Six ingredients make up these homemade apple cinnamon protein cookies to make a low fat and high protein snack, pre-workout or post-workout option, or healthy breakfast or dessert. Each homemade protein cookie has 4 grams of protein and they are gluten-free and dairy-free.
It’s practically fall and that means apples, pumpkins, baking, soups and stews, and cozy recipes! I’m not much of a baker, but love to playing around with it.
Enter homemade apple cinnamon protein cookies! As easy as mixing all 6 of the ingredients up, forming them into cookies, and baking. My kind of baking recipe if you ask me.
One thing I think of when fall rolls around is apples. I don’t really get into pumpkin until October, but once September hits, I’m all about all the apples. We used to go apple picking all the time and come home with pounds and pounds of them.
Apple and cinnamon are one of my go-to combos when I am in need of a snack. I usually sprinkle an apple with cinnamon and dip it in peanut butter or yogurt. Or sometimes both if I am feeling really fancy. So I figured why not take those flavors and make them into a cookie.
I love adding oats to cookies since they make a great binder and contain fiber and complex carbs. And since I’m not the best baker, oats are usually easy to use and play around with.
I threw in some egg whites and protein powder to up the protein and add some vanilla flavor, applesauce for binding, and salt to cut the sweetness and viola. Easy and healthy homemade protein cookies!
Homemade apple cinnamon protein cookies
These protein cookies are super easy to make – only 6 ingredients (salt doesn’t count!) and everything is just thrown together in one bowl! They work great for snacking, pre or post-workout (protein and carbs plus not too much fat), breakfast, or dessert!
Apple cinnamon protein cookies ingredients:
- rolled oats
- egg whites
- apple
- apple sauce
- protein powder – I used Ka’Chava Vanilla – you can use that link for 15% off!
- cinnamon
- salt
First, chop your apple. Add all your ingredients to a large mixing bowl and mix together until well combined.
Next, using a tablespoon, scoop out a heaping scoop (about 1 1/2-2 tablespoons worth) of the batter and form it into a cookie. The mixture will be slightly wet but still binds together.
Place cookies on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until set.
Let cool for a few minutes and enjoy! It’s really that simple. The texture is soft and chewy, almost like baked oatmeal, but in cookie form. They are so good and so easy and are gone in just a couple of days in our house! I store them in the fridge to keep them fresh.
What is a good substitution for protein powder when baking?
The protein powder is what helps give these cookies a protein boost. Ka’Chava, the protein I used also has carbs and fat, so if you don’t want that, you can use whatever kind you like. Just note it will change up the calories/macros some.
I understand that not everyone likes protein powder or uses it. Some substitutions that you can use for protein powder are:
- flour – coconut, whole wheat, almond, oat flour, or whatever kind you like!
- oats – you can always add more oats to help absorb the liquid
I haven’t tried these, so I am not sure if they work. You will have to play around with it some until you get the consistency you like. Again, just note this will change up the macros and they probably won’t have as much protein!
Substitutions for apple cinnamon protein cookies
These cookies are pretty straight to the point and you can’t substitute too many things, but here are a few things that might work:
- fruit – feel free to change out the fruit for whatever you have on hand
- spices – change out the cinnamon for whatever spices you are feeling! Pumpkin pie spice, ginger, cardamom, or clove would be delicious! Just adjust according to taste.
- eggs – you can use whole eggs instead of egg whites. Usually, 3 eggs whites equal 1 whole egg, so I would go for 2-3 whole eggs
- protein powder – I have made these protein cookies with a few kinds of protein powder. I like using a vanilla-flavored one as it adds some flavor to the cookies. I think most kinds will work, I just don’t think collagen will work as it will dissolve into the mixture too easily. Ka’chava brand that I use acts almost like flour. See above if you don’t want to use protein powder.
More healthy protein snacks
- Homemade Perfect Bar Recipe
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Protein Muffins
- No-Bake Walnut Protein Brownies
- Coffee Protein Smoothie
- Sweet Potato Blueberry Protein Muffins
- Chocolate Protein Smoothie
Apple Cinnamon Protein Cookies
ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups old fashioned rolled oats (125 grams)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce (122 grams)
- 1/2 cup egg whites
- 1/2 packed cup vanilla protein powder (60 grams)
- 1 1/2 cups diced apple (160 grams/1 small-medium)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- salt, to taste
instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir to combine. Using a tablespoon, scoop out a heaping scoop of the mixture and place it on a lined baking sheet. Press down and form into cookie shape if needed.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the mixture is set. Let cool for a few minutes. Top with an additional sprinkle of cinnamon and enjoy.
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notes
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Janine Richards says
Love these! So glad I made them because they’re tasty and so macro friendly! Will be part of my meal prepping weekly now.
Kelly says
So happy to hear that Janine! I love how macro-friendly they are too. Thanks for trying them!
Shannon Walent says
Filling snack! Enjoying the texture and flavor. Thinking I need some apple pie spice to throw in next time.
Thank you !! 🍎
Kelly says
Oh, apple spice sounds so good! Glad you enjoyed Shannon and thanks for trying them!
Stephanie says
Love these! I’m 6wks postpartum and been eating oatmeal every morning as it’s a milk increasing food. But after 6wks, I was getting kinda tired of it, so I decided to make these to switch it up. 1) so easy to make, 2) even easier to eat real quick, and 3) they’re delicious!
Kelly says
So glad they helped change it up! They really are easy to whip up – thanks for trying them Stephanie and glad you enjoyed them!