Written by Kyle Ustach | BScEcon
Fact checked by Andrew Lenau, ISSA CPT & Sports Nutritionist
FACT CHECKED
For many, the most difficult part of dieting is cutting out desserts and sweet treats. No matter how hard we work in the gym, giving up your favorite treats can be tough. But what if we told you that you no longer have to feel guilty about eating your favorite desserts?
Enter protein cookies, the high-protein treat that will satisfy any sweet tooth. Thanks to these recipes, we can enjoy one of our favorite desserts and be anabolic at the same time!
In this article, we will discuss:
- What are protein cookies?
- Ingredients list for baking a protein cookie recipe
- 6 best protein cookies recipes, including a simple three-ingredient recipe
- Macro breakdown for each best protein cookie recipe
- Baking tips and how to store your protein cookies
**For full transparency, this post may contain affiliate links where we could earn a commission on a purchase you make at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products that we have thoroughly researched and think you will find valuable.**
What Are Protein Cookies?
Protein cookies are cookies that are made high in protein. Just to clarify, these are still cookies at the end of the day, as most have the same amount of sugar as a regular cookie. The addition of protein makes a protein cookie slightly healthier and a great way to help reach your macro goals.
Protein cookies are also a great option when determining what to eat after a workout, providing an infusion of protein and fast-acting carbs to feed the muscle. They also make for a great snack pretty much any time of day.
Why Make Protein Cookies?
Baking cookies can be tricky so it's important to stick to the recipes, but there is plenty of room to customize most cookies. Store-bought protein cookies are often loaded with sugars (some more than regular cookies) and other chemicals we can avoid by making ourselves.
For the most part, these recipes include simple, healthy ingredients and provide healthier substitute options wherever possible.
How To Make Protein Cookies
Here we will show you how to make the most basic of protein cookies, which you can customize to your taste preferences. Use your favorite protein powder, and then elevate this recipe even further by including some delicious add-in ingredients.
This simple protein cookies recipe requires only 3 ingredients and delivers a great natural source of carbohydrates that are great pre or post-workout. After the recipe, look for the savable recipe card we've provided for you to save, share, and have for reference later.
This is a great recipe to personalize, but for those looking for more recipes to simply follow along with, don't worry! We've got 5 additional great protein cookie recipes to check out later on in this article, along with baking tips and the best ingredients to use.
The Best Protein Cookie Recipe
This simple protein cookie recipe is the most basic and easy to make of your protein cookies and will help you hit the amount of protein you need per day. This recipe requires no sugar, egg, flour, or other additives.
And while this easy protein cookie recipe is for the most basic of cookies, you can add other ingredients to increase the flavor and nutrition. Some of our favorite options include sea salt, dried fruit of your choice (cranberries are great), cinnamon, chocolate chips, coconut, chia seeds, and chopped nuts.
Three-Ingredient Protein Cookies:
Simple, sweet, and packed with protein - just the way we like our recipes!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (60-90g) dry, old-fashioned oats
- 2 large, ripe bananas
- 1 scoop protein powder of your choice
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Peel and mash bananas with a fork into a bowl until it is mostly flat.
- Add protein powder into a bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Mix in the dry oats evenly. Add any desired add-ins.
- Use a spoon to scoop the mixture onto a cookie sheet (approx 8-10 cookies).
- Bake for 12-18 minutes (the larger the cookie, the longer you bake).
- Remove from oven and let cool.
We like to use this simple 3-ingredient recipe to make 10 cookies, which breaks down to the following macros: 66 calories, 4.5g protein, 6g carbs, and <1g fat per cookie!
If you want to increase the protein, feel free to add more powder to the recipe.
What is the best protein powder to use for baking cookies?
There are several different protein powder options that work great for protein cookies. Whey protein is the most commonly used protein powder for all baked goods. Whey will help make the cookies thin and crispy1.
Another great option is pea protein, which is the most commonly used plant-based protein powder for baking. Casein protein tends to be extremely dry and thick, so we wouldn't recommend this unless you prefer a much thicker cookie.
GOLD STANDARD 100% WHEY BLEND – 24g blended protein consisting of whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, and whey peptides to support lean muscle mass...
Basic Ingredients Required For Protein Cookies
While we gave you an easy three-ingredient option above, we're about to show you how to make some additional flavor-packed, high-in-protein cookies. Keep in mind you can substitute the below ingredients with healthier options, which we will provide examples of.
