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Looking for a high protein snack to have on hand? These protein cookies are ridiculously delicious and made with ingredients you likely have in your pantry – no expensive protein powders or weird ingredients. 

If you’re like me you are looking for any way to get more protein in your diet. High protein snacks are the perfect way to get more protein throughout the day. 

Now I have been skeptical of protein cookies in the past because they usually involve expensive protein powders or other weird ingredients that I NEVER have on hand. 

But a healthy protein cookie I can make with what’s hanging around in my pantry? That I can get on board with. 

This recipe is easily modified if you don’t have one of the ingredients on hand (just use white or brown sugar in place of the maple sugar, for example) but the one key ingredient you’ll need is a can of chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans). 

I know it sounds disgusting to eat bean cookies but you have to try this before you dismiss the idea – these are seriously SO GOOD. They are also gluten free (as long as you use oatmeal that is gluten safe) and have 5 grams of protein per cookie. Let’s get to the recipe!

Protein Cookie Recipe Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you’ll need and some substitutions:

• one can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed well)
• 1/4 cup peanut butter (or any nut butter)
• 1/2 cup oat flour (Use rolled or quick oats to make your own, or use any flour)
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons white or brown sugar (or use more maple syrup)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup (or more) Chocolate chips (any variety you like – vegan option too)
• If needed: 1 tablespoon liquid (use water, oat milk, vegetable oil, etc)
• Optional: coarse sea salt for finishing

These are the ingredients I use but as you can see you have lots of options! Note that you may not need the additional liquid if you are using all maple syrup for your sweetner.

If you have dietary restrictions, here are some notes: 

• If you need this gluten free due to celiac disease, be sure to use certified gluten free oats
• This can be made vegan as long as you use vegan chocolate chips

OK let’s get to how to make these!

How To Make Protein Cookies Without Protein Powder

The best thing about these cookies might be how easy they are to mix.

After you drain and rinse your chickpeas, throw them into a large food processor. 

Next, if you are making your own oat flour, just toss your rolled oats (or quick oats) into a coffee grinder for a few seconds. I have to do mine in two batches but it goes quickly.

Then add the rest of your ingredients (except the optional liquid) to the food processor and blend. 

When I tested this recipe originally, the dough wasn’t blending properly so I added another tablespoon of liquid (I used vegetable oil) and then they started blending perfectly.

So I suggest waiting to see how your dough is coming to gether and adding a little additional liquid if needed to get it to blend into a smooth dough. 

Then fold in your chocolate chips and you are ready to bake. 

How To Bake Protein Cookies

Actually you can stop at this point and just eat this as protein cookie dough – many people do this! Just be sure to keep it refridgerated. 

If you want to bake, preheat the overn to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. 

I suggest using an ice cream scoop to make uniformly sized cookies – I use a 2 tablespoon scoop for these. 

These cookies stick more than regular cookies so it is essential to bake them on parchment paper or silicone baking mats, You will have a hard time getting them off the tray otherwise. 

Something else to know is that these cookies do not spread like regular cookie dough. You will have to flatten them before cooking or the dough in the center will not get fully cooked. 

I use the back of a fork pressed into the cookies like a hashtag to flatten them, but the back of a large spoon works too. I like to add a sprinkle of coarse sea salt at this point for both presentation and taste. 

Now you’re ready to pop them into the oven for about 12 minutes (more or less depending on the size of your cookies). 

Let them cool completely on the tray before removing to a cooling rack. Then store in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for later. 

I like to heat them up in the microwave for 15 seconds before eating!

Chickpea Protein Cookies Summary

These cookies are the perfect high protein snack to have on hand. They have 5 grams of protein each plus 3.5 grams of fiber (which I’m always looking for more of in my diet. 

Any questions about these protein cookies without protein powder? Leave a comment below!

Yield: 14

Healthy Protein Cookie Recipe

Print

Healthy protein cookies made without protein powder or any other weird ingredients.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Additional Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup oat flour (make from rolled oats)
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 6 tablespoons maple syrup, white sugar, or brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips
• Optional:
• 1 tablespoon additional liquid such as water or oat milk
• Coarse sea salt for finishing

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Add all ingredients except for chocolate chips and optional ingredients to food processor.
3. Blend until smooth, adding small amounts of additional liquid if needed.
4. Fold in chocolate chips
5. Scoop onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone mat.
6. Bake for about 12 minutes or until set up.
7. Cool completely on baking sheet before removing to cooling rack.
8. Store in refridgerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

14
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 140Fiber: 3gProtein: 5g