These Protein Cookie Dough Balls literally taste like you’re eating cookie dough, but without all the added sugars and saturated fats. Ready in 5 minutes and made with nourishing ingredients including oat flour and protein powder with dark chocolate chips and sea salt folded in.
The perfect amount of sweetness and nostalgia in every bite - you’ll be transported back to licking the spoon as a kid!
Make these cookie dough protein bites when you want a sweet treat or healthy snack. As a dietitian, I love that these have a good balance of nutrients (and sweetness!) in every bite.
This was inspired by my Date Snickers recipe. I love dessert, but also enjoy eating mostly whole foods so I try to make my own desserts when I can. 😊
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Why You'll Love Protein Cookie Dough Bites
EASY - seriously, these couldn’t be easier. You don’t need any special equipment and you don’t even have to bake them.
NUTRITION - compared to regular cookie dough, these are low carb, low sugar, and have a balance of protein with 4 grams of protein in every ball. They also contain complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. The perfect snack to satisfy your sweet tooth without going overboard on refined sugar.
NOSTALGIC - who doesn’t remember eating cookie dough off the spoon growing up?! Imagine that same taste fits as part of your healthy snacking goals! The best thing about edible protein cookie dough is there are no raw eggs so you can eat as much as you want.
KID-FRIENDLY - this is one that the kids will enjoy, too!
Ingredients
This Protein Cookie Dough recipe is made with 7 simple ingredients. Below are some ingredient notes.
*Be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom for exact ingredient measurements and full recipe.
Oat Flour - oat flour is a healthier flour alternative and is high in nutritional value. It contains fiber and a good amount of protein at 16 grams of protein per 1 cup serving size.
Vanilla Protein Powder - I prefer to use plant-based protein powder, but you could also use Whey Protein Powder. I recommend using your favorite protein powder based on taste because it will make or break these Protein Cookie Dough Balls.
Pure Maple Syrup - to add sweetness without adding refined sugar.
Peanut Butter - I prefer to use natural peanut butter because it is a more runny consistency and mixes easier into no-bake snacks like this edible cookie dough. Justin’s is my go-to natural peanut butter brand and contains no added sugars. Peanut butter is a source of plant-protein and healthy fats that help support hormone health.
Unsweetened Almond Milk - just a small amount to add some liquid and hold it all together.
Sea salt - a pinch of sea salt ties together all the other flavors in these little bites.
Dark Chocolate Chips - a small amount of dark chocolate chips really satisfies the sweet tooth. Dark chocolate also contains polyphenols which are important for supporting your brain and can be a great addition to a cycle syncing diet. Look for dark chocolate that is above 40% cacao. I use Ghirardelli’s brand for this recipe.
Vanilla Extract (optional)- to amp up the sweet flavor.
Instructions
*Below are the instructions for how to make Protein Cookie Dough Bites with some visuals that I hope are helpful! Don't forget to check out the recipe card at the bottom for the full recipe.
Step 1: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean up. In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients including oat flour, protein powder, and sea salt.
Step 2: Add in the wet ingredients including the maple syrup, almond milk, peanut butter, and vanilla extract. Mix well and then fold in the dark chocolate chips.
Step 3: Shape about 1 tablespoon of dough at a time into a ball using your hands or a cookie dough scoop. Place each ball on the parchment lined baking sheet. Use a rubber spatula to get all of the dough off the sides of the bowl.
Step 4: For best results, refrigerate the balls for about 10-15 minutes before eating. This will help give them more of a raw cookie dough consistency.
Hint: Wet your hands before shaping these cookie dough bites...it will help them be less sticky and easier to form into balls!
Substitutions
- Oat Flour - if you don’t have oat flour, you can easily make your own by throwing some oats in a blender or food processor until they are finely ground! Keep it gluten-free by using certified gluten-free oats. If you prefer, you can substitute oat flour with almond flour.
- Protein Powder - instead of vanilla protein powder, feel free to use your favorite flavor! Chocolate protein powder works great for a richer chocolate taste. I do not recommend using unflavored protein powder.
- Nut Butter - if you don’t like peanut butter, use any natural nut butter you like. Some great options are almond butter or cashew butter.
