{gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, protein-packed}
I honestly have no idea why I called these ‘Pillow Cookies’… but the puffy, crackle-y look of these protein cookies make me think of warm, chocolate pillows so well, Pillow Cookies it is. I of course used dairy-free chocolate chips, but if you aren’t dairy-free or vegan, you can definitely use regular chocolate chips. As for the protein powder, even if you aren’t dairy-free or vegan, I would stick with plant-based protein powder. The reason being that whey or casein will make these protein cookies turn out rubbery. Plant-based protein powder has a flour-like consistency, which makes it awesome for baking!
Ingredients
- 1 scoop (~30 g) plant-based chocolate protein powder (I like Garden of Life)
- 2 tbsp oat flour, or ground oats
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp coconut sugar
- ½ tbsp flax meal (I like Bob’s Red Mill)
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 3 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
- 2-3 tbsp almond milk
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp dark chocolate chips (I like Enjoy Life)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, add protein powder, oat flour, cocoa powder, sugar, flax meal, baking soda, and salt. Whisk until all ingredients are combined.
- In a small bowl, add applesauce, 2 tbsp almond milk, almond butter, and vanilla. Stir until fully mixed together.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir until a dough-like consistency, adding a tbsp or so more of almond milk if it is too dry. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Form dough into balls and place them on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 13-16 minutes, depending on how chewy or crispy you like your cookies. Let cool for at least 5 minutes.
- Eat your heart out!
These look so delicious! I love trying to incorporate as much protein into my diet and putting protein powders into snacks is a great way of doing so!
Get in my belly!!! These cookies sound so good. I can’t wait to make a batch and then eat them ALL!
I’ve been on the hunt for healthy alternative to help me curve my sweet tooth cravings and I think this is the perfect recipe. I can’t wait to try these, thanks for sharing.
I love recipes that are decadent and healthy! These cookies look sooooo amazing! I always need a little chocolate goodness around the house.
They look like little pillows so I’m guessing that’s what first came to your mind when you saw them. These look delightful! It’s tough to think that these are actually healthy because they look so sinful.
These look delicious! I love cookies and chocolate! Plus a cookie with protein?! Yep I’ll eat it!
I am not a regular baker but you make them seem pretty easy to make. I love the added protein for my growing son.
These look so delicious! Healthy chocolate?? Sign me up! I usually buy vanilla protein powder, but I think I may mix it up and grab chocolate the next time I’m out so that I can make these.
These are so perfect for healthy snacks on the go. And anything chocolate is right up my alley! I crave it everyday.
Another recipe I have to try! I love cooking and going sugar, dairy and gluten free has really stymied my style. Now I am going to get started again!
These look and sound so good! Thank you for sharing it and special thanks to the tip about the protein powder. I am really looking to incorporate mine into more things and this sounds perfect!
Best,
Rebecca
Healthy and delicious! It’s what you’d want in a snack and more. I’d love to give these cookies a try, I think they’re amazing and the name’s adorable!!!
I’m definitely going to give these a try. I love chocolate cookies, but have been trying to cut down on my sugar intake so I haven’t been baking too much lately. These are just what I need.
they really do look pillow like. I will definitely save this recipe for later to make them
Love the idea of using cocoa and applesauce!! Going to make these this weekend for a bbq with friends!!
I’ve been looking for a recipe for protein cookies. I cannot wait to try these! Pinning for later 🙂
Taryn
Yum these look awesome! Love that they combine chocolate and healthy!