My sweet tooth has been on overdrive this past week, and to tackle it I whipped up these delicious protein brownies. They turned out so good, they quite possibly could be the best protein brownie recipe I've ever made.
I've been switching up my routine at the gym lately. Ever since my gym started teaching boxing and having the MMA guys train at my gym, it has been crazy packed at my usual workout time (4:30pm). This has forced me to get up extra early and make it to the gym at 6am. The first couple of days it was super hard to get up and out of bed and take out the puppy, and get myself ready for work.
Some things that I have found to make my mornings easier and to get out of the house on time from my personal experience are:
- lay out my workout clothes and shoes the morning before
- pack my gym bag with towels, shampoo, conditioner, flip flops, deodorant etc the night before and put it in my car along with the clothes that I am going to wear for work the next day
- pack my already meal prepped meals/meal plans for the following day into my lunch box and put my lunch box in the refrigerator. I need me some great breakfast to kickstart my day!
- make my coffee the night before (K-Cup coffee hazelnut, santa's white christmas, butter toffee), and then I mix my protein powder, stevia and cashew milk with it in the morning as my pre-workout
- measure out the dog's food and place with bowl on the kitchen table so I don't have to measure it out in the morning (Stella is still a puppy and we don't want her to get too chunky so we measure it out as the bag directs LOL)
- Remember to charge my phone the night before so I will have music to listen to at the gym and keep a spare charger in my purse for emergencies.
And of course no gym session can start or be complete without a workout selfie 🙂
I have really been trying to improve my shoulders, hitting them hard twice a week. I'm hoping to see improvements soon! And that's why I need that extra boost of protein.
Now back to the healthy protein brownies....for this recipe I used my KitchenAid Mixer to make the batter and the secret ingredient is Gnarly Slim protein powder (grass-fed whey from New Zealand). This recipe is Gluten Free and almost Paleo.
Yes, healthy brownie recipes exist. I've made many batch of brownies for my loved ones! I love the low calorie fudgy texture of this healthy snack that I use as an alternative for my protein bar. This way I get my healthy fats from a healthy spin off of traditional brownies! Best way to enjoy healthy desserts.
These brownies are so dense and fudgy, and pair perfectly with a tall glass of milk. Gooey brownie, so good with almond milk! I've eaten these for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert (not all on the same day, I seriously would have but I didn't want to waste the food that I had already prepped). I hope that this is gonna be your next new fave perfect snack chocolate treat! Low sugar, basic ingredients, sweet treat.
These are the perfect craving satisfaction for your chocolate cravings. A great way to add sweetness to your workout snack, as if it's Valentine's day! For leftovers, the brownie batter and brownie bites could be stored in an airtight container before popping it on the fridge. For those looking for a healthy brownie recipe card for their meal prep, try this recipe today. Now, you can enjoy your sweet craving without guilt!
The Best Protein Brownie Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- â…” cup melted coconut oil separated
- ¾ cup boiling water
- ½ truvia baking blend
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- ½ cup stevia powder
- 4 eggs
- â…“ cup coconut flour
- ½ tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum
- 6 scoops Gnarly Slim
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350F
- Line a baking pan with parchment paper, or can spray with oil
- In a mixer, add cocoa powder and baking soda.
- Combine on the lowest setting.
- Next add â…“ cup melted Coconut oil and boiling water.
- Mix until blended and thickened.
- Add in sugar, eggs and remaining coconut oil
- Next add in flour, vanilla extract, xanthan gum, salt and protein powder.
- Pour batter evenly into lined pan (I used a square glass pan)
- Bake for 35 minutes.
Nutrition
Katie
This look absolutely delicious! Thank you for the recipe. i'll have to try this myself sometime soon!
The point of the Paleo diet is, and I feel some people forget this, to not only diet, but to eat delicious foods at the same time. It's the only diet I've come across that cuts out food groups, yet still focusses on everyone's need to eat great food.
I'm a real foodie, and would not survive on any other diet, but Paleo has been very good for me. I've written about one of my favourite cookbooks: http://cookbook-reviews.net/review-the-paleo-recipe-book/
Lara
I hope you like them!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running
I love discovering recipes for desserts that are actually good for you. Thanks for sharing!
Lara
No problem! I hope you try them and enjoy them!
Erica Brooks
This looks so good. Sweets are a major weakness for me. Now I can have a sweet treat that's good for me. Yay!
Lara
Sweets are my weakness too!
Marcia
Yum these look SO good! I'm an early morning girl. I get my workout done before life gets in the way.
Lara
Yep that is my new morning routine. It is so hard to get up in the morning but it is totally worth it!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus
Well these certainly look amazing! YUM! I am a morning workout person. It's definitely tough, but I feel like I accomplished so much by the time I get to work. Like you, I prep my lunch before hand and get everything packed and ready to go the night before.
Lara
Prepping my meals have saved so much time! I'm all about saving time and money!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner
Those do look super yummy! I've never used coconut sugar before. Your tank is super cute!
Lara
Thank you! They are delicious! I love the Doughnuts and deadlifts tanks, they are super comfy.
Rachel B
No joke - I was scrolling through FF link love and saw your post and thought, yup. So I actually have a batch of these in my oven right now! I haven't tried the finished product yet (obviously, still in the oven) but from licking the mixer thingies, I'm pretty sure these are gonna turn out off the hook!
