No Bake Protein Cookies

5 from 1 vote
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These soft and chewy no bake protein cookies are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth with wholesome, nutritious ingredients. They pack an impressive 10 grams of protein per serving and 3 grams of fiber per 2 cookies!

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No bake protein cookies stacked on a countertop.

Why you’ll love this

Cookies with 10 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber per two cookies? Sign me up!

If you’re craving a sweet treat but you want something healthy and nutritious too, this no bake cookie recipe is just what you’re looking for!

They’re made with simple wholesome ingredients like quick oats, peanut butter, ground flaxseed and protein powder.

Plus they come together super quickly! You can have a batch in the fridge in less than 10 minutes. The best part is that there’s no baking required and you can eat them raw (and they taste like raw cookie dough!).

You can serve these as a no bake healthy dessert, prep them for post-workout energy bites or a quick snack on the go. They’re also great because they keep well in the fridge and can be frozen ahead, too.

Enough talk, let’s get into the kitchen and make a big batch of these delicious high protein cookies!

Ingredients for no bake protein cookies on a countertop with labels.
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Ingredients

  • Peanut butter: An excellent source of both protein and healthy fats, creamy peanut butter is the binder that holds these cookies together. I tend to grab natural peanut butter with just peanuts and salt, but you can use whatever you prefer or have on hand.
  • Quick Oats: Quick oats are just regular oats that have been processed a bit to cook faster. They’re great for this recipe because they absorb the liquid more quickly and have a more even texture. You can use old fashioned oats too, just give them a quick pulse in a food processor first.
  • Protein Powder: Protein powder boosts the protein of these cookies. I like to use chocolate protein powder but you can also use vanilla protein powder too. Use whatever your favorite protein powder is; plant-based protein powder works too.
  • Ground flax seed: Not only does ground flaxseed add fiber and protein, but it also helps hold the cookies together to give them a soft, chewy texture.
  • Maple syrup: Maple syrup adds sweetness without refined sugar as well as moisture and delicious flavor to the cookies. Sugar-free syrup works here too for a no added sugar version. Honey will also work, but you may need to a few more teaspoons of milk to get the right cookie dough texture. You can also use granulated sugar or coconut sugar but you’ll need to add more liquid and/or nut butter to make up the difference.
  • Milk: Just a couple tablespoons of milk keeps these no-bake cookies soft and moist and helps to hold the dry ingredients together. You can absolutely swap this for your favorite non-dairy milk, like unsweetened almond milk. A little water will also do the trick.
  • Vanilla: Vanilla extract gives a little more depth of flavor and some traditional cookie essence to this delicious recipe.
  • Mini chocolate chips: These cookies are small and mini chocolate chips are the perfect size.
No bake protein cookies scattered on a countertop.

How to make no bake protein cookies

Ingredients for no bake protein cookies in a mixing bowl.

Step 1: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix peanut butter, protein powder, flax, maple syrup, milk, and vanilla. Stir well until combined.

No bake protein cookie ingredients mixed in a mixing bowl.

Step 2: Add oats and chocolate chips and mix until evenly combined. (You can also add them all at once, but I find it mixes more smoothly!).

No bake protein cookies on a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Step 3: Scoop mixture into 18 balls (using a ~2 tbsp cookie scoop) onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Flatten each ball into a cookie shape and smooth the edges. Note: If the dough is sticky allow to sit for 10 minutes before handling (this allows the oats to absorb some moisture). You can wet hands with water or a small amount of oil before shaping the cookies.

No bake protein cookies scattered on a countertop.

Step 4: Enjoy immediately and refrigerate or freeze leftovers.

How to store

Store cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 1 month.

A no bake protein cookie with a bite taken out of it.

Variations

  • Swap the peanut butter for any other nut butter. Almond butter works great too or use sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version.
  • Add nuts or dried fruit like craisins or raisins.
  • Add a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder for an extra chocolate-y version.
  • Instead of adding them in, melt the chocolate chips and drizzle over the top of the cookies!
  • Crumble a cookie into yogurt for a fun burst of nutrition and flavor!
  • Use a plant-based protein powder, non-dairy milk and dairy free chocolate chips to make these vegan friendly.
  • Instead of oats, use almond flour for a grain-free version.

More no bake healthy dessert ideas

No bake protein cookies stacked on a countertop.
5 from 1 vote

No Bake Protein Cookies

Soft and chewy no bake protein cookies made with wholesome ingredients like oats, peanut butter and ground flaxseed.
Jamie N, Registered Dietitian
Prep: 5 minutes
Servings: 9
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Ingredients 

  • 2/3 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup chocolate protein powder
  • 2 tbsp ground flax seeds
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 1/2 cups quick oats
  • 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions 

  • Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, mix peanut butter, protein powder, flax, maple syrup, milk, and vanilla. Stir well until combined.
  • Add oats and chocolate chips and mix until evenly combined.
  • Scoop mixture into 18 balls (using a ~2 tbsp cookie scoop) onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Flatten each ball into a cookie shape and smooth the edges.
  • Enjoy immediately! Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container.

Notes

If the dough is too sticky to handle, allow to sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the oats to absorb some moisture.

Nutrition

Serving: 2cookies | Calories: 260kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 110mg | Potassium: 267mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 7IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an estimate.

Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment + star rating below!

Hi, I'm Jamie

Iโ€™m a Registered Dietitian of over 10 years and I love creating simple, delicious recipes that leave you feeling good, too. Healthy eating doesnโ€™t have to be complicated! Let me show you with easy healthy recipes and realistic nutrition tips.

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Recipe Rating




10 Comments

  1. Cari says:

    5 stars
    Delicious and easy!

    1. Jamie N, Registered Dietitian says:

      Thanks for leaving a review!! Happy you liked them!

  2. Carly says:

    My incredibly picky 5 year old who eats next to nothing loved these! So now I guess I have to share ๐Ÿ˜‚

    1. Jamie N, Registered Dietitian says:

      Yay major win! Sorry you have to share! Lol

  3. Jennifer Voss says:

    Is there anything that could be substituted for the maple syrup for less sugar?

    1. Jamie N, Registered Dietitian says:

      Any liquid sweetener would work so something like allulose syrup would work.

  4. Joni Cadmus says:

    Do you have a chocolate protein powder you like?

    1. Jamie N, Registered Dietitian says:

      I like Clean Simple Eats chocolate protein powder or Optimum Nutrition personally.

  5. Kara Fulton says:

    Does it have the be quick oats?

    1. Jamie N, Registered Dietitian says:

      You can use regular oats too but I recommend pulsing them in the food processor first ๐Ÿ™‚