It's *So* Easy To Up Your Protein Intake With These Desserts
Truth: Getting your fill of protein doesn’t need to stop at dinner. High protein desserts can help you reach your goals for this clutch macronutrient, and bonus: it's possible for the desserts to taste delicious, too.
Why eat high-protein desserts? “It’s important to spread protein intake throughout the day for optimal blood sugar control, hunger management, muscle maintenance and growth, and even boosting metabolism,” says Keri Glassman, RDN, and president of Nutritious Life. “It can be difficult to get in optimal amounts of protein so spreading it throughout the day also helps you reach your goal vs. aiming to get it all in at once.”
Meet the experts: Keri Glassman, RDN, CDN, is the president of Nutritious Life and the Nutritious Life Studio. She is the author of four best-selling books, has made various national television appearances, and is a member of the Women's Health Advisory Board. The food and nutrition experts in the Women's Health test kitchen create and test all recipes.
These treats, from protein powder desserts to ones that use more natural sources, like tofu, cottage cheese, and eggs, are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you feeling full. “I think of protein-rich desserts as adding some bonus protein and helping you reach those optimal goals,” says Glassman. For example, if you just finished a hard workout, a high protein sweet snack at the end of the day may be a quick fix to boosting muscle repair while you snooze.
These healthy high protein desserts (from protein cookies to protein ball recipes) are sure to satisfy and will help boost your protein intake throughout the day. Dessert for all!
Chocolate Protein Crispy Treats
These high-protein sweet snacks get tart, fruity crunch from freeze-dried strawberries. Keep on hand for a quick dessert hit, any day of the week.
Get the Chocolate Protein Crispy Treats recipe.
Chocolate Pretzel-Banana Protein Cookies
Banana chips add natural sweetness and crunch to these protein powder cookies. Choose your base and then add your fave mix-ins for a sweet treat that helps meet your protein goals, too.
Get the Chocolate Pretzel-Banana Protein Cookies recipe.
RELATED: Mix-And-Match Protein Cookies Let You Customize Your Favorite Sweet Snack
Easy Chocolate-Peanut Butter Protein Fudge
No baking and only 5 ingredients? It doesn't get much simpler than this nutty fudge.
Get the Easy Chocolate-Peanut Butter Protein Fudge recipe.
Chocolate-Sesame Pudding
Glassman recommends a high protein dessert that's made with a natural source. This tofu pudding gets its creamy texture from silken tofu, which has a high moisture content, so it doubles for dairy in many a vegan treat.
Get the Chocolate-Sesame Pudding recipe.
Cherry-Hazelnut Protein Cookies
Crunchy hazelnuts and chewy dried cherries add a unique bite to these protein cookies.
Get the Cherry-Hazelnut Protein Cookies recipe.
Upside-Down Plum Cake
Looking to elevate the protein in your desserts even more? Rely on whole-milk Greek yogurt, which has a higher amount of protein than other types of yogurt.
Get the Upside-Down Plum Cake recipe from Prevention.
RELATED: The 10 Best Probiotic Yogurts To Keep Your Gut Healthy, According To Nutritionists
Double Chocolate Sesame Protein Cookies
Fan of crispy cookies? Cacao nibs and puffed rice add crunch to this recipe.
Get the Double Chocolate Sesame Protein Cookies recipe.
Blueberry-and-Mixed Nut Parfait
This double-protein dessert (yogurt and nuts!) makes for a delicious breakfast, too. Add it to both rotations, to hit your protein goals.
Get the Blueberry-and-Mixed Nut Parfait recipe from Prevention.
Pistachio-Chocolate Chip Protein Cookies
This vanilla protein powder dessert doesn't taste like your average protein cookie, thanks to a decadent addition of semisweet chocolate chips, almond butter, and vibrant pistachios.
Get the Pistachio-Chocolate Chip Protein Cookies recipe.
Halvah with Chocolate
Sesame paste makes the base for this rich and complex dessert. Don't skip the sprinkle of sesame seeds for a little extra crunch.
