Black Sesame Protein Pancakes: A TCM-Inspired Breakfast
Breakfast, but make it TCM.
If there’s one ingredient that deserves more attention at breakfast, it’s black sesame.
Known as Hei Zhi Ma in Chinese medicine, black sesame seed is traditionally used to nourish Liver and Kidney Yin and Blood and support Essence. It has a particular affinity for nourishing the hair—which is why you’ll often hear it associated with healthy aging and beauty from within.
So naturally, I turned it into pancakes.
These are fluffy, subtly nutty, naturally gluten-free and packed with protein and fiber. And because they’re baked as one big sheet pancake, they're also very meal-prep friendly.
Black Sesame Protein Pancakes
Ingredients
1½ cups cooked chickpeas (1 can), rinsed and drained
4 large eggs
¼ cup black sesame butter — [shop it here]
½ cup milk of choice
⅓ cup maple syrup*
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup gluten-free rolled oats
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon sea salt
68 g unflavored or vanilla protein powder
Optional: berries or other toppings of choice
If you're using a sweetened vanilla protein powder, you can reduce or omit the maple syrup depending on how sweet you like them.
How to Make Them
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Add chickpeas, eggs, black sesame butter, milk, maple syrup and vanilla to a high-speed blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
Add oats, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Blend again until smooth.
Add protein powder and blend for another 10–20 seconds, just until combined.
Pour into your prepared pan and spread evenly. Add any toppings you like.
Bake for 25–27 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool for about 15 minutes before slicing.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4–5 days.
Make It a Ritual ✨
Serve warm with fresh berries, a drizzle of maple syrup, or an extra spoonful of black sesame butter.
Pair with a warm cup of tea for a cozy, nourishing start to your morning — because food can be medicine and still taste really good.
Why Black Sesame?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine food therapy, black sesame (Hei Zhi Ma) is considered a nourishing food with an affinity for the Liver and Kidney systems. Traditionally, it's used to nourish Yin and Blood and replenish Essence, with particular associations with the hair and healthy aging. I also love incorporating Chinese food therapy into seasonal skin support.
From a Western nutrition perspective, sesame seeds also provide unsaturated fats, protein, fiber and minerals—making black sesame butter an easy way to give breakfast a little more staying power.
This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Food therapy is one aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is not a substitute for individualized medical or nutritional care.
The Ritual House Take
Chinese medicine doesn’t have to mean a cabinet full of herbs or a complicated wellness routine. Sometimes it’s as simple as bringing more intention to the foods you already eat.
I love finding ways to weave traditional food therapy into modern, everyday meals—and these black sesame pancakes are exactly that: nourishing, delicious, and actually realistic for a weekday morning.
At Ritual House, this same whole-body approach is woven into our acupuncture treatments—looking at everything from digestion and energy to hormones, skin, sleep, and stress.
A little ancient wisdom, served for breakfast. 🖤
