Nutella Breakfast Cookie Dough
This single serve cookie dough recipe requires 1 bowl and 5 minutes to whip up- Gluten Free, Sugar Free, High in protein and vegan friendly too- The entire batch is a healthy option for breakfast!
On Monday’s post, I told you guys about how my colleagues were my taste testers for many recipes but closer to home, friends and family take the cake responsibility.
This recipe was created after popping by home at 1pm and Niki having a day off from work and telling she hadn’t eaten breakfast because she couldn’t be bothered. Clearly my mum’s tactics with us growing up had no effect whatsoever.
While I’ve discussed on here that Niki is an intuitive eater, I do know at times she tends to put off eating because she’s lazy. I know what you’re thinking. How could someone be too lazy to eat breakfast? Trust me. I have no idea how she does it.
Niki has very picky palates and especially when it comes to breakfast. Give her a bowl of plain cereal with milk or toast with cheese and she’s a happy camper. Start throwing in fancy nut butters, crazy oatmeal combinations and pancakes and she’d most likely stay in bed. One time I made her a twist on this cake batter oatmeal and saw it was in the fridge again the next day with only two bites eaten. Actually, she’d make a pretty bad ‘Healthy Living Blogger’.
Here are 5 reasons why.
1. She hates peanut butter unless it’s eaten in a mars bar, satay sauce or snickers bar.
2. Oatmeal must be eaten from a packet and pre flavoured with sugar.
3. She things stevia is the female version of the name ‘Steve’.
4. She failed Paleo not once, but twice.
5. Breakfast is her least favourite meal of the day.
Did you read number 5? Are you still alive?
I know right? She pretty much just broke rule number 1 of healthy living bloggers.
Knowing that she has very picky palates and that she likes cookies, I told her I’d design a breakfast cookie dough recipe which is quicker to whip up that her bowl of cereal and could maybe change her thoughts on everyone’s favourite meal.
Based off my original single serve breakfast cookie dough recipe, I gave it a ‘Niki’ twist to incorporate her favourites. She likes nutella, cookies and chocolate so I had some momentum to work with. Instead of using traditional nutella, I used my homemade version originally made in this recipe. By doing this, I make my vegan friends happy. These are high in protein thanks to the protein powder and can be made completely sugar free too. They hit all the macronutrients and you’d be fooled to thinking they were actually healthy.
Single serving. Chocolate. Cookie Dough. Healthy.
Most importantly, Niki approved.


- 1/4 cup gluten free rolled oats
- 1/4 cup gluten free oat bran
- 1 T cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder*
- 1 T homemade 'nutella' (can sub for any nut butter or standard nutella if not vegan)
- 1 T chopped hazelnuts
- 1/4-1/2 cup almond milk*
- Dairy free unsweetened chocolate chips/mix ins of choice (optional)
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, oat bran, cocoa powder, sea salt and protein powder and mix until fully combined.
- Add the 'nutella' and chopped hazelnuts and mix very well- Mixture should be slightly crumbly. Slowly add the almond milk, one tablespoon at a time until a very thick dough is made.
- Using your hands, form into bite sized balls and roll in chocolate chips and set on a plate. Consume immediately or for best results, freeze for 10 minutes or refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Protein powder is optional- You can sub simply omit this and decrease the almond milk used.
- If you omit the protein powder and prefer sweeter breakfasts, add sweetener of choice.
- Protein powders differ by brand, so use the almond milk 1 tablespoon at a time.

Want more single serve breakfast cookie dough recipes? Check these out!
Original Single Serve Breakfast Cookie Dough (Gluten Free, Vegan)
Paleo Single Serve Breakfast Cookie Dough (Paleo, Gluten Free, Vegan)
Paleo Double Chocolate Single Serve Breakfast Cookie Dough (Paleo, Gluten Free, Vegan)
Happy weekend guys! Don’t forget to eat breakfast.
What time do you usually eat breakfast?
What is your favourite meal of the day?
If you have siblings, do they eat similarly to you?
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Sounds fabulous, almost too good to be true! It’s always amusing to read about your sisters eating habits. Siblings can be so different. My brother has completely different eating habits than me as well. To each their own!
Well said- To each their own! 🙂
No breakfast & no peanut butter….Oh Niki :)! I can’t remember the last time I went without breakfast- definitely my favourite meal of the day..even more so if I were eating these balls! I usually get up around 8 so by the time I’ve done my morning routine, breakfast happens between 9 & 9.30 am. Fo the most part, my sister & I share similar taste buds although she is not an cooked oatmeal fan due to the mushy texture- what a weirdo 😉
Haha, Niki says she’s allergic to peanut butter yet faceplants satay sauce.
I’m no joke craving oatmeal for tomorrow now.
Normally I would be all over this but I’m currently nursing a sugar headache brought on by consuming half a jar of Nutella yesterday, so it’s still too soon!
Do it- Promise it’s delicious!
So kind of like a Ferro rocher huh? Hmmmm OK.
I can’t fathom it when people tell me that they either don’t like breakfast or haven’t eaten a meal. I’ve had times when I haven’t eaten meals, and it’s called procedure prep or purgatory. That’s about it.
