No Guilt Baking: Delicious Protein Pancakes and Muffins

Baking pastries can be healthy! When we think about baking, we usually connect it to pastries full of sugar, carbohydrates, and fat. But when we’re mindful of our ingredients, we can also enjoy delicious baked goods that make us feel less guilty.

The most common way to make baking healthier is by substituting the common ingredients we use with healthier items. In addition, you can add extra ingredients that can bring more nutrients into your food, such as protein powders.

Are you looking for recipes to try out and start healthy baking? We teamed up with Wild Rye Baking Company to bring you a couple of healthy recipes you can give a try and enjoy!

Healthy But Good Muffins

Ingredients:

1 box Wild Rye Baking Pancake Mix

2 eggs

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup olive oil

1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 scoop Xendurance Lean

1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F.
2. In a large bowl, combine eggs, maple syrup, olive oil & pumpkin puree until smooth.
3. Add in the box of pancake mix, cinnamon, Lean, pecans, and rolled oats.
4. Portion into a greased or lined muffin tin and bake for 20-30 minutes.
5. Cool, and enjoy!

Protein Pancakes

Ingredients:

2 Eggs

2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil

1 Cup of Milk

1 box Wild Rye Baking Pancake Mix

1 scoop of Xendurance Lean

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, and milk.
2. Add in pancake mix and protein. Mix well!
3. Heat a lightly oiled skillet!
4. Cook pancakes until they are lightly browned on both sides!
5. Enjoy!

Choosing Healthy Ingredients

In the recipes above, we used a healthier alternative and a nutritious supplement to make food better. We substituted wheat flour with Wild Rye’s Almond Flour Pancake Mix, a healthier option. We also added some Xendurance Lean Protein for additional nutrients!

Almond Flour: A Versatile Substitute

What Is Almond Flour?

Almond flour is a popular wheat flour alternative. It’s made from blanched almonds that have been ground and sifted into a fine powder.

With more people becoming more conscious of their health, using almond flour as a substitute has started to gain traction. It brings many benefits to your baked goods compared to traditional flour - not just in terms of nutrition but also in taste. 

Here are some benefits of using almond flour as a baking substitute:

 

1. It Helps Keep Blood Sugar Levels in Check

Traditional flours usually contain a high carbohydrate level while only bringing low fat and fiber. This could cause blood sugar to spike high and quickly drop.

On the other hand, almond flour has lower carb content while having a lot of fiber and healthy fats. Because of this, it is considered to have a low glycemic index, releasing sugar that a person needs for energy in a slow, regulated manner. 

It also contains a high amount of magnesium, a mineral that can significantly help your body’s health. Among its benefits is that it helps control your blood sugar levels and improve your insulin function. This makes almond flour beneficial for people who want to check their blood sugar levels.

 

2. It Doesn’t Have Gluten

Many people around the world have discovered that they have gluten sensitivity. This means that when they consume gluten, it causes adverse effects on their health.

People with gluten sensitivity don’t have to miss out on delicious baked treats, as almond flour is a gluten-free alternative that they can use.

 

3. It Is a Nutrient-Rich Ingredient

Almond flour is low in carbohydrates, but since it contains more fat and fibers, it brings more calories to the body. Luckily, it makes up for it by bringing along various nutrients our body needs. 

As mentioned before, almond flour is rich in magnesium. However, this is not the only nutrient it brings to your body.

This wheat flour substitute is also known to contain many other nutrients, such as vitamin e, protein, manganese, copper, and phosphorus.

 

4. It’s Easy to Bake With

You don’t have to do a lot of conversions when using almond flour since you can replace wheat flour with it on a 1-to-1 ratio. Additionally, it’s a versatile ingredient as it can also be a substitute for cornmeal and breadcrumbs.

However, note that this ingredient is coarser than traditional flour and doesn’t have gluten. Therefore, expect your baked goods to be a bit denser and flatter. 

Protein Powder: A Healthy Addition

Protein is an essential part of any person’s diet. There are many sources of protein that people can incorporate into their diets. However, if you want to hit your daily recommended intake of this nutrient, an easy way is to add a protein powder supplement to the mix.

Protein has a big role to play in our health. Making sure our bodies have enough of it brings a lot of benefits that we can experience. Some of these include the following:

 

Improves Muscle Growth and Recovery

One of protein's most important roles in our health is muscle growth and recovery. 

If you’re looking to bulk up and build muscle, supplementing a certain amount of protein can help you get noticeable results with the proper exercise.

For those who simply want to stay fit and active, taking protein supplements can help reduce muscle damage you may have gotten during exercise.

 

Maintains Gut Health

A study has shown that people who intake plant-based protein could have a healthier gut profile with fewer microorganisms that could cause diseases. 

Many versions of protein powder are being offered in the market right now. You can choose from plant-derived proteins (soy, pea, hemp) or those derived from animal products (whey, casein). Simply add some to your drinks and desserts, and reach the recommended intake of protein in your diet!

Enjoy Guilt-Free Baking

In the journey for a healthier body, many people have looked for more nutritious substitutes in their diet. This also goes for the baking world, as delicious pastries and desserts are not restricted to the more traditional ingredients.

As more studies are conducted, it lets people discover better ways of baking or cooking food. From flour alternatives to dairy substitutes, there are incredible ways to incorporate nutrition into good food. 

You don’t have to sacrifice great flavors for healthy meals anymore! Don’t believe us? Try making these incredible treats with more nutritional ingredients!