Growing up, our kitchen always had something sweet tucked away—but it wasn’t always fancy. Sometimes it was banana slices on toast or a spoonful of peanut butter with chocolate chips. Something fast. Something comforting.
That’s what these protein no bake cookies are. Fast comfort. They come together in one pot and one bowl no oven, no fuss. Just oats, nut butter, cocoa, and protein powder stirred into rich, fudgy rounds.
Now, I make these for those long stretches between lunch and dinner or as an after-school snack my kids can grab on their own. And when I feel like I want a treat, but still want to feel good after eating it this is what I reach for.
They taste like dessert. But they’re made with ingredients that actually fuel you. And that’s the kind of sweet I like to keep around.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
What Makes These a Smart Protein Treat (+ Recipe)
Traditional no bake cookies are usually heavy on sugar but this version flips the script. These protein no bake cookies use natural peanut butter and a scoop of protein powder to deliver lasting energy without the crash. Oats add fiber, and you can sweeten them naturally with mashed banana or maple syrup.
They’re chewy, chocolatey, and easy to customize. Plus, you don’t need a mixer or an oven—just one saucepan and a spoon. That’s my kind of snack.
This recipe reminds me a little of our no-bake cottage cheese brownie batter protein bites—but with a cookie twist. They’re also great alongside high protein brownie batter if you’re doing snack prep for the week.
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Protein No Bake Cookies – Quick, Healthy Snack Without the Oven
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: Healthy
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These protein no bake cookies are healthy, quick to prep, and made with oats, peanut butter, and protein powder. No oven needed—just chill and enjoy.
Ingredients
2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 scoop (21 grams) vanilla or chocolate protein powder
1/2 cup creamy natural peanut butter
1/2 cup almond milk
1 mashed banana or 1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
1. Combine oats and protein powder in a bowl. Stir until evenly coated.
2. In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine almond milk, peanut butter, banana or maple syrup, cocoa powder, and sea salt. Stir until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
4. Pour chocolate peanut butter mixture over the oats and mix well.
5. Chill the dough in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up (optional).
6. Scoop and shape into small cookies on parchment paper.
7. Enjoy right away or refrigerate for later.
Notes
For dairy-free, use a plant-based protein powder.
If dough is too dry, add a splash more almond milk. Too sticky? Mix in extra oats.
Store in fridge for 1 week or freeze for longer shelf life.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: protein no bake cookies, healthy snacks, oat cookies, no bake dessert
Ingredients about Protein No Bake Cookies
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 scoop (21g) vanilla or chocolate protein powder
- ½ cup natural peanut butter (thin, drippy style)
- ½ cup almond milk
- 1 mashed banana or ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ⅛ tsp sea salt
Instructions about Protein No Bake Cookies
- In a bowl, stir together oats and protein powder until evenly coated.
- In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine almond milk, peanut butter, banana or syrup, cocoa powder, and sea salt. Stir until smooth and thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Pour warm mixture over oats. Stir until everything is coated.
- Chill the mixture in the fridge for 10 minutes (optional but helpful).
- Scoop and shape into cookies on a parchment-lined tray.
- Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 week. They also freeze well!
Customizations & Texture Tips
One of the best things about these protein no bake cookies is how flexible they are. Whether you’re working with pantry staples or tweaking to meet food preferences, the base recipe can take it.Protein No Bake Cookies.
Sweetener Choices & Flavor Tweaks
You can use mashed banana for a subtle, natural sweetness, or maple syrup if you prefer something smoother and slightly richer. I’ve also made these with almond butter instead of peanut butter, which gives them a lighter taste. A few chocolate chips folded in before scooping adds crunch and fun.
If you’re into refreshing flavors, a peppermint extract swap pairs beautifully with cocoa—kind of like our mint chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches, but in bite-size form.
How to Get the Texture Right
If your cookie dough is too wet, add a spoonful of oats or protein powder. If it’s too dry, drizzle in a bit more almond milk. The goal is a dough that holds its shape without sticking too much.
They hold up well in a lunchbox and travel nicely, just like our freezer-friendly mint chocolate chip ice cream bars—perfect for warm weather snacking.
Storage Tips
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a single layer, then stack. They thaw in about 15 minutes and taste just as good.Protein No Bake Cookies.
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FAQs about Protein No Bake Cookies
Are protein cookies actually healthy?
They can be—especially when made with real ingredients like oats, peanut butter, and quality protein powder. These protein no bake cookies avoid refined sugar and use natural sweeteners like banana or maple syrup, which makes them a smarter, more balanced treat.
How do you add protein to cookies?
The easiest way is by mixing in a scoop of your favorite protein powder. Vanilla or chocolate flavors both work well. You can also include nut butters, flaxseed, or even Greek yogurt in other recipes. We use this same strategy in recipes like our high protein brownie batter—adding protein without compromising taste.
Can I use protein powder instead of flour for cookies?
Yes, but it depends on the recipe. Protein powder isn’t a 1:1 substitute for flour in baked cookies—it behaves differently. But in no bake cookies like this one, it works beautifully because there’s no rising or structure needed.
What are the common mistakes in no bake cookies?
Too much liquid can make them sticky and hard to shape. Not mixing thoroughly can leave dry patches. And using thick nut butter can make the dough too dry to bind well. Always adjust with small amounts of almond milk or oats to hit that perfect chewy texture.
Conclusion about Protein No Bake Cookies
Whether you’re packing snacks for the week or reaching for something sweet between tasks, these protein no bake cookies deliver. They’re quick, nourishing, and satisfy that chocolate craving without a second thought.
This recipe is the kind of simple, feel-good food that reminds me why I started Daily Easy Meals in the first place—to make caring for yourself and your family a little easier. Keep a batch in the fridge, and you’ve always got something homemade and wholesome, ready when you are.Protein No Bake Cookies.
