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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.
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
Servings: 18 cookies
Calories Per Serving: 181 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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.Â
Notes
Alternate flour:Â if you prefer, you can bake these cookies using a total of 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour. The cookies will come out a little thicker, but be just as delicious!Â
Freezing:Â the cookie dough balls can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw, then bake as directed.Â
Hi! I assume I can omit the chocolate chunks and just make a PB cookie?
Also, for people who are asking about protein powder… I highly recommend you check out PEScience. They make an unflavored version as well as a bunch of other amazing flavors. I am NOT a rep nor do I work for them, but I have baked with their protein powders before and they are amazing. It’s a mix of whey and casein, so it turns out perfect.
Hey Lesley,
Totally, that would work well for you! Let me know if you give these cookies a try, I hope you love them! xT
Can’t wait to make these!
I hope you love the recipe Sarah Jane!!
Looks yummy, but collagen isn’t protein powder. Maybe she linked the wrong one?? I’ve added collagen to many recipes before but wouldn’t consider it a substitute for protein.
Hey Julia,
I used the Vital Proteins Collagen Powder, but protein powder also works nicely! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
TEIGHAN!!!!! You made a (pretty much) paleo cookie!!! You even used HU chocolate! OH MY GOODNESS!! I’m so excited, thank you for making this! More paleo-like recipes are welcome anytime! Haven’t even tried these yet but so stoked to!
Thanks so much Gina! I hope you love this recipe!! xx
I haven’t made these cookies, but I did read about overheating protein powder, and that it changes the essential amino acid chain. What do you know about doing that?
Hi Eva,
I have never heard that, but if you’d rather, you can omit the protein powder and use 3-4 tablespoons almond flour. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
These look delicious! Where do you get your protein powder? Abigail
The collagen powder she specifically used can be found in the makeup and skincare section of Target.
Hi Abigail,
I use 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. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Have you tried making these protein cookies with protein powder? You suggest using collagen powder which is very different in texture and consistency than protein powder.
Look at the recipe again. It says protein powder.
She made them with collagen powder. Collagen powder has a very different texture from protein powder and dissolves differently.
Melanie, it says in the blurb above the recipe “I like to use Vital Proteins Unflavored Collagen”.
Hi Emily,
This recipe calls for protein powder:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
But you didn’t use protein powder according to this blog or ingredients list…?
“I like to use Vital Proteins Unflavored Collagen.”
Right, and if you read more about the brand, you’ll see there’s much more to this supplement than just collagen. Like I stated, you can use your favorite vanilla or unflavored protein powder:) Hope this helps!!
I use Vital Proteins COLLAGEN daily and am well aware that collagen is an incomplete protein unlike what is found in regular protein powder.
I would prefer to not use that amount of honey. Would erythritol, allulose, etc be a decent substitute with additional liquid? Thank you
It’s maple syrup, not honey…
Hey Susan,
This recipe does not call for honey, I used maple syrup:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! I hope you love these cookies! xT
Woah, yum! I definitely need far more protein in my daily!! I currently have the cleanest label in the land, organic/grass-fed Garden of Life protein, but only in vanilla- deal breaker? I want these ASAP! Please more ‘healthy’ treat and breakfast recipes in 2023. I’ll let you off the hook with dinner ones lol;) because I’ve become good at converting them if needed. Xoxo
I would think the vanilla protein powder would add some good flavor.
Totally!!
Hey Christina,
I think that would be perfect for you to use! Let me know if you give these cookies a try, I hope they turn out well for you! xT
If I don’t have protein powder, is there something I can use as a substitute or can I leave it out altogether?
Hey Brittany,
I would use additional almond flour in place of the protein powder. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
Thank you for the note about AP flour vs. Almond flour- just wondering if I could use oat or coconut flour as a substitute?
Hi Kerri,
For best results, I would stick with the almond flour or all purpose flour. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Just made them this morning for breakfast! My family loved them and we devoured the entire batch!
They are delicious!
Could you please post the nutritional facts per cookie? (How many grams protein, fat, sugar etc). Thanks.
Sorry, I don’t have that info Janey!
This should be posted with every recipe. How can you create a recipe for protein cookies and then not post the nutritional information??
Considering she didn’t even use a complete protein powder to make these…. not surprising she doesn’t know the nutritional information.
Just curious since you’ve made them…there have been questions about whether to use protein powder (listed in the ingredient list), or collagen (which is what is actually linked). Which did you use & how was it? I was considering using a vanilla protein powder I have on hand, but if it’s actually supposed to be collagen then that would be completely different. Would love to know what you did & how it worked for you🙂
Hey Kate,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xT
Can I make them without the protein powder?
Hey Emily,
Sure, I would just use more almond flour. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
Any suggestions on what to use if you’re allergic to eggs?
Half of a mashed banana will replace egg
Hey Nik,
So sorry, I’ve not tested this recipe without the eggs. You could certainly try using a chia or flax egg, I’ve just not tested that. Let me know if you give the recipe a try! xT
Nutritional breakdown please.
Hi Mimi,
So sorry, I don’t have that info available, just the estimated calorie count. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT