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19 High-Protein Desserts

From no-bake energy bites to fudgy protein brownies and mug cakes, these are my go-to high-protein desserts that satisfy my sweet tooth and help me reach my daily protein goals. Whether you’re looking for a quick post-workout treat or a healthier way to curb late-night cravings, these no-bake and baked desserts prove you can absolutely enjoy dessert while fueling your body with protein.

Quick Links:

• No-Bake Protein Desserts 
• Baked Protein Desserts

As a certified personal trainer and busy mom, I believe dessert should be both enjoyable and nourishing. Each of the recipes listed includes a quality source of protein, from protein powder to cottage cheese and Greek yogurt. These desserts are designed to satisfy your sweet cravings while helping you feel nourished and energized.

If you’re wondering which dessert has the most protein, some of my favorites, like the protein mug cake, zucchini chocolate muffins and protein strawberry shortcake, pack around 15-18 grams per serving. For smaller and snackable options my favorites are no-bake energy bites or my famous 3-ingredient cookies. 

Most of these high-protein dessert recipes are simple to make and require just a few ingredients like protein powder, nut butter, oats, and a touch of honey or maple syrup. If you prefer a lower-carb option, swap in ingredients like almond flour, coconut flour, and natural sweeteners such as stevia or monk fruit. It’s an easy way to make protein-rich desserts that align with your goals while still tasting indulgent.

Protein does more than just support muscle recovery after a workout; it’s essential for building and maintaining healthy bones, muscles and tissues. It also helps you feel full and satisfied, reduces cravings and supports overall weight management.

I aim to include a good source of protein at breakfast, lunch and dinner, and dessert is no exception.

Whether you’re looking for a quick post-workout snack or a healthy way to curb late-night cravings, these protein-packed desserts prove that you can absolutely have your sweets and eat your protein too.

No-Bake Protein Desserts 

1. Cashew Energy Bites

These are the simplest, most delicious energy bites for the busy on-the-go moms. You can whip these up in about 10 minutes, and they’ve got a ton of great ingredients to keep you energized. 

6.2 grams of protein per serving (when whey protein powder is used)

Ingredients 

• Pitted medjool dates 
• Rolled oats
• Honey
• Vanilla extract
• Cashew butter
• Whey protein powder 
• Chocolate chips to taste

2. Best Soft Granola Bars

These granola bars are made with PB, honey, vanilla, oats, pretzels and peanuts (and any other add-ins you like). They’ve become a staple in our house because my kids can’t get enough of them.

9.4 grams of protein per serving

Ingredients

• Rolled oats
• Twisted pretzels
• Salted peanut halves
• Peanut butter 
• Honey
• Vanilla

3. Vegan Protein Bars

An easy homemade vegan protein bar recipe made with peanut butter, banana, vegan protein powder, oats and crispy rice cereal. I love these protein bars as a pre- or post-workout protein bar with 10 grams of protein in each serving.

11 grams of protein per serving

Ingredients 

• Creamy peanut butter
• Maple syrup
• Banana
• Vanilla extract
• Vanilla vegan protein powder 
• Flax meal
• Quick-cooking oats 
• Crispy rice cereal 
• Mini chocolate chips
• Coconut oil

4. Pumpkin Protein Balls

These pumpkin-flavored energy balls each supply 5 grams of quality protein in a cozy, make-ahead snack that’s perfect for fall and pumpkin lovers everywhere.

5 grams of protein per serving

Ingredients

• Old-fashioned rolled oats
• Vanilla Protein Powder
• Unsweetened shredded coconut 
• Ground flaxseed 
• Pumpkin pie spice
• Ground cinnamon 
• Creamy almond butter 
• Canned pumpkin puree
• Pure maple syrup
• Coconut oil
• Pure vanilla extract
• Mini chocolate chips
• Pumpkin seeds

5. Peanut Butter Protein Balls

These peanut butter protein balls are one of my favorite high-protein snacks. They’re made with 6 ingredients, require no food processor, and have 9g of protein per ball.

9 grams of protein per serving

Ingredients

• All-natural peanut butter
• Vanilla protein powder
• Rolled oats
• Chia seeds
• Honey
• Mini chocolate chips

6. Protein Cookie Dough Truffles

These protein cookie dough truffles are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth while also giving you a boost of protein. They’re crunchy, chewy, sweet, and taste just like cookie dough.

5 grams of protein per serving

Ingredients 

• All-natural cashew butter 
• Vanilla protein powder
• Quick cooking oats
• Maple syrup
• Mini chocolate chips 
• Coconut oil

7. Mini Peanut Butter Protein Bars

These Peanut Butter Protein Bars come with a nice crunch thanks to the crisp rice cereal and are drizzled with just enough melted dark chocolate to create the sweet and salt combination we love – chocolate and peanut butter.

7 grams of protein per serving

Ingredients

• Uncooked gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats
• Crisp rice cereal
• Vanilla protein powder 
• Flax meal 
• Natural peanut butter 
• Honey
• Coconut oil
• Pure vanilla extract
• Dark chocolate chips

8. Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough

This edible cottage cheese cookie dough is the ultimate protein-packed dessert. It’s gluten-free, egg-free, naturally sweetened and comes together in just 10 minutes with 7 simple ingredients. 

