5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Protein Cookies

4.02

Published Feb 28, 2020, Updated Jun 27, 2023

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Peanut butter protein cookies made with just 5 simple ingredients: oats, protein powder, peanut butter, apple sauce and honey or maple syrup. Each cookie has 4 grams of protein! Gluten-free and dairy-free.

Few things are better than when healthy treats are acceptable any time of day… am I right?! These cookies are super nutrient dense. I think they could pass as a breakfast and definitely pass as a snack! If you’re looking for a reason to have more cookies in your life and you love peanut butter, you’re going to go crazy for these easy, 5-ingredient cookies.

Two peanut butter protein cookies. One has a bite taken out of it.

Ingredients in Peanut Butter Protein Cookies

quick oats
vanilla protein powder – I share my favorite plant-based protein powders in that blog. If you prefer whey protein, that works too!
drippy natural peanut butter – you definitely want to use fresh, drippy peanut butter for this recipe. Dense, thick or dry peanut butter will give you crumbly cookies.
unsweetened applesauce – use store-bought or make your own with my applesauce recipe.
honey or maple syrup

How to Make High Protein Cookies

In a large bowl, mix your dry ingredients (the protein powder and oats).

In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients (the peanut butter, applesauce and honey or maple syrup). Add the wet to the dry ingredients and stir to combine.

The consistency of your dough will depend on the protein powder and natural peanut butter you use. If needed, add an additional 1-2 Tablespoons of applesauce to moisten the dough.

Form the dough into one inch balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Use a fork to press the ball down into a cookie shape and bake until golden brown!

Two peanut butter protein cookies, one laying on top of the other.

Storing Peanut Butter Cookies

These cookies are so delicious it’s almost not even necessary to share storage tips! If you have self control… these store well in an airtight container on the counter, in the fridge or in the freezer! If you plan on storing for longer than a week, I recommend storing in the freezer.

Stack of peanut butter protein cookies laying on a white surface.

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4.02 from 83 votes

Peanut Butter Protein Cookies

By: Brittany Mullins

Peanut butter protein cookies made with just 5 simple ingredients: oats, protein powder, peanut butter, apple sauce and honey or maple syrup. Each cookie has 4 grams of protein! Gluten-free and dairy-free.

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 12

Total Time: 22

Servings: 12

Ingredients

▢ 1 cup quick oats
▢ 2 scoops, 50 grams of vanilla protein powder
▢ 1/2 cup drippy natural peanut butter*
▢ 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce + 1-2 Tablespoons more, if needed
▢ 2 Tablespoons honey or maple syrup

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Place oats and protein powder into a small bowl and stir to combine.
In a separate bowl mix together the peanut butter, applesauce and honey or maple syrup. Pour the wet peanut butter mixture over the dry mixture and stir well. Combining this mixture will take a little stirring power and it may seem a little crumbly at first. I used my hands to knead the dough near the end and that seems to help. If it’s too crumbly, you can add an extra 1-2 Tablespoons of applesauce to moisten it.
Once combined, start forming the the dough into one inch balls.
Place balls on a parchment lined baking sheet, press the ball down into a cookie shape with a fork and bake for 12 minutes.
Remove from oven, let cool and enjoy. Store any leftovers in a covered airtight container on the counter/in the fridge for immediate consumption or store in the freezer for later.

Notes

For the protein powder, I recommend measuring by grams instead of by the scoop.
The consistency of the dough may vary based on the brand of protein powder and peanut butter you use. If the dough seems too dry, add more applesauce as the recipe suggests or a splash of milk.