Easy Sheet Pan Red Lentil Protein Pancakes

These Easy Sheet Pan Red Lentil Protein Pancakes are a simple, blender-only breakfast that delivers steady energy, high fiber, and naturally occurring protein - without protein powder, refined flour, or added oil. Instead of standing at the stove flipping pancakes, the batter bakes hands-off in glass containers or a sheet pan, making this ideal for weekly meal prep.

The texture lands somewhere between a fluffy pancake and a soft breakfast bake: lightly sweet, tender, and easy to slice and reheat. One batch makes 3-4 servings.

Baked red lentil protein pancakes with toppings in four meal prep glass containers.

👩🏽‍⚕️ Nutritionist's Note

Why these pancakes are even better for you:

Red lentils add fiber, iron, and slow-digesting carbs for blood sugar stability
Banana and dates provide natural sweetness and moisture
Baking eliminates flipping and saves time, and eliminates the need for oil
Glass containers make portioning and storage easy

This is a great option if you want a breakfast that actually keeps you full and travels well.

Jump to:

👩🏽‍⚕️ Nutritionist's Note
👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients & Health Benefits
🍌 Substitutions
📝 Tips for Making Baked Red Lentil Protein Pancakes
Baked Red Lentil Sheet Pan Pancakes Recipe
⚖️ Convert the Recipe to Metric (g & mL)
✔️ Storage, Meal Prep, and Reheating Tips
🥞 More Healthy Breakfast Recipes
🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs
🛒 Shop Recipe Cookware and Ingredients
👩🏽‍🍳 Made this recipe?
🍽️ Related Recipes
💬 Comments

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients & Health Benefits

As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, my goal is to highlight the health benefits of each ingredient. Below, I've included notes on the ingredients from a nutrition expert's perspective.

Rolled oats, cinnamon, baking powder, red lentils, vanilla, dates, banana, nondairy milk, and apple cider vinegar.

Red lentils: Red lentils form the protein-rich base of the batter. When soaked and blended, they create structure, moisture, and a surprisingly neutral flavor.
Rolled oats: Oats provide body and help the pancakes hold together while keeping the crumb tender rather than dense. They also contribute additional fiber for satiety.
Banana: Banana acts as a natural sweetener, binder, and moisture source. It helps create a fluffy interior without added oil or refined sugar.
Nondairy milk: Adds moisture and helps the batter blend smoothly. Any neutral plant milk works, but I prefer using a higher-protein option like soy, hemp, or pea milk to boost satiety and overall protein.
Baking powder: Provides lift so the pancakes bake up light instead of dense.
Apple cider vinegar A small amount of acid activates the baking powder and improves tenderness. You will not taste it.
Ceylon cinnamon: Ceylon is milder, slightly sweeter, and safer for everyday use.
Vanilla extract: Enhances sweetness and balances the lentil flavor.
Dates: Dates boost natural sweetness and add moisture and minerals without refined sugar.

See the printable recipe card below for quantities.

Optional Toppings:

Optional toppings let you customize flavor and texture without changing the base recipe. Fruit adds natural sweetness and moisture, nuts or seeds add crunch and staying power, and a small sprinkle of dark chocolate can make these feel more indulgent while still keeping them balanced. Add toppings directly to the batter before baking.

Sliced strawberries, banana, chopped apple, blueberries, and dark chocolate chips.

🍌 Substitutions

This recipe is versatile and easy to adapt. Below are some simple ingredient substitutions.

Banana: Unsweetened applesauce (¾ cup per banana) for a more neutral flavor. Mashed pear or pumpkin puree also work, though sweetness may vary.
Apple cider vinegar: Lemon juice or white vinegar.
Oats: Use high-protein rolled oats to increase protein, or certified gluten-free rolled oats if needed.
Cinnamon: Pumpkin spice, cardamom, or omit entirely for a more neutral base.
Medjool dates: Maple syrup or date syrup (3 tablespoons), or additional ripe banana for less sweetness intensity.
Sweetener: A pinch of coconut sugar works instead of date or maple syrup.
Herbs: Italian seasoning, oregano plus basil, or Herbes de Provence all work.
Vinegar: Red wine vinegar can substitute for balsamic.

