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It can sometimes be a chore to eat enough protein throughout the day. While I do my best by starting most mornings with one of my healthy smoothie recipes, and squeeze in a high protein snack box in the afternoons when I get a chance, I still end most days feeling like I need a little more protein to keep me going. And because you guys know that I don’t end a single day without a sweet treat, I decided to get creative and figure out a way to sneak some extra protein into my nightly dessert.

This high protein cookie makes just enough for a single serving, and is packed with a whopping 30 grams of protein! However, because my husband often gets jealous when he looks over on the couch and sees me eating one of these warm and gooey protein cookies, I often double the recipe to make two cookies (he’s so spoiled, ha!). Also, what makes this cookie unique, is that it’s entirely gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and easily made vegan depending on what kind of protein powder you use. So it’s the perfect little high protein night cap, no matter what your dietary restrictions are!

Overhead image of a single serve protein chocolate chip cookie cut in half.

What You’ll Need to Make This Single Serve Protein Cookie

  • Oat Flour (or all-purpose flour): Provides a hearty and gluten-free base for the cookie, giving it a perfect chewy texture.
  • Non-Dairy Milk: Keeps the cookie moist and helps to combine all the ingredients. Start with one tablespoon and add more if needed to achieve the right dough consistency.
  • Vanilla or Unflavored Protein Powder: Adds a protein boost to the cookie. I used Be Well Vanilla Grass-Fed Beef Protein Powder, which bakes up great and is dairy-free!
  • Peanut Butter: Adds richness and a bit of healthy fat, and helps the cookie hold together. Feel free to use any other nut or seed butter in place of peanut butter in this recipe!
  • Maple Syrup: Just one tablespoon makes this single serve protein cookie perfectly sweet, but not too sweet.
  • Chocolate Chips: Can’t have a chocolate chip cookie without chocolate chips! I typically reach for Guittard extra dark chocolate chips because I prefer a chocolate that isn’t overly sweet.

How to Make This Recipe

  1. Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Mix: Add all ingredients except chocolate chips to a bowl and mix together until fully combined. Then, mix in the chocolate chips.
  3. Shape and Bake: Transfer the cookie dough to your prepared baking sheet and form the dough into a cookie shape. Bake for 7-10 minutes, then remove from the oven and let cool before eating.
close up image of a single serve protein cookie with a bite taken out.

Switch Up the Flavors

This recipe is incredibly versatile and can be customized to suit your taste:

  • Oatmeal Raisin: Add a tablespoon of raisins and a pinch of cinnamon to the dough.
  • Nutella Cookie: Substitute peanut butter with Nutella or any chocolate hazelnut spread.
  • Birthday Cake: Use cake batter protein powder and add a tablespoon of rainbow sprinkles!
  • White Chocolate Macadamia: Add white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts to the dough.
  • Snickerdoodle: Mix in a teaspoon of cinnamon and roll the cookie dough in cinnamon sugar before baking.

Storage Tips

Since this recipe makes just one cookie, it’s best enjoyed fresh. However, if you have leftovers, store the cookie in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. You can also freeze the cookie dough for up to one month. Just shape it into a cookie and bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.

Single Serve Protein Cookie

4 from 82 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: Dessert, SnacksDifficulty: Easy
Servings

1

serving
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

10

minutes
Total time

15

minutes

This single-serve protein cookie is the ultimate snack or post-workout treat, packed with over 25 grams of protein! It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and can easily be made vegan by using vegan protein powder. This cookie will soon become your go-to recipe when you need a quick and healthy sweet treat!

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup oat flour, or all purpose flour

  • 1-2 tablespoons non-dairy milk (start with 1 tablespoon, then add a second if the cookie dough is too thick)

  • 2 tablespoons vanilla or unflavored protein powder

  • 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter, unsweetened

  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup, or your preferred liquid sweetener

  • 2 tablespoons chocolate chips

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Add all ingredients except chocolate chips to a bowl and mix together until fully combined. Then, mix in the chocolate chips.
  • Transfer the cookie dough to your prepared baking sheet and form the dough into a cookie. Bake for 7-10 minutes, then remove from the oven and let cool before eating.

Recipe Video

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This single-serve protein cookie recipe is perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings without the guilt. It’s simple, customizable, and packed with protein to keep you energized throughout the day. Save this post and refer back to it whenever you need a quick and healthy treat!

