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Delicious and Easy Protein Cookie Dough Recipe

Medically reviewed and edited by Theresa Vergara, CNP-BC

It can be challenging to juggle following a balanced diet and consuming healthy snacks.

People often tend to reach for items that are high in fat, carbohydrates, and calories — three components that can cause weight gain over time.

Luckily, there are a number of delicious and healthy snack options that you can enjoy without compromising your weight loss goals.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at one of the most popular ones — protein cookie dough.

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Balancing Your Diet With Healthy Snacks

A balanced diet isn’t just about eating three nutritious main meals a day; incorporating wholesome snacks in between is essential, too.

Healthy snacking is an effective way to manage hunger, especially for those who are on a reduced-calorie diet.

It also helps to sustain energy throughout the day and prevents cravings that can cause you to eat too much and gain weight.

These snacks don’t have to consist of sugar-free sweets or bland veggie sticks with cottage cheese, either.

With the right method and measurements, you can create delicious snacks from whole ingredients like peanut butter, honey, and even chocolate chips!

High-Protein Cookie Dough Recipe

These protein cookie dough balls are a great way to satisfy sweet cravings while getting a good helping of protein and other nutrients. As a bonus, they don’t even need to be baked! Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

1 cup almond or oat flour

2 scoops (about 60 g) vanilla or chocolate protein powder

¼ cup natural peanut butter or almond butter

2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup

¼ cup milk (dairy or plant-based, like almond milk)

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

A pinch of salt

¼ cup dark chocolate chips (optional)

Method

1. In a bowl, combine almond flour, protein powder, and a pinch of salt.

2. Add peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract, and milk to the dry ingredients. Mix until well-combined.

The dough should be smooth, thick and moldable. You can adjust the consistency by adding more milk or almond flour as needed.

1. Fold in the chocolate chips, if using.

2. Let the dough chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This step is optional, but helps the flavors to meld together and makes the dough easier to handle.

3. Remove the dough from the fridge and enjoy it as is, or roll it into balls for bite-sized treats. Use a ¼ cup to measure if you’re rolling it into balls.

The recipe makes about eight servings.

The Importance of Protein in Our Diets

Protein is a macronutrient that plays an important role in almost every bodily function.

Not only is protein essential for the repair of tissues and muscle development, but it’s also essential for skin health and bone strength.

Protein helps the body produce enzymes and hormones that are essential for proper functioning. It also enables weight management by promoting satiety (feeling full), improving certain metabolic processes, and regulating sleep.

Proteins are made up of amino acids, some of which are essential and can only be obtained through the things we eat.

Ensuring you eat protein with every meal is key to maintaining muscle mass and ensuring that your body can function optimally.

What You Should Know About the Ingredients

Almond or oat flour: This is a great gluten-free substitute for regular flour. Both oat and almond flour is also higher in healthy fats and fiber and lower in calories than traditional flour.

You can buy them ready-made in almost any grocery store, but it’s relatively easy to make your own for a more cost-effective option. Simply blend almonds or oats into a fine powder, and that’s it!

Protein powder: Protein powder helps to increase the macronutrient content of this recipe while adding sweetness, flavor, and certain vitamins and minerals.

Water or milk: For most recipes, you can substitute water for milk to get the same consistency. Milk adds creaminess and extra protein, while water is a calorie-free option that won’t significantly alter the taste of these cookie dough bites.

Chocolate chips: Using chocolate chips can add sweetness and texture to this cookie dough recipe. You can opt for dark chocolate chips because they have a lower sugar content and are higher in antioxidants than regular ones.

Honey or maple syrup: Natural sweeteners, like honey or maple syrup, enhance the flavor of the cookie dough while adding a few nutritional benefits, too.

Honey contains antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can have a positive effect on your overall health.

Maple syrup also contains antioxidants and minerals like magnesium and zinc, which are important for maintaining a healthy immune system.

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Tips for Making and Storing Protein Cookie Dough

Use good-quality protein powder

There are a number of different protein powder types on the market, and the option you choose will largely depend on your specific dietary and fitness needs.

In this recipe, a dairy-based protein powder like whey protein or casein can provide a creamier taste. A pea or brown rice protein powder is a good option for vegans or vegetarians.

You should try stick to ‘neutral’ flavors — like vanilla or chocolate — to avoid affecting the taste of the other ingredients.

A neutral protein powder is also much more versatile, because you can use it in various other recipes.

Making the dough sweeter (if needed)

Although this recipe recommends vanilla protein powder because it adds a natural layer of sweetness, you can also add other sweet ingredients.

Remember to try and keep it healthy by opting for ingredients like honey or maple syrup instead of processed sugar.

Storing instructions

The cookie dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. Just make sure to keep it covered and allow it to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying it again.

Freezing instructions

Spoon portions of the cookie dough into freezer-safe, airtight containers and store. They can be frozen for up to six months.

Where Can You Find Similar Recipes and Learn More About Healthy Eating Habits?

If you’re looking for more protein-packed recipes or information that can help you maintain a healthy weight, LifeMD has got you covered.

With LifeMD’s Weight Management program, you can have access to a team of medical professionals that can provide guidance on healthy eating habits and weight management medications— all from the comfort of your home.

Make an appointment with LifeMD to learn more about sustainable ways to manage your weight and take control of your health today.

Theresa Vergara, CNP-BC

Theresa is a Certified Nurse Practitioner with a Masters in Human Nutrition and a Doctorate in Nursing from Columbia University. Theresa has treated hospitalized patients and helped patients manage chronic and acute conditions.

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