14 grams of protein per serving

Ingredients

• Cottage cheese
• Maple syrup
• Vanilla extract
• Almond flour
• Natural peanut butter
• Vanilla protein powder
• Chocolate chips

9. Cottage Cheese Chocolate Mousse

Made with 5 simple ingredients, this rich and decadent chocolate protein mousse recipe is easy to make in just 5 minutes. Whether you’re craving a post-workout treat or a healthy late-night snack, this easy, high in protein mousse recipe is about to become your new go-to dessert.

9.7 grams of protein per serving

Ingredients

• Nutella
• 2% low-fat cottage cheese
• Salt
• Milk 
• Vanilla extract 

Baked Protein Desserts

10. 3 Ingredient Cookies

These simple cookies are the simplest cookie recipe you’ll ever see. My whole family loves these healthy cookies (and you can customize them in a variety of ways).

6.8 grams of protein per serving (when made with flaxseed and whey protein powder)

Ingredients

• Bananas
• Rolled oats
• Almond butter
• Ground flaxseed
• Whey Protein Powder 
• Dark chocolate chips 

11. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars

These peanut butter chocolate chip cookie cheesecake bars are every bit as indulgent as they sound. They’ve quickly become my favorite high-protein dessert, and even my kids are obsessed.  

5.6 grams of protein per serving

Ingredients

• Butter
• White sugar
• Brown sugar
• Peanut butter
• Egg
• Flour
• Baking soda
• Rolled oats
• Chocolate chips
• Cream cheese
• Sugar
• Egg
• Vanilla

12. Protein Peanut Butter Cookies

This protein cookie recipe is refined sugar-free and uses my favorite protein powder to make a chewy, irresistible cookie that you wouldn’t think is healthy. 

6 grams of protein per serving

Ingredients

• All-natural drippy peanut butter
• Coconut sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla protein powder
• Chocolate chips
• Sea Salt

13. Best Protein Brownies

These rich, fudgy, protein brownies pack 7 grams of protein each. They’re perfect as a post-workout treat or healthy dessert. Easy, delicious and flourless. 

7 grams of protein per serving

Ingredients 

• Creamy almond butter
• Eggs
• Pure maple syrup
• Unsweetened almond milk
• Vanilla extract
• Vegan chocolate protein powder
• Cocoa powder
• Sea Salt
• Baking powder
• Chocolate chips

14. Protein Mug Cake

A protein mug cake that actually tastes amazing — the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth while still hitting your protein goals.

18 grams of protein per serving

Ingredients 

• Oat flour
• Cocoa powder
• Chocolate protein powder 
• Baking powder
• Sea salt
• Unsweetened almond milk
• Mashed ripe banana
• Egg
• Maple syrup
• Peanut butter
• Vanilla extract
• Chocolate chips

15. Greek Yogurt Berry Tart

This berry tart starts with a crystallized ginger and almond meal grain-free crust, is filled with creamy Greek yogurt and then piled high with loads of fresh berries.

10 grams of protein per serving

Ingredients

• Almond meal
• Crystallized ginger
• Coconut sugar
• Melted coconut oil
• Egg white
• Greek yogurt
• Pure maple syrup
• Fresh berries

16. Protein Strawberry Shortcake

Just five ingredients and ten minutes of work for fluffy and delicious shortcakes. Serve with your favorite ice cream or Cool Whip and you’ve got the perfect protein-packed treat.

15 grams of protein per serving

Ingredients

• Strawberries
• Pancake mix
• Egg
• Plain non-fat Greek yogurt
• Cool whip

17. Zucchini Chocolate Muffins

These protein zucchini chocolate muffins are packed with 16g of protein and 5g of fiber. You just need 30 minutes to whip these moist muffins up, and you’ll have a delicious gluten-free snack or breakfast to enjoy all week. 

16 grams of protein per serving

Ingredients 

• Coconut sugar 
• Fine blanched almond flour 
• Vanilla extract
• Hemp hearts
• Oat flour
• Cocoa powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

18. Protein Cake

This decadent chocolate protein cake is guaranteed to be your new favorite dessert! It’s rich, moist, naturally sweetened and packed with 15 grams of protein per slice.

15 grams of protein per serving

Ingredients

• Oat flour
• Vegan chocolate protein powder
• Cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Maple syrup
• Unsweetened almond milk
• Full-fat plain Greek yogurt
• Avocado oil 
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract

19. Apple Cinnamon Protein Muffins

These cinnamon apple protein muffins are a delicious and easy addition to breakfast, lunch, or snacks. They’re naturally nut-free and can easily be made gluten-free, dairy-free, and/or 100% plant-based, as needed.

7 grams of protein per serving

Ingredients

• Melted butter
• Unsweetened applesauce
• Greek yogurt 
• Egg
• Pure vanilla extract
• Quick cooking oats
• All-purpose flour
• Cane sugar
• Vanilla whey protein powder 
• Ground cinnamon
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Apple

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