Every person needs to start the morning right.
A positive start to the day can include light exercise and a satisfying breakfast.
Healthy protein breakfast cookies can be a nutritious way to start your day.
This review unveils some of the recipes.
Yet, here comes another crucial question: Should you eat protein cookies for breakfast? Your answer might depend on a few factors, which we will discuss.
Learning about the top protein cookie recipes is a good idea for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Substituting grocery-purchased ultra-processed sweets with healthy protein treats can benefit your health.
Protein is a powerful nutrient that does the following:
- Supports wound healing
- Maintains muscle strength
- Involved in countless functions in our bodies (1).
If you want to learn some simple protein cookie recipes, you came to the right place.
What Is A Recipe Of Protein Breakfast Cookies?
The low calorie high protein breakfast cookies recipe below is a must-try.
With only a few essential ingredients, such as rolled oats, bananas, and eggs, you can create a lovely, healthier dessert alternative for your morning.
Protein Breakfast Cookies Recipe
Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup (60g) semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus extra for on top of cookies
- ½ cup (128g) natural peanut butter or almond butter
- 1 cup (95g) old fashioned rolled oats
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons flaxseed meal
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 to 3 tablespoons hemp hearts
- 2 large extra ripe bananas, mashed
- ¼ cup (78g) pure maple syrup
- 1 large egg or flax egg
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup (92g) oat flour
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- Flaky sea salt for sprinkling
Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
- Combine the nut butter, mashed bananas, maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Add the oat flour, cinnamon, flaxseed meal, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients. Stir well, and then add oats, hemp hearts, chia seeds, chocolate chips, and walnuts (if using).
- Allow the dough to sit for 5 minutes.
- With a large cookie scoop, scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 3 tablespoons per cookie. Leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie. Top each cookie with a few chocolate chips.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes. Turn off the heat and remove from the oven.
- Sprinkle cookies with flaky sea salt, if desired.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutritional value per 1 cookie (recipe makes 15)
| Calories | Fats | Protein | Fiber | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 178 | 8.4g | 5,7g | 3.4g | 22.1g(2) |
Are Protein Cookies Actually Healthy?
Oatmeal protein breakfast cookies can be healthy as they pack powerful ingredients that help maintain good health.
First, a typical cookie involves oats high in fiber to promote gut microbiota.
In addition, the fiber in oats may prevent diseases such as:
- Diabetes
- Atherosclerosis
- Some forms of cancer (3)
People facing bowel movement trouble can benefit from oatmeal cookies, as oats help prevent constipation.
Traditional protein cookies often include bananas, chia seeds, and peanut butter.
Bananas are excellent sources of fiber and potassium, improving gut and cardiovascular health (4).
If you wish to free yourself from all the extra pounds that have been weighing you down for way too long, start using the BetterMe: Health Coaching app and overhaul your entire life!
According to Harvard Health, chia seeds offer a range of potential benefits, including:
- Reduced blood pressure
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved weight management
- Protection against chronic disease (5)
Peanut butter contains high amounts of protein and is a good source of other nutrients, such as:
- Fiber
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B3
- Healthy fats
- Manganese
- Magnesium (6).
High protein breakfast cookies can benefit you and even enhance your well-being.
The only thing you should do is to be cautious of the added sugars and saturated fats you’re adding to your recipe. Preparing homemade cookies is best, as you know every ingredient you add.
Is A Protein Cookie Good For Breakfast?
Two of the most frequently asked questions: Are protein breakfast cookies suitable for your breakfast routine, and is it okay to eat them on an empty stomach?
Despite their rich combination of nutrients, protein cookies often contain sugar due to the addition of chocolate chips and maple syrup or honey.
Some might even add white or brown sugar to the recipe, which is also very sweet.
All of these fall under the category of added sugars (7).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights the negative impact of sugar on the body: it might contribute to weight gain, obesity, and heart disease.
While having a little added sugar is okay, keep it within the recommended limits.
Eating sugar on an empty stomach can also provoke glucose spikes in those with diabetes or insulin resistance (8).
Doctors recommend eating your carbs as a balanced meal with protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
For instance, you can choose a high protein breakfast meal prep, such as:
- Plain Greek yogurt with nuts
- Avocado and egg toast
- After that, enjoy your protein cookie.
In this way, you’ll have more sustained energy and feel full for longer.
Read more: Low-Calorie High-Protein Foods For Weight Loss
When Should You Eat A Protein Cookie?
You might eat a protein cookie as:
- A quick breakfast
- A snack to tide you over until your next meal
- Before or after a workout
Protein can help muscles recover from physical activity and support their growth (9).
These cookies also have a lot of ingredients that can provide long-lasting energy and fullness.
What Are Some Healthy Protein Breakfast Cookies Recipes?
The protein breakfast cookies healthy recipes below can satisfy cravings.
It’s okay to swap some ingredients if desired.
