Morina Gael First thing in the morning, who says you can’t have your cake or candy and eat it too? When you get bored with plain protein shakes or dull bowls of oatmeal, then it’s time to spice up your everyday morning meals. Indulge in all the campfire deliciousness of marshmallows, hearty chocolate and golden graham crackers in these high protein campfire pancakes. Even better – they are all dairy free and made with premium protein to sustain you for hours without the dreaded sugar spike and crash that comes in the middle of the day.
The Perfect High-Protein Pancake Base
This recipe is a secret to any great pancake, which is fluffy and tender and yet it packs a ton of protein punch! The batter is a mixture of a scoop of your favourite dairy-free vanilla or chocolate protein powder and a base of gluten-free or all-purpose flour. When mixed with a bit of baking powder and a pinch of salt, this dry mix makes pancakes rise nicely on the griddle, and stay quite light and airy, and not dense and chalky.
Wholesome Liquid Ingredients for a Dairy-Free Batter
Liquid ingredients are carefully selected to add moisture and structure without sacrificing the richness of this recipe, which can be done entirely dairy-free. A splash of unsweetened almond or oat milk and a splash of apple cider vinegar make a homemade plant-based “buttermilk” that leavens the baking powder for best results. Slight vanilla extract and some applesauce or mashed ripe bananas, which gives natural sweet, and a wonderfully velvety consistency to the batter.
Folding in the Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips
Owning a lot of rich, melty chocolate is a necessity for a good s’mores experience, and this step will add that to the batter. When the wet and dry ingredients are lightly mixed, add a handful of mini dairy-free dark chocolate chips or vegan chocolate chunks and fold. If you add them to the batter directly, every bite of pancake will be a pocket of melted, gooey chocolate, just like a traditional camp treat!
Getting the Perfect Golden Griddle Sear
The only thing you need to be patient about when making these protein-filled pancakes is getting the dough golden brown. On a medium-low skillet or griddle, add a little coconut oil (or dairy-free cooking spray) and toast briefly. Pour on 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot surface and allow pancakes to get air pockets on top and edges slightly set and matte, then flip over with gentle hands to cook the other side.
Creating the Infamous Gooey Marshmallow Layer
This plant-based recipe works wonderfully once you add in the marshmallow, and you have a s’more. Stack vegan mini marshmallows, a handful between each pancake, as you stack your pancakes, while they are still piping hot and fresh off the griddle. The leftover heat from the newly created pancakes will melt the marshmallows into a stretchy, sweet and gooey layer that will hold the stack together.
The Essential Golden Graham Cracker Crunch
The downside to this classic texture contrast is the lack of those crunchy elements when it’s time to serve, which is why this recipe adds the highly satisfying elements of crunch before serving. Dairy-free graham crackers: Coarsely crush to make crumbs and small pieces. Once the pancake stack is completed, top and sides with a generous layer of these golden crumbs, for that iconic honey-toasted taste and a wonderful crunch between the soft pancakes.
A Luxurious Final Drizzle of Chocolate Syrup
The finishing touch to this already fantastic breakfast/lunch/dinner combo will be a pretty absolute knockout of a finish. Drizzle with chocolate chocolate syrup or a quick, vegan chocolate ganache (melted dark chocolate and a swirl of warm plant milk) It drips down the sides for a super-complimentary marshmallow and graham cracker layer.
Premium Fitness Macros Masquerading as a Cheat Meal
What makes these dairy-free s’mores protein pancakes the absolute best is that the healthy ingredients are practically on the outside of these fattening treats! You’re indulging in a rich source of clean plant-based protein, complex carbohydrates for long-lasting energy, and antioxidants for the heart that you are getting from the dark chocolate. It is not only a fuel that is good for fitness, but is also entirely satisfying to your sweet tooth!
