The BEST Protein Cookies (Chocolate Chip + More!)

This recipe makes the best protein cookies! Choose between chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin, or a gingersnap cookie. Combine 5 simple ingredients to make 1 large cookie with 18 grams of protein.

*This post is sponsored by SunButter, a sunflower seed spread perfect for allergy-safe baking and cooking! Thanks for supporting the brands that keep Sunkissed Kitchen running.

The BEST Protein Cookies

I am a total control freak when it comes to ingredient lists in our foods. That’s why I choose to make most of our foods from scratch.

Protein bars are sketchy! Most of them are entirely too sweet and use ingredients I would rather avoid.

Plus, if they don’t taste great, what’s the point?

This simple Protein Cookies recipe is the perfect solution. I have been keeping several cookies on hand in the freezer and they are the perfect on-the-go snack when I don’t have time to stop for a meal, but need something to hold me over. They are also a killer snack to pull out on an airplane when it’s coffee or tea time!

Try them as a post-workout snack or

Chocolate Chip Protein Cookies are a classic. But I didn’t stop there! I also modified this recipe to include Oatmeal Raisin Protein Cookies and Gingersnap Protein Cookies.

Have some white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts at home? That would be another great combo!

This recipe is egg free meaning you can eat it as protein cookie dough too!

You’ll love these Protein Powder Cookies because:

• They taste like a cookie – nothing chalky or suspect here!
• They pack in 18 grams of protein, with the option of adding a little more if needed.
• They are gluten free and grain free (except the oatmeal raisin).
• Save money! Make multiple protein cookies and keep them in the freezer, and skip the $3 bars at the grocery store. These cookies cost about $.40 each to make!
• Kids LOVE them! Even though kids might not need as much protein as adults, they still benefit from the blood sugar stabilizing impact of a higher protein treat.
• Satisfies the sweet tooth without adding a bunch of junk to your diet!

What You’ll Need

• SunButter No Sugar Added (sunflower seed butter, or any SunButter Variety!)
• Honey or Maple Syrup (for those watching their blood sugar, consuming honey in place of other sugars lowers fasting glucose levels! (source) Liquid allulose keeps these sugar free but detracts from the flavor.
• Vanilla Extract (optional)
• Almond Flour (or oat flour, depending on your needs!)
• Whey Protein Powder (I recommend using a natural, unsweetened protein powder with minimal ingredients. See notes for using a sweetened protein powder in it’s place.)
• Optional Mix Ins: Chocolate Chips, Oatmeal, Raisins, spices, nuts, coconut (see variations below!)

SunButter is one of my favorite baking additions! It’s nutrient dense and low carb, and makes a great sub for flour. It also gives cookies a chewier texture.

The No Sugar Added variety is perfect for baking, because I can use my preferred sweeteners. I also love it for making sauces and dressings! See all my SunButter recipes here.

Hop over to SunButter’s website to see where it’s sold near you!

How to Make Protein Cookies

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350º F. Line a small cookie sheet with parchment paper. Alternately, preheat an air fryer to 320º F.

Step 2: In a small bowl, combine liquid sweetener of choice, SunButter, and vanilla. Stir together until smooth.

Step 3: Add in the whey protein powder and almond flour. Stir to form a cookie dough. The dough should be on the dry side but stick together to form a ball when pressed together. If the dough is too wet, add an addition 1/2 T of whey protein powder. If it’s too dry, add an additional 1/2 teaspoon of honey and SunButter. Do not add milk or the cookie will have a muffin texture.

Step 4: Add the optional mix-ins. Whatever flavor you love! Or leave it plain.

Step 5: Take the dough and press it into a large ball. Press the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet into a cookie shape. Add additional chocolate chips to the top, if desired!

Step 6: Bake protein cookies in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or on a liner in the air fryer for 6-7 minutes. Allow the cookie to fully cool before removing it from the baking sheet. The cookies are chewy at room temperature, but crunchy when frozen!

Cookie Flavor Variations

Standard Cookie Mix-Ins:

Keep it simple with protein chocolate chip cookies, or make your own flavor combo! White chocolate macadamia cookie? Or Dark chocolate cherry? Freeze dried raspberries are amazing in baked goods too!

• Chocolate Chips or White Chocolate Chips (1-2 T)
• Walnuts, Pecans, or Macadamia Nuts (1-2 T)
• Shredded Coconut (about 1 T)
• Raisins, Cranberries, or Dried Tart Cherries (1-2 T)
• Freeze Dried Raspberries or Strawberries (1-2 T)
• Sunflower seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds (about 1 T)

Use Vanilla Protein Powder

If you don’t have plain protein powder on hand, you can use a flavored and sweetened protein powder.

Swap the protein powders, and then add 1/2 T of additional SunButter or nut butter + 1/2 T of almond milk, since it will be sweetened already.

Oatmeal Raisin Protein Cookies

• 1 tablespoon SunButter No Sugar Added
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/2 tablespoons whey protein unflavored, unsweetened
• 1 tablespoon almond flour
• 2 tablespoons rolled oats
• 2 tablespoons raisins
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions: Combine the SunButter, honey, and vanilla in a small bowl. Mix in the whey protein powder, almond flour, and rolled oats. Mix in the cinnamon and raisins. Bake as directed in the recipe!

Gingersnap Protein Cookies

This is my favorite variation of this protein cookie recipe! It has so much flavor and perfect bit of spice. Make this in the fall or for a winter treat.

• 1 tablespoon SunButter No Sugar Added
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon blackstrap molasses
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger powder
• 2 1/2 tablespoons whey protein unflavored, unsweetened
• 2 tablespoons almond flour
• Optional: Sprinkle the cookie with a mixture of coconut sugar and cinnamon

Directions: Combine the SunButter, honey, molasses, vanilla, and spices in a small bowl. Mix in the whey protein powder, almond flour. Form the cookie and bake as directed in the recipe!

Peanut Butter Protein Cookies (or Almond Butter Protein Cookies)

If you don’t have SunButter on hand, or love the taste of peanut butter, it works well in these cookies! Bonus points for adding dark chocolate chips.

• 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter (or almond butter or cashew butter)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/2 tablespoons whey protein unflavored, unsweetened
• 1 tablespoons almond flour
• Optional: 1-2 tablespoons of dark chocolate chips

Directions: Follow the instructions for the standard recipe!

How to Store Leftover Cookies

These cookies are awesome made as a single serving treat and eaten warm with melty chocolate chips!

If you’d like to make extras and keep them on hand, wait until the cookies fully cool, then pack them in an airtight container and freeze the cookies for up to 6 months. They are crunchy right out of the freezer but defrost back into chewy cookies.

They are perfect for quick breakfasts, on-the-go snacks, or travel treats!

Other High Protein Recipes

• Protein Chocolate Overnight Oats
• Chia Seed Protein Pudding
• Ultra Creamy Chocolate Smoothie
• Creamy Coffee Protein Smoothie

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