Protein Cookies (Easy Recipe)
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup sugar-free dark chocolate chips
- 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 1/2 cup whey protein powder
- 1 cup any sweetener you like
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Flaky sea salt (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Whisk together the protein powder, sea salt, and sweetener, breaking up any lumps.
- Add the eggs and whisk at the edge of the bowl to mix the yolk and white.
- Add the peanut butter and vanilla, and stir until smooth and thick.
- Scoop the cookie dough and release balls of dough onto the lined baking sheet, spaced at least 2 inches apart. Flatten the balls into cookies with the tines of a fork.
- Place the chocolate chips over the tops of the cookies and press in gently.
- Bake them for 10-15 minutes, until the cookies are not sticky on top but slightly underbaked.
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the cookies if you want.
- Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack. Cool completely to firm up.
Nutritional value per 1 cookie (recipe makes 14)
| Calories | Fats | Protein | Fiber | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 147 | 11.1g | 8g | 2.2g | 5.1g(2) |
The BetterMe: Health Coaching app will provide you with a host of fat-frying fitness routines that’ll scare the extra pounds away and turn your body into a masterpiece! Get your life moving in the right direction with BetterMe!
The Easiest Recipe For Protein Cookies
This recipe works great for protein breakfast cookies low carb-focused as the carb amount per cookie is only 3 grams.
Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup nut butter
- 1 scoop protein powder
- 1 teaspoon ground flax seed (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix all the ingredients until a dough starts to form.
- Scoop into 4 servings and bake for 5-6 minutes.
Nutritional value per 1 cookie (recipe makes 4)
| Calories | Fats | Protein | Fiber | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 145 | 5g | 9g | 1g | 3g(2) |
Can You Eat Protein Cookies Every Day?
Eating daily protein cookies is overall okay.
They’re still sweet; eating them in high amounts might provide more calories than you need.
However, homemade breakfast cookies are still better than store-bought cookies because you’re responsible for all the ingredients in your recipe.
Unlike low calorie high protein snacks, cookies are often calorie-dense due to added sugars. That’s why the best protein breakfast cookies for weight loss are the ones you eat in moderation!
Limit to one daily protein cookie, especially when trying to lose weight.
Read more: Lazy Day Oatmeal Cake: Treat Yourself with a Nutritious Dessert
What Else Can Be A Sweet High Protein Breakfast?
If you have a sweet tooth, go for balanced, high-protein breakfast meals with natural sweetness.
Great options are:
- Greek yogurt parfait with berries and granola
- Oatmeal with nut butter, dried fruit, and honey
- Whole grain protein pancakes with a drizzle of maple syrup
- French toast (whole grain) with peanut butter
It’s ideal to get your protein from whole foods, but if you want to spice up your morning routine, you can experiment with protein shakes. They can benefit muscle growth and improve muscle recovery (12). A protein cookie might hit the spot if you’re craving a sweet dessert but want something a little more nutritious. However, there’s no extra benefit to eating a snack before bed unless a healthcare provider advises you for medical reasons. You may have added too much protein powder or flour and not enough liquid to your cookie. The second reason could be keeping your cookies in the oven longer than required. Yes, cooking with whey protein is completely fine. Therefore, you can bake protein bars, cookies, cheesecake, and other meals.Frequently Asked Questions
Is it OK to have a protein drink for breakfast?
Should I eat a protein cookie before bed?
Why are protein cookies so dry?
Is it okay to bake whey protein?
The Bottom Line
Today, you learned about protein breakfast cookies: Are they good for satisfying your hunger in the morning?
To sum it up, protein cookies are good sources of nutrients that can help promote your health.
However, they often contain added sugar and can be high in calories, so you should know how to incorporate them into your diet.
DISCLAIMER:
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not serve to address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on for making any kind of decision-making. Any action taken as a direct or indirect result of the information in this article is entirely at your own risk and is your sole responsibility.
BetterMe, its content staff, and its medical advisors accept no responsibility for inaccuracies, errors, misstatements, inconsistencies, or omissions and specifically disclaim any liability, loss or risk, personal, professional or otherwise, which may be incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and/or application of any content.
You should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or your specific situation. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of BetterMe content. If you suspect or think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor.
SOURCES:
- The importance of protein in your diet (2020, berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk)
- The Most Delicious Breakfast Cookies (2025, ambitiouskitchen.com)
- A Review of Health-Beneficial Properties of Oats (2021, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- 10 Healthy Reasons to Eat a Banana Every Day (2018, anfponline.org)
- Chia seed benefits: What you need to know (2024, harvard.edu)
- Peanut Butter: Is It Good for You? (2023,webmd.com)
- Is Maple Syrup Better than Sugar? (2022, integrishealth.org)
- Get the Facts: Added Sugars (2024, cdc.gov)
- Effects of Protein Supplementation on Performance and Recovery in Resistance and Endurance Training (2018, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- Protein Cookies (2024, wholesomeyum.com)
- 3 Ingredient Protein Cookies (2023, kelseyandcooperskitchen.com)
- Protein supplementation: the double-edged sword (2023, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
