This delicious and healthy protein cookie is made with ingredients that are naturally high in protein (NO powders), and it's low in added sugar!
I began making this cookie as a way to enjoy an energizing treat before the gym. Fittingly, it also provides a decent amount of protein!
The protein in the cookie comes naturally from various ingredients including, pumpkin seed meal, oats, chia seeds, and nut butter.
While I do ingest protein powders, they're not my favorite in recipes, so I like to look for other ways to up the protein.
This cookie is a great example!
Top this cookie with your favorite add-ins (hello, chocolate!), and you've got a delicious and healthy treat to enjoy before your workout!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Oat flour - I find this flour to be the tastiest, but I've used both barley and spelt flours with success as well.
- Pumpkin seed flour - Almond flour can substitute.
- Oats - Quick or rolled work well; I prefer quick.
- Chia seeds - This small amount helps the cookie hold together, so be aware that the cookie may crumble more if it is left out. It can be substituted with flax meal.
- Coconut sugar - Any granulated sugar will work.
- Sea salt
- Almond butter - Any nut or seed butter you like/tolerate will work. Peanut butter would be tasty and add more protein!
- Applesauce - You can use more nut or seed butter or pumpkin puree. The applesauce does add some sweetness, so you may need a bit more coconut sugar or a few extra drops of stevia.
- Milk - Any milk or even water will work.
- Vanilla extract
- Stevia - If you're avoiding stevia, add in another teaspoon or two of coconut sugar.
- Chocolate chips - Nuts and dried fruit would also work.
Recipe steps
First, mix together the dry ingredients, including the flours, oats, baking soda, sugar, chia, and salt.
Then, add in the remaining wet ingredients and stir until a dough forms. At this point, I add in about half of my chocolate and reserve a bit for the top.
I bake my cookie in a small cast iron skillet, as this helps retain its moisture better. A small ramekin or baking dish would also work!
Recipe notes
This is my favorite mini cast iron skillet to use for this recipe.
More single serve treats
Protein Cookie for One
Ingredients
DRY INGREDIENTS:
- 3 Tablespoons oat flour
- 1 Tablespoon pumpkin seed meal
- 1 Tablespoon oats
- ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
- dash sea salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons coconut sugar
- ½ teaspoon chia seeds
WET INGREDIENTS:
- ½ Tablespoon nut or seed butter
- 1 Tablespoon applesauce
- 1 Tablespoon milk of your choice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3-5 drops liquid stevia or to taste
- 1 Tablespoon add-ins (chocolate chips, raisins, nuts, etc.)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the dry ingredients.
- Stir in the almond butter, until the mixture looks pebbly.
- Add in the remaining ingredients and stir until the dough is well combined. You can add in your toppings or top the cookie with them.
- Pour the batter into a well-oiled, small ramekin or mini cast iron skillet (see Recipe Notes above).
- Bake 8-10 minutes just until the top is set.
- Top with yogurt (extra protein!), whipped cream, and a good sprinkle of cinnamon!
Notes
Nutrition
If you have a chance to try this recipe, please leave a star rating and a comment below letting me know how you liked it!
My little helper circa 2019!
Shara
Hi Lauren,
These cookies look great but I would never take the time to make just one cookie. How can I modify the recipe in order to make a full batch of cookies? That way I can freeze them and have them on hand pre-workout.
Thanks!
Lauren
Hi Shara,
Given that this makes a pretty big cookie, you might just multiply everything by six to get a dozen slightly smaller cookies. That may also lessen the baking time, so be aware of watching them. I hope that helps you! 🙂
Cindy Hoffman
Very sweet tribute to your dad! I know he would have been proud of you and the wonderful recipes that you create. May God continue to bless you in this.
Lauren
Thank you so much, Cindy! 🙂