Dude. I’ve got a ferrero rocher recipe next week!!!!
I would no joke die if I had to do fasted blood tests…
How can people not like breakfast? I don’t get it. Not only would I be too hungry to skip it, but it is the best meal. Especially when it is like having dessert. Yum!
Thanks Dannii! You bring the eggs and avocado, I’ll bring the ballZ.
She doesn’t like breakfast? How are you two even related?!
My sister is somewhat different from me too actually. She doesn’t usually eat breakfast because she says she’s not hungry before like 11 am. And she’s not as almond butter obsessed as me. But we have a lot of the same tastes for lunch and dinner, other than the fact that she doesn’t really like fish or winter squash. 😛
I know, right!
You guys have a sushi connection. That’s worth relishing in.
mm, I kind of want relish now. Sundried tomato relish!
Healthy Nutella cookies for breakfast? You are amazing!
Excuse me, but speak for yourself! 😉
I usually try to wait until 7:00 to eat my breakfast, or else my days gets thrown off. As a teacher, I can only eat at certain times, and getting hungry before 11:50 am = hangry Bridget… Not good.
I don’t know that I can choose a favorite meal of the day as there are specific aspects of each meal that I adore.
I have a brother and a sister, and we all eat differently… the only thing we agree on is our beer and wine preferences.
Ohhh I can totally relate! Haha beer and wine..the best kind of preferences 😉
stooooooooop! you know i’m a sucker for cookie dough (and dessert for breakfast!)
Well…it looks like the coming weeks will be good ones for you! 😉
True story- I had an almost empty jar of nutella in my desk drawer and got caught yesterday trying to scrape bits off the bottom with a plastic fork as an afternoon snack. I need to go buy a new jar. Then make this recipe.
The fact that you attempted to salvage the final bits = respect.
When I read the title all that popped in my head was “oh no you di-n’t” because seriously? I am now craving sweets after having a ginormous breakfast! Looks too good. Keep doing what you’re doing!
Thanks buddy! Expect more paleo treats to come! I’m paleo for a whole month ahh!
I think it’s a mortal sin to not like breakfast the best……o my goodness :O Hahahaha!
Haha, I KNOW RIGHT? Let’s chase her with a pitchfork.
*stands up*
*begins slow clap*
I want these.
SLOW cap? Dude, I expected an arm workout.
You had me at nutella! Sounds fantastic. I’ve been fussy with breakfast leately but this definitely will end the rut! How funny that we both have sisters that would miserably fail as a healthy living blogger 😀 And most crazy I talked about my sister being my test eater today too!
My favorite meal is lunch – the opportunity to eat cold leftovers 🙂
I love cold leftovers- Best thing ever!
Breakfast cookie dough- I think I’m in love! Breakfast is by far the best meal of the day, she’s nuts!
I know, right? Let’s go chase her with a pitchfork!
I don’t understand when people don’t eat or like breakfast. I get out of the bed in the morning because there IS such thing as breakfast. Second of all, I’m glad you posted this. I’ve been thinking of creating some protein balls and have been hoping there were ways to do it without a food processor. Looks like combining some stuff in a mixing bowl can suffice. Right?
Haha, not going to lie- It’s on my mind when I’m working out. I may or may not even cut a set short to get home to it 😉
Ha! I hate eating breakfast too AND I’m a healthy living blogger/registered dietitian. I get it Nikki! Breakfast food is just never appealing to me but these cookie dough bites would get me to eat it! You had me at nutella!
I LOVE THIS. Way to break the stigma, Alex! 😉
HAHAHA, your sister kills me. I wish you, her and I could be real life friends. In my fantasy world, you’d make all of our meals, be my workout buddy & we would do everything together. While holding hands.
Niki is a Kardashian.
LOL. I actually lol’d like an idiot just then because my sister was completely left out.
Niki is not a Kardashian. She’s a Rosario lololol (TRHBH)
Sometimes at school if I’ve prepped my breakfast the night before (overnight oats), I’ll get up, get my breakfast and get back in bed to eat it. Before I’ve gone to the bathroom, drank water, or anything. That is how much I love breakfast. Sometimes I even have to remake my breakfast if I accidentally eat it before I go to bed. Breakfast + cookie dough is the best.. I love making combinations like these because they’re so easy and taste so good! I usually throw in a protein powder too to give it some extra sweetness and of course, protein…
I added protein powder in these for that extra protein boost!
These look insanely delicious! Thanks for sharing
Thanks for your kind words, Rebecca!
Not a fan of… breakfast? :shock:I’m afraid I don’t quite understand what that means 😛 You know I’m crazy for breakfast and would happily eat it all day long In fact, most days I usually do. That’s the beauty of not having to cook for anyone but yourself
Love it. Potatoes are a breakfast food too. 😉
I could definitely polish off many of these ‘nutella’ cookies for breakfast.. or any time of day really. They look delicious and surprisingly healthy too!
Thanks Thalia 🙂
I used to think that Niki and I could be friends, but now I’m just not sure. (I’m kidding. Niki – be my friend?)
