Peanut Butter Protein Cookies (2023)

By: Erin

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

These irresistible peanut butter protein cookies are actually good for you! Enjoy eating your protein in this creative and sweet way.

Peanut Butter Protein Cookies (1)

Healthy Peanut Butter Protein Cookies

What if I told you that you can boost your protein intake by eating yummy cookies? While shakes and healthy pancakes have their place, there is nothing quite like a sweet and soft peanut butter cookie, hot out of the oven.

Everything about these cookies is pretty amazing. Not only did I use extra peanut butter – the natural kind and the powdered kind – but these cookies are high in fiber too!

Yup, that’s all thanks to the oat flour.

These are gluten-free and sweetened with glucose-friendly maple syrup. When you pack these cookies in your lunch, you can feel good about your choice.

They are a delicious post-workout snack or a protein boost when you need it most!

(Video) Healthy Protein Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Peanut Butter Protein Cookies (2)

Ingredients Needed

There are no crazy or weird ingredients in these cookies – just real, whole ingredients that are good for your body. They are easy to find at the grocery store!

Here’s a bit more about what I used:

  • Powdered Peanut Butter (pb2): You’ll use 1/2 a cup of this powder. It bosts the protien content without affecting the texture.
  • Water: Use 1/4 cup of water to thin out the thick texture of the dough.
  • Maple Syrup: About 1/4 a cup of real maple syrup will sweeten the cookies naturally.
  • Natural Peanut Butter: You only need 1/4 a cup of natural (unsweetened) peanut butter.
  • Vanilla: Adding 1 teaspoon of vanilla will enhance the flavor in these cookies and actually make them taste sweeter.
  • Oat Flour: This add structure and fiber to the cookies and is a healthy gluten-free alternative to wheat flour. You need 1/3 a cup!
  • Vanilla Protein Powder: This fortifies the cookies with extra protein and gives them a delightful vanilla taste. You need 2 tablespoons.
  • Baking Powder: This helps the cookies rise so they are nice and chewy. You’ll use 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
  • Sea Salt Flakes: This is the perfect topping for the cookies. Sea salt flakes on top don’t just look lovely, but they really bring out all the flavors in these cookies too.
Peanut Butter Protein Cookies (3)

If you have ever baked cookies before, then you probably already have all the tools you need. This is what I used when I made them.

For measuring, you will need 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/4 cup, 1 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon.

How To Make Healthy Protein Cookies

It might seem as simple as mixing the cookie dough, forming cookies, and baking them, but there are a few extra steps in there that will make all the difference.

First, preheat the oven to 350F and line the baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together half of the peanut butter powder and the water. Then, add maple syrup, peanut butter, and vanilla. Whisk them all together until they are completely combined.

In a small bowl, use a spatula to mix together oat flour, the rest of the peanut butter powder, protein powder, and baking powder.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ones and stir them together until a dough forms.

Using a cookie scoop or your hands, roll the cookie dough into balls of about 1.5 tablespoons worth of dough. Flatten them with the back of a wet fork. There should be around 14 cookies.

Bake the cookies for 8-9 minutes or until they are golden brown. Once they are cooled, top them with sea salt.

(Video) ANABOLIC PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES | High Protein Anabolic Cookie Recipe

Peanut Butter Protein Cookies (4)

Recipe Tips

Below are some common peanut butter cookie questions. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!

Is creamy or crunchy peanut butter better for these cookies?

Whether you use creamy or crunchy peanut butter for these cookies is a matter of personal preference. If you use crunchy peanut butter, the cookies will have small bits of peanuts in them. This could be delicious, especially if you enjoy cookies with nuts.

I used creamy peanut butter because I prefer soft and chewy peanut butter cookies without nuts in them.

How do you know when peanut butter cookies are fully cooked?

Peanut butter cookies will be very soft and will firm up as they cool. You’ll know they are fully cooked when they turn golden brown and don’t have the same “wet” or “glistening” look on the outside.

Is maple syrup healthier than white sugar?

Maple syrup has a lower glycemic index than white sugar, which is why I prefer to use it when I bake. Maple syrup is also sweeter than white sugar, so you can get away with using less of it.

How do you make your own oat flour?

Making your own oat flour is literally as easy as pureeing dry oatmeal until it becomes fine flour. You can use steel-cut oat or even quick-cooking oats.

I prefer to use steel-cut oats because they went through less processing.

Is a baking sheet the same thing as a cookie sheet?

I use these two terms interchangeably, but there is a difference. A baking sheet has a rim around the edge. A cookie sheet is completely flat, without a rim around the edge. The rimless design allows bakers to slide cookies off the sheet without smashing them into the side.

