These Chocolate Coconut Protein Cookies are a healthy, nutritious way to satisfy that sweet tooth. Naturally gluten-free and vegan, they're also full of healthy fats and fiber too!
When it comes to cookies, I'm definitely on the flat and chewy side of things. Some people like cakey cookies, other people like thing and crispy. Me? It's all about the gooeyness.
So when these Chocolate Coconut Protein Cookies came out of the oven looking like the perfect texture, I knew we had a winner. And boy, was I right.
These might just be my favorite cookies to date!
The base is almond butter, which gives these cookies a really amazing nutty flavor (obvi) and helps with that nice gooey texture.
I also wanted to make sure these cookies were healthy and could double as an afternoon snack, so I decided to turn them into protein cookies. Similar to my healthy peanut butter blossoms (which this recipe is semi-based upon), I used one scoop of my favorite grain-free protein powder.
I know not everyone is a fan of protein powder, so if you want to leave that out, I think you could substitute 2 tablespoons of quinoa flour instead and it should work out just fine. You just won't have quite as much protein.
But that didn't feel like enough to me, so I also threw in a few extra goodies.
How to add more protein to your cookies
Hemp is awesome because they're very high in protein, as well as soluble and insoluble fiber making them awesome for your gut.
Chia, which is also high in protein, contains omega-3 fatty acids which are critical to our health but aren't something our body naturally produces.
Flax (which is what we're using for our egg replacer), is another seed that is high in protein and good for gut health, and just like chia, it contains omega-3s, fiber and tons of trace minerals.
And then to round it all out, we had to have a little fun, right? We're folding in some flaked coconut and chocolate chips!
Let's also chat about the nutrition breakdown of these protein cookies quickly.
They've got about 150 calories, 10 grams of healthy fats (all from our nuts and seeds), as well as just 11 grams of carbs and 5 grams of protein.
Compare that to a traditional chocolate chip cookie and we're looking real good ????????
I'd say these cookies definitely pass the test. They're sweet and decadent, perfect for dessert, but also healthy, low in sugar and make and excellent afternoon treat.
So next time you're craving a classic chocolate chip cookie, whip up a batch of these babies instead. They're super easy to make – did I mention they use just one bowl and 10 ingredients?! – and they will make your house smell seriously amazing!
Looking for more healthy cookie recipes? Try some of these!
- Gluten-Free Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies
- Healthy Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies
- Double Chocolate Chip Quinoa Cookies
- Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Coconut Protein Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 flax egg 1 tablespoons flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons hemp hearts
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1/4 cup coconut flakes
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Beat together the almond butter, syrup and flax egg until smooth and creamy. Beat in the protein powder, baking soda and salt.
- Fold in the coconut flakes, chocolate chips, chia and hemp seeds.
- Scoop about one tablespoon of dough onto the baking sheet and gently flatten with your hands. Repeat until all dough has been used.
- Bake for 13 – 14 minutes until the cookies are lightly golden brown. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Video
Nutrition
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