These protein-packed cookies are soft, chewy, and the perfect snack to enjoy post-workout or whenever you're craving a guilt-free treat. With a blend of peanut butter, oats, and protein powder, they’re a great way to fuel your body and satisfy your sweet tooth at the same time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These protein cookies are not only delicious but also provide a great source of protein to help rebuild and repair muscles after a workout. They're easy to make, packed with wholesome ingredients like oats and peanut butter, and can be customized with your favorite add-ins like chocolate chips or nuts. With just 10 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of baking, you can have a batch of these protein cookies ready to enjoy in no time. Plus, they’re naturally gluten-free, and you can make them dairy-free depending on your choice of protein powder.
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup protein powder (vanilla or chocolate)
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional Mix-ins:
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
- ¼ cup chopped nuts
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds or flaxseeds
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), egg, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the protein powder, oats, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add a tablespoon of oats or protein powder to help with consistency.
- Fold in Mix-ins: Gently fold in any optional mix-ins such as chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or seeds for added texture and flavor.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop 1-2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie and roll into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet and gently flatten with a fork or your hand.
- Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just set. The cookies may appear slightly underbaked, but they will firm up as they cool.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, enjoy your protein-packed treat!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12 cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Variations
- Vegan Protein Cookies: Swap the egg for a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) and use a plant-based protein powder for a vegan version.
- Nut Butter Swap: Try almond butter or cashew butter in place of peanut butter for a different flavor profile.
- Sugar-Free: Use a sugar-free sweetener like stevia or monk fruit in place of honey or maple syrup for a lower sugar version.
- Crunchy Texture: For extra crunch, add in ¼ cup of rolled almonds or chopped walnuts.
- Chocolate Lovers: Double the chocolate chips for a richer, more indulgent treat.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store these protein cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They can also be stored in the fridge for up to a week for extra freshness.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and transfer them to a freezer bag once solid. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Simply pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a warm, soft cookie or enjoy them at room temperature.
FAQs
1. Can I use any type of protein powder?
Yes, you can use either whey, casein, or plant-based protein powders depending on your dietary preference. Choose a flavor that complements the other ingredients, such as vanilla or chocolate.
2. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, these cookies are naturally gluten-free as long as you use certified gluten-free oats.
3. How do I make these cookies lower in sugar?
You can replace honey or maple syrup with a sugar-free sweetener, or reduce the amount of sweetener to suit your preference.
4. Can I add dried fruit to the cookies?
Absolutely! You can add dried cranberries, raisins, or other dried fruits to the dough for an extra burst of flavor.
5. How many calories are in each cookie?
Each cookie contains approximately 180 calories, but this may vary depending on the specific ingredients and mix-ins you use.
6. Can I substitute the peanut butter with another nut butter?
Yes, almond butter or cashew butter will work as substitutes for peanut butter if you prefer a different taste or have a peanut allergy.
7. Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
No, there’s no need to chill the dough. You can scoop and bake the cookies right away.
8. Can I make these cookies without oats?
Yes, you can substitute the oats with an additional scoop of protein powder, but this may alter the texture slightly.
9. Can I bake these cookies at a lower temperature?
Baking at a lower temperature may require a longer cook time, but it is possible. If you want a softer cookie, bake at 325°F (163°C) for 10-12 minutes.
10. Can I double this recipe?
Yes, you can easily double the recipe to make a larger batch. Just ensure you have enough space on your baking sheets.
Conclusion
These protein cookies are an easy, delicious way to fuel your body with high-quality protein and satisfy your sweet cravings. With simple ingredients and minimal prep time, they’re a perfect snack for any time of day. Customize them with your favorite mix-ins and enjoy the perfect post-workout treat or guilt-free indulgence!
Protein Cookies: A Delicious and Nutritious Snack
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Protein Cookies are a tasty and nutritious snack, perfect for refueling after a workout or satisfying your sweet cravings. Packed with peanut butter, protein powder, and oats, these cookies are easy to make and customizable with optional mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts. Naturally gluten-free, these protein-packed cookies help build and repair muscles while offering a satisfying, guilt-free treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup protein powder (vanilla or chocolate)
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Optional mix-ins:
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
- ¼ cup chopped nuts
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds or flaxseeds
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), egg, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.
- Add dry ingredients: Add protein powder, oats, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix until a dough forms. If too sticky, add more oats or protein powder.
- Add mix-ins: Fold in optional mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or seeds for extra flavor and texture.
- Shape cookies: Scoop 1-2 tablespoons of dough and roll into balls. Place on the prepared sheet and gently flatten with a fork or hand.
- Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are just set. Cookies will firm up as they cool.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Vegan Option: Use a flax egg and plant-based protein powder to make these cookies vegan.
- Substitutes: Swap peanut butter for almond or cashew butter for a new twist.
- Lower Sugar: Replace honey or maple syrup with a sugar-free sweetener like stevia.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