You can use either a baking sheet or a cookie sheet for these cookies. Beginner bakers might appreciate the ease of a cookie sheet.

Peanut Butter Protein Cookies (5)
(Video) Healthy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies - 2 ways

Storing leftovers

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container, like a cookie jar, at room temperature. They will last about a week – if you don’t eat them all first!

These cookies will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 6 months.

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

Here are some more of my favorite cookies to make. Enjoy!

  • Healthy White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
  • Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
  • Easy Nutella Cookies
  • Healthy Kitchen Sink Cookies
  • Carrot Cake Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photography by Moriah Sawtelle

Peanut Butter Protein Cookies (6)

★★★★★5 from 6 reviews

Peanut Butter Protein Cookies

Irresistible peanut butter protein cookies are actually good for you! Enjoy eating your protein in this creative and sweet way.

Prep: 10Cook: 10Total: 20 minutes

Yield 14 cookies 1x

(Video) Peanut Butter Protein Cookies with Chocolate Chips

PrintPin itRate

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup powdered peanut butter (pb2)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/3 cup oat flour
  • 2 tbsp vanilla protein powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • sea salt flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together half of the peanut butter powder and the water. Then add in maple syrup, peanut butter, and vanilla. Whisk until combined.
  3. In a small bowl, use a spatula to mix together oat flour, rest of peanut butter powder, protein powder, and baking powder.
  4. Add the dry ingredients to wet and stir until dough forms.
  5. Using a cookie scoop or your hands, roll into balls about 1.5 tbsp worth of dough. Flatten with the back of a wet fork. There should be around 14 cookies.
  6. Bake for 8-9 minutes or until golden. Once cooled, top with sea salt.

Author: ErinCategory: cookies, gluten-free, peanut butter, holiday, christmasMethod: ovenCuisine: AmericanDiet: Gluten Free

There may be affiliate links in this post!By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

(Video) Healthy Peanut Butter Protein Cookies | Low Carb Recipe | The Protein Chef Inspired

FAQs

Are peanut butter cookies a good source of protein? ›

Peanut butter cookies contains 90 calories per 19 g serving. This serving contains 4 g of fat, 1 g of protein and 12 g of carbohydrate.

How much protein is in peanut butter no bake cookies? ›

A healthy cookie, really? Yes, my No Bake Peanut Butter Protein Cookies are simply delicious. Each one of these cookies has 5 grams of protein and is the perfect treat for your sweet tooth.

How do you keep peanut butter cookies from falling apart? ›

Don't overmix the cookie dough ingredients.

Cream the butter and sugar for only as long as you need to, usually about 1-2 minutes. Don't begin beating then leave the room with the mixer running. I'm guilty of this too! Whipping too much air into the dough will cause those cookies to collapse when they bake.

Are Quest protein cookies healthy? ›

Quest Nutrition Protein Cookies – Best Overall

Not only will these cookies fill your stomach and satisfy your sweet tooth, but they're also packed with tons of healthy protein and fiber. Each cookie has 15 grams of protein, 4 grams of net carbs (less than 1 gram of sugar), and 11 grams of dietary fiber.

Is a spoonful of peanut butter enough protein? ›

Roughly 17% of the calories in peanut butter come from protein — a 2-tablespoon (32-gram) serving provides about 8 grams ( 1 ). Research indicates that consuming adequate protein can increase feelings of fullness, potentially reducing your urge to continue eating.

Can you get enough protein from peanut butter? ›

It actually contains far more body-smart fats than protein and carbs. In order for a food to be considered high in protein, it should contain at least 15 grams of protein. So if you do want to use peanut butter as a good protein source, you would need to double up your serving size to four tablespoons.

How many tbsp of peanut butter do you need for a good amount of protein? ›

The U.S. Department of Agriculture counts 2 tablespoons of peanut butter as 2 ounce equivalents in the protein food group and recommends that adults get roughly 6 ounce equivalents of protein a day. In your small serving of peanut butter, you'll also get a good amount of fiber.

Does peanut butter have more protein than almond butter? ›

Protein. Nut butters are a great source of vegetable protein. As it turns out, peanut butter has a small lead over almond butter in terms of protein content. There are 6.7 grams of protein in a serving of almond butter, and 7.1 grams of protein in a serving of peanut butter.

How much protein is in a teaspoon of peanut butter? ›

As much as we all would love it to be, it just isn't. 1 teaspoon of PB weighs 8-10 grams. That's 60 calories / 1g carbs / 4g fats & 3g protein.

Why did my peanut butter cookies turn out crumbly? ›

The main reason you have a crumbly cookie is because you've added too much flour. You might think the dough looks too wet when you mix it, so you think, “I'll just add a little flour and see.” But this just results in a crumbly cookie.

