Gooey High-Protein Brownies to Fuel Your Workouts and Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Let’s be real—there’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked brownies. They fill your home with that sweet, chocolatey goodness that instantly lifts your mood. But what if I told you these brownies could do more than just make your taste buds happy? What if they could also help you crush your fitness goals?

Say hello to Protein Brownies! Yup, these decadent treats are packed with Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey, so you can sneak in some extra protein (24g) while indulging your sweet tooth. Whether you’re looking for a post-workout snack or just want to feel a little less guilty about having dessert, these brownies are the perfect solution.

Let’s get baking

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 1 scoop of Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey (Chocolate or Vanilla works, but chocolate will make it extra gooey!). Gives you 24g of protein!

• 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1/4 cup of almond flour (or regular flour if you're not worried about carbs)

• 1/4 cup of rolled oats

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup of honey or maple syrup (for natural sweetness)

• 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) of melted butter

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/4 cup of dark chocolate chips (optional but highly recommended for gooey goodness)

• A pinch of sea salt (for that irresistible salty-sweet combo)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven

Before we get our hands dirty, preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it with some coconut oil. Trust me, you don’t want these protein-packed beauties sticking to the pan.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine your Optimum Nutrition Whey, unsweetened cocoa powder, almond flour, rolled oats, baking powder, and salt. Give it a good whisk to make sure all the powders are well-distributed. Don’t skip this step—lumps of cocoa powder aren’t exactly delicious!

3. Whisk the Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together the honey (or maple syrup), melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. The eggs are what’s going to give your brownies that fluffy, almost cake-like texture, while the coconut oil ensures they’re moist and rich. Make sure everything is well combined—this is where the magic begins!

4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Now, slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix gently but thoroughly until everything comes together into a thick, gooey batter. Don’t overmix—just enough to incorporate everything without losing the fluffiness. If it looks thick, don’t worry, that’s exactly how we want it.

5. Add the Chocolate Chips

If you opted for the dark chocolate chips (and I sincerely hope you did), gently fold them into the batter. These melty pockets of chocolate are going to give your brownies that gooeyness we all love. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top to add that fancy sweet-salty touch that’ll make your taste buds dance.

6. Bake

Pour the brownie batter into your prepared baking dish and spread it evenly with a spatula. Bake in your preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, depending on how gooey you like your brownies. If you like them fudgy and soft in the center, 18 minutes will do the trick. For a more firm brownie, let them go a couple minutes longer.

Pro tip: To check if they're done, insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs sticking to it. That’s how you know they’re perfect!

7. Cool and Slice

Once your brownies are baked to perfection, remove them from the oven and let them cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes. This is the hardest part, but trust me, it’s worth the wait! Once they’re slightly cooled, slice them up into squares and prepare to be amazed by your high-protein masterpiece.

And there you have it—delicious, gooey, chocolatey brownies that pack a serious protein punch!

Whether you enjoy these as a pre-workout boost or a post-workout reward, they’re sure to hit the spot.

The best part? You can feel good about indulging in these treats because you know they’re loaded with high-quality protein that’ll help you recover, build muscle, and stay on track with your fitness goals. Plus, who doesn’t love a brownie that’s both decadent and nutritious?

Now, go ahead and whip up a batch—you deserve it! Just don’t blame me if they disappear in a day. 😉

Happy baking!