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Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Protein Cookies

Tired of dry protein cookies that taste artificially sweetened?  These chocolate chip protein cookies taste just like the real thing but with added protein! 

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protein cookie with oats and chocolate chips

I’m always looking for ways to add more protein to my diet, whether to fuel and recover from my workouts or just in daily life chasing around four kids.  I like to add a scoop or two of protein to my favorite smoothies and protein shakes,but I’ve wanted to find ways to incorporate it into baking and other recipes.

This Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Protein Cookie recipe is perfect if you’re counting macros (IIFYM) or wanting a more balanced cookie.  The recipe makes 20 protein powder cookies (depending on the size of your cookie — more on that below) and the macros come out to be 12 grams of carbs, 3 of grams protein, and 5 grams of fat (again, depending on your exact ingredients).

While I know that isn’t what some might consider a “high protein” cookie when compared to one that is marketed as such (like Quest or Lenny & Larry’s), here’s the thing: the macros are way more balanced than a regular cookie (like Chips Ahoy! with zero protein + tons of sugar) and these oatmeal protein cookies are DELICIOUS.  Every other protein cookie I’ve ever tried is disgusting.  Dry… artificially sweetened… gross aftertaste.  To add insult to injury, that chalk cookie is going to run you about $3 a pop.

This homemade protein cookie recipe is the one to make when you want a delicious, balanced cookie with added protein.  Thick and buttery, just like the real thing

Another great macro-friendly, high protein cookie option is my Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie for One.  It’s no-bake and the macros come out to be: 20C/10P/22F.

collage showing oats in a food processor, a scoop of protein powder, oats in a bowl, adding chocolate chips to a mixing bowl, and a scoop of cookie dough

What’s in These Protein Cookies?

To make these healthier protein powder cookies, you’ll need the following:

  • Old-fashioned oats
  • Protein powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Unsalted butter
  • Vanilla extract
  • Egg
  • Granulated sugar
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Can I Use Quick Oats?

No, quick oats are much more finely milled and will dry out the protein cookie dough. You must use old-fashioned oats (aka rolled oats) in this recipe.

raw protein cookie dough on a baking sheet

How to Make Protein Cookies

  1. Add 1 cup of oats to a food processor.This is the small food processor I have and it works great.  It doesn’t take up too much space in my cabinet and is usually still big enough to get whatever I need done.
  2. Grind 1 cup of the oats to make your own oat flour.Note: if you’re wanting this recipe to be gluten-free, make sure that your oats are GF.
  3. Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder.Note: This will change the amount of protein in your cookies. This is the plant-based Protein & Greens that I use, but you could also use whey protein.  (Again, double-check GF.)
  4. Combine all of the dry ingredients.Cream the wet ingredients.  Mix them all together.
  5. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand.
  6. Use a cookie scoop for uniform cookies.Note: This is the cookie scoop I use and it will yield 20 cookies. 

baked protein chocolate chip cookies on a baking sheet

Tips for Making the Best Protein Cookies

These protein chocolate chip cookies won’t spread much, so give them a gentle pat after you place them on the cookie sheet. 

I like to bake using a silicon baking mat because they wipe clean and are reusable. 

I also sprinkle 2-3 more chocolate chips on top to bake prettier cookies (this is optional), and don’t forget to figure them in if you’re counting macros. 

You want to bake them 8-10 minutes (mine were done right at the 9-minute mark), just until the edges are starting to crisp and turn golden brown.

oatmeal protein cookies with chocolate chips and oats sprinkled around

Recipe Tester Notes on Making Protein Cookies

  • One reader used half butter and half coconut oil.She also doubled the chocolate chips and added a big handful of coconut.  I haven’t tried this, but the shredded coconut sounds divine!
  • Another reader made these vegan by using dairy-free butter, flaxseed to replace the egg, vegan protein, and goji berries, chopped dates, or cacao nibs instead of the chocolate chips.I haven’t tried this, but I think raisins would also be a yummy swap!  Nuts would be great, too.
  • I use vanilla protein (plant-based or whey) but another reader used Cookies and Cream!I haven’t tried this, but PB2 or a scoop of peanut butter would also be a yummy addition and boost of protein.

More Easy Cookie Recipes:

The homemade cookie recipes listed below may not be high in protein, but they sure are delicious!

Leave me a comment and let me know if you try this protein cookies recipe with any successful variations!

Protein Cookie Recipe | Tired of dry protein cookies that taste artificially sweetened?  These chocolate chip protein cookies taste just like the real thing but with added protein!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Protein Cookies

4.18 from 296 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Total Time: 19 minutes
Servings: 20 cookies
Calories: 103kcal
Author: Emily Grace

Ingredients

  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats (not quick cooking)
  • 30 grams protein powder (approx. 1/4 cup)
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter , softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Use a food processor to finely grind 1 cup of the oats into a flour.
  • Combine ground and whole oats, protein powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar.
  • Add egg and vanilla to the mixing bowl, mix until combined.
  • Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the mixing bowl.
  • Stir in the chocolate chips by hand.
  • Scoop cookies into balls onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a baking mat.
  • Slightly pat the cookies down with your hand, as they don't spread too much on their own.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the bottoms are just lightly starting to brown.

Notes

The amount of protein in the cookies will depend on the amount of protein in your protein powder.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 103kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 140mg | Potassium: 45mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 118IU | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe? Mention @GraceGoodEats or tag #graceandgoodeats!
4.18 from 296 votes (270 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




Stacy

Friday 16th of September 2022

I just made these with PB peanut butter protein powder. I followed the recipe exactly, but they turned out very thin & flat. The flavor is delicious, but they fall apart. Wondering what I did wrong.

Laurie Spilde

Thursday 17th of March 2022

These are the only ch. chip cookies my hubby & I like! I use half butter and half chocolate almond butter to reduce the saturated fat. I reduce the sugar to 1/3 cup as the almond butter is sweetened. I use Bob’s unsweetened whey protein powder. I also weigh my oats once ground at 80 gr. per cup to avoid the dough being too dry. Love this recipe!

sandi

Monday 31st of January 2022

Giving you a 5 star for doing a great job making proteiny, GF, choc chip, oat cookies... EXACTLY what I needed for my son! We added a second egg, 2 Tbl molasses, and a couple Tbls of light olive oil, because our were a bit drier (but still tasty). No excuse for my teen boy to not eat breakfast now. THANKYOU :)

Michele

Sunday 9th of January 2022

Flavor and consistency were better than expected.

Rachel Villavarayen

Thursday 11th of November 2021

Great recipie

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