Okay everybody, we have to discuss.
I simply cracked the code on oatmeal protein cookies that legitimately style like the actual deal – not these hockey pucks masquerading as “wholesome treats” that style like remorse and protein powder. These are the cookies you’ll be able to meal prep on Sunday, seize after your exercise, give to your children with out guilt, and truly ENJOY consuming.
Like, enjoy-enjoy. Not that pretend “mmm these are… nice” factor we do with wholesome meals.
I’ve been making these excessive protein oatmeal cookies for 2 years now, and let me let you know – they’ve ruined me for normal cookies.
Not as a result of I’m attempting to be that one that claims cauliflower tastes like mashed potatoes (everyone knows that’s a lie). However as a result of these truly hit completely different. They’re chewy. They’re candy. They’ve that good oatmeal cookie texture all of us crave. AND they occur to pack 10 grams of protein per cookie.
It’s like discovering out your favourite consolation meals has been secretly making you stronger this entire time.
My children actually request these over common cookies now. My husband takes them to work and his CrossFit buddies beg for the recipe. I’ve introduced them to mother teams, ebook golf equipment, and potlucks, and no person – NOBODY – guesses they’re “wholesome.”
That’s the dream, proper?
Image this: It’s January, I’m doing that entire “new yr, new me” factor, attempting to chop again on sugar but in addition… I actually love cookies. Like, REALLY love cookies.
So I attempted each protein cookie recipe on Pinterest.
Y’all.
The frustration was actual. Dry. Chalky. Bizarre aftertaste. Some actually bounced after I dropped them. My trash can noticed extra “wholesome” cookies than my abdomen did.
However I’m cussed (my husband would say obsessive, however no matter), so I saved tweaking. Extra butter right here. Much less protein powder there. Totally different ratios. Totally different temperatures. I had a complete spreadsheet. It was a state of affairs.
Try #47 was when the magic occurred. I pulled them out of the oven, took a chew whereas they had been nonetheless heat, and actually did a contented dance in my kitchen. These had been IT. The proper steadiness of wholesome and scrumptious. The cookies that don’t make you select between your targets and your style buds.
Makes about 12 cookies (or 6 in the event you’re having a day)
The Base:
- 2 cups rolled oats – Old style solely. Fast oats = mushy cookies
- 1 cup vanilla protein powder – Your favourite model works. I swear by Orgain Natural Protein as a result of it bakes superbly
- 1 teaspoon baking powder – For that good rise
- ¼ teaspoon salt – Don’t skip this!
The Moist Stuff:
- ½ cup butter or coconut oil, melted – Butter for taste, coconut oil in the event you’re dairy-free
- ¼ cup sweetener – Honey, maple syrup, or in the event you’re watching sugar, stevia works
- 2 massive eggs – Room temp in the event you bear in mind (I by no means do)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – The actual stuff makes a distinction
The Enjoyable Half:
- ½ cup mix-ins – Chocolate chips (clearly), chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or go wild
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Or in the event you’re like me and all the time overlook to purchase parchment, spray it rather well with cooking spray.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Components
In a big bowl, mix your oats, protein powder, baking powder, and salt.
Combine it properly. Like, rather well. Protein powder likes to cover in clumps after which shock you later with chalky pockets. We don’t need that.
Step 3: Add the Moist Components
Pour in your melted butter (or coconut oil), sweetener, eggs, and vanilla.
Stir till it kinds a dough. It’ll appear too dry at first, then abruptly come collectively. Belief the method. If it’s genuinely too dry after a minute of blending, add a splash of milk. Too moist? Sprinkle in additional oats.
Step 4: Combine-In Time
Fold in your chocolate chips or no matter mix-ins converse to your soul. That is your second. Darkish chocolate and sea salt? Sure. White chocolate and cranberries? Stunning. Peanut butter chips? I see you.
Step 5: Form and Bake
Utilizing a cookie scoop or spoon, drop about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie onto your sheet. Go away some house – they unfold a bit of.
Flatten them barely along with your fingers. They received’t unfold a lot on their very own, so no matter form you make them is mainly what you get.
Bake for 10-12 minutes. That is essential: they’ll look underdone. That’s good. They’ll appear too comfortable. That’s what we wish.
Step 6: The Hardest Half
Allow them to cool on the pan for five minutes. I do know. I KNOW. However they want this time to agency up. In case you attempt to transfer them immediately, you’ll have protein cookie crumbles as a substitute of protein cookies.
After 5 minutes, switch to a cooling rack. Or simply eat one instantly as a result of self-control is overrated.
The Secret to Chewy Cookies
Underbake them.
I can not stress this sufficient. Whenever you suppose “perhaps yet another minute,” take them out. They proceed cooking on the recent pan. Overbaked protein cookies are mainly granola. We’re not making granola.
Storage Secrets and techniques
Room temp: 3 days in an hermetic container (add a slice of bread to maintain them comfortable)
Fridge: 1 week (they really get chewier)
Freezer: 3 months (freeze them in a single layer first with parchment paper between layers, then switch to a bag)
Professional transfer: Freeze the dough balls. Bake straight from frozen, simply add 2 minutes to the bake time. Contemporary cookies everytime you need them. You’re welcome.
