6 Protein-Rich Desserts That Will Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Protein-rich desserts can be a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth, promote satiety (feeling satisfied after eating), balance blood sugar, and promote muscle repair. Adding Greek yogurt, nut butter, or protein powder to desserts can help satisfy cravings and provide health benefits.

1. Greek Yogurt Popsicles

Greek yogurt is a great base ingredient for creamy, protein-rich popsicles. It is thicker than regular yogurt because it is filtered, resulting in a more concentrated protein result. Half a cup of plain fat-free Greek yogurt contains 9.5 grams of protein.

2. Black Bean Brownies

Black bean brownies are fudgy, indulgent and high in protein, making them a rich and satisfying dessert. Half a cup of black beans contains almost 7 grams of protein.

When mixed into recipes, such as brownies, black beans are soft and creamy, taking on the flavor of the ingredients they are mixed with. They are also a source of fiber and antioxidants.

3. Chickpea Cookie Dough

Chickpea cookie dough is high in protein and sure to satisfy a sweet tooth. No baking (or raw eggs, as in traditional cookie dough) is required. Half a cup of chickpeas provides about 7 grams of protein.

4. Protein Mug Cake

A protein mug cake is a protein-rich dessert made from oat flour that can satisfy sweet cravings. Oats have a higher protein content than most grains, with 13.5 grams of protein in half a cup.

After cooking, drizzle some nut butter or spoon a dollop of dairy-free ice cream on top for added flavor and protein.

5. Cottage cheese ice cream

This protein-rich dessert first became popular as a trend on social media. With a few tweaks, many people have found it to be a healthier version of ice cream. Cottage cheese contains bioactive compounds that may have beneficial effects on digestive and heart health.

It provides 11 grams of protein per half-cup serving, offering important protein along with other health benefits.

6. Chocolate and tofu pudding

Tofu, made from soybeans, is naturally rich in protein. It also has a neutral flavor, making it a great option for pudding. Choose silken tofu, which is creamy and blended the best, and offers almost 5 grams of protein per half-cup serving.

Health Benefits of High-Protein Desserts

Leading a healthy lifestyle does not require giving up sweets and desserts. Simple adjustments to your favorite treats can provide satisfaction while filling you up and providing nutritional benefits, such as:

Reducing or replacing some of the less nutritious ingredients commonly used in desserts, such as white sugar and refined flour, with fiber-rich whole food alternatives increases the overall nutritional quality of the dessert.

Key Ingredients to Boost Protein

You probably have several interesting alternative ingredients in your kitchen that you can use to increase the protein content of your favorite dessert recipes. Here are some simple options that can help with nutrition, flavor and texture:

• Protein powder: Although not required, adding a scoop of protein powder to desserts is a convenient way to add a concentrated dose of protein. This may include whey, casein, pea, hemp, or soy proteins in flavors like chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, peanut butter, or unflavored.
• Greek yogurt: Thick, creamy and high in protein, Greek yogurt mixes well with frozen desserts, parfaits and pastries or can be used on cakes or brownies.
• Cottage cheese: Rich in slow-digesting protein, cottage cheese is a surprising star in mixed desserts like ice cream and cheesecake toppings.
• Silken tofu: This plant-based protein has a creamy texture that works well in puddings, mousses and creamy desserts. Silken tofu is much softer than firm or extra firm, making it perfect for dessert recipes.
• Nut butter: Whether you choose cashew, peanut, or almond, nut butter brings healthy fats and fiber to no-bake treats or pastas.
• Beans: Chickpeas and black beans are surprising stars in brownies or cookie dough. They offer versatility, a mild taste and fiber and protein.
• Eggs or egg substitutes: Eggs are an easy way to add 6 to 7 grams of protein and structure to baked desserts. If you’re following a plant-based diet, you can substitute eggs for vegan eggs by combining 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed and 2 tablespoons of water.