Protein Brownies

I’ve included some videos I found relevant and helpful. 😍

Craving a sweet treat that won’t derail your fitness goals? Protein brownies are the perfect solution for chocolate lovers who want something indulgent yet nutritious. These fudgy, rich treats pack a surprising amount of protein while satisfying your dessert cravings.

These chocolate protein brownies contain about 7-15 grams of protein per serving, making them an excellent post-workout snack or healthy dessert option. Many recipes use simple ingredients like protein powder, almond flour, and natural sweeteners to create brownies that are not only delicious but also gluten-free and lower in carbs than traditional versions. You can enjoy these guilt-free treats knowing they’re supporting your health goals while still tasting incredibly fudgy and chocolatey.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make delicious protein brownies:

• 1/4 cup almond butter
• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/4 cup chocolate protein powder
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
• 1/4 cup almond milk
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

These protein brownies use almond butter instead of flour, making them a healthier alternative to traditional brownies. The protein comes mainly from the protein powder and eggs.

You can adjust the sweetness by changing the amount of maple syrup or honey. For extra richness, don’t skip the chocolate chips!

These ingredients will make about 9-12 brownies, depending on how you cut them. Each brownie contains approximately 12 grams of protein, making them a great post-workout treat.

Feel free to customize with add-ins like chopped nuts, additional chocolate chips, or a sprinkle of sea salt on top.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, beat together 2 eggs and 1/2 cup sugar until well combined, about 1 minute. This creates a good base for your brownies.

Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 cup melted coconut oil, and 1/2 cup melted dark chocolate. Mix everything until smooth.

In a separate bowl, combine 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/4 cup chocolate protein powder, and 1/4 cup almond flour. Whisk to remove any lumps.

Add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!

Fold in 1/4 cup chocolate chips if you want extra chocolatey brownies.

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly with a spatula.

Bake for 18-22 minutes. For fudgy brownies, take them out when the center is still slightly soft but the edges are set.

Let the brownies cool completely before cutting them into squares. This helps them hold their shape better.

Store your protein brownies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or freeze them for longer storage.

Possible Substitutes List

Making protein brownies is flexible! You can swap ingredients based on what you have or your dietary needs. Here are some handy substitutions for your chocolate protein brownies:

Protein Powder Options:

• Chocolate whey protein → Vanilla whey (add extra cocoa)
• Whey protein → Plant-based protein powder
• Flavored protein → Unflavored (add vanilla extract and sweetener)

Flour Alternatives:

• Almond flour → Oat flour, coconut flour, or all-purpose flour
• Coconut flour → Almond meal (use 3x more)
• Regular flour → Gluten-free baking blend

Sweetener Swaps:

• Sugar → Stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol
• Honey → Maple syrup or agave nectar
• Stevia packets → Baking sweetener (adjust to taste)

Fat Substitutions:

• Almond butter → Peanut butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter
• Coconut oil → Butter or avocado oil
• Greek yogurt → Applesauce or mashed banana

Add-ins to Consider:

• Dark chocolate chips → Cacao nibs or chopped nuts
• Cocoa powder → Cacao powder (use slightly less)
• Eggs → Flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg)

Remember that substituting ingredients may slightly change the texture and flavor of your brownies. You might need to adjust liquid amounts when swapping dry ingredients.

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

Making protein brownies that are diabetes-friendly is easier than you might think. By swapping a few ingredients, you can enjoy a sweet treat without causing blood sugar spikes.

First, replace regular flour with almond flour or coconut flour. These options have fewer carbs and won’t raise blood sugar as quickly as wheat flour.

Instead of sugar, use natural sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol. These provide sweetness without the glucose impact that regular sugar has.

You can also add cinnamon to your brownie mix. Cinnamon may help improve insulin sensitivity and adds flavor without extra carbs.

Key Ingredients for Diabetes-Friendly Brownies:

• Almond or coconut flour
• Sugar-free sweetener (stevia, monk fruit, erythritol)
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Protein powder (unflavored or chocolate)
• Healthy fats (almond butter or avocado)
• Eggs or flax eggs
• Cinnamon (optional)

Keep the portion size small. Even diabetes-friendly treats should be eaten in moderation. Cut your brownies into 16 pieces rather than 9 for better portion control.

Adding extra fiber through ingredients like flaxseed meal can also help slow down sugar absorption. This makes your treats more blood sugar friendly.

Remember to check all product labels for hidden sugars, especially in protein powders and cocoa powder varieties.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Getting perfect protein brownies can be tricky, but these tips will help you nail that fudgy texture every time!

Baking Tips:

• Don’t overbake! This is the #1 rule for fudgy brownies. It’s better to slightly underbake than overbake.
• Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before cutting.
• For extra fudginess, refrigerate brownies for a few hours or overnight after cooling.
• Use a toothpick to test doneness – it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean.

The batter might seem runnier than traditional brownie batter – this is normal! Protein powder changes the consistency.

Texture Tricks:

• Add a tablespoon of coffee to enhance the chocolate flavor without tasting like coffee.
• Mix in chocolate chips for pockets of melty goodness.
• For cakey brownies, add an extra egg. For fudgier brownies, reduce the protein powder slightly.

Storing Your Brownies:

Store your protein brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.

Want them to last longer? Keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. The cold temperature actually enhances their fudgy texture!

For meal prep, you can freeze your brownies for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy your protein-packed treat.