Your Ultimate Guide to Baking With Protein Powder

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when someone mentions protein powder recipes? It’s probably safe to assume your answer is shakes or smoothies, right?

Don’t get us wrong, we love a good shake or smoothie — but this is only the beginning when it comes to what you can do with protein powder! In addition to shakes and smoothies, baking with protein powder is a great way to curb cravings and improve the nutritional profile of your snacks or treats.  

If you’re ready to shake things up in the kitchen, then we’re here to help. Keep reading for the ultimate guide to baking with protein powder! 

The Benefits of Baking With Protein Powder

Whether you have Type 2 diabetes or not, protein powder is a quick and convenient way to increase your daily protein intake. Protein has the power to replenish muscles, boost your energy and metabolism, and help with weight management. For someone with diabetes, protein powder has the added benefits of stabilizing blood sugar spikes and satisfying cravings, too.

But why bake with protein powder? For starters, most powders are low in calories and carbohydrates, making them a sweet addition to whatever you’re making. We all love indulging in a sweet and tasty treat — but the guilt that’s associated with doing so? Not so much.

So, the next time you’re craving a sweet treat that’s just as healthy as it is delicious, consider adding a scoop of protein powder. You’ll reap all the benefits of protein, plus you’ll be able to satisfy your cravings at the same time.

Related: Slow and Fast Releasing Proteins — Do They Matter?

The Do’s and Don’ts of Baking With Protein Powder

Do…

Choose the Right Protein Powder

Not all protein powders were created equally! If you’re going to bake with protein powder, you need to find the right protein. Although most powders are perfect for mixing with a liquid to make a shake or smoothie, not all powders are suitable for baking. But don’t worry — our Super Blend formula was designed with ingredients that can withstand the high temperatures of baking. When you bake with Swee2ooth, you can rest assured that the effectiveness and the great taste will not be affected.

Know How to Swap Out Flour

As much as we love using protein powder in our recipes while baking, it’s not necessarily a flour substitute. Although most people want to ditch flour for healthier alternatives, you can’t always get rid of it completely. For chewy and moist sweets, we recommend substituting a third of the flour in the recipe for one scoop of protein powder. To keep the recipe as healthy and nutritious as possible, try using coconut or oat flour instead of traditional flour. 

Use Plenty of Cooking Spray

Whenever you’re baking, it’s always important to use enough cooking spray — but it’s especially important when baking with protein powder. Whey protein in particular can get sticky, so don’t forget to coat your baking sheets with plenty of cooking spray to prevent your treats from sticking to the pan.

Turn Down the Temperature

Like we mentioned above, most protein powder isn’t able to withstand the high temperatures that are needed for baking. To ensure you’re not left with a dried-out treat, we suggest turning your oven’s temperature down 25 degrees from the original recipe’s recommended temperature. It might not seem like much, but doing this can make all the difference.

Don’t…

Use Too Much Protein Powder

We know you’re excited to start baking, but don’t get carried away! It is important to make sure your batter doesn’t contain too much protein powder. If over half of your batter is made up of protein powder, there’s a good chance whatever you’re baking will turn out dry and rubbery. To make sure you don’t use too much, you should know the equivalent measurement of your protein powder’s scoop. For example, every Swee2ooth Super Blend comes with a scooper that converts to 5 and ⅓ tablespoons.   

Forget to Moisturize

You know that you need to moisturize your skin, but did you know moisturizing is also important when baking with protein powder? Of course, we aren’t talking about the type of moisturizer you put on your face. When baking, a moisturizer is an ingredient that will weigh down your powder and add moisture to your food. At Swee2ooth, some of our favorite moisturizing agents to use are bananas, yogurt, and applesauce. 

Stir Your Batter Too Much

If you’re an avid protein shake drinker, then you’re used to vigorously shaking your protein powder to make sure it’s clump-free and dissolves completely. But when baking with protein powder, less is more! Be careful to avoid over-mixing your ingredients, as this can lead to a tough and dense texture. Instead, mix your ingredients until they are just combined. Practice makes perfect, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right on your first try! 

