Fudgy Protein Brookies

If you’re a dessert lover but also trying to stay on track with your fitness goals, these Fudgy Protein Brookies are the ultimate treat for you! This recipe combines the rich, fudgy texture of brownies with the soft, chewy goodness of cookies, all while being high in protein and made with healthier ingredients. Whether you’re meal-prepping a post-workout snack or just craving something indulgent without the guilt, these protein-packed brookies will hit the spot.

In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make these healthy brookies, why they’re better than regular ones, and some tips to keep them ultra-fudgy. Let’s dive in!

Why You’ll Love These Protein Brookies

✔ High in Protein – Thanks to protein powder, almond butter, and eggs, each serving is packed with muscle-repairing protein.
✔ Fudgy & Chewy – No dry, rock-hard protein desserts here! These stay moist and soft.
✔ Refined Sugar-Free – Sweetened naturally with honey or maple syrup instead of processed sugar.
✔ Gluten-Free Option – Made with almond or oat flour, so they’re easy to adapt for gluten-free diets.
✔ Easy to Make – No complicated steps, just mix, layer, and bake!

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Fudgy Protein Brookies:

Brownie Batter:

• Unsweetened Applesauce – Replaces butter for a lower-fat but still moist texture.
• Coconut Oil or Melted Butter – Adds richness and helps keep the brownies fudgy.
• Honey or Maple Syrup – A natural sweetener that keeps them soft.
• Egg + Egg Yolk – The extra yolk makes the brownies even richer.
• Vanilla Extract – Enhances the deep chocolate flavor.
• Chocolate or Vanilla Protein Powder – Adds protein while keeping the brownies light.
• Cocoa Powder – The key to that intense chocolate taste.
• Almond Flour or Oat Flour – Provides structure while keeping them gluten-free.
• Baking Powder & Salt – Helps with texture and balances sweetness.
• Dark Chocolate Chips – Because extra chocolate is always a good idea!

Cookie Dough:

• Egg – Helps bind everything together.
• Almond Butter or Peanut Butter – Creates that rich, chewy cookie texture.
• Honey or Maple Syrup – Keeps the dough naturally sweet.
• Vanilla Extract – Adds extra depth of flavor.
• Vanilla or Neutral Protein Powder – Boosts protein without affecting taste.
• Almond Flour or Oat Flour – Keeps the cookies light and tender.
• Baking Soda – Helps the cookies rise slightly.
• Dark Chocolate Chips – The perfect finishing touch!

For making the Fudgy Protein Brookies, here are the essential tools you’ll need:

• Mixing Bowls: You’ll need a few mixing bowls in different sizes to combine the dry ingredients and wet ingredients.
• Whisk: A whisk is essential for blending the dry ingredients and whisking the wet ingredients until smooth.
• Electric Mixer: An electric hand mixer or stand mixer will help you cream the ingredients, ensuring a smooth texture.
• Spatula: A silicone spatula is perfect for folding the wet and dry ingredients together without over-mixing.
• Measuring Scale: To accurately measure all your ingredients in grams.
• Baking Pan: To bake the brookies.
• Parchment Paper or Butter: To grease to pan and prevent the brownies from sticking to the pan.
• Toothpicks: Toothpicks are handy for checking if the brookies are done.
• Long Knife: To cut the brookies into equal squares.

Here is the full Recipe:

Ingredients:

Brownie Batter:

• 125g (⅔ cup) unsweetened applesauce
• 65g (⅓ cup) coconut oil or melted butter
• 100g (scant ½ cup) honey or maple syrup
• 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk1 ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• 50g (⅔ cup) chocolate or vanilla protein powder
• 40g (⅓ cup) cocoa powder
• 60g (½ cup) almond flour or oat flour
• ⅔ tsp baking powder
• 1 pinch salt
• 50g (⅓ cup) dark chocolate chips

Cookie Dough:

• 1 large egg
• 65g (⅓ cup) almond butter or peanut butter
• 50g (scant ½ cup) honey or maple syrup
• 1 ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• 50g (⅔ cup) vanilla or neutral protein powder
• 75g (scant ⅔ cup) almond flour or oat flour
• ⅔ tsp baking soda
• 40g (¼ cup) dark chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat & Prep the Pan

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch (23×23 cm) baking pan with parchment paper.

Make the Brownie Batter

1. In a bowl, mix together applesauce, coconut oil, honey (or maple syrup), egg, and vanilla until smooth.
2. Stir in protein powder, cocoa powder, almond flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined.
3. Fold in the chocolate chips and pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.

Make the Cookie Dough

1. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, almond butter, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla together.
2. Stir in protein powder, almond flour, and baking soda until a soft dough forms.
3. Gently fold in the chocolate chips.

Assemble the Brookies

1. Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough over the brownie batter.
2. Use a knife or spatula to lightly swirl the layers together for a marbled effect.

Bake & Cool

• Bake for 20–24 minutes until the top is set but the center is slightly soft (don’t overbake!).
• Let them cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing.
• For an extra fudgy texture, refrigerate for an hour before serving.

Tips for the Best Fudgy Protein Brookies:

• Don’t Overbake – Brookies continue to set as they cool, so take them out while they’re slightly underdone in the center.
• Use a Good Protein Powder – A smooth, high-quality protein powder blends better and avoids a chalky texture.
• Chill for Extra Fudginess – Letting the brookies cool in the fridge before slicing makes them extra gooey.
• Customize the Flavor – Add a pinch of cinnamon, sea salt, or even espresso powder for a flavor boost.

FAQ: Your Brookie Questions Answered

• Can I make these vegan? Yes! Swap the egg for a flaxseed egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water).
• What’s the best protein powder to use? Awhey or plant-based protein powder with a smooth texture works best. Avoid gritty or overly sweet powders.
• How do I store them? Store in an airtight container at room temp for 2–3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
• Can I freeze them? Yes! Slice them and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
• How do I make them even fudgier? Use extra chocolate chips, slightly underbake them, and chill them before slicing!

More Baking Ideas:

• Chocolate Banana Bread – Rich, moist, and studded with chocolate chips, this Chocolate Banana Bread is a heavenly treat for chocolate and banana lovers alike.
• Frosted Oreo Cookies – Soft, chewy cookies crowned with creamy Oreo frosting—perfect for anyone who loves a cookies-and-cream dream!
• Tiramisu Cookies – Espresso and mascarpone come together in these elegant Tiramisu Cookies, delivering the flavors of the classic Italian dessert in every bite.
• Chocolate Banana Bread – Rich, moist, and studded with chocolate chips, this Chocolate Banana Bread is a heavenly treat for chocolate and banana lovers alike.

Watch the recipe video here. Let’s get to baking! Here is the full recipe: