Almonds, peanuts, chickpeas, oats, chia… all the healthy, protein-packed, and tasty ingredients are here. And don’t forget the vegan protein powder. Getting enough protein from plant-based sources is not only easier than you might think but also delicious! With that in mind, here are eight high-protein vegan desserts recommended by nutritionists from a weight loss clinic in Chicago that will nourish your muscles and satisfy sweet tooth cravings.

Date Energy Bites

Here’s something quick and easy to start with. These high-energy bites take no more than 10 minutes to make. The only equipment you’ll need is a food processor. They are excellent little high protein vegan desserts as well as a perfect snack to have at hand during long, busy days.

Ingredients (for ten bites):

• 15 dates (pitted)
• 1/3 cup walnuts (raw)
• 2 tbsp peanut butter (or almond butter)
• 2 tbsp cacao powder
• 3 tsp hemp seeds
• 2 tsp chia seeds
• 1 tsp flaxseed meal
• pinch of salt (just for the balance)

Preparation:

1. Add the walnuts to the food processor and grind them roughly.
2. Follow up by adding all the other ingredients. Process for 30 seconds, or until the dough sticks together (add more peanut butter if it’s too dry or falls apart).
3. Roll into balls. Use around two tablespoons of the dough for each ball.

Blueberry Banana Bread

It’s gluten-free, it’s vegan, and full of protein. You can enjoy it for breakfast or as a snack after a workout. Protein powder foods come in wide varieties, but this BBB recipe approaches the good old banana bread from a new, delicious perspective.

Ingredients (for a single serving):

• 2 bananas (mashed)
• 2 servings of vegan protein powder
• ¼ cups blueberries
• 3 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp almond flour
• 1 tbsp flaxseed meal
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp baking powder
• pinch of salt

Preparation:

1. Mix the mashed bananas with flaxseed meal and water.
2. Add the remaining ingredients except for the blueberries. Mix the ingredients into a homogenous dough.
3. Add the blueberries to the dough. Mix well.
4. This amount of dough measures up to 2 single-serve ramekins. Spray them with non-stick spray and divide the dough between them.
5. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

Chickpea Ice Cream

Those cute little chickpeas can be used in many ways, from savory delights such as hummus to vegan desserts. So how about a healthy, creamy, high-protein chickpea ice cream? It’s plant-based, gluten-free, and naturally sweetened. It’s one of the best high protein vegan desserts for a hot summer day!

Ingredients (6 servings):

• 15 oz cooked chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
• 14 oz coconut milk
• 1 cup of dates (pitted)
• 1 cup oat milk
• ½ cup peanut butter (or almond butter)
• 2 tbsp cacao powder
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1½ tsp vanilla
• ¾ cup dairy-free dark chocolate chips (optional)

Preparation:

1. In a saucepan, combine the oat milk, cocoa powder, and cornstarch, and bring to a slight simmer on low heat. Stir until the mixture begins to thicken (1-2 minutes). Set aside and let it cool down.
2. Add the chickpeas, dates, coconut milk, peanut butter, and vanilla to a blender, and blend into a smooth mixture.
3. Once the oat milk mixture has cooled down, add it to the blender and blend until you get creamy, thick ice cream. Let it cool down.
4. If you’re using an ice cream maker, make sure to freeze the bowl before using it. Check the instructions manual about it. Turn it on and pour the ice cream mixture. Usually, around 15 to 20 minutes of churning should be enough; however, check the instructions manual for your particular ice cream maker. Optionally, add chocolate chips in the last 5 minutes of churning.

If you’re making it without an ice cream maker, simply pour the mixture into a freezer container and let it freeze for 12 to 15 hours. It will still be delicious!

Cranberry Hummus Delight

Speaking of chickpeas, you can’t miss hummus! Be it savory or sweet, this creamy chickpea spread frequently finds its way into delicious, simple vegan recipes, especially when you take into consideration that it’s an excellent source of protein. Therefore, here’s a recipe for a hummus dessert with cranberries. Enjoy it just by itself or dip some cookies or fruits in it.

Ingredients (3 servings):

• 2 cups chickpeas (canned)
• 2 cups whole cranberries
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• ½ cup canned pumpkin
• ¼ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 dropper of vanilla stevia
• pinch of cinnamon

Preparation:

1. Drain the chickpeas.
2. Add all the ingredients (except the cranberries) into a food processor and process until it becomes a smooth, creamy paste. It will remain a little bit chunky, but don’t worry about that.
3. Transfer to a serving dish and mix in the cranberries by hand.