Looking for a way to boost your milk supply? Try this nourishing green lactation smoothie! Loaded with fruits, veggies, healthy fats, and plenty of protein.

lactation smoothie being poured into a glass.

As a first-time breastfeeding mom, I’m always looking for ways to increase my milk supply. And after lots and lots of research, I found the best way to increase my supply was through food. Aside from simply making sure I’m eating enough foods, there are certain foods that can actually boost milk production! So I took as many of those foods as possible (oats, greens, flaxseeds, brewer’s yeast) and added them to this lactation smoothie in a way that actually tastes good.

Nourishing green lactation smoothie with a metal straw.

What You’ll Need to Make a Nourishing Green Lactation Smoothie

Banana – A whole frozen banana makes this smoothie ultra-creamy, and gives it just a hint of natural sweetness. If you don’t like banana, you can use 1 cup of frozen mango instead!

Spinach – Dark leafy greens, such as spinach, are a great source of iron and calcium, which are essential for boosting your milk supply. Fresh spinach will have the most nutrients, but if you don’t have any, frozen spinach will also do the trick.

Oats – Look up any lactation recipe, and it’ll likely have oats in it. Oats are a go-to ingredient for increasing breast milk production. This is because oats are high in iron, and act as a complex carbohydrate – two vital components to a lactating mama’s diet!

Almond Butter – I add a healthy fat to all my smoothie recipes, which helps slow down the body’s digestion rate of the fruit, allowing us to absorb as many nutrients and hold onto as much protein as possible. Almond butter is a delicious healthy fat option in this lactation smoothie! Though feel free to use any nut butter you’d like – peanut, cashew, pecan, etc.

Brewer’s Yeast – Another lactation essential is brewer’s yeast! Brewer’s yeast is a known glactagogue, and thought by many to help increase milk supply. It’s totally flavorless, and a great addition to this smoothie recipe. Here’s a link to the brewer’s yeast I’ve been using and loving!

Overhead image of a nourishing green lactation smoothie with oats and spinach on the side.

Optional Add-Ins

Give your nourishing green lactation smoothie a boost with any of the following…

  • Chia Seeds – more healthy fats, omega-3s, and fiber.
  • Hemp Seeds – extra protein, healthy fats, omega-3s, and omega-6s.
  • Protein Powder – I love this Aloha Vanilla Protein Powder!
  • Honey – for an extra bit of sweetness.
  • Frozen Cauliflower – because why not?! more veggies!

Nourishing Green Lactation Smoothie

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: Breakfast, SnacksDifficulty: Easy
Servings

1

serving
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

5

minutes

Looking for a way to boost your milk supply? Try this nourishing green lactation smoothie! Loaded with fruits, veggies, healthy fats, and plenty of protein.

Ingredients

  • 1 frozen banana

  • 1/2 cup frozen strawberries

  • small handful fresh spinach

  • 2 tablespoons oats

  • 1 tablespoon almond butter

  • 1 tablespoon brewer’s yeast

  • 1 teaspoon ground flaxseed

  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, optional

  • 1 cup water or milk, I used unsweetened almond milk

Directions

  • Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.

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Here are the 5 smoothie recipes I make constantly! They’re SUPER healthy, incredibly delicious, and come together in only a few minutes. These healthy smoothies are the perfect quick, easy, and portable breakfast or snack!

all 5 smoothies lined up in glasses with toppings on each

How to Make a (Delicious) Smoothie

  • Pick your frozen fruits. Every smoothie recipe starts with a curated selection of frozen fruit. The frozen fruit is what you’ll taste the most of in your smoothie, so make sure it’s a combination you’ll love!
  • Add in some healthy fats. Now that you have your fruit, it’s time to round the nutrition out with a bit of healthy fats. Healthy fats will slow the digestion of the naturally occurring sugar in fruit, which will stabilize your blood sugar and provide you with a long-term source of energy to get you through the morning! My favorite healthy fats for smoothies are unsweetened almond butter, avocado, or hemp seeds.
  • Consider adding fresh or frozen vegetables. Depending on which vegetable you choose to add to your smoothie, you most likely won’t be able to taste it at all! Spinach is always a great addition, yielding very little flavor yet TONS of nutrients. Or, steamed then frozen cauliflower is a perfect way to not only add nutrients to a smoothie, but helps to thicken it up as well.
  • Give it a boost with protein and/or powdered superfoods. I prefer unsweetened, unflavored, and plant-based protein in my smoothie recipes. However, feel free to use whichever protein powder is your favorite! Though in my chocolate peanut butter protein smoothie recipe, I highly recommend the Aloha Chocolate Protein Powder – it’s so darn good.
  • Select a liquid to blend. Any liquid will work! Water or milk will yield the least flavor, allowing the fruit to shine. Or, you can use juice for an even sweeter and fruitier smoothie if you’d like.
all 5 smoothies in cups with ice, blueberries, and almond milk on the side

