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Healthier, super easy, but oh-so-delicious, Peanut Butter Protein Chocolate Chip Cookies. These are some of the best cookies. Decadent, extra peanutty, and loaded with chocolate chunks, but made without any refined sugars or gluten. Every bite has a chewy, crisp edge with a soft and chocolatey center. They’re extra yummy and there’s absolutely nothing not to love about these salty, sweet peanut butter cookies.
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Is it too soon for cookies? I questioned sharing these today, the first Tuesday back after Christmas vacation and all the holiday festivities. My fear is that you are sugared out, cookied out, and possibly just looking to indulge in salads galore.
But, then I said that out loud and thought, no way. The first week back in January is always a tricky week adjusting to getting back to work, to real life, and the reality that cookies can’t be dinner.
After two weeks of mostly chill days, the back-to-work, back-to-school daily schedule can feel daunting. But even if you’re working on eating more wholesomely this month, you can still enjoy cookies!
And I have just the recipe for you! A first for me too, protein cookies! But you’d never even guess that there are any healthy additions by the taste. Oh, and these cookies are Oslo-approved and very yummmmy.
Details
There’s nothing fancy about this cookie, that’s honestly part of the appeal. We love an easy, no-fuss cookie.
Beat the butter with real organic maple syrup. For the butter, I only use Straus Organic European style butter with 85% butterfat. It makes all the difference and actually has health benefits. And the flavor is far superior to any other butter. And no, this post is not sponsored, this is just what I use and love.
Cream the butter with the maple syrup to sweeten these cookies. I use a small amount of maple, so be warned these are not overly sweet cookies. Next, add the peanut butter.
The secret to making this layer really delicious is to use a peanut butter with just peanuts and salt. Don’t use a no-stir peanut butter that contains oils and or sugar. You just want a natural peanut butter. This will give you the best flavor and texture.
Now add in a mix of almond flour, I usually buy Bob’s Red Mill Almond Four. And unflavored protein powder, I like to use Vital Proteins Unflavored Collagen. Though you can certainly use your favorite unflavored or vanilla protein.
You can find both in most major grocery stores, Whole Foods, Target, and I believe Trader Joe’s as well.
Now stir in lots of chocolate chips (or chocolate chunks) and bake away. No chilling required! Simple. Simple.
What I love about these cookies is just how easy they are to make. They require no chilling, and take less than thirty minutes. And yes, they’re even pretty healthy too!
These cookies have perfectly crisp edges and oh-so-chewy centers. The best kind of cookie and they’ll stay that way over time too! These don’t get hard once cooled.
Above all, my best advice? Bake these protein cookies tonight…because everyone has thirty minutes to bake up cookies. Then eat a few warm and ease yourself through this first week of the year. I certainly can’t think of a better way to welcome in the New Year!
Looking for other healthier dessert recipes? Here are my favorites:
Homemade Vegan Peanut Butter Twix Bars
Chocolate Chunk Chai Banana Bread
Healthier Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies
Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Tahini Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Lastly, if you make these Peanut Butter Protein Chocolate Chip Cookies, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Peanut Butter Protein Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 2/3 cups almond flour , (see note for alternative)
- 1/4 cup unflavored protein powder , (I use Vital Proteins)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips or chunks
- flaky sea salt, for sprinkling, (if desired)
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.2. In a mixing bowl, beat the butter. Slowly add the maple syrup, beating until whipped. Add the peanut butter and mix to combine. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Add the almond flour, protein powder, baking soda, and salt. Fold in the chocolate chips/chunks.3. Scoop the dough out into rounded 1 tablespoon size balls, the dough will be wet. Place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.4. Bake 7 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and tap the baking sheet on the counter gently to deflate each cookie. Return to the oven and bake another 3-4 minutes, the cookies will be browning, but still doughy in the center. Remove from the oven and gently tap the baking sheet on the counter 1-2 times. 5. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with flaky salt (if desired). Eat warm or let cool and store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
These cookies were delicious. But I was very surprised when calculating the nutritional content. I really think you should consider altering the title or at least posting the full nutritional content in addition to the calories.
My batch yielded 20 cookies.
Per Cookie (÷20)
• Calories: ~184
• Fat: ~10.7 g
• Protein: ~5.4 g
• Carbohydrates: ~18.3 g
Hi there,
Thanks so much for making these cookies and sharing your feedback!!
Could you use vanilla flavored protein powder instead of unflavored?
Sure, that would be perfectly okay to do!
how might these turn out if i brown the butter
Hey there,
I think that would be delicious! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try!
Ummm…I burned the first batch. I used agave instead of syrup, probably a big mistake. I like them but I bet the 3rd graders won’t. I needed something healthy for MAP testing this week. Thanks for your recipe!
Thanks for trying the recipe, Nancy! So sorry to hear they came out burnt for you. Let me know if you try again!
What do you think about making these cookies with a flax egg & sunbutter? Could that work? I was planning on keeping everything else the same. TIA!
Hey Kari,
I haven’t tested this so I can’t say for sure, but I think it’s worth a try!
I hope you love these cookies, let me know how they turn out!
I used 2 tablespoons butter and more maple syrup, full scoop protein powder 1/3 C (?) and more PB. Tasty and feel good about the healthier version
Hey Wendy,
Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try and sharing your thoughts—so happy it worked for you!
Have the best weekend!
I just started using this recipe for my small business and they are amazing!!
Thanks so much, Ninea!
Ok these were super tasty, but not what I would consider to be a protein cookie. I made larger cookies and my recipe came out to 9 cookies that had around 5 g of protein per cookie but the macros for fat and carbs were much higher. Tasty but I think the title is inaccurate given the ratio of ingredients.
Hi Charity,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback! Glad to hear they were enjoyed:)
Hi! This sounds delicious and actually healthy! I am sorry if I missed it, but what is the approximate protein content per serving (and is 1 serving 2 cookies?)
TIA!
Linda
Thanks so much, Linda! Sorry, I do not have the protein amount per serving. 1 cookie is equal to 1 serving. I hope you love this recipe! xx
The best cookie I’ve made with protein in it! I used Ancient Nutrition chocolate bone broth protein powder. Super easy to make and so delicious.
Hey Cee,
Happy Tuesday!! Thanks for giving this recipe a try, so glad to hear it turned out nicely for you!
This looks like a great recipe! I have snickerdoodle protein powder and regular flour, do you think the cookies would taste good? I’m not sure but that’s what I have.
I’ve never tried this, but you could certainly give it a go!
These cookies are really great!
My husband thought these were just regular chocolate chip cookies! He had no idea they were almond flour with peanut and protein powder.
I’d love to know the nutritional facts as well/how much protein is in them.
Hey Candace,
Yay! Love to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it! So sorry, I do not have that info at this time. Have the best week:)
As far as a protein cookie goes, these are great. I’m going to use this as a base recipe and do other things with them (eg. leave out the chocolate chips and sprinkle some cinnamon sugar on them) – these are great! thank you!
Hey Julie,
Fantastic! Thanks so much for making this recipe and your comment, so glad it turned out nicely for you! Happy Sunday! XxT
Do you have the nutritional facts? Protein?
Hi Lisa,
So sorry, we do not have that info available at this time. Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xT