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Chocolate Protein Cookies made with six healthy ingredients! Layered with chia, flax, peanut butter and banana, these scrumptious snacks are gluten free, dairy free, low calorie, Paleo and vegan. A simple post workout snack! Gluten Free + Paleo + Vegan + Low Calorie
Chocolate Cookies!!! Need I say more?
And these aren't just any cookies, these are YUMMY Chocolate Protein Cookies!
Once upon a time, I deprived my body of protein. I would workout, workout, workout then I would feed my body one egg white. But truthfully, I didn't know better.
Of the three macronutrients, protein is commonly the one most are not getting enough of, particularly women and those who are fitness newbies. Personally I think macro nutrition should be part of standard education because it's so important for everyone to understand and even more now with the obesity epidemic.
Eventually I realized through tracking my calories the errors of my ways and that I needed a lot more protein to recover, restore and rebuild muscle tissue from my workouts. Once I tweaked my diet, not only did I recover faster but I also saw better results from my workouts. Not to mention protein is a great way to tame the hunger monster. Cookies are too...hint...hint!
But I didn't add just any protein because quality matters and when it comes to protein powders, I'm very picky. I will only do plant-based ones that are low in sugar, are gluten and lactose free with minimal ingredients.
I know! It's a lot to ask for and it's probably why it took me so long to find one, but Vega was worth the wait! Now it's been in my life a couple years and I couldn't imagine life without it.
Awhile back Vega sent me their new Vega Sport Performance Protein. I loved it so much I put it in a Chocolate Protein Cookie. And this isn't just any chocolate cookie either. For only having 6 ingredients, this cookie's got game. Made with banana, chia, flaxseed, peanut butter and chocolate it's the perfect balance of carbs, protein and healthy fat!
Now I know what you're thinking. Protein? Why protein in a cookie?
One of the simplest baking hacks is swapping flour for protein powder (for those who didn't know that). The KEY is making sure it's a protein powder you like because no cookie is going to cover up a bad protein powder. Just sayin'.
Protein aside, who's going to say no to a CHOCOLATE cookie? I don't know about you, but I could eat a cookie any time of day. Morning, noon or night.
Chocolate Protein Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 banana very ripe
- 2 teaspoons chia seeds
- 1/4 cup flax meal
- 1 tablespoon peanut flour
- 1 cup vanilla protein powder
- 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips dairy free
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a standing or hand mixer, mash the banana until creamy. Then add the chia and flax seeds and blend until well combined.
- To the batter, add protein powder and peanut flour (measured the right way) and mix until just combined. Do not over mix or it will become firm and hard.
- Fold in chocolate chips to the batter by hand.
- Use a small ice cream scoop to measure 6 cookies onto the baking sheet. With the palm of your hand, spread them into a circular shape as these will not spread or rise on their own.
- Bake cookies 8-9 minutes until firm and edges are browned.
- Remove cookies from the baking sheet with a spatula and place on a wire rack to cool 10 minutes prior to devouring.
Video
Notes
- Use a good protein powder that's low sugar, that you like and tastes good to give the cookies flavor.
- The banana must be very ripe in order to absorb the flours.
- For Paleo, substitute almond, sunflower or cashew flour for the peanut flour.
- Measure the flour and protein powder the right way to avoid dry and crumbly cookies.
- My Amazon shop has more products similar to those used for this recipe and that I recommend to my weight loss clients.
- If you love this recipe, check out my cookbook for more delicious recipes.
Nutrition
Hi. Just wondering is it better to eat post workout than pre workout. Love the recipe.
You caught my attention at '72 calories.' Wow. These look really good for less than 100 calories! Thanks for the easy recipe!
I am allergic to flax seed. Is there something else U can substitute?
I would try an egg or 1/2 tbsp of coconut flour.
Did you use ground or whole flax seeds?
I used these.
I'm confused by this recipe. I tried it and, after I added the flour and protein powder, banana and other ingredients were not nearly wet enough to draw in the powdered ingredients. I had a bowl of powder with a wet spot. I added water and that gave me a consistency I could work with. I just had to bake them longer. They were a bit crumbly, but not terribly so. Good flavor, too.
Hi Ben, it sounds like your banana may not have been ripe enough or you did not measure properly. The note in the recipe shows you how. It's so important when baking vegan, paleo, gluten free, etc. to measure a specific way. Also, did you watch the video before making? The video shows what the consistency should look like and how everything comes together super easy. Glad you liked the flavor!
These have potential, but they were slightly dry. Not sure if I mixed them right. When I was mixing the dough it was like crumbly crumbs. I added just enough almond milk to help it come together but should have added more, and maybe an egg. The flavour was ok. If I made these again, I would add an egg and maybe some baking soda (1/4 tsp) because they were also quite heavy. Maybe some vanilla or cinnamon for extra flavour.
If you use a different protein powder, then you should expect the texture to be different. You're the first to say you didn't like them. Everyone usually says they love these.
Can’t wait to try these. Love that you have photos of the ingredients since some are new to me 🙂
Glad it was helpful!
What can I substitute the banana with. I don't like bananas. Otherwise, they sound delicious. Thanks.
You don't taste the banana in these cookies. I haven't tried other substitutions. I recommend you experiment subbing pumpkin or applesauce.
Hi! Just wondering what I could use to substitute for the flax seeds ? Thanks !
There really isn't a substitute. You could try chia seeds. An egg or coconut oil might work, but I'm not sure how much as I've not tried it.