These nutrient-dense protein cookies are made with six simple ingredients and packed with 20 grams of protein per serving! This protein cookie recipe is much healthier than any store-bought cookies and it is entirely egg-free, refined sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan!

Made with simple ingredients: no preservatives, processed sugars, additives, or mystery ingredients!
Perfect for On-the-Go: I recently went hiking with my family and brought these cookies for everyone to enjoy after the hike. It was just what we needed after a full day of activity!
A Healthy Snack: Just one serving of these cookies has over 20 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber!
Delicious: These taste way better than store-bought protein cookies! They’re naturally sweetened with maple syrup and also super soft, and chewy.
Totally Customizable: Making your own protein cookies means you know exactly what goes into them! Pick your protein powder, nut butter, and optional add-ins.

protein cookies being held up with trees and a stream in the background

Ingredients You’ll Need

Protein Powder: I use Orgain Organic Unflavored Vegan Protein Powder. It is naturally unsweetened, gluten-free, no sugar added, soy-free, and non-GMO. Use your favorite protein powder.
Blanched Almond Flour: Make sure to use almond flour, not almond meal. I like to use Blue Diamond Almond Flour.
Creamy Almond Butter: A healthier alternative to peanut butter, almond butter makes the cookie dough creamy without oil. Use one with minimal ingredients as it’s less likely to contain additives.
Maple Syrup: Make sure to use pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup.
Applesauce: This helps bind the ingredients. No need for chia egg or flaxseed egg.
Chocolate Chips, optional: Adding chocolate chips is optional. If you want to keep these protein cookies vegan, opt for vegan chocolate chips, like Lily, Hu, or Pascha.

vegan chocolate chips and a bowl of ingredients

How to Make Easy Protein Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then add the ingredients to a large bowl and mix until fully incorporated. Fold in the chocolate chips or any optional add-ins.
Roll the dough into ten equally-sized balls and place the balls on the cookie sheet. Gently press them flat using the back of a spatula. Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes.
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Finally, enjoy!

6 step visual showing how to make protein cookies

Protein Powder Options

You can bake with any protein powder, whether it is plant-based, whey, casein, or a blend. However, the results vary slightly depending on what kind of protein powder you use.

Plant-based Protein Powder: I find that these are the best for baking and yield the best texture and results. For soft chewy cookies, I recommend using a plant-based protein powder.
Casein Protein Powder: Unlike whey powder, casein digests slowly and keeps you full longer. It doesn’t dry out when baked and has a good flavor. However, it is dairy-based.
Whey Protein Powder: Whey is the most popular type of protein powder. As with casein, it is derived from cow milk, therefore it is not vegan or dairy-free.

overhead view of cookies on a cooling rack

Substitutions and Variations

Swap the almond butter: You can use peanut butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter if you have a nut allergy.
Make Oatmeal Protein Cookies: Add ½ cup rolled oats to the cookie dough.
Make Chocolate Protein Cookies: Add ⅓ cup raw cacao powder. It’s filled with antioxidants! Or use chocolate protein powder.
Swap the chocolate chips: Add raisins or dried cranberries instead.
Add nuts: For added protein, you can add chopped pecans or walnuts, like in these Brown Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Tips For Making The Best Protein Cookies

Bake your cookies with protein powder that you actually like. Some brands can have an artificial aftertaste. Opt for a protein powder with a flavor you love or that has a more neutral taste.
Don’t overbake the cookies because they will continue to cook as they cool down.
Let the protein cookies cool completely before eating. It may be tempting to take a bite of the cookies straight out of the oven, but we do not advise it. The protein taste is very strong when they are warm, but once the cookies have cooled completely, they taste great and the protein flavor is hardly detectable.
Make the cookies any size you would like. We like to make large cookies, similar to the size of the popular Lenny and Larrys: The Complete Cookie®.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week. Place it in the refrigerator for up to 14 days. To freeze, place cookies in a freezer-safe plastic bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.

close up of a chocolate chip cookie on a cooling rack

Common Questions

Are protein cookies good for you?

While store-bought protein cookies are loaded with protein, they aren’t always healthy. They often contain artificial sweeteners, flour, and palm oil. Homemade protein cookies allow you to control what exactly goes is in the cookies and are a better option than store-bought cookies, chips, candy, and protein bars.

Why are protein cookies so dry?

Protein powder is added to these cookies for nutritional value but if you’re not careful, you can end up with a dry, rubbery cookie. If your cookie dough is over half protein powder, your cookies will be dry.

Be mindful of accurately measuring your protein powder. Also, counteract the powder by using ingredients that will add moisture (like almond butter and apple sauce).

For more protein-packed recipes, try our Matcha Protein Cookies, Chocolate Zucchini Smoothie, Almond Flour Protein Waffles, or High-Protein Carrot Cake Baked Oats.

Easy Protein Cookies (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

These nutrient-dense protein cookies are made with six simple ingredients and packed with 20 grams of protein per serving! This protein cookie recipe is much healthier than any store brought cookies and it is entirely egg-free, refined sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan!

5 from 21 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 15

Cooling Time: 5

Total Time: 25

Servings: cookies

Calories: 388kcal

Author: Capri Lilly

Ingredients

1 cup Blanched almond flour
½ cup Protein powder vanilla or flavorless
1 cup Almond butter creamy and smooth
¼ cup Maple syrup
¼ cup Unsweetened Applesauce
½ cup Chocolate chips (Vegan or regular) optional

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Add the ingredients to a large bowl and mix until fully incorporated. Fold in chocolate chips or any optional add-ins.
Roll the dough into ten equally sized balls. Place the balls on the cookie sheet and gently press them flat using the back of a spatula.
Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Enjoy!