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.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 12 Minutes
- 👪Serves: 7
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 125 kcals and 7 grams of protein
- 📋Main Ingredients: Almond butter, protein powder, maple syrup.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, low-carb, and depending on your protein they can be paleo or vegan-friendly.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Three ingredients, no flour, no fuss. A fast, delicious protein cookie that hits the sweet spot without overthinking it.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
Skip the oils, additives, and complicated steps, these 3-ingredient protein cookies are pure simplicity (just like these 3 ingredient protein pancakes). They’re healthy, no banana, and no flour, made with pantry staples so that they're ready when you need a quick high-protein treat. If you’re big on easy snacks like I am, these fit right in alongside my 3-ingredient protein balls for busy days.
I don’t believe in fighting cravings, I believe in making smarter versions of the foods I love (hence the Strong and Sweet Protein Guide). These cookies strike that perfect balance between fuel and indulgence, and honestly? Some days they’re for sharing… and some days they’re just for me after bedtime cleanup. No judgment either way.
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💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
Easy to make: There are only 3 ingredients and minimal prep time, so whipping up the banana-free protein cookies is easy.
Lots of variations: You can easily vary the taste and add-ins to create a new protein cookie each time.
Soft texture: This varies a bit by the protein powder you choose, but once baked, the cookies have a slight crisp to the outside and soft, melt-in-your-mouth interior.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Protein powder: 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.
- Almond butter: Use a fresh and runny almond butter so that it mixes easily. Of course, changing to a no oil peanut butter works well too.
- Make it allergy-friendly: Use a paleo-based protein powder to keep the protein cookies paleo, or a vegan protein powder to make them vegan.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
Add-ins: Using mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or chopped pecans is an easy way to vary the flavor and texture, and then crumbling them into a high-protein strawberry shake for extra yum.
Indulgence: Use a caramel or cookies and cream protein powder, then drizzle the flourless protein cookies with homemade caramel sauce with coconut milk.
Chocolate: Make the cookies with chocolate protein powder and add a sprinkle of cacao powder to the tops.
How To Make 3 Ingredient Protein Cookies
Step 1: Combine maple syrup and nut butter until smooth.
Step 2: Add in the 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 4: Add toppings and bake.
Step 5: Let cool fully on the tray.
Expert Tips
If the mixture seems excessively dry (which can happen if using vegan protein powder), add a splash of dairy-free milk to the batter or an extra 1-2 teaspoons of nut butter.
Remove the cookies from the oven before they look done. They'll finish cooking on the cookie sheet and have softer centers this way.
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.
Storing: Store the easy protein cookies in an airtight container on the counter for 2-3 days. Or, pop them in the fridge for up to a week, but know that they will firm up a bit. I like them best at room temperature.
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.
3 Ingredient Protein Cookies FAQs
Any protein powder can work to make protein cookies. However, the taste and texture will vary based on what you choose. Vegan protein powder will need more liquid and result in a slightly drier cookie, whereas beef protein and whey protein will require less liquid and result in a fudgier center.
Protein cookies become dry when not enough liquid is used, the protein absorbs too much, or they're overcooked. Make sure your batter is slightly sticky before baking; if it's not, add a splash more liquid. Then, remove the cookies from the oven before they look completely cooked.
More Protein Cookie Recipes You'll Love
If you tried this 3-Ingredient Protein Cookies Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
3 Ingredient Protein Cookies (Gluten Free)
Video
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Vanilla protein powder beef proteinw as used
- 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"
Nutrition
Shelby S says
The fact that you need only 3 ingredients for these cookies is a major win in my house!