Lara
Hahaha that's awesome! I hope you enjoy them! The day I baked them I ate them for lunch and dessert lol. So good!
Artney @ My Pretty Brown
Those brownies looks so yummy! I love brownies made with coconut flour!
Lara
They are delish! Let me know if you try them!
Jessica Hughes
I can't wait to try this with my AboutTime powder! Looks like an amazing recipe!!
Lara
Awesome! It should work well with any whey protein powder 🙂
Lucie Palka
Those do look good! I've pinned the recipe so I try them later!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes
These look amazing! I've never seen this protein powder but I guess and chocolate whey protein would work!
Lara
Yes any whey protein powder should work 🙂
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home
The recipe looks delish. Where do you buy zanthan gum?
Lara
I buy my xanthan gum at http://www.vitacost.com it's super cheap there 🙂
Toni
Sounds like you have a no fail plan for your mornings, I need to get on that. The brownies look delish too!
Lara
It's taken me a while but i've finally gotten my routine down 🙂
rachel
Yummy! This looks so fluffy and rich! WITH PROTEIN! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Lara
I hope you like them! I will have to check out your protein pancakes!
Patty @ Reach Your Peak
this is right up my alley with my crazy sweet tooth! I'm all about healthier options that still allow you to satisfy cravings.
Lara
Me too!
Stephanie (@FitMomTraining)
These look amazing!! I love a thick dense brownie! Yum!
Michele
I do not workout at all! Those protein brownies do look good and even though U don't work put I might try them anyway!
Lara
You can remove the protein powder and reduce the water and they will come out perfect!
Tanj from A Travelogue
Okay. You got me at dessert but first and foremost its even healthy! Lol! Love this recipe and thank you. Brownies are my Achilles Heel.
Lara
Brownies and ice cream are my favorite desserts! I always try to make them healthier so I can eat more of them 🙂
Tiaras & Tantrums
I will have to make these for my uncle and sneak them into him stating they are REAL brownies. He should not be eating sweets but LOVES them.
Lara
That's the same with my mom. If she even thinks it's healthy she won't go near it.
Fi Nà Neachtáin
You look fantastic, I really need to start working out again. Those brownies look so delicious, how fab that they're packed full of protein too! 🙂
Lara
Thank you so much! I've finally been able to get my butt out of bed in the morning and head to the gym. I just feel so much better afterwards!
Jenn
This looks really great. I love the idea of something that is both filling and delicious! I'll need to give it a try.
Heather
Yummy, this looks tasty and healthy at the same time, I do not workout, but this is amazing.
Lara
They're super delicious. Perfect for anyone!
Esther of Local Adventurer
I def like fudgey brownies over cakey ones. I've actually been craving brownies a lot recently after I keep seeing them on a tv show we watch lol I like the ghiradelli ones straight out of the box, and I'm scared making them healthier won't taste as good.. but I know we have to eat healthier!
Lara
The Ghirardelli ones are delicious! I have subbed the oil out for apple sauce, they turn out ok, but they are just not the same LOL
Alanna
These protein brownies look delicious! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe! I'm definitely going to try it!!
Lara
No problem! I hope they turn out great!
Tyra (@BarrisTourista)
These look so darn good! I am certainly going to try because I am a sucker for a brownie!
Lara
I hope you like them!
Ourfamilyworld
It is important to prepare things at night to make mornings easier. This brownie is full of goodness and perfect for workout
vidya sudarsan
Nice! I will feel less guilty eating this browinempared to the regular one! It is interesting that your have used coconut oil in this recp
Lara
I modified my paleo brownie recipe to make it into a protein brownie so I just kept most of the things the same 🙂
Tammilee Tips
These protein brownies sound amazing!! I have not heard of this brand of protein powder before.
Lara
They are delicious! Gnarly Nutrition products are my favorite!
Mhie Lee
I love brownies once in a while. The sad part I'm not motivated to go in gym, I needed it.You look great!
Lara
Thank you! It's a struggle just to get out of bed in the morning, but I feel so good after I workout!
Kae James
Never thought to make it into a brownie! Thanks for the idea! Its a nice treat after an intense workout. Can't wait to try it.
Lara
They are one of my favorites, it takes a little longer to make than protein ice cream, but they're totally worth it!
Rebecca Swenor
Okay first I think you look really good and I love your selfie. I wish I looked like that. I will have to make these protein brownies because they sound and look amazing. thanks for sharing.
Lara
Awww thank you! It's been a real struggle after my surgery to get back into the swing of things. I hope you enjoy the brownies 🙂
Joanne T Ferguson
How good do these look? I wish I could go for one right now! Who says you can't eat your brownie and enjoy it too!
Wish I had one to taste with my coffee right now, true!
Marts
I am not disciplined when it comes to working out and even plain exercising, yet I find your brownie appetizing. Plus, it is nice to know that it is packed with protein!
Mama to 5 BLessings
Sounds like a great product. That is great that you can add it to goodies too so you do not feel like you are missing out!
adrian
Nice info Lara. Thanks for sharing : )
http://the-fit-foodie.com/sydneys-best-lunch-time-workouts/
Jenna
I don't have the same kind of protein as you, so I'm not sure if our scoops will measure out the same! What would 6 scoops equal out to in measuring cups?
Lara
6 scoops is equivalent to about 60g of protein. So I would figure out how many servings of your protein it would take to reach 60g. I hope this helps!