These almond cherry protein cookies are made with almond butter, coconut flour, almond flour, oats and loaded with cherries for a healthy treat.
New rule: all Mondays need to start with cookies.
Particularly, Mondays when you go from an awesome weekend with new friends, tons of fun exercise, great food and more swag than you know what to do with to being stuck in an over air-conditioned work conference in the middle of a corporate park while in one of the most beautiful cities in the country in a short 47 minute drive.
I tried to mentally prepare.
It didn’t work.
I made these protein cookies last week in preparation for this trip knowing that if I rely on conference food I’ll be served sugar laden pastries with suspect jelly in the middle for breakfast, tollhouse ice cream cookie sandwiches for a snack and some cream doused pasta dish for lunch.
I can usually find better breakfast and lunch options with some success, but finding a decent snack that tastes good and has something besides sugar as the main ingredient is no easy feat in a convention center.
To give you some idea of my priorities when traveling…
Things I forgot to pack for this past weekend? Sunscreen, sunglasses, an outfit for the plane ride home, enough socks and business cards.
Things I didn’t forget to pack for this past weekend? These almond cherry protein cookies.
They’ve got 10g of protein each and they’re filled with goodies like almond butter, cherries and walnuts.
They’re sweet enough to feel like a treat around 2pm when everyone is flocking to the ice cream sandwich social break and healthy and hearty enough to double as breakfast in a pinch.
I almost made a batch of these triple chocolate protein cake bars or this high protein cinnamon cake recipe but in the end decided on creating something new with these almond cherry protein cookies.
I’m not mad about it.
If only they could replace the booth, the heels and the business talk with a cabin, sneakers and a hike.
If you love protein cookies, try one of these protein pancake recipes too!
Perfect Protein Pancakes
Chocolate Protein Pancakes
Pumpkin Protein Pancakes
Almond Cherry Protein Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons dried cherries, chopped
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat.
- Mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Whisk together all wet ingredients in a small bowl.
- Pour wet into dry and mix with a spatula until fully incorporated.
- Drop cookie dough onto baking sheet in large spoonfuls.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes. They'll still be soft to the touch, but starting to brown on the bottoms.
- Let cool on sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring to cool completely on a wire rack.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
Can’t wait to hear about the weekend and see pictures. From what I’ve gathered it looked like a complete blast, I hope I can go next year! Hoping the rest of your trip sails by quickly for you.
This is quite possibly the best Monday Rule, ever.
They look perfectly thick!
Love this! I like your rule for Mondays but let’s make it M-F :)
The food at conferences is one of my least favourite things – I hate coming back feeling all bloated and weighed down with crap. I’ve started taking my own treats as well so I can at least feel vaguely healthy. Plus if it’s an excuse to have cookies for breakfast, I’m all for it.
I’m surprised your rule wasn’t “everyday should start with cookies” ;)
this has got to be one cookie that will keep me satiated for a while cause of the 10g of protein!! i love it! and i hope you’re having a good time at the conference :) they’re all just so fun!!
Ah! Can’t wait to hear all about BLEND! I’m so sad I missed it!
These cookies could definitely power me through a Monday – I LOVE LOVE LOVE dried cherries!
Unless I make a list, I am sure to forget packing an essential or two. But, let’s face it – cookies even trump underwear. Especially cookies with that much protein that DON’T look like hockey pucks! Definitely making these this weekend.
Yum! Your cookies sound delish! I need to make a healthy snack for the week to prevent bad snacking and your cookies would be perfect! I love that you didn’t add sugar!