Why did my peanut butter cookies come out dry? ›

Dry – “Dry” or “Crumbly” dough is a product of over-mixing or using too much of any ingredient during the mixing process. This can be reversed by adding one to two tablespoons of liquid (water, milk or softened butter) to your mix.

Why do peanut butter cookies come out crumbly? ›

One of the most common reasons for crumbly cookie dough is that there is not enough fat in the dough. This can be because there was not enough fat in the recipe or because it was just measured incorrectly. The fat in cookie dough helps to lubricate the dry ingredients so that they bind together well.

Is a protein cookie a meal replacement? ›

FOR ON-THE-GO CRAVING CONTROL – Protein cookies are the ideal meal replacement or protein snack for people who are always on-the-go. These fiber cookies are perfect for helping you curb your cravings and boost your metabolism throughout the day.

Are protein cookies good for weight loss? ›

Not usually, says Alyssa Lavy, R.D. "Just because the cookie has added protein does not mean it is necessarily a nutritious choice, " she tells Men's Health. Protein cookies are still processed snacks loaded with sugar, fat, and calories.

What has more protein eggs or peanut butter? ›

Take 100 calories worth of egg whites (seven large whites) for example: They contain 25 grams of protein, 0 grams of fat, and 2 grams of carbs. One tablespoon of peanut butter—which clocks in at 96 calories—provides just 3.5 grams of protein, 8 grams of fat, and 3.5 grams of carbs.

How much peanut butter is enough protein for a day? ›

The U.S. Department of Agriculture counts 2 tablespoons of peanut butter as 2 ounce equivalents in the protein food group and recommends that adults get roughly 6 ounce equivalents of protein a day. In your small serving of peanut butter, you'll also get a good amount of fiber.

Is 2 tablespoons of peanut butter too much? ›

Consult your doctor or dietitian if you're not sure how much PB you should eat, but a good general rule of thumb is around one to two tablespoons a day. Newell said a healthy serving of any high-fat food is roughly two tablespoons.

What can I eat with peanut butter to make a complete protein? ›

Combining incomplete proteins to form a complete protein
  1. Nuts or seeds with whole grains (peanut butter on whole wheat toast)
  2. Whole grains with beans (beans and rice; hummus and pita bread; bean-based chili and crackers; refried beans and tortillas)
  3. Beans with nuts or seeds (salad with chickpeas and sunflower seeds)

Does peanut butter and milk make a complete protein? ›

By combining complementary proteins -- grains, like rice or bread, and plant-based protein sources, like peanuts, peanut butter or beans – you create a complete protein.

Why is peanut butter not a complete protein? ›

In order for a food to be considered as 'complete protein' it must feature all nine vital elements of amino acids. Since peanut butter does not contain all 9 it is considered an incomplete protein. Peanut butter contains a high level of lysine, but lacks the important amino acid methionine.

Is 4 tablespoons of peanut butter a day too much? ›

Try to limit your peanut butter intake to one serving per day (two tablespoons), and make sure to count those 190 calories toward your daily caloric quota. Ideally, you shouldn't consume more than one tablespoon per meal and one teaspoon per snack.

How can I raise my protein levels quickly? ›

6 easy ways to get more protein:
  1. Indulge in a little red meat. Feel free to indulge in that steak! ...
  2. Eat pork. Pork is also an excellent source of protein, providing 26 grams in a 3.5-ounce serving. ...
  3. Consume eggs and dairy. ...
  4. Eat plant-based proteins. ...
  5. Enjoy other sources of protein.
May 31, 2022

How many grams of protein does a 65 year old woman need per day? ›

Because of the factors above, research supports increasing the recommended intake of protein for older adults by up to 50 percent. That means people over age 65 should strive for 0.45 to 0.55 gram of protein per pound of body weight daily, or about 68 to 83 grams for a 150-pound person.

Which nut has most protein? ›

With 9.5 grams of protein per 1/4 cup (37 grams), peanuts beat out all other nuts on the list in terms of protein content.

How much protein do I need a day? ›

The recommended dietary allowance to prevent deficiency for an average sedentary adult is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. For example, a person who weighs 165 pounds, or 75 kilograms, should consume 60 grams of protein per day.

Which nut butter is highest in protein? ›

Peanut butter is among the most affordable nut butters and it's a good bang for your buck—it has the highest amount of protein per serving of all nut butters (about 8 grams). It's also rich in antioxidants.

How much protein should a 70 year old woman have each day? ›

The current recommended dietary allowance for women older than 70 years is 0.36 grams for each pound of body weight or 46 grams of protein for a 130-pound woman. This amount is the same for all women 19 and older.

