The story of these chocolate chip Peanut Butter Protein Cookies begins the way so many unplanned yet critically important purchases do: in the aisle at Target. I was shopping for protein bars (and nothing else that had mysteriously made its way into my cart) when I passed a huge display of shiny wrapped peanut butter protein cookies. Made with whey protein and covered in promises to be low carb, high fiber, and delicious, these protein cookies sounded too good to be true.
Upon closer inspection, I discovered that not only did most of these protein cookies contain nearly as many calories as a full meal (well beyond my needs for a cookie), they cost almost $3 each and the ingredient list left quite a bit to be desired. I couldnโt pronounce half of them.
Rather than spend a small fortune, I decided to see if I could come up with my own recipe for Peanut Butter Protein Cookies that delivered the same qualities promised on the wrapperโhigh protein, peanut butter packed, soft, chewy, deliciousโbut wouldnโt blow my grocery budget or eat up my daily calorie count if I decided to have more than one.
And I donโt know about you, but I usually want more than one cookieโฆ
Say hello to my healthy homemade Peanut Butter Protein Cookies! They are just 112 calories each and contain 7 grams of protein. Eat two and you are up to 14ย ??.
These are also EASY protein cookies. One bowl, a spoon, and a little oomph is all you’ll need.
Chocolateย Chip Peanut Butter Protein CookiesโAn Easy, Healthy Treat
These cookies are soft, chewy, and taste reminiscent of an old-fashioned peanut butter cookie. (These Peanut Butter Protein Bars do too!) Theyโre sweet enough for dessert but wholesome enough to qualify as an acceptable post-workout snack. I couldn’t choose which occasion I preferred them for more, so I opted for both.
In addition to the peanut butter and eggs, the majority of the protein in these cookies comes from the use of whey protein. I use this brand of vanilla whey protein powder.
If you are in the market for a chocolate protein cookies recipe, I think these cookies would be delicious made with chocolate protein powder too.
I havenโt tried a plant-based protein powder yet, but a few readers have reported that pea protein powders have yielded delicious results. If you decide to play around with the recipe and test it out, Iโd love to hear how it goes!
These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Cookies are naturally gluten free, as the whey protein and coconut flour replace the wheat flour. (Coconut flour is also high protein and high fiber too; you can read all about it in this post for Coconut Flour Cookies; this is the brand I buy.)
If youโve never purchased whey protein powder and arenโt looking to (though Iโd hope that any of these recipes with protein powder would convince you), you can check out my original Protein Cookies, which are made with peanut butter, quinoa, and banana. They are more reminiscent of a healthy muffin-like cookie than an ooey-gooey peanut butter cookie but are still a yummy, relatively high-protein option.
How to Store and Freeze These Cookies
- To Store. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- To Freeze. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months, then thaw a few at a time. I don’t recommend microwaving the cookies, as this tends to dry them out.
Other Delicious Cookie Recipes
Peanut Butter Protein Cookies with Chocolate Chips
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup peanut butter or nut butter of choice, I used shelf-stable natural peanut butterโsee notes if using refrigerated/drippy nut butter
- 1/4 cupย coconut sugarย or light brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg white
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup vanilla wheyย proteinย powder (36 grams)
- 2 tablespoonsย coconut flour
- 3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter, coconut sugar, salt, egg, egg white, and vanilla extract. Mix briskly until ingredients are well blended. Sprinkle the baking soda over the top. With a rubber spatula, work in theย proteinย powder and coconut flour until well combined. The will seem very dry first but will continue to come together as you stir and push.ย Fold in chocolate chips.
- At this point, judge your dough, as the amount of moisture may vary based on the brand ofย proteinย powder and nut butter you use. It should be slightly sticky but not a total mushy mess. If you need a firmer dough, add a bit moreย proteinย powder. For a looser dough, sprinkle the batter with a bit of milk (or almond milk) and with a spatula, fold it in until the dough comes together.
- With a small cookie scoop or spoon, portion the cookie dough by tablespoonfuls and drop onto your prepared baking sheet (you will have 12 to 14 cookies total). With your fingers, gently flatten the tops of theย cookies, as they will not spread but will puff up during baking. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes, until the edges are barely golden brown and dry to the touch but the middles seem fairly doughy. Do not overbake! Place the cookie sheet on a wire rack and allow the cookiesย to cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes before transferring them directly to the wire rack to finish cooling.
Notes
- The consistency of the dough may vary based on the brand ofย proteinย powder and nut butter you use. It should be slightly sticky but not a total mushy mess. If you need a firmer dough, add a bit moreย proteinย powder. For a looser dough, sprinkle the batter with a bit of milk (or almond milk).
- No other flour can be substituted for the coconut flour. Coconut flour is incredibly unique and thus needs to be used in this recipe.
- I havenโt tried this recipe with vegan or plant-basedย proteinย powders yet, but I have heard from readers that have had success with pea protein. If you decide to try them this way, I would love to hear how it goes!
- Storeย cookiesย in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months, then thaw a few at a time. I don't recommend microwaving the cookies, as this tends to dry them out.
