10 High-Protein Desserts That Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
You’re undoubtedly searching for tasty methods to include more protein in your everyday meals if you want to enhance your consumption. A high-protein dessert, on the other hand, gives you both the protein you need and a little sugary pleasure.
Try these protein-rich dessert dishes to increase your protein consumption while still indulging in a delectable treat.
What is the Recommended Daily Intake of Protein?
Your weight and amount of activity determine how much protein you consume. The average adult requires around 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, but if you are overweight and very active, or if you are over 50 and in danger of losing muscle mass, you may require a little more. You will require 60 to 90 grams of protein if you weigh 165 pounds.
Ingredients for High-Protein Desserts
Some components are frequently found in desserts that are high in protein. Therefore, seek out some of these typical ingredients if you’re looking for a dessert that can increase your protein intake:
- Eggs: Egg custards and meringues are excellent options for desserts high in protein since each large egg has six grams of protein.
- Nut Butter and Nuts: Nut butter and nuts both provide a good source of protein. A cup of peanuts, for example, has almost seven grams of protein.
- Dairy Products: Desserts frequently contain dairy, and dairy milk and Greek yogurt both provide a fantastic protein boost.
- Almond Flour: A popular component in gluten-free sweets, almond flour also increases the dessert’s protein level. A cup of almond flour has 24 grams of protein.
- Oats: With six grams of protein per cup, oats are among the highest-protein cereals. They may be used whole in cookies or other delicacies or crushed up as flour.
- Chickpeas: A cup of chickpeas has 14.5 grams of protein, and they may also be used as a dessert.
- Seeds: Chia seeds contribute to a creamy pudding that makes a great breakfast (or high-protein dessert) and provide four grams of protein in just two tablespoons of seeds.
Try These High-Protein Dessert Recipes
These delectable suggestions will undoubtedly be a great place to start if you’re searching for a high-protein dessert.
1. Pistachio Pudding
If your only experience with pistachio pudding is the boxed instant variety, this easy-to-make homemade version will be a dessert revelation. Pistachios are a great source of protein, with 25 grams per cup of nuts—and this recipe also calls for milk and eggs to create the custard, making it a protein-packed and delectable dessert option.
2. Orange Clove Basque Cheesecake
If you’re looking for a fresh take on the traditional cheesecake, consider this Basque version, which is lighter, crust-free, and features a tasty caramelized outer layer. This recipe is heavy on cheese (two pounds of cream cheese!), eggs, and cream—and you can swap in almond flour for the all-purpose flour to up the protein intake. Each of the 12 servings of this cake offers more than eight grams of protein.
3. Chocolate Almond Cake
Gluten-free desserts are often a great choice if you’re looking to increase your protein intake. They usually call for almond flour, which features 24 grams of protein per cup. The airy texture of this cake comes from whipped egg whites, which also pack in the protein.
4. Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough
Yes, cottage cheese has been having a big moment. (Hello, viral cottage cheese bread!) But it also can make an amazing sweet treat, too, as this TikTok-famous, safe-to-eat cookie dough can attest. (P.S. This is meant to be eaten in its dough form, so don’t try to bake it!)
The whole recipe features 50 grams of protein from the cottage cheese, plus additional protein from the vanilla protein powder and almond flour that also feature in the recipe.
5. Apple Cinnamon Chia Pudding
This sweet treat is a healthy dessert option that packs in the protein, thanks to its chia seeds (10 grams per recipe), plus the nut butter, Greek yogurt (20 grams per recipe), and your choice of milk (opt for pea milk or dairy to get the most protein per treat).
6. Pistachio-Walnut Cheesecake
This high-protein dessert features both pistachios and walnuts in the crust and as a decorative garnish to add a little additional protein to a traditional cheesecake. It calls for honey instead of sugar, if you’re looking for a less-processed sweet.
7. Cranberry Ricotta Cake
You don’t have to wait until after dinner for a sweet treat with this dessert, which features ricotta cheese and tart cranberries for a pretty cake you can enjoy for brunch, too. It provides 14 grams of protein per serving.
8. Gluten-Free Almond Macaroon Cake
Another gluten-free goodie that’s packed with protein, this one features both almond flour and sliced almonds, along with eggs. Even the coconut adds almost five grams of protein to the recipe.
9. Sweet Tahini and Date Truffles
Medjool dates add a healthy touch of sweetness to these sweet treats—and just two of the truffles contain four grams of protein.
10. White Chocolate Pomegranate Cheesecake
If you’re looking for high-protein desserts and love cheesecake, you are in luck, as the cheesecake base of cheese, eggs, and milk packs in plenty of protein-laden ingredients—plus there’s always the opportunity to include nuts in the crust or topping. There’s 12 grams of protein per serving of this tasty recipe, thanks to the dairy-rich, creamy cake and the sprinkling of pistachios to top it off.
These high-protein desserts are a perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth while boosting your protein intake. Whether you’re indulging in pistachio pudding, a cheesecake, or chia pudding, these recipes deliver on taste and protein content. Try incorporating them into your meal plan for a healthier, protein-packed dessert!