Meal Prep Queen Suggestions
Double the batch. At all times double the batch.
Package deal them in pairs in little baggies. Seize-and-go snacks for the entire week. Portion management in-built (until you seize three luggage, no judgment).
Taste Variations That Slap
- Peanut Butter Explosion: Add 2 tablespoons PB to the moist substances, use PB chips
- Double Chocolate: Change ¼ cup oats with cocoa powder, use chocolate protein powder
- Snickerdoodle: Roll balls in cinnamon sugar earlier than baking
- Birthday Cake: Add sprinkles. That’s it. That’s the recipe.
- Tropical: Coconut flakes and dried pineapple
| Per Cookie (primarily based on 12) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | ~200 |
| Protein | 10g |
| Carbs | 12g |
| Fats | 8g |
| Fiber | 2g |
For context: a daily oatmeal cookie has perhaps 2g of protein and far more sugar. These are mainly a snack that loves you again.
Why Protein Powder Works Right here
It’s not only for the protein (although 10g per cookie is fairly superb). Protein powder truly helps create that good chewy texture when mixed with oats. It absorbs moisture in a different way than flour, which is why these keep comfortable for days.
Science!
The Oats State of affairs
Old style oats are non-negotiable right here. They maintain their texture by means of baking. Fast oats flip to mush. Metal-cut keep too onerous. We want that goldilocks oat.
Plus, oats = fiber = sustained vitality = no sugar crash = pleased you.
About That Butter…
Sure, we’re utilizing actual butter (or coconut oil). No, we’re not utilizing applesauce or mashed banana instead.
I attempted. Lord is aware of I attempted. However fats is what makes cookies style like cookies. We’re utilizing lower than conventional recipes, however we’re not eliminating it. Steadiness, associates. Steadiness.
Vegan Model
Use flax eggs (2 tbsp floor flax + 6 tbsp water, let sit 5 minutes). Coconut oil as a substitute of butter. Plant-based protein powder. Accomplished. Nonetheless scrumptious.
Gluten-Free
Use licensed GF oats. Examine your protein powder. Most are naturally GF however all the time confirm.
Decrease Calorie
Use sugar-free sweetener. Change half the butter with Greek yogurt (they’ll be cake-ier however nonetheless good). Mini chocolate chips so you utilize much less however nonetheless get chocolate in each chew.
Nut-Free
Skip nut-based mix-ins. Use sunflower seed butter as a substitute of peanut butter in variations. Simple peasy.
Can I make these with out protein powder?
You’ll be able to change it with extra oats and a little bit of flour, however then… they’re simply oatmeal cookies? The protein powder is type of the entire level right here. It’s what makes them an influence snack as a substitute of only a snack.
Why are my cookies flat?
An excessive amount of butter or your butter was too sizzling while you added it. Let melted butter cool for a minute earlier than mixing. Additionally examine your baking powder isn’t expired (sure, it expires, I used to be shocked too).
Can I exploit chocolate protein powder?
YES! Cut back any added sweetener although, chocolate protein powder is often sweeter. Add cocoa powder for double chocolate insanity.
How do I make them greater/smaller?
For mini cookies: 1 tablespoon every, bake 8-9 minutes. You’ll get about 24.
For big cookies: ¼ cup every, bake 14-Quarter-hour. Makes about 8 absolute items.
Can my children eat these?
Mine virtually survive on them. They’re manner higher than most “child” snacks. Protein, fiber, managed sugar. It’s mainly a well being meals disguised as a cookie. Parenting win.
Why do mine style chalky?
Your protein powder could be the perpetrator. Some manufacturers simply don’t bake properly. Orgain, Quest, and Optimum Diet all work nice. Additionally be sure you’re mixing rather well – protein powder likes to clump.
Can I make the dough forward?
Sure! It truly improves after chilling. Make dough, refrigerate as much as 3 days. The flavors meld and so they bake up even higher. It’s like in a single day oats however… cookies.
What’s one of the best protein powder for these?
I’ve examined actually dozens. Orgain Natural Protein is my journey or die – it bakes completely and doesn’t have that bizarre aftertaste. Vanilla is essentially the most versatile, however their chocolate is superb for double chocolate variations.
Can I air fry these?
Woman, sure! 320°F for 8 minutes. They get further crispy edges. Sport changer.
Look.
These oatmeal protein cookies aren’t going to alter your life. However they may change your snack sport. They could be the factor that helps you hit your protein targets with out feeling disadvantaged. They could be the deal with you can provide your children with out the mother guilt. They could be your new favourite post-workout reward that truly helps with restoration.
Or they may simply be actually good cookies that occur to be good for you.
Both manner, you win.
Make a batch this weekend. Meal prep them. Freeze some dough. Share them with associates (or don’t, I’m not judging). Tag me while you make them – I really like seeing your variations and truthfully, I’m all the time searching for new taste concepts.
And in the event you’re on a breakfast kick too, you NEED to attempt my Excessive-Protein Pumpkin Pie In a single day Oats. It’s mainly fall in a jar and one other recipe that doesn’t style “wholesome” in any respect.
Comfortable baking, associates. Might your cookies be chewy and your protein targets be met.
xo
