This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon associate I earn qualifying purchases. Click here for more about this policy.
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
What is peanut butter flour? I am from Australia and have not heard of this before. I am going to try these out.
Mine turned out like pancakes almost. Taste amazing, but do not look like the picture. Wondering if I used too much protein or if it was the PB2 instead of Peanut Flour? How many grams is your scoop of protein? Let me know, as I would love to perfect this recipe.
Using PB2 won't matter for the way they look. For them to look like cookies you have to form them into cookies before baking. Did you form them into cookies and set them up a bit on the baking sheet or did you just plop batter onto the cookie sheet and bake? If you plop batter on the baking sheet and don't form them into a cookie shape and press them up a bit before hand they will bake flat. As a matter of fact, even if you do this they will still flatten in the refrigerator after you bake them. This is just how it is when you bake with protein powder.
Yum these look delicious!
Allergic to peanuts. What do you recommend on place of pb powder?
Almond flour, potato flour, quinoa flour, oat flour. I haven't tried them, but that would be what I'd try. Keep in mind the calories will be different.
I love protein powders...good ones that is! But sometimes they are definitely hard to come by! I tried Vega Protein as a sample in the past, but really want to try their new formula! Their stats look amazing. I had a slip-up with my diet not knowing about healthy fats and carbs...but now I've learned my share! Thanks for posting such amazing recipes!
I am trying to find my way again. And adding these as a post work out sound delicious. Now I have to search for this Vega sport. I have tried their smoothie mixes before
I love cooking with Vega! My favorite is banana egg Vega pancakes. It helps to get the protein in!
Oh yes I TOTALLY eat enough protein lol! But my biggest mistake that I am still trying to fix is improper form while strength training, because I always wanted to push myself way past my threshold. After a knee injury, I'm learning to change and accept.
For a long time, I had the opposite problem. Just did the same thing over and over and never increased weights or reps. Be careful with that injury!
My biggest hurdle was realizing that low calorie processed food was not the key.....higher calorie whole foods has melted away pounds faster than anything. We now eat a 95% paleo diet!
That's awesome you've found what works for you!
I gotta try these. I need a new cookie. Thanks a lot
I'm allergic to milk, so I would LOVE to try Vega's protein powder! This cookies look so tasty!
Craving them right now! Yum!
I love this protein powder - one of the best that Vega has come out with yet. Thanks for offering the giveaway!
Those cookies sound so yum! Can't wait to make them! Also, added protein is a plus. I get enough protein in my diet because I love eggs, yogurt, nuts and beans and eat these foods daily. I wish i knew more about incorporating more healthy fats and protein in my diet in high school...I can't believe all the carbs alone i consumed back then! Love ur blog. Very inspirational!
I was JUST thinking about how I wanted a chocolate or chocolate chip cookie. This recipe is the perfect guilt free way for me to enjoy that cookie. YUM!