Choc-Banana Choc Chip Protein Pancakes with Protein Peanut Butter Frosting

Peanut butter is my weakness. My addiction is at such a level that it’s a personal milestone for me to keep a jar in the house without sneakily grabbing spoonfuls on the hour every hour.

However, it's not without its healthy properties, being a fantastic source of good fat, protein and fiber. Some people even go as far to say it promotes weight loss with these benefits, however at the amounts I happily indulge in I’m sure it does much of the opposite.

I made these protein pancakes on a peanut butter breakfast whim, and I was really pleased with their texture and the frosting-like consistency of the peanut butter topping. Don't let my affair alarm you, this recipe contains a healthy serving of peanut butter.

1 small, or half a large banana, mashed

1 whisked egg

1 scoop of chocolate protein powder

1 tbsp of coconut flour

½ tsp of cinnamon

Sprinkle of cacao nibs, or good quality dark chocolate

15g of peanut butter

35g of no-fat or greek yoghurt

1 tsp of maple syrup

Sprinkle of choc protein

Combine pancakes ingredients and let sit for 5 minutes. This allows the coconut flour to absorb the liquid in the batter.

The key to good pancakes is cooking them correctly. If you’re too eager to eat, you might find a potentially perfect pancake becomes a sad scramble instead. Let the pan heat, add a spray of oil of your choice, allow the oil to heat and then add the batter.

While the pancakes cook, combine frosting ingredients.

Once the pancakes are cooked, lather them in peanut butter frosting and top with fruit of your choice.

Overnight Oats

Today's recipe, overnight oats, was inspired by a trip to Ikea. Although functioning primarily as a furniture and homewares shop and every couple's worst nightmare, its renowned for also existing as an unlikely hangout place. I'm almost a little ashamed to admit I went along to the yellow Swedish juggernaut simply to eat from their crazy European Cafeteria and catch up with some more financially-sound friends. As someone who loves marketing, I praise Ikea for managing to unleash everyone's inner-OCD-sufferer. 

When I spotted these cute jars for only a $1.99 each, I knew I had to come home and use them for something equally aesthetic. (Even though I promised I'd refrain from buying anything due to having just conquered a crippling Ikea addiction).

You make these little pots of happiness the night before serving. Leaving a creation overnight to set is embarrassingly exciting especially when you can experiment with flavours. In the past I've used mashed bananas, strawberry jam and peanut butter to create different tastes.

Quick Oats, 45g

Milk, almond, 1/2 cup - use your milk of choice.

No-fat Greek Yoghurt, 2 tbsp or 30 g

Stevia, or sweetener or choice, 1 tbsp

Sugar-free Maple Syrup, 1 tbsp
Blueberries, small handful or 30g

Chia seeds, 5g, or 1 tsp

Almond butter, small teaspoon or 10g - You can also use peanut butter

Mix ingredients in a jar and leave overnight covered. The more yoghurt you use - the creamier you can expect it to be. Top with fruits, nuts and sauces of choice. I used some extra greek yoghurt, blueberries, goji berries and maple syrup.