Soft, chewy, and nutty cookies that are perfect for mom-to-be! These pregnancy cookies are made with nourishing ingredients to help pregnant women stay full, fueled, and indulged!
They’re a unique blend of whole foods mixed together in just five minutes and baked to chewy perfection.
Being pregnant, you know you should bump up your protein but the thought of chicken breasts makes you gag.
I get it. I’ve been there.
With all three of my pregnancies, meat was a total no-go in the first trimester and I didn’t start eating chicken again until about two months postpartum!
But as a Certified Nutrition Coach, knowing that protein helps keep you full and boost your immune system, I knew I needed it. Learn more about the benefits of a high protein diet and how to increase your protein intake.
So I made snacks like these protein cookies and things like protein pregnancy smoothies to reap the benefits of both worlds (I also came up with these healthy pregnancy desserts for the days you need something sweet!).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- An indulgent mix of flavors that are actually healthy
- Naturally sweetened with maple syrup
- The cookies have 11 grams of protein
- Dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, oil-free, and paleo
- Minimal ingredients and easy to make
- The protein cookies make such a nice gift for expecting moms
Ingredients You Need
Simple, wholesome ingredients straight from the gluten-free pantry. No traditional ingredients like baking soda, dark brown sugar, or wheat flour.
Almond flour gives a necessary boost of healthy fats to pregnancy cookies.
Collagen powder is the secret, high protein, ingredient and is the best thing to consume for your hair, skin, and nails too! Learn more about natural foods high in collagen to help keep you young.
Blackstrap molasses is ideal for pregnant women because it contains magnesium and B6.
Shredded coconut helps to keep the cookies sweet. Opt for unsweetened though as the extra sugar just isn’t needed!
Cacao powder is another all-around gem as it’s loaded with calcium and antioxidants. Learn more about the benefits of cacao powder.
Peanut butter is listed in the ingredients but any nut butter will work (almond butter is equally delicious!). Just make sure to grab a natural blend.
True Canadian maple syrup will be all the sweetness you need for this recipe.
Chopped pecans are totally optional but add such an amazing crunch to the protein cookies.
You’ll need staples like eggs and almond milk as well.
How To Make Pregnancy Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients and mix.
- One by one add in the eggs, molasses, peanut butter, maple syrup, and dairy-free milk.
- Mix until sticky.
- On a cookie sheet, use a trigger ice cream scoop to portion the pregnancy cookie batter out on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Press a pecan into the top of each cookie if you like.
- Bake for 22 minutes and remove from the oven to cool.
Step By Step Photos
Variations And Substitutions
Fancy molasses works in place of blackstrap.
Instead of pecans, you can add pistachios or even chocolate chips to the pregnancy cookies.
Dress them up for a baby shower by topping them with dairy-free chocolate ganache.
Expert Teaching Tips
Let the protein cookies cool fully before taking them off the cookie sheet as they come out extremely delicate.
Store the cookies in an airtight container on the countertop for 1-2 days or in the fridge for 4-6 days.
I used a 1.5-inch trigger point ice cream scoop for the cookies. If using a different size, you may need to adjust the cooking times.
Choosing A Collagen Powder
The pregnancy cookie recipe is made with collagen powder (not protein powder!). The healthiest form of protein you’ll find.
Collagen is a beneficial part of bone broth and is wonderful for your hair, skin, and nails. Learn more about collagen and why you may want to boost your intake. However, unlike bone broth, it doesn’t taste like well, bone broth.
Similarly, collagen powder is odorless and flavorless. Plus, if ethically sourced is one of the purest forms of protein you can give to your kids!
I grab my collagen from Perfect Supplements because they source their collagen from pasture-raised (grass-fed) cows. So, I trust it.
Grab some collagen powder and use code mamabear10 to save some money.
Satisfy Cravings & Gain Energy—Without the Sugar Crash!
Craving something sweet but want to fuel your body the right way? The Strong & Sweet Protein Guide has 25+ high-protein snacks that taste like dessert and pack 17g+ of protein per serving.