In all seriousness, dude, you know I’d be all over this.
As for breakfast…sometimes it happens at 6 pm, sometimes at 6 am. Yay crazy work schedule!
My brother lives off of energy drinks, cigarettes and kraft dinner. Not kidding.
Hahaha. She’s sitting across the room and eating Mcdonalds fries with sweet and sour sauce. It’s 8.28pm and all she’s eaten today is feta cheese, butter and pita bread. She’s a twat.
Gluten Free, Sugar Free, High in protein, vegan friendly, AND it tastes like cookie dough…. nooooo waaaay. I’m making these. Like now. Pinned 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting and pinning- It means the world! 🙂
She hates peanut butter and breakfast? My heart just stopped. That being said, I would fail at paleo also because oatmeal dominates my life.
I always have interesting conversations with my brother about what a “balanced meal” is. He thinks it should be a base of carbs (the “real” food) with protein piled on top and vegetables as garnish. He also eats a huge meal and then won’t eat until, like, 7 hours later. Unintentional intermittent faster.
I seriously admire people like that! Not going to lie, but I kind of wouldn’t mind…
SINGLE SERVING is the only way I know how to cook! ha ha! And what protein powder you using? NuZest?!?! 😉
Hahahahaha I wish.
Looks so simple and delicious! And it has chocolate in it, so how can it NOT taste good?! 😀
You said it- Chocolate makes everything better!
she couldn’t be bothered with breakfast? Oh man, i wish i had that problem. LOL! Youre a good brother. Feedin the fam. YUM!
I know, right! Sometimes I want to throw a pie at my stomach. Instead, I throw a pie in it.
OMG I am so all about breakfast. In fact I kind of have two breakfasts like a Hobbit. I eat right when I wake up at 6am, then I almost always have something at 10, whether I work out in the morning or not. While cookie dough balls looks like a great snack, I’m not sure that would satiate me enough in the morning. 🙂 “She things stevia is the female version of the name ‘Steve’.” Bahahahaha!!!!
Haha, she actually does!
These look amazing, Arman! I love the nutella flavour, so good! Gotta the recipe soon!
Thanks Jess! Hope you try it out 🙂
Your sister is a boss. She needs to do more posts. I am the same as her, I like just PB&J for breakfast everyday. My favorite meal is all of the above. I eat really differently from my siblings because I am vegan and they favor their meat. I usually eat breakfast around 8:30 or 9:00 depending on when I work or get home from the gym. This looks delicious! I have the cinnamon sugar peanut butter that I might sub for the nutella because I’m a badass and it sounds good 🙂
Go for it!
yum this looks so good! I’m so obsessed with Nutella!
styleandchocolates.blogspot.com
Thanks! You and me both!
BREAKFAST FOREVER! I usually eat breakfast around 8:30, 8:45. It used to be closer to 10 but now I am so crazed as soon as I get to work (when I used to eat my breakfast) that I won’t have time to eat it 🙁
Naw, no eating at the desk?
I see your bringing the balls out again. You just whip those things up and around like nobody’s business. Balls to the left, balls to the right, balls everywhere.
Sunshine, I have close to 5 balls to further share. Not including the human kind.
Luckily for me my sister is a bit of a health freak too!
I am sad you have moved, now I won’t have a bag of these to taste 😉
Haha, that’s why this recipe is perfect- You can make it yourself! 🙂
Your sister is so pretty! Great genetics, you two!!
I love me some Nutella so I’ve definitely gotta try these. So many of your recipes that I need to make. Hoping to spend some time in the kitchen this weekend!
Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day…and I usually eat around 7am on work days…9am on non-work days!
Thanks buddy. We can thank the caked on make up on the both of us!
Please come to Australia and I’ll make these for you. Promise.
Do you have the nutritional information on these?
Hey Jessica! I don’t, but myfitnesspal can give you a break down 🙂 There’s an option for you to add the ingredients to it
I just added all the ingredients to My Fitness Pal – 402 cals per recipe, 16 g fat, 29 g protein, 47 g carbs. I have to go buy all the ingredients tomorrow!! 🙂
Lynn, you’re a gem for sharing that with us! Cheers! 🙂
Can regular 2% milk be used instead of almond milk? I’m not vegan or anything like that but i came across this recipe in a buzzfeed article.
Hey Taylor! 🙂
You can use any milk you like for this- I use whole milk for myself sometimes and it works just as well!
I made this tasty looking recipe yesterday, but tripled it so my siblings and mom could have some too (it made 12 balls). Sadly, 1 1/2 tsp of salt was WAAAY to much!
There was salt in my nut butter, and a little on my hazelnuts/mixed nuts, but the balls ended up being too salty to eat. 🙁 I added some raisins that I pureed in the blender to try and cut the salt, which didn’t help enough. Today I’m going to try and add some unsalted nuts to it, to see if it can be salvaged.
Lesson: DON’T add as much salt as the recipe says, and check to make sure salt’s not sneaking in with other ingredients.
Oooh I like this idea, gotta try it some day!
Please do it is too good!