Get the Halvah with Chocolate recipe from Good Housekeeping.
Cherry Fro-Yo Pops
While these ice pops are the perfect refresher for a hot summer day, they're delicious any time of year. Just swap in your favorite in-season fruit for an extra boost of nutrients.
Get the Cherry Fro-Yo Pops recipe from Good Housekeeping.
Chocolate Goji Berry-Pumpkin Seed Protein Cookies
Give goji berries a try in your next baked good. They add sweet-tart chew and are packed with vitamins A and C.
Get the Chocolate Goji Berry-Pumpkin Seed Protein Cookies recipe.
Almond-Sunflower Seed Protein Cookies
Sunflower seeds are a sneaky source of protein — they serve up about 29 grams in only 1/4 cup.
Get the Almond-Sunflower Seed Protein Cookies recipe.
RELATED: Are Sunflower Seeds Actually Healthy Or Nah? Dietitians Weigh In
Grilled Fruit Salad with Vanilla Yogurt
Yogurt is a great start to any protein-packed dessert. Pile fresh and grilled fruit and a drizzle of honey on top and you've got yourself a crowd-pleaser that's ready in minutes.
Get the Grilled Fruit Salad with Vanilla Yogurt recipe from Good Housekeeping.
Blood Orange and Coconut Chia Pudding
Chia pudding is a breakfast staple, but why not rely on it as a high protein dessert, too? Chia seeds also serve up a big dose of Omega-3s and the blood orange juice is smart for an immunity boost.
Get the Blood Orange and Coconut Chia Pudding recipe from Prevention.
Apricot-Pecan Protein Cookies
Pecans are stacked with healthy fats, fiber, and lots of vitamins. Keep on hand to snack and add to your favorite cookie recipes for extra crunch.
Get the Apricot-Pecan Protein Cookies recipe.
Tahini Banana Bread
Banana bread fanatic? This one's a great way to mix up the routine, thanks to the addition of rich tahini and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Get the Tahini Banana Bread recipe from Good Housekeeping.
RELATED: 15 Seed Butters That Will Forever Change Your Snack Game
Pomegranate Orange Tart
This dessert showstopper is a real crowd pleaser because it is both vegan and gluten-free. Don't forget the pomegranate arils on top for a jewel-studded (and antioxidant-rich!) presentation.
Get the Pomegranate Orange Tart recipe from Prevention.
Chocolate Cashew-Coconut Protein Cookies
Even if you're not a fan of super-sweet desserts, this cookie comes in clutch. Why? Slightly spicy dried ginger gives balance.
Get the Chocolate Cashew-Coconut Protein Cookies recipe.
Avocado Mousse
You're only five ingredients away from a luxurious (dairy-free!) chocolate mousse that's made with mashed avocado and almond milk.
Get the Avocado Mousse recipe from Prevention.
Triple Chocolate And Strawberry Protein Cookies
Chocolate protein powder goes beyond shakes to give these treats their signature color and ultra-rich flavor.
Get the Triple Chocolate And Strawberry Protein Cookies recipe.
Peaches with Honey and Pistachios
Simple desserts can be the best. Example A: this elegant grilled peach dish topped with a drizzle of honey and a big dollop of protein-packed yogurt.
Get the Peaches with Honey and Pistachios recipe from Prevention.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Ganache Tart
Silky mousse surrounded by rich and crunchy crust? This tart is sure to be a hit.
Get the Gluten-Free Chocolate Ganache Tart recipe from Good Housekeeping.
Coconut-Raisin Protein Cookies
Transport to the tropics with a sweet and nutty cookie that packs on the protein, too.
Get the Coconut-Raisin Protein Cookies recipe.
Almond-Espresso Buche de Noel
Simple enough to whip up in an hour but definitely elegant enough for a holiday dessert table, this gluten-free roulade should be added to your must-make list.
Get the Almond-Espresso Buche de Noel recipe from Prevention.
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