Be Afraid to Experiment

Here at Swee2ooth, we love shaking things up! After all, no one wants to drink the same protein shake every day, right? As you start baking with protein powder, don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors, ingredients, and recipes. We have three delicious Super Blend flavors for you to choose from. Whether you bake brownies, cookies, muffins, oatmeal, or pancakes, the possibilities are endless!

8 Easy Ways to Incorporate Protein Powder Into Your Daily Routine

1. Add it to your coffee

You’re probably already adding protein to your smoothies or shakes, but what about your coffee? Adding a scoop of protein powder to your morning coffee is the perfect way to kickstart your day without spiking your blood sugar. Doing this will give you an energy and nutrient boost. It’s a win-win!

2. Use it in your pancakes or waffles

Start your day off strong with a batch of protein pancakes or waffles! To make protein pancakes, all you’ll need is 1 scoop of your favorite Swee2ooth Super Blend, ½ banana, ½ tbsp. of your preferred milk, ¼ cup egg whites, and 1 tsp. cinnamon. You’ll never want to settle for plain pancakes or waffles again!

3. Add it to your oatmeal

Packaged oatmeal at the store tends to be filled with artificial ingredients and sugar, and plain oatmeal is boring and tasteless — but it doesn’t have to be this way! Simply mix oats, water or milk, and a scoop of protein powder to make a quick, healthy, and filling breakfast. For even more flavor, we recommend topping the oatmeal with your favorite fruits or nuts.

4. Make protein balls or bars

Protein balls or bars are the perfect snack when you need a quick afternoon pick-me-up — but, most protein bars you can buy at the store are extremely high in sugar. So, why not make them yourself? Not only are protein balls easy to make, but one batch can last you an entire week, so you’ll always have them ready when hunger strikes.

5. Create a protein dip

For a light and sweet snack, try making a protein dip to pair with your favorite fruit. Simply mixing plain Greek yogurt, protein powder, and peanut butter is all it takes to create a sweet protein dip. Serve with sliced strawberries, bananas, apples, or whatever other fruit you desire!

6. Make a parfait

Not only is yogurt a delicious snack on its own, but it’s also loaded with plenty of health benefits, such as calcium and probiotics. Turn a cup of plain Greek yogurt into an even better snack by adding a scoop of protein powder. And for the overachievers, consider adding berries, cinnamon, and a handful of almonds or granola to make a yummy parfait.

7. Curb cravings with snacks

Having diabetes doesn’t mean your snacks have to be plain and boring. Luckily, there are plenty of snacks you can make with protein powder when your blood sugar is spiked or your energy is low. Continuing your day with a Swee2ooth snack in between meals is a perfect way to stabilize your blood sugar and curb cravings throughout the day.

If you’re looking for diabetic-friendly snack recipes, try our Chocolate Covered Almonds or Cinnamon Walnuts!

8. Satisfy your sweet tooth with desserts

Say goodbye to the days of feeling restricted or stopping yourself from enjoying a sweet treat. Brownies, cake, cookies, ice cream, and more — if you’re craving it, there’s a good chance you can make a healthy, protein-packed alternative! Swapping out some flour for a scoop of protein powder is one of the easiest ways to take a healthy spin on your favorite dessert. The next time you find yourself craving something sweet, try making an alternative with protein powder instead.

Speaking of cravings, try our No Bake Cheesecake and Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies for guilt-free desserts!

Shake Things Up With Swee2ooth

Using Swee2ooth as a recipe ingredient in baking has been our goal since day one. Overcoming Type 2 diabetes is hard enough, and incorporating variety into your routine is one more way we can help.

Our formula was specifically designed with ingredients that withstand the high temperatures of baking, without sacrificing the effectiveness and great taste of Swee2ooth. With sweet flavors like Vanilla Thrilla, Chocolate Cravin’, and Cinnamon Rollin’, the possibilities are endless when you start baking with Swee2ooth. No matter which flavor you choose, you’ll finally be able to shake things up in the kitchen.

If you’re ready to try all the ways our Swee2ooth Super Blends can be incorporated into your daily routine, click the button below to start shopping!