protein Powder or the FASTer Way Vanilla Plant-Based Protein Powder are great options.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend: I love using Selefina Spices Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend for its perfect balance of warm autumn spices. If you don’t have this specific blend, you can use any pumpkin pie spice mix or make your own with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice.
- Pumpkin Puree: Make sure to use 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling which contains added sugars and spices.
Additions & Substitutions
Additions:
- Chopped nuts: Add some chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for extra crunch and healthy fats. Add 1/4 to 1/3 cup of nuts to the pancake batter before cooking.
- Chocolate chips: Stir in some chocolate chips for some added fun and sweetness! Add 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup chocolate chips to the batter before transferring to the stove.
Substitutions:
- Flour: If you’re not gluten-free, you can use regular all-purpose flour.
- Oil: You can use avocado oil or coconut oil in place of olive oil. I try to stay clear of industrial seed oils such as canola oil and sunflower oil.
- Maple syrup: Honey can be used as an alternative sweetener.
- Almond milk: Feel free to use your preferred milk alternative here. Regular dairy milk works well too, if you’re not avoiding lactose and are not vegan.
Tools For This Recipe
- Mixing bowls (one large + one medium)
- Griddle or pan
How to Make Pumpkin Pancakes: Step-by-Step
For the full recipe with the exact ingredients, scroll down to the printable recipe card below!
Step 1: In a large bowl, combine flour, protein powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and Pumpkin Pie Spice.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine pumpkin puree, eggs, olive oil, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and almond milk.
Step 3: Pour wet ingredients into flour mixture and stir until just combined.
Step 4: Coat heated pan with olive oil. Pour 1/4 cup pancake batter onto the pan and continue with as many pancakes as will fit in the pan without them touching.
Step 5: Cook for approximately 3-4 minutes on the first side, flipping when the pancakes are golden brown. Cook for another 2-3 minutes on the next side until golden brown. Turn heat down a little so that the next batch doesn’t burn. Recoat the pan with oil, then cook the remaining pancakes.
What to Serve With Pumpkin Pancakes
- Nut butter: I love topping my pancakes with peanut butter or almond butter to add some more protein and healthy fats.
- Eggs: I also typically serve my pancakes with two fried eggs to increase my protein intake.
- Sausage/bacon: If you eat meat, serving these pancakes with sausage or bacon would be yummy (my kids love bacon on the side!), or if you don’t eat meat, you could serve it with a plant-based sausage or bacon.
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: These pancakes freeze well! Place cooled pancakes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer bag or container for long-term storage (up to 3 months).
- Reheating: Reheat refrigerated or frozen pancakes in a toaster or microwave until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water per egg) and ensure you’re using a vegan protein powder.
Absolutely! Homemade pumpkin puree works great in this recipe. Just make sure it’s not too watery – strain it if necessary.
You can make your own pumpkin pie spice blend by mixing 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves.
Yes! These pancakes are great for freezing and meal prep, making an easy grab-and-go breakfast. Place cooled pancakes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer bag or container for long-term storage (up to 3 months).
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I hope you love these Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Pancakes as much as my family does! They’re the perfect way to welcome fall and enjoy a cozy, nutritious breakfast. If you try them, be sure to leave a rating and comment below and let me know how you liked them!
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup gluten-free 1:1 baking flour
- ½ serving vanilla protein powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice blend
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, or preferred oil + more to coat the pan
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons 100% pure maple syrup
- ⅓ cup unsweetened plain almond milk, or milk of choice
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine flour, protein powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend.
- In a medium bowl, combine pumpkin puree, eggs, olive oil, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and almond milk.
- Pour wet ingredients into flour mixture and stir until just combined.
- Heat griddle or pan to medium-high heat. Make sure griddle/pan has been heated for a couple of minutes. Coat with olive oil.
- Use a cookie scoop or a ¼ cup measuring cup to scoop out pancake batter and pour onto the pan. Continue creating as many pancakes as will fit in the pan without them touching.
- Cook for approximately 3-4 minutes on the first side, flipping when the pancakes are golden brown. Cook for another 2-3 minutes on the next side until golden brown.
- Turn heat down a little so that the next batch doesn’t burn. Recoat the pan with oil, then cook the remaining pancakes.
I made these this morning for my family! I didn’t have protein powder so I left that out and they were still so delicious! Even my husband who doesn’t like pancakes tried them and came back for more. Definitely make these!
Hi Allie! Aww, yay! This makes me so happy! I’m so glad your family enjoyed the pancakes and that the recipe still worked without the protein powder! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review. 🙂
So delicious!
Yay! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the pancakes! 🙂