- Syrup - if you want a lower sugar option, replace the maple syrup with monk fruit syrup. Start by using half the amount of monk fruit syrup and increase according to your taste.
- Milk - use your milk of choice! I prefer unsweetened almond milk but regular milk, oat milk, cashew milk, or soy milk are all great options.
Variations
- Nut Free - want to make this recipe nut free? Swap out the peanut butter and use Sunflower Butter instead. Sunflower seed butter is found near the nut butter in the grocery store. You can also grab some off of Amazon.
- Monster Cookie Protein Balls - use M&Ms and chocolate chips and double up on the peanut butter to give these more of a monster cookie flavor.
- Snickerdoodle Cookie Protein Balls - give this protein ball recipe a snickerdoodle flare by adding ½ teaspoon cinnamon to the rest of the ingredients and topping them with a cinnamon and sugar mixture.
- Peanut Butter Balls - amp up the peanut butter flavor by using 2-3 tablespoon of peanut butter and replacing chocolate chips with peanut butter chips.
Storage
Fridge - store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
Freezer - freeze in a freezer-friendly container for up to 4 months.
To thaw, place the protein balls in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.
Expert tips
- Wet your hands before shaping them into balls. This will help prevent them from sticking to your hands.
- Be sure to use a protein powder that you like the taste of.
- Double up on these and freeze half of them to have a healthy snack on hand for busier weeks.
FAQ
From a nutrition standpoint, these are a nourishing option and a healthier alternative compared to regular cookie dough or cookies. While healthy means something different to everyone, these work great for something sweet after dinner or as a pre or post workout snack. They are gluten-free, plant-based and made with whole food ingredients. They contain less added sugars, carbohydrates and saturated fat than regular cookie dough. They are also higher in heart healthy fats and fiber.
If you’re trying to cut back on sugar, there are many great-tasting vanilla protein powders on the market with no added sugars.
Some brands of vegan protein powder are Orgain or Truvani.
You can also use collagen powder. My favorite Collagen powder is Vital Protein brand.
Yes, absolutely! To make them into bars, simply shape the dough into a square (this can be easily done in a bread pan or on a baking sheet). Then, refrigerate it for about 20-30 minutes and cut it into bars.
Yes. Make sure that your oat flour is certified gluten-free to ensure the recipe is free of gluten. Bob’s Red Mill is my favorite brand of oat flour.
Yes! You can substitute with almond flour if you prefer.
Related
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Looking for Nutrition Education?
Here are some of my educational posts you may enjoy.
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram....I LOVE knowing there’s people out there trying out my recipes! 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian.
📖 Recipe
Protein Cookie Dough Balls, No Bake Chocolate Chip
Equipment
- cookie scoop optional
Ingredients
- 1 cup oat flour (I use Bob's Red Mills)
- ¼ cup vanilla protein powder (Truvani or Orgain are good options)
- 2 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 3 tablespoon unsweetened almond milk (I use Califia Farms)
- 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter (Justin's Brand is my favorite)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips (I use Ghirardelli's)
- pinch of sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean up. In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients including oat flour, protein powder, and sea salt.
- Add in the wet ingredients including the maple syrup, almond milk, peanut butter, and vanilla extract. Mix well and then fold in the dark chocolate chips.
- Shape about 1 tablespoon of dough at a time into a ball using your hands or a cookie dough scoop. Place each ball on the parchment lined baking sheet. Use a rubber spatula to get all of the dough off the sides of the bowl. There will be 12 balls.
- For best results, refrigerate the balls for about 10-15 minutes before eating. This will help give them more of a raw cookie dough consistency.
Notes
- Fridge - store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
- Freezer - freeze in a freezer-friendly container for up to 4 months. To thaw, place the protein balls in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.
- Wet your hands before shaping them into balls. This will help prevent them from sticking to your hands.
- Be sure to use a protein powder that you like the taste of
- Double up on these and freeze half of them to have a healthy snack on hand for busier weeks.
Kim
Literally exactly what I was looking for! I just started working out more and I'm trying to do more protein but I don't really like protein shakes so this was perfect. Thank you for sharing the recipe!!!!