Blenders 101

I’ve owned many blenders in my day, though these two have stood out the most:

  • Vitamix: I know …she’s expensive, but boy is she incredible! I purchase a refurbished Vitamix a few years ago after saving up for one. And let me tell ya, it was worth EVERY penny. There’s nothing the Vitamix can’t blend, it’s truly the most powerful blender on the market. So if you’re looking to splurge, the Vitamix is definitely the blender for you!
  • Nutribullet: The nutribullet is great for everyday use! It takes up very little counter space, and is super easy to clean. I had my first nutribullet for almost 10 years before it eventually died on me. And that was after daily use in a four-person household! Also, the larger cup is enough to blend up to two serving sizes. I really can’t recommend the nutribullet enough, it’s fairly priced and comes with a one year warranty.

Turn Any Smoothie Into a Smoothie Bowl

Turn any of the below smoothie recipes into a smoothie bowl! It’s seriously so easy, all you’ll need to do is start with half the amount of liquid listed in the recipe. Then, continue to add more liquid as needed or until it’s perfectly thick and smooth. Once smooth, transfer your smoothie to a bowl and top with some fresh fruit, a handful of granola, and maybe even a scoop of almond or peanut butter!

5 Healthy and DELICIOUS Smoothie Recipes

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: Breakfast, Snacks, DrinksDifficulty: Easy
Servings

1

serving
Total time

5

minutes

Here are the 5 smoothie recipes I make constantly! They’re SUPER healthy, incredibly delicious, and come together in only a few minutes. These healthy smoothies are the perfect quick, easy, and portable breakfast or snack!

Ingredients

  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie
  • 1 1/2 frozen bananas

  • 1 scoop chocolate protein powder or 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter

  • 1 cup almond milk, or regular milk

  • Strawberry Banana Smoothie
  • 1 frozen banana

  • 1/2 cup frozen strawberries

  • 1 tablespoon almond or peanut butter, optional

  • 1 cup milk, I used almond milk

  • Glowing Green Smoothie
  • 1 cup frozen mango

  • 1/2 cup frozen peaches

  • 1 cup fresh spinach

  • 1/2 avocado

  • 1 cup water or milk

  • Tropical Smoothie
  • 1 cup frozen mango

  • 1/2 cup frozen pineapple

  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt, unsweetened

  • 1 cup coconut milk

  • Very Berry Smoothie
  • 1/2 cup frozen cherries

  • 1 cup frozen mixed berries

  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt, unsweetened

  • 1 cup water or milk

Directions

  • Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.

Recipe Video

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This popular Baked Oats recipe is a healthy, easy-to-make breakfast option that requires only a couple of key ingredients. Have it plain or mix it up with chocolate chips, peanut butter or protein powder – there are so many versatile ways to make this baked oats recipe to your liking!

Baked Oats Recipe

I guess we should thank TikTok for this popular baked oats recipe! I never would have thought to blend oats and turn it into a type of oatmeal breakfast cake ’til now. These bake nicely in ramekins (which is what I use) or a muffin pan for individual servings, but you can bake it in a larger batch in a casserole dish if you want to serve to the whole fam!

Main Ingredients & Substitutions For Baked Oats

  • Rolled Oats – This is the main ingredient needed for this recipe, but you can use quick oats or oat flour instead. 

  • Mashed Banana – This adds flavor, sweetness and moisture to the recipe. 

  • Egg – Or you can make it vegan by using a flax egg!

  • Honey or Maple Syrup – Adds an extra touch of sweetness to the baked oats.

  • Baking Powder – This helps the baked oats rise while baking.

