6 High-Protein Cookie Recipes To Fill Your Cookie Jars (and Bellies) With Joy (2024)

Nothing quite screams holiday season like my grandma’s homemade sugar cookie recipe. Crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and made even better when paired with a big ol’ milk mustache. Swoon.

If nothing else gets you more in the jazzy holiday spirit than a buffet of cookies, you’ve come to the right place. Ahead we’re sharing six high-protein cookie recipes that are sure to fill your bellies with joy and nourishment with every bite. Get the cookie monsters in your lives ready, because we’re about to fill ‘em up with tons of sweet, spice, and everything nice.

6 high-protein cookie recipes perfect for the holidays

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1. Protein Balls

Although these aren’t technically cookies, let me clue you in on my hot take of the day: raw cookie dough > freshly-baked cookie. But why risk potentially succumbing to salmonella right in time for the holidays, when you can make these high-protein balls by Feel Good Foodie that are fully safe to eat without going in the oven first. Made with just five simple ingredients—blanched almond flour, protein powder, oat flour, honey, and water—they come together in under 10 minutes. The best part? Add-ins can really jazz things up; think crushed peppermint sticks, hot cocoa, or festive sprinkles.

Get the recipe: Protein Balls

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2. Carrot Cake Cookies

Talk about having your cake and eating it too. This carrot cake cookie recipe by Love and Lemons brings together the best of both worlds—cookies and cake—in one delicious dessert. Aside from the usual carrot cake suspects (grated carrot, cinnamon, nutmeg, and nuts), you’ll find a few high-protein ingredients sprinkled throughout the batter. Among them? Ground flaxseed, almond butter, and oat flour, which help enhance the delicious flavor of these cookies and add to their nutritional value. Doesn’t get much better than that, does it?

Get the recipe: Carrot Cake Cookies

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3. No-Bake Cocoa Oatmeal Cookies

If you typically gravitate towards the chocolate haystacks sitting in the candy shop display, these no-bake cocoa oatmeal cookies by Downshiftology were made for you. In them you’ll find oats, almond butter, coconut sugar, to name a few of the tasty ingredients that mimic the chewiness of a haystack. And like any baked good recipe, you can let your creativity soar with fun mix-ins like sea salt for a sweet and salty combination or a pinch of espresso powder that enhances the flavors of the chocolate.

Get the recipe: No-Bake Cookies

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4. Banana Breakfast Cookie

Cookies for breakfast, need I say more? For the perfect grab-and-go breakfast recipe, these banana breakfast cookies by Spend with Pennies are loaded with many of the essential nutrients you need to fuel your day. In fact, in each cookie you’ll find two grams of protein, a gram of fiber, plus essential vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, vitamin A, and calcium. Of course, it doesn’t have to be morning time to enjoy these chewy cookies. In fact, they’re perfect for a post workout or midday snack too.

Get the recipe: Banana Breakfast Cookie

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5. Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin season may be nearing its end, but that doesn’t mean the PS (pumpkin spice) fun should stop ‘til next year. In fact, these pumpkin oatmeal chocolate chip cookies by Lil Luna call for pumpkin puree that you can easily find at your local grocery year round. Plus, it’s the squash that helps add tons of fiber and protein to this simple recipe.

Get the recipe: Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

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6. Coconut Macaroons

Calling all coco lovers! These coconut macaroons by Feasting at Home are made with egg whites, minimal sugar, and coconut flakes to enjoy the delicious taste of the tropics on even the coldest winter day. One bite of these and vacation mode will instantly be initiated. Want to kick things up a notch? The recipe developer recommends pairing the coconut with cocoa nibs, sliced almonds, pumpkin seeds, candied ginger, or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for the ultimate macaroons. You can't go wrong, no matter the combination.