Skyrocket your daily protein and enjoy what you eat with these no-bake protein cookies. With a chocolate caramel flavor, these healthy cookies are the perfect way to curb cravings. Made in just a few minutes you’ll be making these protein cookies part of your weekly meal prep.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I use these cookies to indulge cravings for myself and my clients. With 16 grams of protein and sweetened naturally, they’re a great way to keep blood sugars stable and still indulge.
You don’t need to give up all your favorite foods just to stay healthy and achieve your goals. In fact, as a coach, I’d advise you not to!
Instead, use recipes like these no-bake protein cookies and items like a quick chocolate mug cake, 3 ingredient protein cookies work, or protein rice krispie squares to indulge your cravings in a healthier way.
Looking for more sweet treats to FUEL your day? Check out my Protein Power E-book: 20 recipes to give you both energy and a sweet treat fix.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
No bake: These protein cookies are EASY to make. With minimal ingredients and no baking required, you’ll be mowing down in just a few minutes.
Healthy: Sweetened mostly with dates and a hint of maple syrup these cookies are naturally dairy-free and gluten-free.
High protein: Thanks to collagen powder, there’s a whopping 16 grams of protein in every bite.
Ingredients You Need
Dates: A natural sweetener (and the base in this date bark recipe), if you soak them in water for 15 minutes first they blend more easily.
Oats: Make sure to use rolled oats for the cookies and learn more about the types of oats and which are best. If you have celiac, you’ll also want to triple-check that you have certified gluten-free oats.
Collagen powder: The cleanest source of protein around collagen powder is different than protein powder but blends so much easier.
Almond butter: Any nut butter works here but make sure it’s a fresh jar as you want the oil from the nuts to help everything mix together.
Maple syrup: Use real Canadian maple syrup for the best flavor.
Cacao powder: Higher in antioxidants than cocoa powder this is what gives the protein cookies a hint of rich chocolate.
Vanilla extract: Learn more about the types of vanilla and how they can change the flavor of this recipe.
These ingredients can be used to make multiple protein cookie recipes!
Expert Tips
You want the batter to look slightly dry but sticky. You’ll see in the video me flipping and pressing it into the ball. It looks dry but that’s what holds the cookies together without them being stocky and gooey.
Shape the cookies manually into your desired thickness.
Soaking the dates in warm water for 15 minutes allows your dates to soften up and blend much more easily.
When you blend the dates, you want some chunks to remain to give the protein cookies some texture.
The harder you press the cookies into the scoop to portion them, the better they stay together.
How To Make Protein Cookies
Step 1: In a small food processor, blend the oats and dates together.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the dry ingredients and mix lightly.
Step 3: One by one, add the remaining ingredients.
Step 4: Mix until a giant, slightly sticky ball forms.
Step 5: Use a trigger ice cream scoop to portion out the cookies.
Step 6: With a fork, lightly press each cookie down to shape them. Roughly ¼ inch thick.
Storage
The no-bake protein cookies can be stored in the fridge for up to 14 days (if they last that long). Just store them in an airtight container. Enjoy them chilled.
You can freeze the cookies as well between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight plastic baggie for up to 2 months. When you want them, just let them thaw in the fridge overnight.
Variations and Toppings
The best part about no-bake cookies is that they’re easy to vary depending on what you’re craving. Below are some fun toppings and add-ins to try out when you want to switch it up.
Chocolate chips: This is a no-brainer because everyone loves chocolate chips. Press them into the top, mix them in, or drizzle the no-bake cookies with a dairy-free chocolate ganache.
Chopped nuts: Add a bit of crunch to the cookies by topping them with chopped nuts. Toasted pistachios and pecans are our favorites. And yes, toasting them brings out SO MUCH more flavor.
Flakey salt: I love the combo of salted chocolate so sprinkling large flakes of salt on top is my go-to.
Nut butter: Though the recipe calls for almond butter, know that peanut butter, cashew butter, or even almond hazelnut butter all work.
Make them nut-free: Avoid nuts in this recipe by using sunflower seed butter in its place.
Where To Buy Collagen Powder
It’s no surprise that these protein cookies are made with collagen powder!
I use collagen powder for amping up protein and boosting gut health as it's one of the cleanest sources of protein you'll find.
Learn about the difference between collagen and bone broth as well as how to increase protein intake.
Honestly, as a busy mom collagen powder just makes it easy to eat more protein and not feel like I’m living off chicken and eggs.
Easy to mix, this collagen powder adds a protein punch to anything you pair it with. Made from pasture-raised (grass-fed) cows there are no pesticides, hormones, or filler agents. Just put collagen protein. Use code mamabear10 to save money on your next order.
Frequently Asked Questions About No Bake Protein Cookies
You may be able to use whey protein powder in these no-bake cookies as it tend to blend pretty easily. However, vegan protein powder absorbs too much liquid to be used in this recipe unless you amp up the liquid amounts.
If you’re finding the protein cookies dry, add in almond milk 1 teaspoon at a time. Add as little as possible as otherwise, you have delicious but very sticky cookies.
Fast, crave-worthy snacks that hit your protein goals (without tracking or extra cooking time).
More Protein Cookies You'll Love
- Crispy protein cookies
- Peanut butter chocolate chip protein cookies
- Carrot cake collagen cookies
- High protein pregnancy cookies
No Bake Protein Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10 Dates soaked in water for 15 minutes
- ¾ cup Rolled oats certified gluten-free
- ¼ cup Collagen powder
- ¼ cup Almond butter runny
- 3 tablespoons Maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Cacao powder
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small food processor, blend the oats and soaked dates together.
- In a small bowl, combine the dry ingredients and mix lightly.
- One by one, add in the remaining ingredients.
- Mix until a giant, slightly sticky ball forms. You’ll need to mix for a bit and consistently scrape and flip the dough.
- Using a trigger ice cream scoop portion each cookie and press firmly into the scoop so that there are no air pockets.
- Portion the no-bake protein cookies onto a parchment paper-lined baking tray.
- With a fork, lightly press each cookie down and shape them to roughly ¼ inch thick.
- Pop them in the fridge for 30 minutes to set.
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
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