Nutrition
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Love these protein cookies! Wanted to make something that was a sweet but not too sugary desserts substitute. I used Orgain organic plant based protein powder for my cookies – turned out great!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
These are fantastic. Have been trying to find better ways to quell the endless hunger that is pregnancy, and these have been great. Thank you!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Nicole! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
These turned out pretty good, more like muffin tops with how soft they are! They are nice and moist and puffed up like merengues, even after I flattened them. I used Optimum Nutrition chocolate whey protein powder, and the chocolate flavor doesnโt come through, but I personally prefer it that way. Thank you for posting this, Erin!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Kelly! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I used whole wheat flour instead of coconut. Came out line pancakes which I was into! Overall great flavors doing it that way.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Connie! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Bought all the ingredients
Cannot figure out how to change cup to grams
Google is giving so many different answers
Hi Angela! This website has some helpful information: https://www.allrecipes.com/article/cup-to-gram-conversions/. I hope it helps and that you enjoy the recipe!
If it helps I just measured mine out using cups. 115g peanut butter and 30g of soft brown sugar.
These are amazing!! I ordered a big expensive tub of protein powder only to find I canโt stand the taste. I tried mixing it with oats, yogurt, and in smoothies but nothing would mask the flavor. I made these cookies today and they are absolutely delicious โ yay! Thank you :)
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Liza! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Thank you for this recipe. I’ve been trying different protein cookies.
I replaced the sugar with erythritol and they taste great. I used plant protein and it was also good. Not sure if the plant protein made the cookies a bit dry though. Not sure what to do about that…Maybe add a bit of butter or oil to the recipe? Your thoughts?
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Kathleen! Other readers that have used plant protein found a little extra milk was necessary to keep them from being too dry. I hope this helps!
These have become a staple in my house. I make these at least once a month. However, sometimes they come out so cakey: which I really donโt mind but Iโm wondering if baking powder instead of baking soda would do the trikc
I’m so happy that you’ve enjoyed them, Angelica! I’ve only tested the recipe as written, so you’d be experimenting. If you decide to play around with it, I’d love to hear how it goes!
Made mine with chickpea flour! Turned out great, delicious! Would bake for about 7 minutes
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Janelle! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Iโm sorry but these did not work for me! They come out as a cookie dough texture and I baked them far longer than the recommended time. Plus rather than smelling like chocolate chip cookies baking, your kitchen smells like protein powder. :/ Will be on the lookout for a different protein cookie recipe.
Iโm sorry to hear that these cookies didnโt turn out for you, Catherine. I (and many other readers) have truly enjoyed them, so I wish they wouldโve been a hit for you too!
I have tried this with vegan protein and they have turned out amazing. A family staple and lunchbox treat
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Isabella! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Do you know how much salt is in one of the cookies.
Hi Gian! I stopped including sodium info because it can vary so much depending upon what products you used, and I found a lot of conflicting info online, so ultimately I didnโt feel comfortable publishing it because sometimes it wasnโt even in the ballpark. If youโd like to calculate it yourself, there are lots of free tools online (myfitnesspal.com is popular). I hope that helps!
Pretty darn good.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Brianna! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Hi thanks for the recipe they are amazing. Can I just check they should be slightly brown on the outside and doughy on the inside. ? These taste amazing I made with banana protein powder ! Kids love them
I’m SO happy that you enjoyed them, Rachel! Thank you for sharing your results! They should be soft and chewy.
It’s noted to only use coconut flour. Not even almond flour? I’m curious why. Anyone know. Coconut flour is now on the grocery list though.
Hi John! Since coconut flour and almond flour react differently in baking, I don’t recommend swapping the two. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
I halved the recipe. I used 1/4 cup peanut butter, 1 egg 1/4 cup brown sugar, no egg whites and then 1/8 tsp baking soda and ghost whey protein powder and only a tablespoon of regular all purpose flour and they turned out pretty good. They were very fluffy but pretty good for a whey cookie! Kinda reminds me of a crisper pancake.
Thanks for trying the recipe and sharing your results, Chloe! I’m happy that you enjoyed them!
These are great. Itโs hard to find good recipes with protein powder. These cookies give off a cookie dough feel. The protein powder we used gave it a slight weird after taste but other than that perfect recipe!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Angela! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Hiya, can’t wait to try these but I don’t eat egg.
I have a vegan egg replacement powder, or could try oil / Flaxseed / apple vingear – just wondered what you thought might work best?
Thanks a bunch!
Hi Rj! I havenโt tried using anything besides eggs, so you’d be experimenting. You could try two flax eggs, or another reader has reported success with aquafaba. If you give it a try, Iโd love to hear how it goes.
Too salty. Will try without salt next time.
Thanks for trying the recipe, Amandine! I hope you enjoy them more next time!
Not very easy to shape as a cookie as it’s very sticky. Texture more like a muffin.
Hi Andy, Iโm sorry to hear you didnโt enjoy the cookies. Itโs hard to say what may have happened without being in the kitchen with you, but I know itโs disappointing to try a new recipe and not have it come out, so I truly wish you would have loved these!