A few basic ingredients that can be used include:
- Eggs
- Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, Cashew Butter, or Sunflower Seed Butter
- Avoid crunchy peanut butter - Flour: Substitutes include Coconut Flour, Oat Flour, and Almond Flour
- Baking Powder
- Butter
- Vanilla Extract
- Brown Sugar Substitute: Erythritol, Coconut Sugar, or Monk Fruit Sweetener
- Sea Salt/Table Salt
- Milk: Almond Milk, Oat Milk, and other substitutes are fine
- Nuts: Pecans, Almonds, and Cashews are some of the best
- Chocolate Chips or Sugar Free Chocolate Chips
5 More Delicious Protein Cookies Recipes
Satisfy your sweet tooth and hit your macro counting goals with these 5 delicious high protein cookies recipes.
We've provided macro counts for each recipe, but please keep in mind that if you use substitutions or switch up the ingredients, you will likely need to readjust the nutrition information for your cookies.
1. Protein Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Quite possibly the best protein cookies recipe, this high protein treat won't disappoint. After all, who doesn’t love a warm chocolate chip cookie?
If you want to enjoy soft, chewy chocolate chip protein cookies and consume enough protein to build muscle, then you will love this protein cookie recipe.
Ingredients:
- 2 scoops vanilla protein (whey protein, pea protein, and lactose free protein powder are all options)
- Half cup flour (60g)
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (recommend Swerve Granular)
- ¼ cup brown sugar substitute (recommend Swerve Granular)
- ¼ cup chocolate chips or chunks
- Half cup melted butter (if you like coconut, you can substitute butter with melted coconut oil)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Mix protein powder, flour, and baking powder in a bowl.
- Mix melted butter, brown sugar substitute, granular sugar substitute, and vanilla extract into a large bowl and mix.
- Add remaining dry ingredients and mix until crumbly dough forms.
- Divide the mixture into 8 cookies, pressing between hands to flatten.
- Place 8 cookies on a cookie sheet and sprinkle with salt.
- Bake 7-9 minutes until cookies are soft in the center.
The result will be eight chewy chocolate chip protein cookies. Each cookie's nutrition serving includes 143 calories, 8g fat, 10g carbs, and 7g protein.
2. Peanut Butter Protein Cookies:
Is there anything better than peanut butter? It is one of the most commonly used foods for weightlifters and athletes of all kinds. One of the true staples of most high-protein diets, we also love using it in baking.
Here is a simple 4 ingredient recipe for peanut butter protein cookies. Feel free to substitute with another nut butter or seed butter that utilizes high-protein nuts, like almond butter or sunflower seed butter, to switch things up with your cookie protein powder recipes.
Ingredients:
- Half cup peanut butter (avoid crunchy if possible as its harder to mix)
- Zero-calorie brown sugar substitute (erythritol, coconut sugar, monk fruit sweetener)
- 1 scoop protein powder of your choice (vanilla, chocolate, cookies and cream protein powder, etc.)
- 1 egg
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Mix all 4 ingredients evenly in a large bowl.
- Form 10-12 cookies from the dough and line them on a cookie sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Remove cookies from oven and let cool.
These cookies are packed with protein, derived from peanut butter, egg, and whey.
For this recipe, 10 cookies will give you the following macros per cookie: 98 calories, 7g fat, 7g protein, and 2g carbs. Two cookies will provide 14 grams of protein at less than 200 total calories!
3. Pumpkin Protein Cookies:
It doesn't have to be fall to enjoy pumpkin-flavored food items. So why wouldn’t we have a pumpkin-flavored protein cookie?
Lucky for you, we have a simple recipe for delicious pumpkin protein cookies. Imagine how satisfying these will taste after your next leg workout!
Ingredients:
- 2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder (feel free to use others, but vanilla works best)
- Coconut flour
- Pumpkin puree
- Coconut sugar
- Pumpkin spice
- Baking powder
- Sea salt, or regular table salt
- Chopped pecans (can substitute for other nuts, but again works best with exact recipe)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Mix all 4 ingredients evenly in a large bowl.
- Form 10-12 cookies from the dough and line them on a cookie sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Remove cookies from oven and let cool.
This recipe for protein cookies make a 10-cookie batch. Each cookie will have 70 calories, 6g carbs, 2g fat, and 7g protein.
4. Vanilla Bean Protein Sugar Cookie:
Sweet and simple, one protein sugar cookie contains 7 grams of protein. We recommend using whey protein for this recipe, but for those with food allergies, lactose-free protein powder will also work.
Ingredients:
- 2 scoops vanilla protein powder (whey)
- Half cup flour (60g)
- Half a teaspoon of baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Half cup granulated sugar (recommend Swerve Granular)
- Half cup melted butter (the lighter the better)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Mix the butter and granulated sugar.
- Once it's light and fluffy, add the protein powder, flour, baking powder, and vanilla extract.
- Mix until even and place 8 cookies on a cookie sheet, rolling them in your palms to help keep them smooth.
- Sprinkle granulated sugar substitute over the cookies before baking.
