Apple and Bacon Protein Pancakes & Some Scenes from Minnesota

Protein pancakes are a staple in my diet. I make a pretty standard version a few times a week after the gym, but once in a while, I get the urge to change things up. These pancakes from Chocolate & Carrots caught my eye, so I decided to incorporate the flavor combination in a protein version.

Apple and Bacon Protein Pancakes

1/2 an apple, chopped
1 tsp Ideal Brown Sweetener (or other sweetener of choice)
1 tbsp water
1 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup old fashioned oats
1/3 cup 2% cottage cheese
1/4 cup liquid egg whites
1/4 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
Truvia, to taste (I used three packets)
splash of butter extract, optional
2 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled

In a microwave safe bowl, combine the chopped apple, Ideal Brown Sweetener, water, and 1 tsp cinnamon. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on for two minutes or until apples are softened. Set apples aside.

In a bowl, combine oats, cottage cheese, egg whites, baking powder, cinnamon, Truvia, and butter extract. Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth. Stir in apples and bacon bits.

Coat a large frying pan with cooking spray and heat over medium low heat.  Spoon about 1/4 cup batter per pancake into the pan. Flip when the pancake tops are covered with bubbles and the edges look cooked. Cook until the pancakes are golden brown and cooked through.



Calories: 316
Fat: 5g
Carbohydrates: 47g
Protein: 21g
Calculated on Sparkrecipes.com

I ate mine with some maple syrup, but I can also imagine that they would be delicious topped with peanut butter. These were a nice change from my usual protein pancakes. I have really been loving sweet and salty combinations lately, and the apples and cinnamon were perfect for fall.



Speaking of fall, we are currently on vacation in Minnesota visiting family and enjoying some gorgeous autumn weather. Hardcore training has been replaced by sleeping in and long, leisurely walks. Yesterday we went to Westwood Hills Nature Center in St. Louis Park and wandered around for a couple of hours. It was beautiful and so peaceful to be surrounded by nature.



We saw six deer, including these two who were kind enough to pose for a picture.
  
This little box turtle was just hanging out in the sun.



It’s been an awesome vacation so far, and we still have so many fun activities planned before we go home!