Whether you’re desperate for new ways to entertain the kids or need a day off from Netflix, the kitchen can serve as a fun break from the monotony of sheltering in place. In times of stress—and that most certainly includes a global pandemic—baking can bring comfort. Not convinced? Just spend a minute or two on Instagram and you’ll see the hashtags #quarantinebaking or #procrastibaking filling up your feed.
Now is not the time to pressure yourself into some kind of quarantine transformation, but there’s nothing like the scent of brownies or banana bread wafting through the house to lift your spirits. These nine recipes are not only tasty but packed with protein, too.
1. Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Cookies
Need a quick treat? These chocolatey bites from Ambitious Kitchen take just 15 minutes to throw together. Made with an almond butter base (which provides healthy fats, fiber, protein, and vitamin E) and protein powder, these goodies provide nearly five grams of protein a piece.
2. Protein Peanut Butter Cheesecake Stuffed Brownie Cups
When it comes to protein-packed treats, this dessert from Dishing Out Health may take the (cheese)cake. The personal-sized brownies are stuffed with a decadent peanut butter cheesecake filling—and thanks to black beans and Sunwarrior Chocolate Plant-Based Vegan Protein, pack nearly 12 grams of protein a pop.
3. Healthy Cake Batter Blondies
These gluten-free, grain-free, and dairy-free sweets from Rachel Mansfield are the cake batter-sugar cookie mash-up of your wildest dreams. Creamy cashew butter and Vital Proteins Vanilla Collagen Creamer bring on the flavor and the protein.
4. Pumpkin Protein Pancakes
These simple blender pancakes from How Sweet Eats are about to become your new brunch-in-bed staple. The secret ingredient? Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides, which provide an extra protein kick but don’t interfere with the pumpkin flavor.
5. Protein Chocolate Mug Cake
When chocolate cravings hit and you want something super-quick, turn to this staple from Nadia’s Healthy Kitchen. The single-serving mug cake is ready in just a few minutes, and gets a protein boost from almond butter and Vega Chocolate Plant-Based Shake.
6. Vegan Baked Banana Protein Bars
These snackable bars from Fit Mitten Kitchen are flavorful, vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and high protein. Spotty bananas bring in subtle sweetness without any added sugar, while plant protein powder swoops in to kick the protein up a notch.
7. Peanut Butter Protein Cookies
Your favorite old-fashioned peanut butter cookies just got a healthy upgrade from Well Plated. With the help of peanut butter, coconut flour, and Optimum Nutrition French Vanilla Crème Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein, each cookie contains an impressive seven grams of protein.
8. High-Protein Banana Bread
It seems like everyone on the internet is diving head-first into baking banana bread right now. This version from Food Faith Fitness amps up the protein with vanilla whey for a flavorful, healthy twist on the classic recipe.
9. Chocolate Workout Brownies
Chocolate Covered Katie’s brownies are high in protein, gluten-free, oil-free, vegan, and have no added sugar. Chocolate protein powder gives them enough muscle-loving punch to enjoy after a run or home workout—or whenever you need a satiating treat.