These salted caramel protein cookies are crisp on the outside with a chewy center and filled with pockets of gooey caramel. They're made with protein powder and sunflower seed butter, sweetened with coconut sugar and gluten free!
When you get a bag of salted caramel protein powder, what better way to use it than to make salted caramel protein cookies!
These cookies were inspired by one of my new favorite protein powders from Equip: Salted Caramel Prime Protein. Their protein powders are made from grass fed beef, and unlike whey protein they're completely dairy free. Since I don't handle dairy well, this protein powder has been a dream come true!
These cookies are high in protein thanks to the beef protein powder, which also gives them a lovely salted caramel flavor. The cookies have a crispy outer texture and chewy insides. They're also gluten free, dairy free and paleo friendly!
Why You'll Love these Salted Caramel Protein Cookies
- High in protein
- Gluten free and grain free - made with beef isolate protein powder and coconut flour
- Paleo friendly - made with simple, minimally processed ingredients that you can feel good about eating
- Amazing texture - crispy on the outside with a chewy center
- Easy to make - a one bowl cookie dough that doesn't require any chilling and bakes in minutes!
Ingredients
These gluten free protein cookies require less than 10 ingredients. The full recipe can be found in the recipe card below, but here's a list of what you need:
- sunflower seed butter - while sunflower seed butter can be swapped for peanut butter or almond butter, sunbutter gives these cookies a delicious caramel flavor.
- large egg - no egg substitutes have been tested.
- coconut sugar - a healthy sweetener for these cookies
- vanilla extract - for added flavor
- protein powder - I used a salted caramel protein powder made from beef protein isolate. A whey protein powder should work too.
- coconut flour - needed for the cookie texture.
- baking soda - for the rise.
- salt - enhances the flavors. You can also top the cookies with flaked salt for a little extra flavor pop and crunch.
- caramel pieces - I recommend using caramel with a pretty firm/chewy texture. I used Cocomels caramels.
How to Make Salted Caramel Protein Cookies
The dough for these cookies is made in one bowl, it's no chill and bakes in just 12 minutes. Here are the steps:
- First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Whisk together the sunbutter, egg, vanilla and coconut sugar. Mix in the remaining ingredients. Then fold the caramel pieces into the dough.
- Scoop one rounded tablespoon of the dough for each cookie and place on the lined baking sheet.
- Place the cookies in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.
- After baking, sprinkle the cookies with flaked salt (if desired). Let them cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer them to a wire cooling rack.
Tips and Tricks
- Top the cookies with flaked salt after baking - this not only looks nice, but adds extra flavor and crunch.
- Don't omit the coconut flour - coconut flour is very absorbent and helps the cookies keep their shape. I don't recommend leaving it out or substituting with another flour.
- Use a salted caramel protein powder - this will add to the flavor of the cookies. I recommend a beef protein or whey protein for this recipe.
Storage
Place the cookies in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for 1-2 days, in the fridge up to one week, or in the freezer up to one month. I personally prefer them stored in the freezer.
FAQ
Yes, whey protein powder will work for this recipe.
Because of the sunflower seed butter, these cookies may turn green after cooling. Don't fret! This is a natural reaction that occurs between baking soda and sunflower seeds. The cookies are still perfectly fine to eat and it won't affect the flavor.
Any hard or chewy caramel will work in this recipe.
More Gluten Free Cookies
Looking for more gluten free cookie recipes? Check out these reader favorites:
Salted Caramel Protein Cookies (Gluten Free)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 11 cookies
Description
These salted caramel protein cookies are crisp on the outside with a chewy inside texture and pockets of gooey caramel. They're gluten free, dairy free and paleo friendly.
Ingredients
- ½ cup sunflower seed butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup coconut sugar (40g)
- ¼ cup salted caramel protein powder (27g)*
- 1 Tbsp coconut flour (7g)
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ¼ cup caramel pieces
- flaked salt (optional topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sunflower seed butter, egg, vanilla and coconut sugar.
- Add in the protein powder, coconut flour, baking soda and salt. Mix with a spatula until well combined.
- Fold in the caramel pieces.
- Scoop the dough onto your lined cookie sheet. Each cookie should be about one rounded tablespoon in size.
- Place the cookies in your oven and bake at 350 degrees F. for 12 minutes.
- After baking, sprinkle flaked salt on the cookies. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire cooling rack.
Notes
*I used Salted Caramel Beef Isolate from Equip. The best substitute would be another beef protein isolate or whey protein powder.
Katie
My family loves these cookies! Enjoy!