Chocolate Protein Pudding

There are so many delicious, simple vegan recipes, but nothing comes closer to quick and easy than this 4-ingredient snack that takes about 2 minutes to prepare. It’s low carb and high protein but also gluten-free. On top of that, it’s creamy and sweet. If you’re looking for a protein drink meal replacement, you may instead try this light almond milk protein powder pudding.

Ingredients (single serving):

• 1 scoop of vegan chocolate protein powder
• ¾ – 1 cup almond milk (cold)
• 2 tbsp cacao powder
• 1 tbsp almond butter

Preparation:

1. Mix the almond milk with cacao powder and chocolate protein powder in a bowl. Stir until it’s well combined and most of the lumps are gone. Don’t add all the milk at once, lest it gets too runny. Start with ¾ of a cup and then slowly pour in the rest.
2. Once the lumps are fully dissolved, add the almond butter and keep stirring until your get a pudding texture.

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

Chia seeds are rich in antioxidants, aid weight loss, and strengthen bones. They are also high in protein. A creamy chia pudding is an excellent option for a healthy breakfast or as one of your high protein vegan desserts. It’s super comforting, and the variety of toppings that you can add to it is pretty wide.

Ingredients (6 servings):

• ¾ cup chia seeds
• 1 ¾ cup coconut milk
• 1 ¼ cup of water
• 4 oz dates
• 5 tbsp cacao powder
• 2 tsp vanilla

Possible toppings:

• banana slices
• apple slices
• chopped strawberries
• blueberries and other berries
• nuts
• nut butter
• sesame and other seeds
• chocolate chips

Preparation:

1. Add coconut milk and dates to a blender. Process until the dates are fully chopped up and completely dissolved in the milk.
2. Add in the remaining ingredients and process until everything is well mixed.
3. Let it rest for 5 minutes to give chia seeds the time to soak up the liquids.
4. Repeat 3 or 4 times.
5. Transfer to an air-tight container and set aside for 1 hour to thicken. Once it starts thickening, you may add more water to get the desired consistency.

Vegan Protein Brownies

No recipe collection is complete without the good old vegan protein brownies. Made with only six ingredients, the following recipe is simple, quick to make, as well as gluten-free and sugar-free. These vegan protein brownies are neither too thick nor soft and cakey but somewhere in between.

Ingredients (9 large servings):

• 1 2/3 cups banana puree (about three average-sized overripe bananas)
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 scoop of vegan protein powder
• 1/3 cup cacao powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda

Preparation:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Line a square baking tray (8 x 8 inches).
3. Pour the brownie batter into the tray and flatten the surface.
4. Bake for about 20 minutes. More precisely, between 18 and 23 minutes, depending on whether you want your brownies to be fudgier or denser. To check if they’re ready, when you poke a toothpick, there should only be a bit of crumb on it but no wet batter.
5. Your vegan protein brownies are ready! Set aside to cool down. According to preference, cut into nine larger pieces (3 x 3) or 16 smaller ones (4 x 4).

Tofu Mocha Mousse

And now, something chocolatey for the end. Treat yourself to this rich mocha mousse and enjoy it free of worries, as it is completely healthy! Low sugar, high protein, and gluten-free deliciousness—a perfect choice to satisfy sweet tooth cravings.

Ingredients (5 servings):

• 14 oz extra firm tofu
• 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp strong brewed coffee
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 3/4 cup powdered sweetener of choice
• 5 oz dark chocolate (melted)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt

Preparation:

1. Drain the tofu, put on paper towels, and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
2. Add the tofu, coconut milk, vanilla extract, sweetener, and salt to a blender. Blend until it’s completely smooth.
3. While blending, add the coffee and melted chocolate. Keep blending until everything is fully combined.
4. Pour the mousse into serving cups, cover with plastic wraps, and let cool down in the fridge overnight.

Final thoughts

A high protein intake is beneficial for losing weight without losing muscle. It helps reduce your appetite and maintain a healthy metabolism. But having a high protein diet doesn’t mean having to eat bland, tasteless foods just to fulfill your protein quota. On the contrary! As shown in the recipes above, you can boost your protein intake by enjoying delicious and healthy high protein vegan desserts!