13 Desserts That Come With a Boost of Protein

We all love a sweet ending to our day, but what if that dessert could satisfy your sweet tooth and support your health goals? That’s where these high-protein desserts come in. Protein is an important nutrient that plays a major role in repairing muscles, keeping you full and focused, and supporting metabolism. Adding protein to dessert is a simple and effective way to enjoy a sweet treat while giving your body a little extra nutritional boost, but like all treats, it’s still important to enjoy them mindfully.

In this round-up, we’re shining the spotlight on delicious dessert recipes that include a protein boost without compromising on taste. Each recipe blends those classic comforting flavors with extra nutrition, making it easier to enjoy your favorite treats as part of a balanced lifestyle.

Start with these Protein Brownies. They’re not only rich and fudgy (thanks to dark chocolate chips and cocoa powder), but they also pack a protein punch in every bite. We swapped out traditional all-purpose flour for a combo of almond flour and chocolate protein powder, which adds a source of healthy fats, fiber and a solid dose of protein. We also upped the protein with Greek yogurt, eggs and chickpeas for an added source of calcium, vitamin B12 and fiber. Together, these ingredients make for a rich, fudgy treat that satisfies your sweet tooth while offering more satiety and staying power than your traditional brownie recipe.

This chocolatey peanut butter and chocolate ice cream includes mini chocolate chips for rich bits of chocolate in every satisfying spoonful. It comes together with ease in a Ninja® CREAMi®, the countertop ice cream maker that’s gone viral on social media. Each serving of the incredibly light and velvety ice cream has 11 grams of protein per serving thanks to a protein boost from a chocolate-flavored high-protein shake beverage.

You might not expect rich, chocolatey pancakes layered with chocolate-hazelnut spread and topped with a confectioners’ sugar and sliced strawberries to be packed with protein, but these are. Oat flour, protein powder, eggs and a generous amount of creamy Greek yogurt in our batter means each serving clocks in at 17 grams of protein, providing lasting energy and muscle support. Oat flour adds complex carbohydrates and fiber, which aid in digestion and helps regulate blood sugar, while Greek yogurt contributes calcium and probiotics for gut and bone health. It’s a decadent breakfast that’ll keep you satisfied throughout the morning and help fuel the rest of your day.

There are numerous sources of protein in these protein-packed chocolate chip muffins – creamy almond butter, luscious Greek yogurt, nutty almond flour, eggs and vanilla-flavored protein powder, providing 10 grams of protein per serving. But the touch of sweetness from the brown sugar, as well as the chocolate chips studded through, make these muffins perfectly satisfying and irresistibly tasty, too.

These fluffy, cakey cookies have a deep flavor that will delight peanut butter fans. Each generously sized cookie has a satisfying 14 grams of protein, thanks to the peanut butter powder, creamy peanut butter and whey protein powder. We even added ultra-filtered whole milk, a type of milk that’s slightly higher in protein and calcium than other types of cow’s milk, creating a balanced treat that promotes fullness, combats sugar crashes and satisfies your taste buds. This treat is perfect for a mid-afternoon snack alongside fruit or a glass of milk.

This irresistible double-chocolate ice cream rippled with creamy almond butter and dark chocolate has a high-protein secret. Chocolate protein powder, almond butter and sliced almonds give it 18 grams of protein per serving along with a source of healthy fats to help keep you full and satisfied. You’ll get big flavor, plus our quick and easy no-churn method means you don’t need an ice cream machine and won’t have to chill the creamy base for hours. This recipe is a great reminder that with a few smart ingredients, you can turn a classic comfort food into a delicious treat that satisfies your cravings and gives you a little nutritional boost too.

The celebrated banana-pineapple spice cake known as hummingbird cake originates from Jamaica and has been popular stateside for decades, particularly in the South. This version captures all the flair of that classic favorite, but adds a feel-good high-protein twist. Canned pineapple, bananas, oil and yogurt in this recipe keeps the cake super-moist while vanilla whey powder increases the protein content. A decadent cream cheese frosting is also boosted with whey powder along with Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt and whey protein powder bring high-quality protein to the table, which helps promote satiety, support muscle repair and stabilize energy levels. With 15 grams of protein per serving, this sheet cake works well as a snack, a post-workout bite or even a grab-and-go breakfast when paired with some fruit or a handful of nuts.

This rich and surprisingly healthy chocolate cake is packed with protein from the cake batter to the frosting. Plenty of dark chocolate, cocoa powder and espresso powder amp up the deep chocolate flavor of the flourless chocolate cake, while puréed black beans add a protein boost and a source of fiber, which supports digestion and helps regulate glucose levels. Dark chocolate and cocoa powder offer a rich dose of antioxidants, while espresso powder enhances the chocolate flavor without adding extra sugar. The thick and luscious frosting is made with more dark chocolate and cocoa powder, plus protein-rich Greek yogurt and chocolate whey protein powder. The result is a delicious dessert with 18 grams of protein per serving.

Peanut butter and bananas are a classic flavor combination that pairs beautifully. But these banana muffins pack an extra protein punch, thanks to tangy Greek yogurt and peanut butter protein powder in the batter, plus a gooey peanut butter surprise baked into the centers, providing 10 grams of protein per serving.

Everyone loves chocolate chip cookies, and these beauties – packed with semisweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, cocoa powder and chocolate protein powder – are moist, cakey and delicious. We added a whole container of cottage cheese for rich dairy flavor and more protein (12 grams per cookie), then tossed in toasted walnuts for a tasty crunch. Walnuts not only crank up the protein, but they also add omega-3 fats and polyphenols, which contribute to heart and brain health.

These raspberry muffins come packed with protein thanks to the creamy almond butter, rich Greek yogurt, nutty almond flour and touch of vanilla-flavored protein powder, providing 10 grams of protein per serving. The tart raspberries and touch of cardamom add brightness and punch to these delicious treats.

This protein-packed dessert comes together in 10 minutes and delivers both chocolatey richness and an impressive 14 grams of protein per serving. Just combine cottage cheese, melted milk chocolate chips and a touch of maple syrup in a food processor and blend until decadently creamy. Chill in individual dishes or cups and garnish with strawberries for a colorful touch. It’s a quick, healthy treat that’s naturally gluten-free and will satisfy a sweet tooth or chocolate craving in style.