As odd as it sounds, I find that as long as I have a good serving of protein first thing in the morning, I make better dietary choices all day long. This Sugar Cookie Overnight Protein Oatmeal and these Peanut Butter Protein Bars are two of my favorite easy ways to add extra protein to my breakfasts, and these lightly sweet, nutty oatmeal protein cookies have quickly become another. With 6 grams of protein per cookie, these cookies energize my body and keep me full all morning long (so do these Peanut Butter Protein Cookies). Instead of using protein powder, I focused on including a variety of accessible and affordable naturally high-protein ingredients, including oats, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and nut butter.
How to Make Oatmeal Protein Cookies
Cookies for breakfast? Yes! These oatmeal protein cookies are not “cookies” in the traditional sense but are more like a delightful cross between a traditional cookie and muffin top. Think of them as a healthy breakfast cookie that’s higher in protein than most (like these Quinoa Breakfast Bars). They’re simple to make, freezer-friendly, and infinitely adaptable.
The Ingredients
Banana. Help bind the cookies together, adds moisture, and a healthy serving of fiber and potassium. (Banana is also used in these Healthy No Bake Cookies.)Peanut Butter. Sneaks in additional protein to the cookies and infuse them with wonderful peanut buttery goodness (like in these No Bake Granola Bars).Eggs. For richness, tenderness, and softness. The eggs also help the eggs puff and rise in the oven.Maple Syrup. For subtle sweetness. If you would like a sweeter cookie you can increase the amount to suit your taste. Honey or agave may also be used.Chia Seeds. For texture, crunch, AND 6 grams of protein per tablespoon. They’re my secret to loading these cookies (and these Vegan Protein Bars) with plant-based protein without resorting to using protein powder.
Vanilla + Cinnamon. Adds depth of flavor and a heavenly aroma.Baking Soda. For lightness, lift, and softness.Oat Flour. Is loaded with more protein than wheat flour and is also considered gluten-free. Make sure to check your labels to ensure your oats come from a gluten free facility if this is a concern for you.Mix-Ins. These easy oatmeal protein cookies are endlessly versatile. My favorite mix-in combination is a blend of pepitas, dried cranberries, and raisins. Feel free to get creative and see my suggested variations below. (This Energy Balls | The Ultimate Recipe Guide is also a great resource for flavor inspiration.)
The Directions
Storage Tips
To Store. Store leftover cookies at room temperature for up to 1 week.To Freeze. Freeze the cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Recommended Tools to Make This Recipe
Cookie Scoop. My favorite tool for making uniformly-sized cookies of all kinds.Cookie Sheets. These have been my loyal cookie-making companion for years. They’re truly the best.
Cookies! Now part of a balanced breakfast. My goal was to create a naturally sweetened, reasonably high-protein breakfast cookie that would taste great and be satisfying without it, and I’m so happy with the way these oatmeal protein cookies turned out. If you have protein powder on hand, see my notes below for how to add a scoop (or two) to this recipe.
Oatmeal Protein Cookies with Dried Fruit. I love the combo of dried cranberries and raisins because they are pleasantly chewy and not too sweet.Oatmeal Protein Cookies with Chocolate Chips. For more sweetness, you could easily transform this recipe into chocolate chip protein cookies. Just note that, depending upon what mix-ins you swap, you may alter the cookies’ protein content. (Chocolate lovers would also enjoy these Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls.)Oatmeal Protein Cookies with Protein Powder. I have not tried adding protein powder to these cookies. I think you could experiment with a tablespoon or two, but since I haven’t tested the recipe this way, I can’t be certain. If you do decide to play around with adding protein powder, I’d love to hear how it goes.