✔ 25+ Delicious & easy-to-make snacks
✔ High in protein that keeps you full & energized
✔ Get a two-day meal template showing you how to hit 100 grams of protein and not hate what you eat
No more mid-day crashes, no more mindless snacking—just simple, delicious snacks that help you feel full and energized.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pregnancy Cookies
Protein is responsible for more than just gaining muscle in the gym. It also helps boost your immune system and keep you full. When it comes to pregnancy, it helps to increase blood supply and help the baby grow appropriately. Don’t underestimate the power is keeping your protein intake high while pregnant.
When you’re expecting, it’s important to make sure you take in a variety of nutrients for your baby to grow. Likewise, it’s also important to moderate how much sugar you ingest. So, look for cookies that are high in protein and healthy fats while using natural sweeteners like dates, bananas, maple syrup, and honey.
Other Pregnancy Resources
- 28 high protein pregnancy snacks
- Pregnancy mocktails
- No bake lactation cookies
- Pregnancy safe ab exercises
- How to stay fit while pregnant
High Protein Cookies For Pregnancy
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour
- ¼ cup collagen powder
- ½ cup shredded coconut unsweetened
- ⅛ cup cacao powder
- 1 egg
- 1 tbs blackstrap molasses
- ⅛ cup peanut butter
- 3 tbs maple syrup
- 2 tbs almond milk
- ¼ cup pecans chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- In a large mixing bowl. Combine all the dry ingredients and mix.
- One by one add in the eggs, molasses, peanut butter, maple syrup, and dairy-free milk.
- Mix until sticky. Add in the pecans and mix again.
- On a cookie sheet, use a trigger ice cream scoop to portion the pregnancy cookie batter out on a line baking sheet. Press a pecan into the top of each cookie if you like.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes and remove from the oven to cool fully on the pan.
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Ruth
Made a batch of these for a neighbor who said they were so delicious and asked for the recipe to make for herself! Honestly, I happily ate a few in the process too!
fitasamamabear
Ahh you're sweet to share them!
Giangi Townsend
These high-protein cookies are out of this world. Fantastic flavor and is super easy to make. We could not stop eating them.
Thank you for the recipe and the very detailed explanations. I am not a baker, and that helped a lot.
fitasamamabear
They're so easy right?!
June
I made these for my friend who is pregnant and she loved them! I sent her the recipe because she wants to make them throughout her pregnancy!
fitasamamabear
Aw so amazing!
Carol
Soft, chewy, and packed with goodness. Perfect for those moments when you need a satisfying treat while keeping things nutritious. A delightful treat for any pregnant woman on the go!
fitasamamabear
I love the chewiness!
Emmeline
I am currently pregnant and always on the lookout for nutritious snacks. These cookies are not only delicious but also packed with protein. Thanks for helping me satisfy my cravings while staying healthy!
fitasamamabear
Aw mega congrats on the pregnancy!! Happy you enjoyed them.
Lisa
I made these for my friend (who's seven months pregnant), and she loved it! The flavors are amazing! I can't wait to make more next weekend.
fitasamamabear
Ahh you're a wicked friend!
Allison
Currently in my first trimester and these high protein pregnancy cookies with chocolate chips are my latest obsession. The chewy texture and maple sweetness were really irresistible. It's a perfect snack to fight those early pregnancy cravings.
fitasamamabear
Ah mega congrats!!! So excited for you on his journey. And happy you liked the cookies!
Michelle
So delicious and nutritious! They turned out soft and chewy. I made them for my sister and she really loved them.
fitasamamabear
Glad you guys loved them!
Rosie
My pregnant sister was just craving some cookies so I tried baking these for her. She tried them and absolutely enjoyed it and this is what she craves for now!
fitasamamabear
Haha pregnancy always means cookie cravings! Glad she liked them!
Charlotte
Late night cravings hits hard in the third trimester and these cookies with chocolate ganache are just what I needed. The soft, chewy texture and an extra touch of chocolate made my cravings very happy.
fitasamamabear
Haha those cravings get INTENSE.