Hannah Frye

mbg Assistant Beauty Editor

By Hannah Frye

mbg Assistant Beauty Editor

Hannah Frye is the Assistant Beauty Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.S. in journalism and a minor in women’s, gender, and queer studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Hannah has written across lifestyle sections including health, wellness, sustainability, personal development, and more.

Image by NATAŠA MANDIĆ / Stocksy

March 11, 2023

Some meals simply taste like childhood. Everyone has their different nostalgic dish, but it’s fair to say many of these childhood staples aren’t the pinnacle of a balanced meal (pancakes, waffles, and the like). Does this mean you shouldn’t indulge? Absolutely not. 

Pancakes certainly aren’t the worst thing for you, but they do typically contain a hefty amount of sugar. To come, a healthier spin on this sweet breakfast shared by world-renowned biohacker and New York Times bestselling author Dave Asprey on a recent episode of the mindbodygreen podcast

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Dave Asprey’s healthy collagen pancake recipe. 

Serves 1

What you’ll need:

  • 2 tablespoons flour of your choice. 
  • 1 scoop mbg beauty & gut collagen+
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon grass-fed Greek or sheep’s milk yogurt

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How to: 

The method here is even simpler: Mix together the ingredients. Feel free to add in a bit more water, but the consistency will depend on what type of flour you decide to use. 

Asprey often opts for coconut flour but mentions sweet rice, green banana, and cassava flour as other worthy options. (He personally tends to stay away from almond and oat flours because of their phytic acid content.) Remember to follow a 1:1 ratio so you don’t wind up with a dry mix. 

If you want to shake it up, pick a few additions from the list below to toss in your mix or on top of your cakes: 

  • Blueberries
  • Coconut flakes
  • Strawberries
  • Dark chocolate chips
  • Honey
  • Cinnamon

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Why add collagen?

According to Asprey, the collagen makes a suitable egg substitute. “If you use collagen and you’re egg free, you can do that,” he notes. However, “You need a protein to bind it,” he adds, which is why he recommends mixing it with grass-fed yogurt before tossing it into your blend; that’s what gives it the “egg-like” consistency.

Not to mention, with just one scoop of mbg’s beauty & gut collagen+, you’re amping up the health benefits of your pancakes (or any recipe, for that matter).* Just one serving includes: 

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If you opt for the chocolate mbg beauty & gut collagen+ (because who doesn’t love chocolate pancakes?), you’ll enjoy the rich, organic cocoa without the added sugar, thanks to the organic monk fruit sweetener. 

The takeaway. 

Just because pancakes may not be the healthiest breakfast doesn’t mean you should skip them altogether. To whip up a healthier blend, use coconut flour, yogurt, and collagen powder as a base and top of your pancake stack with fresh fruit, cinnamon, or honey. Want to learn more about the benefits of using collagen in your daily breakfast recipe? This guide will answer all of your questions

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications, consult with your doctor before starting a supplement routine. It is always optimal to consult with a health care provider when considering what supplements are right for you.