One has to create quite a balance when they have a sweet tooth and high-end fitness goals. Almost every individual can relate that all their determination to stay fit as a fiddle goes haywire when they satiate their sweet cravings (especially when they go overboard).
Well, having a sweet tooth and off and on hogging on desserts, cookies, and chocolates made with heaps of refined sugar is not only good for your weight but for overall health too.
We are different and wouldn’t like to give cookies a bad name, as we got you cookies made with whey protein. It is time to blend fitness goals with your sweet cravings with our baked whey cookies.
You read it, write. Go beyond scooping and stirring, and this time bake your whey.
Bake You Whey
You surely love your whey, but aren’t you bored of having it in your shake? Whey protein is so versatile regarding its benefits; why are you not versatile with its consumption? Next time, bake your whey. Let us see how?
Here’s a simple recipe for protein cookies using whey protein powder:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oat flour (you can blend rolled oats to make your own)
- 1/2 cup whey protein powder (your preferred flavor, try the chocolate one, cookies get a yummy flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup almond butter (or any nut butter of your choice)
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional mix-ins: chocolate chips, chopped nuts, dried fruit, etc.
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the oat flour, whey protein powder, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl.
- Heat the almond butter and honey (or maple syrup) in a microwave-safe bowl for about 20-30 seconds until softened and easily mixable.
- Add the almond butter, milk, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir until well combined. If the dough seems too dry, add some milk or non-fat cream.
- If you want them to look and taste too good, you may add chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit.
- Take about a tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Try cookie molds easily available at a nearby grocery store. If you are rolling the dough into flattened balls, place them neatly on the prepared baking sheet and flatten them slightly with the palm of your hand. Repeat with the remaining dough, spacing the cookies a few inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes.
There you got your whey protein cookies that make a delicious and nutritious snack or post-workout treat. We know you are a super chef, always ready to showcase your booking skills, so go ahead and tailor the recipe by adding your favorite mix-ins or adjusting the sweetness to your preference. Enjoy with no compromise on your fitness goals.
When you bake your whey into these yummy cookies, you get various benefits:
Higher Protein Content: Whey protein cookies are way more protein-rich than regular cookies. The protein content of your whey cookies will depend on the brand of whey protein you are using and the amount of whey protein powder used in the recipe.
If you put 1/2 cup (about 60 grams) of whey protein powder in your recipe, you may get around 40-50 grams of protein.
Other ingredients in the cookie recipe, such as flour, nut butter, or added mix-ins, will also contribute to the overall protein content.
Muscle Recovery and Growth: You will crave protein after intense workouts. With whey cookies, you just baked yourself a convenient and delicious way to replenish protein stores post-exercise.
Satiety and Weight Management: A protein-rich diet is scientifically known to reduce hunger cravings. With their higher protein content, whey protein cookies help you feel more satisfied and full than regular cookies. It is a healthy snacking option that keeps your weight goals in check.
Nutrient Profile: Whey protein cookies have a better nutrient profile than traditional junk cookies. They have fewer carbohydrates, less added sugar, and higher essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Their nutritional goodness can also be added to oats, nut butter, and dried fruits.
Portability and Convenience: Unlike your whey protein shake, you do not need a jar, water/milk/or any other favorite beverage with your whey cookies. Bake them once in good quantity and make them your ideal on-the-go snack. They are ideal for your lunchbox, providing a quick and convenient source of protein when you’re busy or away from home.
Whey protein cookies are a healthier alternative to regular high-sugar, high-fat cookies. We all have a sweet tooth and enjoy cookies and various sugary treats. But all these are going to make you gain those extra kilos.
With whey, you can try some more variations like:
- Protein Pancakes
- Protein Oatmeal
- Protein Yogurt
- Protein Ice Cream, and many more.
If you have any whey protein recipes that are worth sharing, please do. It will be a great way to satisfy sweet cravings while providing a protein boost and a more balanced macronutrient profile.