These easy healthy Protein Brownies are loaded with protein powder and 6 grams of protein per serving for just 100kcal. It’s a great protein snack or post-workout breakfast for chocolate lovers.
I am a huge fan of healthy brownies as you can tell if you’ve tried my Healthy Brownies, Applesauce Brownies, or Butternut Squash Brownies, or some of the dozens of other brownie recipes I have on this website. But I’m also working out every single days, as you might know if you follow me on Instagram. To combine my two passions, I decided to make protein brownies.
These protein brownies are healthier brownies made with protein powder to increase the nutrition profile of the recipe and make it fulfilling. Protein brownies have a cake-like texture with a delicious sweet chocolate flavor and are perfect for serving as a protein breakfast or post-workout snack.
They are naturally:
- Egg-free
- Dairy-free
- Oil-free
- Sugar-free option provided
It’s very easy to make a brownie with protein powder using a few basic pantry staples.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats – feel free to use gluten-free certified oats if desired.
- Chocolate protein powder – we tested the recipe with pea protein powder and almond protein powder, but any range works well. Keep in mind that every protein powder has different liquid absorbencies and therefore, the texture of the brownies will change based on the protein source you are using.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – for a strong chocolate flavor without adding any sugar to the batter.
- Baking powder – to give them a more airy texture.
- Liquid sweetener of choice – feel free to use your favorite refined sugar-free sweetener. The best option includes maple syrup, agave syrup, coconut nectar, rice syrup, or keto-friendly sugar-free maple-flavored syrup.
- Almond milk or any non-dairy milk you love.
- Yogurt – high-protein options are the best, like soy yogurt. Another option is to swap the yogurt for nut butter like almond butter, peanut butter, mashed bananas, or sweet potato puree.
- Dark chocolate chips – feel free to use a sugar-free brand to decrease sugar.
- Vanilla extract – for flavor
How To Make Protein Brownies
Let me share with you how to make egg-free protein brownies.
- All you need is a food processor or high-speed blender to make this recipe or ready-made homemade oat flour. Add all the ingredients except the chocolate chips to the blender and blend on the high-speed setting for about 1 minute.
- Add oats, cocoa powder, chocolate protein powder, baking powder, vanilla, yogurt, almond milk, and liquid sweetener. Blend until all the ingredients come together into a smooth thick brownie batter.
- You may have to stop the appliance a few times, scrape down the sides and repeat or use the tamper attachment of your blender to push down the food next to the blade. Stop the blender, add chocolate chips, and use a wooden or silicone spatula to stir in the chocolate chips. Using a soft tool prevents damaging the blade, so don’t use a metallic spoon.
- Transfer the brownie batter onto the prepared pan and spread evenly over the pan.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper and lightly oil the paper with oil spray. Bake in the center rack of the oven for 20-25 minutes.
- These brownies dry out fast, so don’t overbake to avoid a dry crumb. Watch the baking time closely after 20 minutes, inserting a pick in the center, and if clean, take out the brownie pan from the oven. Cool the brownies down immediately on a cooling rack and wait until fully cooled down before frosting them.
I highly recommend my high-protein frosting recipe for this brownie. This adds up to 2 grams of plant-based protein per serving.
But, you can also use some of my other dairy-free frosting recipes below:
Add-Ons
You can add some fruits, nuts, or more chocolate chips to this brownie batter. Simply stir in up to 1/2 cup of:
- Raspberries or chopped strawberries
- Vegan chocolate chips – you can also use vegan white chocolate chips or vegan milk chocolate chips for a change.
- Chopped pecans, walnuts
- Coconut flakes
Storage Instructions
This protein powder brownie recipe can be stored in the fridge in a cake box for up to 4 days. You can freeze the brownie entirely, or by single serves, in zip bags for up to 3 months. Thaw brownies at room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can swap liquid sweetener with a granulated option, but the batter will be slightly thicker. You may want to add 2 extra tablespoons of almond milk or yogurt to balance the texture and avoid a dry brownie.
I don’t recommend adding more protein powder to the recipe, or the batter will be very dry.
Add the protein frosting on top of the brownie for added proteins.
We only recommend plant-based protein powder for baking.
We don’t use animal-based products, but they should work if it’s what you prefer to use in your kitchen.
More Vegan Protein Recipes
If you like recipes loaded with protein, you’ll love these:
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Protein Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
- ¼ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- ¼ cup Chocolate Protein Powder
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
- 1 cup Almond Milk
- ¼ cup Vegan Yogurt of Choice
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- ¼ cup Liquid Sweetener - Maple syrup, sugar free if desired,
- ⅓ cup Vegan Dark Chocolate Chips
Frosting
- 1 batch Chocolate Frosting Recipe
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9-inch square brownie pan with parchment paper and lightly oil with oil spray. Set aside.
- In a blender, add in this order: rolled oat, cocoa powder, protein powder, baking powder, yogurt, almond milk, vanilla extract, and liquid sweetener.
- Blend on the high-speed setting until a thick, smooth batter forms – it takes about 1 minute.
- Stir in the chocolate chips using a silicone spatula to avoid damaging the blade of your blender.
- Transfer the brownie batter to the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake in the center rack of the oven for 20-25 minutes or until a pick inserted in the center of the brownie comes out clean.
- Cool down on a cooling rack before frosting.
I only have vanilla protein powder. Do you think it could be replaced for the chocolate protein powder or do you suggest any alterations to the cocoa powder?
Yes, it can be replaced by vanilla protein powder but the brownies won’t taste as chocolatey. If you add more cocoa powder, it will absorb more liquid as cocoa powder is high in fiber and then you will need a bit more almond milk – not sure how much.
These were great! I prefer my brownies a bit gooey/fudgy inside with the crackled top – this was perfect. Many healthier brownies have an unfortunate cake texture. The flavor was nice too; I was worried they would taste too much like protein powder but they didn’t. I used date syrup instead of maple, and added salt, cinnamon, and some toffee flavored drops.
Up top you wrote each brownie has 6g protein, but in the nutritional value column, it says 3.6 grams, for the same caloric amount. Which is correct?
Yes, the brownie (not frosted contains 3.6g per serve of proteins), but with the protein frosting recipe it comes to 6 g. The recipe card note says “Protein per serving is 6 grams if you include our protein frosting recipe.” and the nutrition panel says 1 serve (no frosting). Enjoy.
I haven’t made this yet, but this looks so good! What can I use instead of protein powder?
I am not too sure, I didn’t try something else, I really wanted to add protein powder in this recipe. Maybe more oat flour ? feel free to experiment. Enjoy, Carine