The perfect way to bust a craving these 3 ingredient protein cookies have a soft almond butter center and 7 grams of protein per small cookie! Made in just 10 minutes the protein cookies are a rich treat you’ll love to indulge in.
Skip the oils and additives these 3 ingredient protein cookies are pure simplicity. Made with ingredients from your gluten-free pantry they’re a cookie recipe you’ll want to have on hand.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I don’t believe in just overcoming cravings. Instead, I try to make healthier versions of my favorites so that I can embrace them (it’s what I focus on in my mom-inspired, high-protein meal templates too).
These protein cookies are the best blend of fuel and indulgence. Share them with friends or hoard the batch to yourself to gobble up.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Easy to make: There’s only 3 ingredients so it doesn’t get much simpler than that.
Lots of variations: You can easily vary the taste and add-ins to create a new protein cookie each time.
Healthy: The protein cookies are dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan naturally. However, depending on the protein powder you choose you could also make them paleo.
Ingredients and Substitutions
The protein powder you choose makes a huge difference to the texture and taste of the 3 ingredient protein cookies and something like a 3 ingredient protein ball recipe. Learn more about how to choose a protein powder for your goals.
Vegan protein powder works well because it helps absorb liquid in this recipe and hold the cookies together. To make the cookies paleo, you’d need a paleo protein powder.
The protein cookies can be made with any nut butter. Peanut butter, almond butter, and almond-hazelnut butter are my go-to’s.
Update: I recently made the switch to beef protein powder after a study came out about the amount of metals in vegan protein powder. I am currently revamping many of my blog posts with tweaks to include the new protein powder which you can find in the tips section.
Expert Tips To Make It
Use a runny nut butter so that it blends easily. The old jar of peanut butter that’s hard at the bottom won’t create delicious cookies.
Let them sit to cool for as long as you can hold off. This is where they finish cooking.
I made small protein cookies and used a 1-1.5-inch trigger scoop to portion them. You could easily make your cookies larger to suit your preferences.
Beef protein powder can be used with these cookies in the same amount as vegan protein powder. The result is a slightly stickier, yummier flavor, and a few extra grams of protein per serving. I use Equip Protein as my go-to for their wicked flavors.
How To Make 3 Ingredient Protein Cookies
Step 1: Combine maple syrup and nut butter until smooth.
Step 2: Add in the vegan protein powder and mix until it’s coated.
Step 3: Portion the balls onto a lined baking tray and press them down with a classic criss cross.
Step 3: Add toppings and bake
Step 5: Let cool fully on the tray.
Choosing Toppings
Make these protein cookies as indulgent or simple as you like, based on your toppings. Some of our favorites are:
- Sprinkles
- Dairy-free chocolate chips
- Pecans
- Dairy-free white chocolate chips
- Drizzled dairy-free caramel sauce
How To Store Them
Store your protein cookies in an airtight container on the counter for 3-5 days. Or, pop them in the fridge for up to a week.
If you freeze them, separate any layers with pieces of parchment paper so that they don’t stick together. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge.
Other Protein Cookie Recipes You'll Love
- Single serving protein cookie
- No bake protein cookies
- Snickerdoodle protein cookies
- Peanut butter chocolate chip protein cookies
- Crispy vegan protein cookies
Fast, crave-worthy snacks that hit your protein goals (without tracking or extra cooking time).
3 Ingredient Protein Cookies (Gluten Free)
Video
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Vegan protein powder
- ½ cup Almond butter runny
- ⅛ cup Maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- In a large bowl whisk the almond butter and maple syrup until smooth.
- Add in the vegan protein powder and mix.
- Use a 1-1.5 trigger ice cream scoop to portion the cookies onto a lined cookie sheet.
- Press them down with a fork in a crisscross pattern.
- Sprinkle on any toppings and press them in slightly.
- Bake for 7-8 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 30 minutes if possible.
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Shelby S says
The fact that you need only 3 ingredients for these cookies is a major win in my house!