Cookie Dough Protein Bites 3 Ways {AIP, Keto, Vegan}
Sometimes you just want a quick snack. You may be dreaming of a ridiculous warm, gooey, over the top delicious Skillet Brookie, but alas you don’t have the time or energy for that. But you do want something. Something sweet, reminiscent of a cookie, but without all the fuss. Say hello to your little friends, Cookie Dough Protein Bites.
COOKIE DOUGH PROTEIN BITES 3 WAYS {AIP, KETO, VEGAN}
How do you decide what type of dessert you are going to make? It is all based on what you have in the house, the time involved, or how long it takes to prepare?
For us, it completely depends on our mood, the occasion, and how bad our craving is. Sometimes an over the top dessert will only satisfy, and sometimes we want just a little bite.
This recipe is for the latter. Although I suppose you could eat the entire batch. We wouldn’t know anything about that…
Seriously though, these can easily last you a week, or at least several days, and be shared with the entire family. They are kid-friendly, fun to eat, provide you healthy fats and protein to keep you satiated, and also freeze well.
And did I mention they only take minutes to prepare, and require no cooking/baking of any kind? Yep, they are a win-win.
You also don’t have to feel guilty about everyone snacking on these. Seeing as they are a much healthier and safer dessert than anything you can buy in a store. Plus, who doesn’t love eating “raw” cookie dough?
To make these your own, and in case you don’t have these exact ingredients on hand, you can use any of the substitutions we outline below.
Personally, I really love the plain cookie dough. It has a creamy vanilla flavor, a bit of salt, and reminds me of cake batter. To me, that is the ultimate cookie dough.
But even I inevitably want a different flavor after making these half a dozen times (maybe in the same month). Which is why we are also sharing our 3 favorite variations.
FLAVOR IDEAS
There are truly dozens of possibilities using this cookie dough base. Especially if you can manage nuts, seeds, and chocolate. We have included our three favorite combos below, but feel free to get creative!
If you are following the AIP, or want a new flavor option, these combos will become your go-to.
- Double Chocolate Cherry
- Chocolate Mint
- Pumpkin Spice
All three of these combos are AIP elimination-phase compliant, however if you aren’t following this protocol you can jazz up your dough even more if you wish.
Or, a simple chocolate chip cookie dough is excellent for those who can tolerate chocolate. Just stir in a small handful of chips or chopped chocolate and you are good to go.
INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS
If you don’t have the exact ingredients on hand, no problem. And if you have an allergy or intolerance to any of the below listed ingredients, there are some options to swap as well.
Ingredients are not 100% interchangeable in most cases. However, since you aren’t actually baking these dough bites, you have more room to adjust the consistency. Just add more oil or sweetener if you feel they are too dry, or more flour or coconut flakes if you feel they are too soft. There is no exact science here, so non-bakers rejoice.
INGREDIENTS SWAPS
Oil / Fat
- Coconut oil
- Palm shortening
- Ghee
- Butter
Chocolate
- Chocolate powder
- Carob powder
- Cacao powder
- Chocolate chips
- Chopped chocolate bar
Flour
- Cassava flour or Tigernut flour (generally interchangeable)
- Coconut flour (but you will need to cut the quantity in half at least)
- Almond flour or Cashew flour
Fruit
- Dried cherries
- Other dried fruit (raisins, currants, even chopped mango)
- Apple or banana chips
- Sugar-free preserves
Vegetable Puree / Thickener
- Pumpkin puree
- Butternut puree
- Applesauce
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Cookie Dough Protein Bites 3 Ways {AIP, Keto, Vegan}
Ingredients
Cookie Dough Base
- 1/2 cup softened coconut butter , or nut/seed butter of choice
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup or raw honey
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or 2 teaspoons vanilla bean powder for AIP
- 1/4 cup Cassava or fine-ground almond flour
- 1/4 cup Collagen Peptides or vegan protein powder
- 2 tablespoons shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/3 cup dairy-free/allergy friendly chocolate chips if tolerated
Chocolate Cherry
- Cookie Dough Base plus
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened unsulfured dried cherries
- 1 1/2 tablespoons carob or cacao powder
- 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil adjust based on desired consistency
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
Chocolate Mint
- Cookie Dough Base plus
- 3 tablespoons carob or cacao powder
- 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil adjust based on desired consistency
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract optional
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint optional
- 1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut for rolling
Pumpkin Spice
- Cookie Dough Base plus
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened plain pumpkin puree
- 1 tablespoon Cassava or fine-ground almond flour
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice OR
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground mace
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar + 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon for rolling
Instructions
- In a medium bowl add coconut or nut butter, maple syrup or honey, coconut oil and vanilla. Mix together until completely combined.
- Add dry ingredients and stir again until combined. Dough will be thick and sticky, so I find smashing it together with the back of a spoon works best. Mix in chocolate chips or additional flavorings.
- Roll dough into bite sized balls, then roll in topping if desired. Transfer to a container or tray lined with parchment paper.
- Enjoy them at room temperature for a raw dough consistency, or serve them chilled for a firmer dough. We cool ours in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to get a more chewy consistency.
- Covered in an air-tight container, dough bites will keep in the refrigerator for one week, or up to a month in the freezer.
Notes
- If you don't have the specific ingredients on hand, feel free to make substitutions. Sub out different mix-ins, use a different butter, or a different extract.
- These bites also freeze well and will keep for a month or longer. Defrost in the refrigerator before enjoying.
