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These protein brownies are super fudgy, gooey, and need just four ingredients to make! No flour, no eggs, and no butter needed, I love how they are a guilt-free dessert fix.
Looking for more high protein desserts? Try protein banana bread, protein cookies, and protein cheesecake.
As someone with a raging sweet tooth, getting my chocolate fix in healthier ways are always a plus. When I want something rich and chocoately, nothing beats these fudgy high protein brownies!
My protein mug cake inspired these brownies. It’s essentially a single-serving version, but as someone who enjoys this so often, I need a big batch! These are a staple in our kitchen, and I have no doubt they will be in yours, too!
Table of Contents
Why you’ll love this protein brownies recipe
- They need just four ingredients. Bananas, cocoa powder, almond butter, and protein powder.
- Each brownie has 12 grams of protein. Not only do these brownies satisfy the sweet tooth but they also keep you fuller for longer.
- You can add even more protein! If 12 grams isn’t enough, you can double that by spreading a protein frosting over the top (check the recipe card for the details!).
- Naturally vegan and gluten-free. These are great if you can’t eat eggs or flour. Oh, and they are dairy-free, too.
What I love about these brownies is that they taste incredible and have the best fudgy texture- everything you need in a good chocolate dessert!
Ingredients needed
The beauty of making these high protein brownies is that everything is thrown in a blender, bowl, or mixer to create a batter (unlike other brownie recipes). All you do then is bake it up and you are done!
- Almond butter. Smooth and creamy with no added sugar. I either make my own or opt for a store-bought no-stir kind.
- Banana. The riper the bananas are, the sweeter the brownies will be. Are you not a fan of bananas or allergic? Swap it out for equal parts pumpkin puree or unsweetened applesauce. However, you will need to add some sweetener or syrup to compensate for the lack of sweetness.
- Cocoa powder. I like using dark cocoa powder for an extra rich flavor, but any cocoa powder works.
- Protein powder. Using a chocolate protein powder will yield the best chocolate flavor, but vanilla will also work.
- Salt. Optional, but a pinch of salt to enhance the sweet flavors.
- Mix-ins. Optional, but I love to add some dark chocolate chips, vanilla extract, or chopped dark chocolate.
How to make protein brownies
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Make the batter. Start by adding all your ingredients into a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend the ingredients together until fully combined. If desired, add some chocolate chips. You can also mix by hand in a large mixing bowl.
Step 2- Bake. Then, transfer the batter into a lined pan and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a skewer comes out ‘just’ clean. While the brownies are hot in the pan, lightly press your hand over the top to form unnatural cracky tops.
Step 3- Cool then slice. Allow the brownies to cool in the pan completely before drizzling with chocolate and slicing them up.
Recipe tips and variations
- Use the right protein powder. Not all protein powders are equal. Casein, brown rice, and pea protein powders are far superior to whey protein powder or whey protein blends. Whey-based powders tend to dry out baked goods.
- Make the brownies sweeter. These brownies rely on the banana and the (sweetened) protein powder for sweetness. If you prefer sweeter brownies, add a few tablespoons of sugar or maple syrup.
- Do not overbake them. Once the brownies are firm on top and a skewer comes out mostly clean, they are ready to be removed from the oven.
- Add mix-ins. Like any good brownie, these are a blank canvas, so fold through some chocolate chips, walnuts, or even candy!
- Frost them. To take these brownies to another level, add a layer of sugar free frosting or healthy frosting to them.
- Make protein brownie bites. Instead of baking them in the square pan, bake them in a muffin tin for a protein-packed version of my brownie bites.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator, covered, as they will spoil at room temperature. They will keep well for up to five days.
To freeze: Place the brownies in an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Frequently asked questions
Compared to traditional brownies, high protein brownies are healthier, as they contain less sugar, less carbs, and added protein.
Adding some almond or oat flour will give these brownies stability and structure, but it isn’t necessary.
To get the crackly tops, you need to press down on them once removed from the oven. They do not occur naturally.
More high protein recipes to try
- Protein ice cream
- Protein muffins
- Protein donuts
- Protein pudding
- Protein cookie dough
- Protein cupcakes
- Protein cinnamon rolls
Protein Brownies
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup banana measured as mashed
- 1/2 cup almond butter can sub for peanut butter, cashew butter or a nut butter alternative
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup protein powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a high speed blender or mixing bowl, combine all your ingredients and blend or mix until smooth.
- Transfer the brownie batter to the lined pan and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the tops are firm.
- Remove the brownies from the oven and gently press down on the tops to form a crackly top. Let them cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published September 2016, updated March 2024
No baking powder or baking soda in the recipe?
None needed!
Hi there! Love your recipes. I made these today and they are delicious but they never rose up at all, not sure how you got them to rise up like they are in the picture. Maybe to add some baking powder next time? Thanks.
Did you use a smaller baking pan 🙂
Looks fantastic! I’m going to try the protein mug cake too!
What can I substitute for protein powder?
You can simply omit it
I was happy to see the banana substitute! Not that I have anything against banana’s, but I don’t buy them often and so many recipes call for them. Apples, I have!! Sounds like a delicious recipe that I will try…with applesauce!
4 ingredients? lol someone miscounted.
Did they? Looks right to us.
These were really yummy. If it helps anyone, I used 1 1/2 scoops of protein powder. I also had to add just a little bit of water…maybe 2 Tablespoons. I topped each with one chocolate chip. It made 18 bites and I baked them for 12 minutes and they were perfect. Thanks for the recipe!
Perfect midnight baking treat- genuinely so fluffy and delicious
Do you use all 3 of the protein powders that you listed, or can I use just one kind?
Thanks!
Just one kind 🙂 I like casein and brown rice protein best.
The sweet potato worked incredibly well. Excellent recipe. Thanks!
Delicious and fudgy!!! However, I used an 8×8 baking dish like the recipe suggested and mine came out thin
it’s scrumptious and nutritious
Hi – what can I use instead of protein powder
Just leave it out
Looks awesome. Could I sub ground flaxseed for the protein powder? Not needing the protein, just wondering if flasxseed would work for the consistency.
Haven’t tried!
Do you think this would work if I subbed coconut oil or butter for the pb? We have such a large amount of allergies in our family that I’m struggling to find recipes. I KNOW this sounds crazy, but mom and one son need gluten-free (true celiac), 2 kids and mom need nut-free, 2 kids need egg-free, mom and daughter do dairy-free except butter, two kids are allergic to oats, and one child is allergic to carrots, cashews, pineapple, citrus, chickpeas, tomatoes, and strawberries. On top of that, mom and one son have epilepsy so SHOULD be on Keto (since it was developed specifically for epileptic patients before it became the rage), but we are finding it impossible to stay Keto with all of the things we CAN’T have. 🙁 I need to be able to take easy Keto recipes that can handle substitutions. I guess I could try Sunbutter, but it’s pricey. Any suggestions would be AWESOME. Thank you. 🙂
Would it work with powdered stevia? I’ve never used stevia before. What classifies as one serving of stevia?
Hi! Liquid stevia, depending on the brand, sometimes says one serving is 5 drops and some say 2 drops etc.
If you use powdered stevia, I’d add a little and taste it to make sure it is sweet enough 🙂