These simple Vanilla Protein Chocolate Chip Cookies are gluten free and dairy free, made with pea protein and perfect for a healthy dessert. This Paleo cookie recipe is so good - you'll never guess it contains protein powder.
If you've followed my blog for a while, you know I love trying new protein powders - collagen too! Recently, I tried a variety of Nuzest's clean lean protein powders and was instantly sold. Every single flavor is off the charts amazing!
My favorite, the Nuzest vanilla pea protein, was used in these Vanilla Protein Chocolate Chip Cookies. This pea protein provides a moist texture and sweet vanilla cookie taste.
These grain free protein cookies have a lot of great qualities. They are:
- gluten free & grain free (made with pea protein and almond flour)
- dairy free (no whey protein)
- soy free
- refined sugar free (made with coconut sugar)
- low carb
- easy to make and delicious!
Why Use Pea Protein?
Lately, Nuzest protein powders have been making a frequent appearance in my recipe testing. Their protein powders are made entirely of European grown and processed Golden Peas, are easily digestible and allergy friendly. Plus, they don't include any nasty additives, preservatives or chemicals in any of their flavored proteins.
On another random note, the smooth vanilla is the best smelling protein powder! The vanilla protein powder smells like a fresh batch of vanilla cookies. In fact, I'm guessing that's what inspired me to create these Paleo protein cookies.
Ingredients in Vanilla Protein Chocolate Chip Cookies
These easy Paleo protein cookies are made with a few simple ingredients. Here's what you need:
- Non-hydrogenated shortening
- coconut sugar
- egg
- vanilla extract
- Pea Protein Powder
- blanched almond flour
- baking soda
- salt
- chocolate chips
Ingredient Substitutions
Shortening
If you aren't dairy-free, then substituting the shortening for grass fed butter will produce similar results. However, non-hydrogenated shortening (I use Nutiva
) is an excellent dairy free butter alternative. It contains healthy fats and bakes really well! Whatever you do, please don't substitute with traditional shortening like Crisco. The ingredients in Crisco are absolutely terrible!
Sugar
I used coconut sugar in these healthy protein cookies, but it can be substituted with any granulated sugar. Monk fruit sweetener would be my top alternative.
Egg
If you are looking for an egg-free option, using a flax or chia egg will most likely work. However, please know that I have not tried these substitutions and the texture and taste may slightly vary if you aren't using real eggs.
Protein Powder
As far as the protein powder goes, most plant based protein powders should work in place of the one I used, but this recipe has only been tested with Nuzest's pea protein. Furthermore, any flavor of Nuzest protein powder may be substituted for vanilla.
Almond Flour
These cookies have only been tested with almond flour. However, tigernut flour or ground sunflower seed may work for a nut-free version. Just be aware that I have not tried this substitution myself so cannot guarantee results.
How to make Vanilla Protein Chocolate Chip Cookies
These vanilla protein powder cookies are extremely easy and quick to make - no chilling the dough required!
First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Next, in a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the shortening and coconut sugar. Once well combined, add in the egg and vanilla. Mix in the almond flour, protein powder, baking soda and salt. Lastly, fold the chocolate chips into the dough.
Use a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop to scoop the dough onto a baking sheet. Each cookie should be one rounded tablespoon of dough, making 12-14 cookies.
Place the cookies in the preheated oven and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
Then, remove the cookies from the oven, cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack.
Best Way to Store Vanilla Protein Cookies
These low carb protein cookies are best stored in the fridge or freezer. Personally, I LOVE them straight out of the freezer with a glass of almond milk 🙂
Place the cookies in an air tight container or baggie in the fridge for up to one week or the freezer up to one month.
More Low Carb Cookie Recipes
- Chocolate Protein Cookies
- Collagen Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Collagen Cookies
- Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Vanilla Protein Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12-14 cookies 1x
Description
Gluten free and dairy free cookies packed with protein and perfect for a guilt free, Paleo dessert.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup Non-hydrogenated shortening, softened
- ⅓ cup coconut sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup blanched almond flour (55g)
- ¼ cup Nuzest Vanilla Protein Powder (28g)*
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine shortening and coconut sugar. Mix well.
- Add in egg and vanilla, mix.
- Add in almond flour, protein powder, baking soda and salt. Mix well.
- Fold chocolate chips into the batter.
- Scoop cookie dough (1 rounded tablespoon per cookie) onto baking sheet. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
- Remove cookies from oven. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack.
- Best stored in fridge or freezer.
Notes
*No other protein powders have been tested. Use my affiliate discount code "bakeitpaleo" for 15% off any Nuzest purchase.
Keywords: protein cookies, chocolate chip, nuzest, dessert, pea protein, low carb cookies, vanilla protein, healthy dessert recipes
Jill savin says
Do you think just using coconut out would work? Thanks
Katie says
I haven't tried subbing with coconut oil so I can't say for sure. But I don't think the texture would turn out quite the same. If you try, I'd love to know how they turn out!
Eric says
I can easily eat an entire batch in one sitting.
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Frida says
Best cookie recipe ever. You are a genius, lovely recipe. All of your recipes have turned out great. This is my new favourite recipe blog. 😁
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Katie says
Oh my goodness! Thank you so much for the sweet comment and review! You just made my weekend 🙂
Basma says
Hi Katie!
I am trying to cut butter and shortening from my food, and so if I substitute with apple sauce do you think it will work?
Katie says
Hi! No, I don't think that will work well in this recipe. But, if you try then please let me know the results 🙂
Jamie says
Flavors are great! Mine spread quite a bit so they were on the thin side and really soft but overall really good. Is that common? I used butter instead of shortening..do you think that’s the problem?? Thank you!!
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Katie says
Hi! It's possible that the butter is what made them spread more. Did you use room temperature butter? The temperature of the butter/shortening and the type of protein powder you use will make a large difference. One thing you can do to help with the spreading is refrigerate the cookie dough for 30-60 minutes prior to baking. Hope this helps!
steph says
do you have the nutrition facts for these cookies?
Tammy says
I made these with coconut oil and monk fruit sweetener and they were perfect! My boyfriend and I tore them up and they tasted like real deal chocolate chip cookies!!! Can’t wait to try this with other flavors of protein powder!
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Katie says
Wonderful! So happy that you both enjoyed the recipe 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Anna says
Hi thanks for the great recipe! Making this tonight, although I’ve been craving an oatmeal protein Cookie, do you think I could sub out half the almond flour for oats?
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Katie says
Hi! I'm guessing that would work, but I haven't tried the substitution myself so can't say for sure.
Lizzy says
roughly how much protein does each cookie have?