Can I Use Protein Powder For Baking?

Before we dive in, let’s first address this fundamental question. Yes, protein powder can be used to bake all kinds of foods, most of the time replacing flour.

Protein powder is an isolated protein that comes in a powder form and is usually derived from a daily source like whey protein, or a vegetable source, like pea protein. Baked goods do not typically contain very much if any, protein when made traditionally. So for those of us who are trying to prioritize our protein intake and/or eat in a macro-balanced way, one of the best ways to ensure you’re beefing up your baked goods with protein is to add in protein powder. Learn about the protein benefits for women if you aren't sold on the importance of protein just yet.

The easiest and most common way to use protein powder for baking is to replace the flour in the recipe. You can start by replacing ⅓ of a cup of protein powder for every 1 cup of flour in the recipe.

Keep in mind that while using protein powder to beef up the nutritional content and protein density of your baked goods is great, it was also beef up the total ingredient cost for you to make the dessert as flour is far less expensive than protein powder.

What Kind of Protein Powder is Good For Baking?

There are several different types of protein powders available, from whey and pea to hemp and egg, all of which will work, but not all as effectively. In my experience, the type of protein powder that is best for baking depends more on the quality and integrity of the powder than it does the type of protein it’s made from.

If you buy any old cheap protein powder and toss it in your next batch of cookies, you might be disappointed to find that they don’t turn out as well as you would have expected. A cheap protein will cause your baked goods to lack in flavor, texture, and consistency, which makes making the healthier swap not worth it at all.

Instead, you should be looking for a protein powder that’s made with only the highest quality ingredients and created through the best processes. Doing so will ensure that your baked goods come out beautifully done and taste amazing.

Protein Powder for Baking: What to Look For

There are a few key components that are important when selecting a protein powder for baking, so it’s important to keep these in mind when finding the right fit for your baked goods:

Type of Protein

Different bakers prefer different protein types, especially those who are vegan, vegetarian, or follow a specific diet. Personally, I prefer whey protein powder for baking as I find it to be the most consistent and to contain the highest amount of protein per serving. Again, it’s less about the type of protein and more about the quality.

Quality of Ingredients

Speaking of quality, the integrity of the ingredients in the powder will play a big role in its ability to function well in your baked goods. Regardless of the type of protein you prefer, you need to be choosy in selecting one that has high-quality ingredients and that is third-party checked and verified. If you see a label that contains a proprietary ingredient or that has a lot of extra junk and fillers, that’s a good indication that you should steer clear in general, but especially for baking as it will likely ruin the integrity of your treat.

Flavor

One of the best parts about using protein powder to bake is that you not only get to jack up the protein content, but you also get to add even more flavor to the dessert! For example, a chocolate-flavored protein powder goes flawlessly in a batch of protein brownies. The more chocolate, the better.

Mixability/Bendability

If you have ever tried a protein powder that lumps, clumps and refuses to mix into liquid, you can forget about it being a good option in a baked good either. When baking, you need all of your ingredients to mix together seamlessly to provide a cohesive, evenly distributed mix.

The Best Protein Powder Options For Baking

Out of all the different protein supplements I have tried over the year, the following options are my tried and true for baking and I can’t wait to share them with you.

1. 1st Phorm Level-1

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Level-1 by 1st Phorm is my top choice for using in my baked goods. In fact, Level-1 is my top choice for protein powder all around. I use this powder daily, but when it comes to baking, specifically, this powder takes the cake.

Level-1 features amazing taste, superior bendability, and ingredients that are of the highest quality. 1st Phorm creates some of the best supplements on the market by using only the best ingredients and processes (read review of the brand).

Level-1 is low-temperature processed to preserve the integrity of the protein but also to ensure that it’s easy to digest. It also is a slow assimilation protein, which means that it closely mimics the digestive process of whole food protein sources, making it an optimal protein source for everyday use, including using it for baking high-protein treats.

Lastly, the flavor profiles are bare-none. With options like Red Velvet Cake, Ice Cream Sandwich, Blueberry Muffin, and Cinnamon Cookie Batter, there are a million delicious treats you can bake using these mouth-watering flavors.

Pros

• 24g of protein per serving
• Incredible flavors to choose from that are perfect for baking
• 5g of BCAA per serving
• Low-temperature processed
• Comes in vegan options, too!
• Sustained assimilation
• Doesn’t cause gas, bloating, or digestive discomfort
• Highest quality ingredients
• Incredible brand with an amazing mission
• FREE shipping when you use my link

Cons

• It’s not the cheapest option (but you get what you pay for)
• No unflavored option, which can sometimes come in handy when baking

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2. Ritual Protein Powder

If you’re looking for a clean, simple, no-fluff protein powder that you can reliably add to just about any baked treat, Ritual has you covered with their Daily Shake 18+. With 20g of protein per serving, 0g of sugar, and a promise to maintain clear, transparent labeling and traceable ingredients, this is an excellent addition to your baking cupboard.

Ritual’s protein powder comes in only one flavor; vanilla, which makes it super versatile for baking with. Plus, it’s a vegan-friendly option as it’s made from organic pea protein, so those who want a plant-based protein powder that's female focused will love this one from Ritual.

