Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

March 28, 2026

3

These lemon ricotta pancakes are fluffy, citrus-scented, and full of 10 grams of protein per pancake! They’re prepared in simply 20 minutes and enjoyable breakfast that’s secretly easy to make.

OK, right here’s one among my favourite breakfast recipes that sounds fancy however is secretly full of protein: lemon ricotta pancakes! Like my well-liked cottage cheese pancakes, they’re impossibly fluffy and light-weight: however these have a pop citrus taste on the end.

They’re additionally roughly 10 grams protein per serving and made with half the flour of a traditional pancake! (How?) They sound fancy, however they’re so simple to whip up and ideal for impressing family and friends at a lazy breakfast or brunch. (My children adore them!)

5 Star Reader Evaluate

“Love your inspirational spring lemon recipes! Tried a few-fabulous! That is further scrumptious you probably have obtainable meyers lemons!” -Cindy

Elements in Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

This lemon ricotta pancakes recipe follows a system that’s much like my Cottage Cheese Pancakes. The bottom is especially this high-protein cheese and eggs, and also you want solely half the all-purpose flour that’s referred to as for in an ordinary pancake. This not solely masses the pancake with protein, nevertheless it makes it impossibly fluffy. You’ve received to do that trick! Right here’s what you’ll want:

Eggs: That is a part of why the protein rely is so excessive. They bind collectively the batter (no substitutions please!).
Ricotta cheese: Use whole-milk ricotta for the creamiest, fluffiest outcome. Half skim works too.
Maple syrup: I at all times use syrup marked “Grade A: Darkish Coloration and Sturdy Taste”
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavour.
All-purpose flour: All you want is ¾ cup! That’s roughly half what an ordinary pancake recipe requires.
Baking powder and salt: Offers them a bit of raise.
Lemon juice and lemon zest: That is clearly the star ingredient! A little bit lemon zest and contemporary juice make that shiny, lovely taste. I at all times use a microplane to zest.

A Notice On Protein

These lemon ricotta pancakes are irresistibly tasty and protein-packed, which makes them a win-win-win in my e book. The protein helps flip them right into a filling breakfast the place you’re not hungry an hour later (which occurs to me with basic flour pancakes). Right here’s the breakdown for this ricotta pancake:

Lemon Ricotta Pancake has 9.6 grams protein! That’s 20% of your each day protein: in a single pancake.
1 Normal Pancake has roughly 4 grams protein. So the ricotta pancake is nearly double the protein!

Professional Ideas for Excellent Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Don’t rush the warmth. Medium warmth is the aim: you need it low sufficient that the middle cooks by earlier than the surface will get too darkish. In case you see the sides browning quick, dial it down.
The feel is a bit completely different from basic pancakes. Take into account, whenever you flip the pancakes a few of the batter might ooze out the edges: that is okay! Preserve cooking till it’s totally set.
Complete-milk ricotta is value it. The fats content material is what makes these so tender.
Leftovers work nice as snacks. My children (and me) are continually grabbing pancakes for snacks: topped with a bit of nut butter, it’s a superb filling snack.

Topping Concepts

Lemon ricotta pancakes are nice with any toppings, however there’s a pure alternative that matches greater than every other: blueberries! Use both contemporary blueberries or make a fast sauce. Listed here are a few of my different favourite toppings:

Pure maple syrup and powdered sugar: These style unbelievable dressed merely.
Blueberry sauce or compote: Attempt my stovetop Blueberry Sauce or Blueberry Compote.
Peach compote: This straightforward peach compote could be an ideal pairing.
Contemporary berries like raspberries, blackberries or blueberries look good.
Crushed nuts like pecans, walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts or slivered almonds additionally add texture and visible enchantment.
Nut butter makes these pancakes much more filling, like peanut, almond, pecan, pistachio, or walnut butter.

Find out how to Retailer and Reheat

Lemon ricotta pancakes reheat properly, which makes them a fantastic make-ahead possibility. Retailer hermetic within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Reheat in a toaster oven or skillet for the most effective texture, however the microwave truly works too!

I haven’t tried freezing these pancakes, however you possibly can give it a go should you like! Nonetheless, they could grow to be soggy after thawing.

Dietary Notes

This lemon ricotta pancakes recipe is vegetarian.

Incessantly Requested Questions

Can I substitute cottage cheese for ricotta?

Sure! Cottage cheese works properly as a swap. The pancakes will nonetheless be fluffy and protein-packed. For finest outcomes, use full-fat small-curd cottage cheese. See my Cottage Cheese Pancakes recipe.

Can I make the batter forward of time?

I’d advocate making these contemporary: the baking powder begins to react as quickly because it contacts the liquid elements. For superior prep, you possibly can measure out your dry and moist elements individually the evening earlier than and mix them within the morning.

What sort of pan works finest?

A non-stick skillet or griddle is good. Forged iron additionally works properly, however requires a bit of extra consideration to temperature regulation.

How do I do know when to flip?

Search for bubbles forming and the sides beginning to look set (not shiny). Ricotta pancakes take a bit longer to prepare dinner than commonplace pancakes, so don’t rush it.

Print