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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
Totally delicious
Thanks so much Raquel, love to hear that these cookies were enjoyed! xT
What can I replace the maple syrup with to make these Keto?
They look delicious!
Hi Kristin,
So sorry, I’m not sure what qualifies as keto…would honey work? Let me know how I can help! xx
I made these cookies today for a sweet treat. They’re DELICIOUS!! My kids devoured them & said they’re the best cookies they’ve ever had. Saving this recipe to my favourites.
Hey Daylene,
Happy Sunday!!🪷 I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you making it! xT
These were absolutely delicious! Despite my gently tapping the sheet, mine didn’t deflate and I did have to increase the baking time by about four minutes due to their thickness (could be my oven too). Either way, they were absolutely delicious! It’s so nice to eat a dessert that tastes purely of the ingredients and not just… sugar. Thank you so much for giving us dessert (but not sweet tooth) lovers an option!
Hey Amanda,
Wonderful!! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Have a great weekend:)
I was so excited to make these, but for some reason my cookies did not deflate? What did I do wrong? Also, next time I will use a protein powder with out stevia since my cookies have a fake sugar after taste… If anyone knows how I can make my cookies flat & chewy (not thick and cake-like) please let me know 🙂
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for giving these cookies a try and sharing your feedback! Sorry to hear they were puffy! I would try tapping your baking sheet on the counter next time for a flatter cookie. I hope this helps! xx
These are delicious!! I agree about the syrup….it chilled the butter when I added it, but they still came out great. I don’t think they’ll make it 24 hours in my house with my husband and daughters! I’d love to try chocolate protein powder next time! I used vital proteins collagen.
Hey Melissa,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xT
Do you have any idea on calorie count for these?
Hi Barb,
Yes, the calorie count per serving is listed above the ingredient list:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Fantastic and pretty much guilt free! They check all the boxes for something sweet, buttery, and flavorful!
Hey Kym,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xT
These are so yummy!!! I had to use Jiff Natural PB bc that’s all I had, but it was the only substitution I had to make! For protein powder I used Vasayo vanilla protein powder and it worked wonderfully. So excited to have a *slightly* healthy indulgence.
Amazing!! Thanks so much for making these cookies and sharing your comment. So glad they were enjoyed! xx
I had chocolate protein powder, and PBfit powder, and used 1/8c of each and they came out so good! A great use for my chocolate protein powder
Hey Hanna,
Awesome! Thanks for sharing what worked well for you and giving these cookies a try, so glad to hear that they were enjoyed! xT
They tasted great straight out of the oven but were soggy the next day.
Hey Angie,
Thanks so much for trying these cookies! Sorry to hear they were soggy, it’s definitely normal for them to be soft due to the natural ingredients:) xx
Great, easy recipe! I subbed almond flour for tigernut flour and cookies turned out awesome!
Hey Michelle,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks so much for making this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xx
Love these!! Only recommendation would be room temp maple syrup. The organic syrup we use requires refrigeration, and it didn’t mix well with the room temp butter. Still delicious!
Hey Kate,
Thanks for sharing your feedback and making these cookies! So glad to hear that they were enjoyed! xT
These are the best healthyish cookies I have ever had! Thank you so much for sharing this awesome recipe. Happy New years!
Thanks so much Rosemery! I love to hear that these cookies were enjoyed:) xx
Massive hit with my teenagers! Simple recipe for a great healthy-ish cookie.
Thanks so much Marissa! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed! xT
What are the macros?
Sorry I don’t have that info!
These are yummy. I used nutter butter protein powder. Good excuse to eat a cookie for lunch!!
Hey Kerri,
Amazing!! I appreciate you making this dish and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was a winner! xT