It’s clean, and fresh, made from high-quality ingredients, and it tastes great. I love Ritual’s protein when I want to bake with something that is as simple and “plain” as can be. Plus, the goodies always come out tasting delicious.

Pros

• Simple, traceable ingredients
• Contains choline for extra health benefits
• 0g of sugar
• Subtle flavor
• Made from organic pea protein
• Good price point

Cons

• Doesn’t have the highest protein content (which is common with vegetarian proteins)
• Only one flavor is available

3. iHeart Macros

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iHeart Macros is another great option for baking protein-infused treats. With 20g of protein and around 100 calories per scoop, iHeart Macros offers a protein powder that allows you to keep your baked goods calorie and macro-friendly. 

There are only a handful of classic flavors, which is great because when baking you sometimes don’t want anything over the top. iHeart Macros takes pride in creating a really high-quality protein that doesn’t cause bloating, which is refreshing considering whey protein is known to cause gastrointestinal distress.

Overall, the ingredients are really clean, the texture is amazing, and I have found that baking with this protein powder is pretty much always a slam-dunk. In fact, I prefer to use this powder solely for baking as I don’t love it in shakes, but that’s just my personal preference.

Pros

• 20g of protein and 100 calories per serving
• Simple, light flavors which are great for baking
• Small, family-run brand
• Mixes incredible well into baked goods
• Tastes great

Cons

• It’s on the higher end price-wise
• I find the flavors to be a little too subtle for things like protein shakes
• Shipping is not free

4. Clean Simple Eats

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Last, but certainly not least, Clean Simple Eats offers an incredible selection of high-quality protein powders that will make your next baked treat an absolute delight. Clean Simple Eats protein powders contain around 20g of protein and are very macro-friendly.

There are no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives, so you can feel great about adding a clean, healthy protein to your sweets. It’s gluten-free and made from grass-fed whey protein. Additionally, Clean Simple Eats prioritizes keeping their formulas gentle on your gut, adding an enzyme blend to help aid with digestion.

One of the best parts about Clean Simple Eats’ options is that there are so many flavors to choose from and they’re always coming out with new ones to keep you coming back for more. When it comes to using Clean Simple Eats in the kitchen, the flavor combinations are endless.

Pros

• 20g protein per serving
• So many flavors to choose from
• Can be purchased in single-serve packs
• Taste great in shakes and smoothies, too
• Bakes very well
• Easy to mix
• Great for your digestive system
• Small, family-run brand

Cons

• The highest price out of all our options
• Shipping is not free

High-Protein Baked Goods

Now that you have a few options for protein powders that work great for baking, let’s talk about what you can bake with them!

Below, I’ll share a few of my favorite protein-rich recipes that I love making with the protein powders I shared above.

Protein Blueberry Muffins

Ingredients:

• ½ cup coconut oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup coconut sugar
• 2 scoops 1st Phorm Blueberry Muffin protein powder (or a vanilla flavored protein powder)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cups fresh blueberries
• ½ cup almond milk

To make:

1. Preheat oven to 425f
2. Cream together the coconut oil and sugar
3. Add in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each
4. Add in the vanilla
5. Mix together the dry ingredients (flour, protein powder, salt, and baking powder)
6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the almond milk
7. Add in the blueberries
8. Line muffin tins with liners or spray with cooking oil
9. Fill muffin tins with batter
10. Bake at 425f for 5 minutes, then lower the heat to 350f and bake for another 15-20 minutes

Chocolate Protein Brownie Bites

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree 
• 1/2 cup almond butter (or any other nut butter you love)
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1-2 scoops of protein powder (Chocolate works best!)
• 1 serving liquid stevia

How to make:

1. Preheat oven to 350f
2. Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl with a high-speed mixer
3. Line a mini muffin tin with mini liners or grease thoroughly with cooking spray
4. Pour brownie batter into each muffin tin
5. Back at 350f for 12-15 minutes
6. For best results, refrigerate for several hours

Protein Mug Cake

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp oat flour
• 2 tbsp chocolate protein powder 
• 1.5 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp coconut sugar (or any other dry sweetener you like)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 cup almond milk
• 2 tbsp chocolate chips

How to Make:

1. Mix together all dry ingredients together in a mug
2. Add in the almond milk and then stir in half of the chocolate chips
3. Add remaining chips on top
4. Place in the microwave for 60-80 seconds or until the mug cake expands to the top of the mug
5. Check every 10 seconds after 30 seconds
6. Allow to cool

Wrapping Up the Best Protein Supplements for Baking

Finding the right protein powder for baking is simple when you keep in mind that the most important factor that will play a role in how well your baked goods turn out and taste is the quality of the protein you’re buying. If you’re just grabbing any old cheap powder from Amazon, it might work, but don’t expect overwhelming results.

If you really want to make the most out of your kitchen endeavors, do yourself a favor and buy one of these tried and true protein powders I have listed above. If you need any flavor recommendations, don’t be afraid to give me a shout!

Happy Baking!