The combination of nut butter and whey protein in these chocolate chip protein cookies makes unbelievably soft, chewy cookies that are packed with flavor!
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons (48g) Cashew butter (or almond butter)
- 1 large egg white
- 1 scoop (32g) vanilla whey protein powder
- ¼ cup (30g) almond flour
- 2 teaspoons (8g) granulated erythritol (or monk fruit erythritol blend)
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 mini scoop stevia (optional, omit if using monk fruit erythritol blend)
- 2 tablespoons (28g) sugar free chocolate chips (I used these dark chocolate chips)
Almond flour keeps these protein powder cookies chewy, and I wouldn’t substitute other flours like oat flour or coconut flour. But I have substituted half the amount of almond protein, and this works for a lower fat option (use 15g almond protein in place of 30g almond flour).
If you’re using unflavored whey protein or you just want to boost the vanilla flavor, add ½ teaspoon baking vanilla when you are mixing the wet ingredients.
I wouldn’t sub a different type of protein powder for the whey in this recipe. If you want to use vegan protein powder, check out this recipe for vegan protein cookies or my collection of vegan recipes. If you want to use a whey/casein blend, check out this 3-ingredient protein cookie recipe.
In place of the erythritol and stevia, a monk fruit erythritol blend would work well.
Coconut sugar, brown sugar, or erythritol based brown sugar substitute would also be great subs for the granulated erythritol here.
How to make protein chocolate chip cookies
1. Preheat your oven to 325F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Combine the cashew butter and egg white.
3. Add the dry ingredients (but not the chocolate chips yet). And mix to combine.
4. Fold in the chocolate chips. You may want to use your hands.
5. Break the protein cookie dough into 6 equally sized pieces (use your kitchen scale if you want them to be exact!) and roll each piece into a ball.
6. Place on the prepared baking sheet and press to flatten (these cookies won't spread like traditional chocolate chip cookies).
7. Bake protein cookies in preheated oven for about 8 minutes or until the centers are firm.
8. Slide the parchment off the cookie sheet as soon as the cookies come out of the oven, onto a cooling rack.
9. Try not to eat all of them at once! :)
Pro Tip
For best results, don’t overwork the cookie dough. Because we’re using nut butter, the more you handle the dough, the more heat you transfer to the dough, which will cause the oil to release from the nut butter. And we don’t want oily cookies.
Recipe Variations
Peanut butter protein cookies - use natural peanut butter in place of the cashew or almond butter. I recommend creamy peanut butter if you’ll be using chocolate chips, and crunchy peanut butter if not.
Chocolate protein cookies - replace the vanilla whey with chocolate whey, use only 3 tablespoons almond flour and add 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder. Or check out these cake-like chocolate whey protein cookies.
If you don't have vanilla protein powder, try using other flavors that pair well with nut butter. Chocolate protein powder will of course work!
FAQ
Many store-bought protein cookies have more added sugar than protein. Each of these homemade protein cookies has 7 g protein (these are smaller cookies) with no added sugar.
High protein cookies with healthy ingredients and no added sugar can be a great healthy snack. Unfortunately, many store-bought protein cookies are full of added sugar (like Lenny & Larry's). This recipe for chocolate chip protein cookies has no added sugar and the cookies taste delicious!
Protein cookies are not the best post-workout choice because of the fat content. Typically it is best to have protein and carbs after a workout.
Recipe
Chocolate Chip Protein Cookies
Equipment
- oven thermometer highly recommended for best results
- kitchen scale highly recommended for best results
- Fork
- disposable gloves optional, but nice
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons (48 g) cashew butter
- 1 large (33 g) egg white
- 1 scoop (32 g) vanilla whey protein
- ¼ cup (30 g) almond flour
- 2 teaspoons (8 g) granulated erythritol
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 mini scoop stevia powder
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) sugar free chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F (163C).
- Mix cashew butter and egg white until combined.3 tablespoons (48 g) cashew butter, 1 large (33 g) egg white
- Add protein powder, almond flour, erythritol, baking powder, and stevia, and mix to combine.1 scoop (32 g) vanilla whey protein, ¼ cup (30 g) almond flour, 2 teaspoons (8 g) granulated erythritol, ¼ teaspoon baking powder, 1 mini scoop stevia powder
- Fold in chocolate chips. You may need to use your hands.2 tablespoons (28 g) sugar free chocolate chips
- Break into 6 pieces, and roll each into a ball.
- Place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and flatten each cookie.
- Bake for about 8 minutes, or until firm.
- Slide the parchment off the cookie sheet as soon as you remove the cookies from the oven (so they don't continue cooking). Let cool on a cookie rack.
- Enjoy! Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Related Recipes
If you like this recipe, you might also enjoy these other healthy protein powder treats (all easy recipes!):
- Chocolate Chip Protein Pillow Cookies - soft whey protein cookies that puff up like pillows when they bake!
- Chewy Chocolate Cookies - plant-based cookies made with nut butter and packed with flavor!
- Black and White Protein Cookies - a whey based twist on this NYC classic cookie.
- Quest Bar Cookies - turn any uncoated Quest bar into cookies!
- BEST Protein Banana Bread - secretly high in protein and totally delicious!
If you enjoy this recipe, you may also enjoy our recipe for filled protein chocolates. They're sugar free and totally delicious!
Andréa Marchese says
That's great! So happy you are enjoying the recipe. :)
Najat Mahmoud says
I accidentally used a whole egg, it still turned out amazing. 5/5! Thank you!