📝 Tips for Making Baked Red Lentil Protein Pancakes

These additional tips will help you get the best results from this recipe.

Soak the red lentils in enough boiling water to fully cover them and allow room to expand. Check halfway through soaking and top off with more hot water if the level drops below the lentils. Do not soak longer than 30 minutes or the lentils can become overly soft and affect texture.

Dates, cinnamon, banana, vanilla, baking powder, apple cider vinegar, rolled oats, soaked red lentils, and nondairy milk in a blender.

Use a high-speed blender to fully break down the lentils and oats for a smooth, fluffy crumb. Pit the dates before blending to protect your blender.

Blended protein pancake batter in a steel blender.

If the batter feels too thick after blending, add plant milk 1 tablespoon at a time until the batter is just pourable, not stiff or paste-like.

Red lentil pancake batter in a glass dish.

When transferring batter to containers or a sheet pan, aim for a depth of no more than about 1½ inches for even baking. Sheet pan versions will bake faster than deeper glass containers, so begin checking earlier.

Red lentil protein pancake batter with toppings in four meal prep glass containers.

Space toppings out rather than piling them in one spot so the surface cooks evenly.

Chocolate chip banana baked red lentil protein pancake in a glass dish.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center - it should come out mostly clean and the center should feel firm to the touch.

Sliced chocolate chip banana baked red lentil protein pancakes.

If you plan to remove the pancakes from glass containers, lightly oil the dish before baking. After cooling slightly, run a spatula along the edges and they will release easily for clean slicing.

These slice well and can easily be cut into snack-size squares for a healthy treat or afternoon snack.

Strawberry hemp heart baked red lentil protein pancake in a glass dish topped with Greek-style yogurt and tahini.

Once cooled, these protein pancakes are great topped with unsweetened Greek-style plant yogurt and nut butter or tahini, though they are also delicious plain.

⚖️ Convert the Recipe to Metric (g & mL)

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✔️ Storage, Meal Prep, and Reheating Tips

These simple steps help preserve freshness and flavor:

Refrigerator: Store banana red lentil pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow them to cool completely before covering to prevent condensation and sogginess.
Freezer: Slice into portions and freeze in a single layer before transferring to a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. This works well for grab-and-go breakfasts or snacks.
Meal Prep: These pancakes hold their texture well for several days and are easy to portion for the week. Store individual slices or squares in glass containers for quick breakfasts or afternoon snacks.
Reheating: Microwave for 30-60 seconds until warmed through, or reheat in a toaster oven or air fryer for a lightly crisp edge. Frozen portions can be reheated directly from frozen with a slightly longer warm time.

🥞 More Healthy Breakfast Recipes

My Breakfast Lentils Vegan Porridge combines red lentils and oats for a creamy, protein-rich base that's naturally low in phytates when soaked and cooked.

These Anti-inflammatory, High-Protein Savory Oatmeal recipe is packed with fiber and antioxidants.

This Natural Protein Smoothie is loaded with whole-food ingredients that provide a satisfying boost of protein, fiber, and antioxidants

My Vegan Black Bean Brownies deliver. They are deeply chocolatey, naturally sweetened, gluten-free, and have zero bean flavor

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

Can I convert sheet pan pancakes into a waffle recipe?

This batter works well in a waffle iron. Lightly grease the iron, cook until deeply golden and crisp on the outside, and allow the waffles to fully set before removing. You may need to slightly thicken the batter by reducing the plant milk by 1-2 tablespoons so the waffles hold their structure.

Can I replace the oats in pancakes with oat flour?

You can substitute oat flour 1:1 by volume. Because oat flour absorbs liquid faster than rolled oats, you may need to add an extra 1-3 tablespoons of plant milk to keep the batter pourable.

Does it work to grind dried lentils or split peas into a flour?

You can grind dried lentils or split peas into flour, but this recipe is designed for soaked whole lentils rather than lentil flour. Flour behaves differently in hydration and structure and may produce a denser, less tender result unless the liquid ratios are adjusted.

Are there different kinds of red lentils?

Yes. Red lentils are commonly sold as red split lentils (hulled and split) and red whole lentils (often labeled masoor). Split red lentils cook and blend faster and are ideal for this recipe. Whole red lentils may require longer soaking and blending.