What is the number one food that causes high blood pressure? ›

Salt or sodium

Salt, or specifically the sodium in salt, is a major contributor to high blood pressure and heart disease. This is because of how it affects fluid balance in the blood. Table salt is around 40 percent sodium. Some amount of salt is important for health, but it's easy to eat too much.

Does cheese or peanut butter have more protein? ›

Peanut butter is also a much better source of protein than cream cheese. Two tablespoons serve up seven grams of protein, whereas the same amount of cream cheese has only one gram. (To feel satisfied and energized throughout the morning, include at least 10 grams of protein at breakfast.)

Should you refrigerate peanut butter cookie dough before baking? ›

The most important part of today's recipe? Chill your cookie dough! The dough is extremely soft due to the creamy peanut butter, eggs, and butter and if it's not cold going into the oven, the cookies will spread all over your baking sheet.

Does refrigerating cookie dough make a difference? ›

Chilling cookie dough controls spread.

As the cookies bake, the fat in the chilled cookie dough takes longer to melt than room-temperature fat. And the longer the fat remains solid, the less cookies spread. In addition, the sugar in the dough gradually absorbs liquid.

How do you know if you overmix cookie dough? ›

"Overmixing your dough will result in flatter, crispier cookies," Cowan said. If you overmix, you will end up aerating (adding air to) the dough, which causes the cookies to rise and then fall, leaving you with flat cookies.

How do you add moisture to cookies? ›

Double Your Yolks Most cookie recipes call for at least one egg. You can try omitting the white of each egg, which tends to dry out when baked, and replacing it with an additional yolk. Plus, egg yolks have more fat than egg whites, which helps to keep your cookies moist and chewy.

How do you keep cookies moist? ›

Baking at 375 degrees F as opposed to a lower temperature will help cookies stay soft: they'll bake faster which means they aren't in the hot, drying air of the oven too long. Pull the cookie sheet out of the oven when the cookies are just set: underbaking is better than overbaking.

Why do you put lines on peanut butter cookies? ›

Why do you make fork marks on peanut butter cookies?
  • Peanut butter is a pretty dense ingredient. ...
  • Adding the criss-cross pattern or "hash marks" to your cookies allows them to bake evenly.
  • This will give you a crispy exterior around the edges and a chewy interior where the hash marks are formed.
Jan 22, 2022

Why are my peanut butter cookies too soft? ›

The most likely culprit is overbaking. Peanut butter cookies are notorious for looking like they need more time in the oven. What is this? Keep a close eye on your cookies and remove them from the oven according to the recipe, even if they don't look how you think they should.

Why don t my peanut butter cookies taste like peanut butter? ›

The most common mistake with peanut butter cookies is using the wrong type of peanut butter. The BEST peanut butter for today's cookies is a processed creamy peanut butter, preferably Jif or Skippy.

What are the benefits of peanut butter cookies? ›

Benefits Of Homemade Peanut Butter Cookies

According to research, persons who regularly consume nuts and peanut butter are less likely to acquire type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Vitamin E, magnesium, iron, selenium, and vitamin B6 are beneficial nutrients that are abundant in peanut butter.

How much protein is in homemade peanut butter cookies? ›

Homemade Peanut Butter Cookies (1 oz) contains 16.7g total carbs, 16.7g net carbs, 6.7g fat, 2.6g protein, and 135 calories.

Is cookies a protein or carbohydrate? ›

Nutrition Facts

There are 63 calories in a 1 cookie (12.900g) serving size of Cookies, chocolate chip, commercially prepared, regular, higher fat, enriched. The calorie breakdown is 45% fat, 53% carbs, and 4% protein.

Videos

1. Protein Peanut Butter Cookies | Easy To Make | Mike Burnell
(Mike Burnell)
2. BODYBUILDING PB PROTEIN COOKIES (Low Carb & 4 Ingredients)
(Michael Kory)
3. HEALTHY Peanut Butter Cookies. My NEW favorite cookie recipe!
(How To Cook Smarter)
4. Protein Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe | Quick & Healthy
(The Protein Chef)
5. PROTEIN PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
(Mike Ergas IFBB Pro)
6. Peanut Butter Protein Cookies Recipe
(Bob's Red Mill)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Reed Wilderman

Last Updated: 07/16/2023

Views: 5652

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Reed Wilderman

Birthday: 1992-06-14

Address: 998 Estell Village, Lake Oscarberg, SD 48713-6877

Phone: +21813267449721

Job: Technology Engineer

Hobby: Swimming, Do it yourself, Beekeeping, Lapidary, Cosplaying, Hiking, Graffiti

Introduction: My name is Reed Wilderman, I am a faithful, bright, lucky, adventurous, lively, rich, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.