Ultra soft and chewy peanut butter protein cookies you can feel good about eating!

Plus, there are two versions, so you can pick your favorite.
But be warned… These peanut butter cookies are pretty darn addictive.
With so many people on special diets these days, giving loved ones a homemade batch of gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-friendly cookies high in protein and nutrition can be a welcome change from the ubiquitous butter-and-sugar Christmas cookies year after year.
There’s no baking required, and you can switch it up to make as many different flavors as you want.
A few weeks ago, in my recipe post for Healthy Apple Pie, I hinted about an upcoming Chocolate Covered Katie television appearance, and today I am finally allowed to reveal the reason I was in New York City for Thanksgiving Break:
I was filming for The Dr. Oz Show!
The episode, filmed in front of a live audience and airing this coming Friday (December 18th), covers healthy holiday gift ideas.
These DIY peanut butter protein cookies are one of the four recipes you can see me making on the show.
Peanut Butter Protein Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup peanut butter or allergy-friendly sub
- 1/4 cup protein powder of choice
- 3/4 tsp baking soda (even if not baking)
- 1/4 cup sucanat or brown sugar
- 2 tbsp applesauce
- 1/16 tsp salt
Instructions
- Gently heat your nut butter until easily stir-able. Stir all ingredients together very well, making sure the baking soda is well-incorporated. Transfer dough to a gallon-sized bag and roll out from inside the bag. Cut open the bag, and cut shapes. I recommend using small cookie cutters so the cookies don’t break apart. To firm them up, you can freeze them until ready to serve OR you can bake them for 6-7 minutes in a preheated 350 F oven on the center rack.Option 2 – Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Cutout Cookies: If you want cookies without any granulated sweetener at all, try the following instead: 1/4 cup peanut butter or allergy-friendly alternative, 1/4 cup plus 3 tbsp raisins, 1/4 tsp salt, 2 tbsp roasted unsalted peanuts, and 1/8 tsp pure vanilla extract. Combine all in a food processor until very smooth, then transfer to a gallon-sized bag and roll out from inside the bag. Cut open the bag and cut shapes with cookie cutters. Cookies can be stored at room temperature a week, or you can refrigerate or freeze for a few weeks.View Nutrition Facts
Notes
Have you made this recipe?
Tag @chocolatecoveredkatie on Instagram
Recipe Of The Day:
Sugar Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie
Be sure to tune in to The Dr. Oz Show this Friday, December 18th!
petrina smith says
I was so excited to see you on Dr. Oz! You did a great job!
Lucia says
Hi! I Would love to try this recipe but I don’t have applesauce! it’s just not something you can buy around here (I live in Italy).. I know I could do it myself but it’s not an easy process.. what could I use instead? Does mashed banana works?
Chocolate Covered Katie says
Have not tried, but I don’t see why not. Be sure to report back if you try! 🙂
Jen says
My boyfriend is huge into body building but also has a sweet tooth, he just loved these cookies!
Ayaka says
When I do the recipe #2 (with raisins) I do not need to add protein powders nor baking soda? (My husband dislike protein powders) Could you also tell me what baking soda does in recipe 1 when not baking??
Chocolate Covered Katie says
Hi! Yes, you can make the second version protein-powder-free 🙂
The baking soda is for a cookie dough flavor.
Ayaka says
Hi Katie! If I am doing the recipe #2, do I not need to put protein powder and baking soda? (My husband dislikes protein powders) Also, could you tell me what the baking soda do in the first recipe when not baking?
Jaris says
AWESOME, can’t wait to make these!
P.S. Where did you get your pants??
Chocolate Covered Katie says
I think they were Nike workout pants. I live in those things 🙂
Hungry Heather says
Thank you for sharing, Katie. I made your first cookie option sans rolling out the dough. I used a plain, unsweetened protein powder and brown coconut sugar. I baked the cookies to get the texture I like. They’re falling apart easily but they’re so tasty! I’m sure the type of protein powder used determines the end result.
The cookies taste like those Lance crackers with the peanut butter inside – in cookie form! And without processed flour. 😀
Jo says
Can’t wait to try these out! I’m going on holiday in a few weeks and have been nervous I won’t be eating right or have healthy options since I’m going to a friend’s place. But I’m going to make a few batches of these to take with me!
Donna says
Can I substitute greek yogurt for the apple sauce?
Natasha says
Awesome snack. Made it for myself and the boys just now. I actually Never have apple sauce on hand, so any time Katie suggests it in her recipe I sub with a pulverized apple.
It is good, and my four year old mr sweet tooth is super happy at the moment.
Didn’t bake, cause it’s hot… -.-
Jane Kruse says
I am so in love with everything I’ve made of yours. So delicious! I just made the protein bars in your book, and the chocolate peanut butter buckeye brownies from your blog. 2 questions: What does the baking soda do? And are the brownies really supposed to be baked at 330? I wondered if that was a typo? They are cooling. The protein bars-excellent! Thanks so very much. Don’t know how you do it-you are making us so happy! Next Book???
A H says
Baking soda is for flavor; yes, 330 is correct.
Andreas says
Hi Katie, love your recipes! Can you please also add the measurements in metric system? That would be awesome
G. Chris Morell says
Ty for easy to follow recipes.
Granny Dah on fb
Amie Sue Oldfather says
May I ask why you add baking soda when not baking this recipe? What role does it play? Thank you in advance.
Jason Sanford says
It gives a cookie dough flavor/saltiness.
Amie Sue Oldfather says
Why wouldn’t you just use salt then? Just trying to understand 🙂
Pinky says
Hi. Thanks for all your great recipes. I was trying option two without sugar. There is no protein powder in that recipe. Wondering if it properly represented here? I prefer to make withit any added sugar so would love help getting that correct. Trying it now and no luck! Thank you! Keep you the great work!
nicki says
peanut flavored cardboard !
CCK Media Team says
Maybe an issue with the protein powder you used? Many protein powders can taste chalky. What brand and flavor did you use?
aime davis says
LOOKIING A LITTLE CHUNKY IN THE HIPS