Cookie Dough Protein Oatmeal

This Cookie Dough Protein Oatmeal is a healthy, gluten-free way to start your day.

It was one of those mornings where I’d pressed snooze too many times, spilled my coffee, and stared into the fridge like it was personally responsible for my life choices. You can relate, right? Anyway, I needed something fast, warm, and borderline dessert—but not in the “eat a cookie for breakfast and crash by 10 a.m.” way. I threw oats, almond milk, protein powder, and a few pantry odds and ends into a pot, added a splash of butter extract (yes, really; don’t skip it), stirred in chocolate chips, and tasted it. No exaggeration—I stopped mid-bite to text a friend: “Just made cookie dough oatmeal. Will never make anything else.”

It’s got everything going for it. Creamy, filling oats. That buttery, cookie dough flavor you can actually taste thanks to the butter extract. Chocolate chips melting into heavenly swirls. Enough sweetness to feel like a treat, but not so much you feel like you’re sneaking cake before 9 a.m. And it’s loaded with protein to boot, so you won’t be hungry again in 30 minutes. Honestly, I could eat this every day and not get bored. And I think you’re going to agree.

Is This Cookie Dough Protein Oatmeal Healthy?

You know, it may taste like a dessert, but it actually checks a lot of healthy boxes. Oats are high in fiber and other minerals, keeping you full and fueling you all morning long. The protein powder adds a hefty dose of—obviously—protein, which will go even further in keeping you satisfied and energized. Almond milk has vitamin E and, if you’re using store-bought, is usually enriched with calcium and vitamin D. And I prefer to use monk fruit (or another sugar-free sweetener of your choice) to avoid the dreaded blood sugar spike.

This recipe is gluten-free (just double-check your oats are certified GF). You can make it dairy-free and vegan by using a plant-based protein powder, using dark chocolate chips, and making sure the butter extract has no dairy in it.

My Secret To Perfecting Protein Oatmeal

My favorite oatmeal-based recipes taste like a baked-with-love, fresh-from-the-oven treat. How do I achieve that, exactly? My trick is to nix the water and cook the oats in vanilla almond milk. This swirls in creamy notes of luscious vanilla in every single bite, giving the oats a more dessert-like, decadent quality.

Then, there’s the butter extract. I swear this is my secret weapon to create that rich, buttery flavor in food but without actual butter. That means no added fats or calories. Since real butter isn’t required here for tenderness, rise, or texture like it would be for other baked goods, the extract brings the flavor and nothing else.

My prediction after you try this recipe? You’re going to be considering yourself a newfound “morning person.”

Serving Suggestions

Hooked on protein oats? That makes two of us. Luckily, there are plenty of other recipe variations for you to try. Whip up a batch of Funfetti Protein Overnight Oats or Protein Cauliflower Oats With Sautéed Strawberries, or put a fun twist on it with this Protein Chia Pudding.

Recipe