It’s time to get back in the swing of things like chocolate. January, the month of purifying oneself from the holidays sins (tongue in cheek!) is almost over and although that doesn’t mean that I will stop sharing dinner recipes, let’s turn our attention briefly to handfuls of raw cookie dough.
If it helps, they taste and sound so much more disastrous to your waistline than they actually are. To be clear, if you make these protein bites, you will not be gnawing on actual raw cookie dough – it will just taste like you are. It only takes three ingredients (we’re not counting salt, right? right.): nut butter, protein powder and chocolate chips.
You know what I’m going to say next, right: since the recipe calls for so few ingredients, make sure you choose the best ones you can get your hands on. I tried this with almond butter, peanut butter and – for a nut free alternative – sunflower butter. All three were delicious, so it really boils down to what flavor you prefer. The protein powder does the lion’s share of the work in terms of making the bites taste like actual cookie dough, go with a vanilla powder that you already know you like the taste of.
I used Now Foods’s vanilla egg white protein powder, which has a wonderful vanilla flavor and is lightly sweetened with stevia, so I didn’t add any sweetener. **Edited to add: Yes, you can use any vanilla protein powder you like or have handy. It doesn’t have to be egg white-based** Depending on its level of sweetness, you certainly can add some granulated sweetener of your choice, or a few drops of liquid stevia, if you want to. Do not use honey or maple syrup, because there is nothing in the recipe to absorb the extra moisture.
Ok, I’m going to stop now because I am really overthinking this. I have now written more paragraphs than there are ingredients in this recipe or minutes required to make it. All you need to know is that these protein bites are reasonably un-sinful (so, they’re perfect if you’re tapering off of a new year’s detox and need a treat), they taste like cookie dough but aren’t cookie dough, and they are terribly, terribly addictive – in the best way.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bites
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bites - Only three ingredients and 5 minutes is all you need to make these gluten free, vegan and paleo treats!
Ingredients
- 1 cup nut or seed butter of choice, e.g. peanut, almond, sunflower
- 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder, plus an additional 1-2 Tbsp if your nut or seed butter is particularly oily
- pinch salt, optional, to taste
- Granulated sweetener of choice, optional, to taste
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips, optional, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- In a large microwave-safe mixing bowl, heat your nut or seed butter for 30-60 seconds until softened and easier to stir. If you really want an arm workout, you can skip this step.
- Stir in the protein powder (and, if using, salt and/or sweetener) until combined.
- The dough should be soft and pliable, but hold its shape when you squeeze it together. If it is too soft, stir in another 1-2 Tablespoons protein powder until it resembles hearty (not soft or oily) cookie dough.
- The stirring should have cooled the mixture, but give it a few more minutes if necessary. Then fold in the chocolate chips.
- Scoop 1 Tablespoon portions and roll into balls. Press a few more chocolate chips into the top of each ball for garnish, if desired.
Notes
- These will be soft, like cookie dough. They will settle a little bit in the storage container, so will not hold a firm ball shape.Ā
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Yield: 16 bites
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16Amount Per Serving: Calories: 127Saturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 12mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 5g
Emilie @ Emilie Eats says
These look so perfect! I love the pictures – so bright! I can’t wait to try these out š
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
They are definitely worth making, Emilie!
Trinity says
Love them ā¤????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
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Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
These look amazing- I wish I was the person who took a bite out of that deliciousness š
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
You still can be … š
Kat says
This is such a cute and easy recipe – I can’t wait to try! We only have plant protein powder here but I’m interested to see if it works out just as well! Thanks for the recipe!!!!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Plant protein powder should work fine! I would say the flavor of the powder is more important than the source (since it plays such a huge role in the ultimate flavor of the bites), so if you have one that you like the flavor of, go for it!
June @ How to Philosophize with Cake says
PROTEIN cookie dough? Omg I need to try this. I would devour an entire bowl of these. Or maybe I shouldn’t make this then, lol š
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Yes, ma’am! You should definitely make them!
Bethany @ Athletic Avocado says
These guys are the perfect afternoon snack when Im craving cookies! Give me all the cookie dough!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
They definitely are!
Natasha @ Salt and Lavender says
Ok, this is a really great idea. Tastes like cookie dough but healthier… I’m on board haha. Pinning!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Haha glad I don’t have to twist your arm! š
GiGi Eats says
OH MAN, I would pop 10 of these in my mouth without even thinking twice!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
That’s the mark of a good snack!
Jessica DeMay says
These look so amazing!! I could go for a few now- straight from the fridge please!! I love how easy they are and I’m definitely adding these to the must-make list!
Angela K Jones says
What is the nutrition information on this recipe?
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Hi Angela, I don’t post the nutrition info but you can certainly calculate it if you’d like! I recommend plugging all the ingredients in the recipe into a reliable calorie counter like myfitnesspal.com and then dividing the total macros by the number of servings. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Carol Jones says
I like the fact that their are only a few ingredients, but also that other things can be added, like nuts, cinnamon, etc. Thanks for sharing!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Yes, absolutely! Personalize away! I’d love to hear about what you’re adding and how it turned out š
Thad says
A couple of thoughts… first, you may want to wait until the nut butter and protein powder mixture cools before you mix in the chocolate chips. I added a couple extra TBSP of protein powder and they still seemed too gooey to form into balls. I’ll admit, I also added the chocolate chips and they promptly melted in the still warm cashew butter… I then added a few TBSP of rice cereal to try and firm them up. At this point, I’m waiting for them to cool in the refrigerator and will then try to form into balls.
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Good point – yes the mixture needs to cool before you add the chocolate chips!
Lorie says
Iām confused ā above the recipe it says nut free, and yet nut butter is the first ingredient.
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
The first ingredient is nut OR seed butter, so feel free to use seed butter to make these nut free. Dealer’s choice!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
The first ingredient is nut OR seed butter, so feel free to use seed butter to make these nut free. Dealer’s choice!