- Bake for 6-8 minutes, making sure the center is soft and the edges are crisp.
Each of the eight cookies contains 108 calories, 6.5g fat, 6g carbs, and 7g protein.
Pro Tip: When making recipes for protein cookies, you can transform them into Funfetti protein cookies simply by adding rainbow sprinkles.
5. Non-bake Protein Oatmeal Cookies:
These healthy non-bake oatmeal protein cookies combine many of our favorite high-protein ingredients into one delicious treat.
These protein powder cookies are very simple to make and will not disappoint. And, if you're into protein cookie dough, this no-bake recipe checks that box too.
Looking to up your protein intake even more? Try pairing one of these cookies with a large mug of protein coffee!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder
- Half cup monk fruit syrup (agave, honey, and maple syrup all work great)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- Half a cup of peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ⅓ a teaspoon of sea salt
Directions:
- Mix the oats and protein powder in a bowl.
- Combine the almond milk, peanut butter, syrup, vanilla extract, salt, and cocoa powder in a saucepan.
- Place on stove top medium-low heat, stirring until everything is completely dissolved.
- Pour the dissolved mixture into the protein/oats bowl and mix.
- Place batter in the fridge for 10 minutes to set.
- Spoon out the batter onto a prepared baking sheet and form cookies.
- Freeze for 10 minutes so the cookies settle.
This recipe yields 18 cookies and takes only 15 minutes to make! The serving size of one cookie has only 6g of sugar, giving us a macro breakdown of 108 calories, 4g fat, 14g carbs, and 5g protein per cookie.
Baking Tips for Protein Cookies
One downside to protein cookies (and all protein goods) is how dry they are. Be careful not to overbake them, since the cookies will continue to bake while they cool down. The longer the cookies are in the oven, the drier they will be.
Another great tip that helps this is to refrigerate the dough for 30-60 minutes before putting it in the oven. Adding in some fats, such as peanut butter or coconut oil, will also help keep your cookies from drying out.
How to Store Protein Cookies
Once your cookies have cooled and are ready to enjoy, you are going to want to properly store them to keep them as fresh as possible. No one wants to eat a stale cookie after crushing their biceps workout. For short-term consumption, the cookies can be stored in an airtight container or ziplock bag.
These will last up to 14 days at room temperature and slightly longer if refrigerated. You can also freeze them, in which case they would last up to 6 months!
Are Protein Cookies Healthy?
It's important to remember at the end of the day, a cookie is a cookie. Similar to using protein bars for weight loss, protein cookies are a great way to help reach your macro needs and an excellent source of protein pre and post-workout. In addition, you can make healthier ingredient swaps for many of these, ensuring they align with most diets, including the 80 20 Rule Diet and the Metabolic Confusion Diet.
Who says you need to feel guilty about having a cookie craving? With all the great recipes above, we hope you find the protein cookie that fits your taste buds and helps hit those macros! Just like everything in life, the key is moderation.
And as a bonus, most of these recipes are also for easy protein cookies recipes, meaning they're simple treats you can throw together.
Looking for more easy to make protein packed snacks? Make sure to have a look at the best protein balls recipes that are great for people who don't have much time or the skills to craft high protein meals. Or, check out these homemade protein bars and best protein donuts, which can help you hit any bulking or cutting goals you have!
Also, be sure to check out our favorite protein powders so you can choose the best option for your protein-packed recipes!
References:
- Which Is the Best Protein Powder for Baking? 31 Aug. 2022, https://cheatdaydesign.com/best-protein-powder-for-baking/.
- McCrary, Ashley. Healthy No Bake Chocolate Protein Cookies. 4 Mar. 2020, https://healthylittlepeach.com/healthy-no-bake-chocolate-protein-cookies/.
- Ludlam-Raine, Nichola. “3 Ingredient Protein Cookies.” Nics Nutrition, 12 Mar. 2013, https://nicsnutrition.com/3-ingredient-protein-cookies/.
- Woodruff, Mason. “Chocolate Chip Protein Cookies.” Kinda Healthy Recipes, 22 May 2022, https://masonfit.com/the-best-chocolate-chip-protein-cookies/.
- Woodruff, Mason. “Vanilla Bean Protein Sugar Cookies.” Kinda Healthy Recipes, 11 Nov 2019, https://masonfit.com/vanilla-bean-protein-sugar-cookies/.
- Marchese, Andréa. “Pumpkin Protein Cookies.” Proteincakery.com, 17 Sept. 2022, https://www.proteincakery.com/pumpkin-pecan-protein-cookies/.
- Arman. “Protein Cookies {4 Ingredients!}.” The Big Man's World ®, 8 Oct. 2021, https://thebigmansworld.com/healthy-birthday-cake-protein-cookies/.
Kyle Ustach
Author