Healthy Protein Powder Cookie Dough (In 5 Minutes!)

Who doesn’t crave cookie dough? This one-bowl recipe packs classic cookie flavor and a super protein punch!

As kids, many of us snacked on cookie dough with abandon—or more precisely, how much our moms would let us get away with! It was pretty much spoon after spoon of impossibly delicious, soft, and chewy dough, with buttery chocolate chip being the most popular. Most of us had a vague idea that eating dough with raw egg in it could, by some unfathomably small statistic, cause illness, but the chances seemed as distant as another universe. And if even mothers didn’t seem concerned, why should we be?

Fast-forward a few decades, and the dough landscape has changed. Foodborne illness from salmonella in raw eggs, although still rare, is hard to ignore, and another culprit in cookie dough has emerged: raw flour, which can contain harmful bacteria as well. Putting these two health concerns in the spotlight makes it pretty hard to scarf down that dough. And we’re not even mentioning the worry about how the old pants might fit!

But sometimes all you want is cookie dough, and for those times we highly recommend this recipe: Not only does it have nutritional benefits (lots of protein, low in fat, anyone?), but it’s perfectly safe to eat raw, unlike standard cookie dough—zero eggs and zero raw flour means it’s good to go right from the bowl. And since it takes just five minutes and one single bowl (no electric mixer needed), you can whip it up any time the craving strikes. Here’s what you need to know.

Is Protein Powder Cookie Dough Healthy?

This cookie dough is an excellent choice when you’re hit with a craving for something sweet, comforting, and chocolaty. Omitting eggs and raw flour means this dough is safe to eat right from the mixing bowl. In place of flour, it uses protein powder, a source of high-quality protein and other nutrients, although most contain added sweeteners. Applesauce gives the dough body in place of the usual raw eggs and butter, so the dough is much lower in both overall fat and saturated fat than most other cookie doughs. Depending on the ingredients in your protein powder, it can also be gluten-free and vegan if your butter extract is vegan. So enjoy it occasionally—and give yourself bonus points for finding a delicious use for protein powder!

What Are Protein Powders Made Of?

They’re very popular and have an aura of health (and maybe awesome biceps!) about them, but what exactly is in protein powders? The protein in these powdered supplements can come from either an animal-based source or a plant-based one. Among the most common are whey protein or casein protein, both found in cow’s milk, and egg whites. In vegan products, soy, pea, and rice are the most common protein sources. Protein powders usually include a number of additional ingredients, such as sweeteners, flavorings, and added vitamins and nutrients. Read labels carefully if you’re concerned about any dietary issues—the ingredients lists on these products can be long.

Serving Suggestions

We’ve gone for chocolate chips in this cookie dough, but you could go other routes as well. You could add nuts or replace the chocolate with your favorite dried fruit. You could even add a spoonful of peanut butter for a subtle nutty flavor.

Looking for other protein snacks or desserts? Try Peanut Butter-Banana Protein Balls, No-Bake Protein Brownies, or Protein-Packed Trail Mix. Or check out Protein Powder 3 Ways for other fun ways to use your healthy stash!

Recipe