# Skip the Protein Powder, Pass the Tofu

> A Test Kitchen editor makes fluffy, protein-rich pancakes with silken tofu instead of a scoop of chalk.
- Title: Skip the Protein Powder, Pass the Tofu · Bon Appétit
- Summary: A Test Kitchen editor makes fluffy, protein-rich pancakes with silken tofu instead of a scoop of chalk. Silken tofu binds pancake batter like eggs do, so you…
- Keywords: tofu, pancakes, protein, breakfast, vegan, food, lifestyle, Skip, Powder, Pass, Bon Appétit
- Source: Bon Appétit — https://bonappetit.com/story/good-for-you-pancakes
- Author: Rebecca Firkser
- Published: 2026-09-09T14:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: tofu, pancakes, protein, breakfast, vegan, food, lifestyle
## Protein powder tastes bad
It was never built to be enjoyable food. It started as nutrition, then became sports fuel, and the flavor was never the point.

> The thing about protein powder is that it doesn't taste good.
## Two men who started it
19th-century bodybuilder Eugen Sandow pushed a milk-based powder called Plasmon. Weightlifter Bob Hoffman later sold "Hi-Proteen," which the FDA flagged for misleading claims.
## Now it is everywhere
From a near-fatal smoothie on The White Lotus to Ballerina Farm's viral Farmer Protein, almost nobody has escaped the shake, the bar, or the guilt.
## Food beats supplements
Whey, soy, pea, beef: all of it reads chalky and synthetic, and costs over a dollar a serving. Eggs, beans, yogurt, and quinoa are already in the kitchen.

> I'd rather just get my protein from food I've already purchased.
## Silken tofu hides anywhere
Firm tofu gets the stir-fries and nuggets, but silken tofu is the shape-shifter. Its neutral flavor disappears into dressings, scrambles, even chocolate mousse.
## Tofu makes better pancakes
Blended with flour, sugar, and leaveners, it binds like eggs into a thick, accidentally vegan batter. Fluffy middles, crisp edges, tart blueberries. Freeze extras and toast them.

> We can all stand to remove some of the pressure of optimizing every meal.
## Key takeaway

Silken tofu binds pancake batter like eggs do, so you get protein from real food instead of an expensive powder.