  • Pinch of Salt

Optional Add Ins

  • Chocolate Chips

  • Cocoa Powder

  • Peanut Butter

  • Protein Powder

  • Vanilla Extract

Baked Oats

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: BreakfastDifficulty: Easy
Servings

1

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

20

minutes
Total time

25

minutes

This popular Baked Oats recipe is a healthy, easy-to-make breakfast option that requires only a couple of key ingredients. Have it plain or mix it up with chocolate chips, peanut butter or protein powder – there are so many versatile ways to make this baked oats recipe to your liking!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Cup Rolled Oats

  • 1 Banana (mashed)

  • 1 Egg

  • 1 Tablespoon Honey or Maple Syrup

  • 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder

  • 1 Pinch of Salt

  • Optional Add-Ins:
  • 2 Tablespoons Chocolate Chips

  • 1 Tablespoon Cocoa Powder

  • 1 Tablespoon Peanut Butter

  • 1 Tablespoon Protein Powder

  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and lightly grease an oven-safe ramekin.
  • Place all ingredients (except chocolate chips, if using) in a blender and blend until smooth.
  • Pour batter into prepared ramekin and bake for 20-25 minutes, let cool for about 10 minutes before eating.

Notes

  • To Store: Keep well in an airtight container for 2 days at room temperature and up to a week in the fridge.
  • To Freeze: You can freeze the baked oats before or after baking and it will keep for up to 3 months.

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More Breakfast Recipes

There’s no better way to start your day than with this delicious green smoothie! It’s quick and easy to make (there’s only one step!) and it’s a great way to sneak more veggies in for the day. It’s my favorite breakfast go-to, especially when I have a busy morning ahead of me.

I’m super excited to share my favorite green smoothie recipe with you! Ever since I started drinking this green goodness, I’ve noticed a huge difference in my energy levels. Coffee might give you a caffeine boost, but do you notice you tend to “crash” after a few hours? Yeah, me too. That’s why I opt for healthy shakes most mornings. But you can make this smoothie any time of the day! Great to bring with you to the office for lunch or as a before-dinner snack. If you aren’t a fan of bananas or mangos, you can switch it out for other fruits like pineapples too! It’s completely customizable, and I’ll lay out your options below. Hope you enjoy!

What You Need To Make This Healthy Green Smoothie

Frozen Banana – Frozen bananas are a big ingredient in this shake. They offer the perfect amount of sweetness and incredible texture. You can also substitute this for an extra cup of frozen mangos!

Frozen Mango – Mangos are delightfully sweet and blends perfectly with the bananas in this recipe.

Spinach – Both fresh and frozen spinach will work! Whichever is easier for you to get your hands on, toss it in your green smoothie shake for those extra vitamins and minerals.

Avocado – It’s a great way to add in some healthy fats!

Customize This Green Smoothie Recipe

  • Go banana-less: Substitute an additional cup of frozen mango or one cup of frozen pineapple.

  • Add protein: Use either one scoop of your favorite unflavored or vanilla protein powder, or throw in a few tablespoons of hemp seeds (they’re impressively high in protein!)

  • Substitute Spinach: I get it – not everyone loves this leafy green! If you prefer, you could use chard or kale in its place.

  • Other Healthy Smoothie Add-ins: Consider adding in flax seeds, chia seeds, maca powder, or oats for a different take on my favorite green smoothie!

My Favorite Green Smoothie Recipe (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

5 from 2 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: SnacksCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

2

servings
Prep time

1

minute
Total time

1

minute

There’s no better way to start your day then with this delicious green smoothie! It’s quick and easy to make (there’s only one step!) and it’s a great way to sneak more veggies in for the day. It’s my favorite breakfast go-to, especially when I have a busy morning ahead.

Ingredients

  • 1 frozen banana

  • 1 cup frozen mango

  • ½ cup spinach, fresh or frozen

  • 1/4 avocado

  • 1 heaping tablespoon almond or peanut butter

  • 1 scoop protein powder, optional

  • 1 cup water

Directions

  • Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Spinach: Use either fresh or frozen spinach in this recipe.
  • Sweeten it up: You can add 1 tsp of honey or maple syrup to sweeten it even more or as a replacement for the mango or bananas.

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More Delicious Healthy Recipes