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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.
Notes
Alternate flour: 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!
Freezing: the cookie dough balls can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw, then bake as directed.
Absolutely the best chocolate peanut butter cookie I’ve made! Love the healthier ingredients..like using maple syrup instead of white sugar. So so good!
Thanks so much for making these cookies Alethea! So glad to hear that they were enjoyed! xT
These cookies are soooo good!! Definitely a keeper and so easy. I used fresh almond butter because I had it and added hemp seeds for even a little more protein but everything else stayed the same. Do you know the nutrition facts for these cookies? How much protein per cookie? Thank you!!
Hey Irene,
I am delighted to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and appreciate you giving it a try! Sorry, I don’t have that info, I’m assuming any online calculator would be able to give you the details by entering the ingredients. Have a great weekend:)
Yum! Just made these (who says you can’t have cookies for breakfast?!). I used almond butter instead of peanut butter and a flax egg. The batter seemed too wet, maybe because of the amount of water I used for the flax egg. So I added a couple of tablespoons of GF flour and put the batter in the fridge for a little while. My husband, who is skeptical of anything I make that seems like a “healthy” dessert, really liked these, too.
Hey there,
Happy Friday!! I appreciate you trying this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was a hit! Thanks for sharing what worked well for you!⛄️ xT
Do you need the protein powder? Or is there a substitute?
Hey there,
You can use almond flour in place of the protein powder:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
Would coconut oil work instead of butter? Or maybe half butter, half coconut oil?
Hey Robyn,
I would try half and half and see how that works for you! Let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love these cookies! xx
Hi Tieghan!
Is there anything I can replace the protein powder with? Perhaps more almond flour? I understand it’s kinda the point of the recipe but I don’t have any on hand/it’s not something I would consume regularly, but these look so good I still want to make them. Thank you!
Hi Marie,
Yes, you can 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
What should the consistency of the dough be? Mine was very thin for cookie dough – it was more like cake batter. I added another 1/3 cup of almond flour and refrigerated the dough for 40 minutes before baking. What are your thoughts?
Hey Tami,
Thanks for giving these cookies a try! The batter shouldn’t be thin, it will be more on the wet side due to the almond flour, you can view in the photo above;) Was there anything else you may have adjusted? How did they turn out after you baked them? xT
I always make my own peanut butter, is it ok to use that in the cookies?
Hey Michele,
Totally, that will be great!! Let me know how these cookies turn out, I hope you love them! xT
I’m a little surprised peanut powder isn’t the protein element here! All the same, excited to try these out 🙂
I hope you love the recipe Chelsea!!
Can you use flavored protein powder if you prefer?
Hi Jennifer,
Yes, that will work well for you:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Would you please list the protein grams for each cookie?
Hey Susannah,
So sorry, I do not have that info available. Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xT
These look so good! But could you please clarify if it’s a collagen or protein powder you’re using?
Hey there,
I used Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides, you can use that or your favorite protein powder:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
I think it is the collagen. The brand name is Vital Protein but product is collagen.
Hi, I would like to make these but would like clarification on the protein powder versus collagen powder. They are two different things and I would think would give different results in the recipe. I understand your recipe states protein powder but in your write up you state that you like to use Vital proteins Collagen Powder and that is also what you link to. Its confusing, can you please clarify for everyone. Thanks so much!
I am wondering the same thing!
Hi Kathleen,
You can use the Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides like I did or your favorite protein powder, these will be great either way:) xx
They’re not the same, behave differently in recipes and therefore are not interchangeable at all. I’d find a different recipe that clarifies and specifies the type of powder they use vs this one.
Could this be made with flavored protein powder? I only have chocolate and vanilla powder right now?
Hey Beth,
Totally, vanilla would be delicious!! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it:) xT
Hi Betty,
Either one will work:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love these cookies! xT
Looking forward to making this. Has anyone tried making these with nut butter substitutes? Like sunbutter?
I have peanut sensitivities in the household and would love to try them.
Always looking for protein options.
Christie
Hey Christie,
I bet sunbutter would be great to use here! Let me know if you give these cookies a try, I hope you love them! xT
I used tahini and it turned out great!
Can I substitute a different nut flour? I’m allergic to almond.
Thanks!
On the notes it says you can use regular flour
Hi Marci,
I’ve only tested these with almond flour and all purpose flour so I would stick with one of those for best results. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT