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These Nutella cookies are part of my current obsession with flourless protein cookies, and I cannot stop making them. I have a very long list of nut and seed butters for you to try, and all of them can be folded into this flourless cookie format. Almond butter, peanut butter, tahini, sunflower seed butter, Nutella, the homemade nut spread list continues to grow, and they’re all equally as delicious in this recipe!
My homemade Nutella is outrageously good, and while I usually reserve it for around Christmas time, I thought, why wait? Most Nutella spreads are chock-full of sugar and oil, and this one isn’t. It has just the right amount of everything, including salt. You know how I feel about salt, and these cookies will speak to that.
This is a small batch bake. Perfect just for YOU. If your family isn’t into healthy cookies, think of this recipe as all yours. Nobody gets to eat YOUR COOKIES. These have no flour, leavening agent, or eggs, and yet they are still the perfect cookie! As far as I’m concerned, they’re magic. Perfect for vegans, celiacs, or anyone who just wants a protein snack.
Nutella is a chocolate-hazelnut spread that most of us know and have probably loved at some point in our lives. It is creamy, chocolatey, nutty, and absolutely delicious, which is exactly why it has earned such a devoted following. The problem? Most traditional Nutella-style spreads are loaded with sugar and oil and really lack any nutritional value. I’m not here to ruin your dreams; I’m here to make them come true, because believe it or not, homemade Nutella is so easy to make, and I already developed the recipe for you! Once you start making your own hazelnut spread at home, it is very hard to go back.
Aside from the fact that Nutella is so nostalgic and delicious, you’ll also love these cookies because they are flourless, gluten-free, really easy to make and actually protein-forward! They’re soft in the centre, slightly chewy, full of chocolate-hazelnut flavour, and finished with flaky salt while they are still warm. Another reason to love them? They are so customizable! You can truly swap out any nut butter in this recipe instead of using homemade Nutella, and it’s still going to be the bomb!
Lastly, who doesn’t love a small-batch cookie recipe? It keeps things simple: you only have a few, so you’re not overdoing it on sweets, and it’s just a quick little treat you get to enjoy for a week (or less!).
These healthy flourless cookies get their protein from a few places.
First, we are using chocolate protein powder. I’m a huge fan and devoted user of Botanica Chocolate Protein Powder, because it truly is the best protein powder for baking. Not only is the protein source totally plant-based, very clean and tastes good, it also dissolves into the wet ingredients so you aren’t stuck with a grainy cookie.
Protein powder is doing real work in this recipe. It helps absorb moisture from the banana and Nutella, giving the cookies enough body without needing any flour. The second protein source is the hemp seeds, which add plant-based protein, healthy fats, and a little texture. They blend into the dough beautifully and make the cookies more satisfying. Third, hazelnuts add crunch, healthy fats, and a little extra protein.
These aren’t your average Nutella cookies. They’re more balanced, more nourishing, and made with homemade hazelnut spread instead of the ultra-sweet store-bought version!
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
Add the ripe banana to a bowl and mash it well with a fork. You want it as smooth as possible, but a few small lumps are fine. Pour in the homemade Nutella and add the vanilla extract. Stir until the banana and Nutella are well combined. The mixture should look glossy, thick, and chocolatey.
Add the chocolate protein powder, hemp seeds, flaky salt, chopped hazelnuts, and most of the chopped dark chocolate. Stir well until everything is fully combined. The dough will be thick and a little sticky. That is what we want.
Use an ice cream scoop to measure out 7 cookie balls onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. This keeps them even in size and helps them bake properly. Use a spatula to gently press each cookie down. These cookies do not spread much because they have no flour, butter, eggs, or leavening agent, so you want to shape them before baking. Press the remaining chopped chocolate onto the tops of the cookies.
Bake for 15 minutes. The cookies should look set on the outside but still soft. Do not overbake them. They will firm up as they cool. Sprinkle flaky salt over the cookies while they are still hot.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 30 minutes before moving or eating. I know this is annoying, but they need time to set. If you try to move them too early, they may fall apart, and then you’ll be forced to eat cookie crumbs off the tray. Tragic, but still delicious, let’s be honest!
These flourless cookies are best stored in the fridge. Because they’re flourless and made with banana, they are softer and more moist than traditional cookies. Once they have cooled completely, transfer any uneaten cookies to an airtight container and refrigerate them. They will keep well in the fridge for up to five days. You can eat them cold, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes, or warm them slightly if you want the chocolate to soften.
You can also freeze them. Place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. Let them thaw in the fridge or on the counter when you are ready to eat. This small batch makes 7 cookies, so honestly, storing them may not be your biggest problem.
Can I use store-bought Nutella? Yes, but the cookies will be sweeter. My homemade Nutella is more balanced and lower in sugar, which is why I prefer it for this recipe.
Are these Nutella cookies gluten free? Yes, these cookies are naturally gluten free as long as your protein powder, chocolate, and other ingredients are certified gluten free if needed.
Are these cookies vegan? As written with Botanica protein powder, they are totally vegan. Be sure to double check your ingredients like the dark chocolate and protein powder if you want to make them vegan.
Can I use vanilla protein powder? If vanilla protein powder is all you have on hand, it will work. You could add a little cocoa powder for a deeper chocolate flavour if you want, or just leave it as is.
Can I double this recipe? Yes. This is a small-batch recipe, but you can double it if you want more cookies. Just make sure to space them out on the baking sheet.
I would love to hear how yours turned out! Leave a rating and review below and let me know. Try these other healthy cookie recipes next:
High Protein Flourless Cookies
Food Photographer and Recipe Developer based in Toronto, Canada.
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*Macros are provided as an estimate for convenience. Your final numbers will vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and how you portion the recipe.
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