Protein Cupcakes (Easy, High-Protein, and Dorm-Friendly)
These protein cupcakes are moist, delicious, and packed with protein to help fuel your body through finals, workouts, or late-night cravings. They’re perfect for college students looking for a healthy dessert option that doesn’t sacrifice taste or gains.
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 cupcakes 1x
Ingredients
1 ripe banana (mashed)
2 large eggs
1/3 cup Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla)
1/2 cup oat flour
1/2 cup whey protein powder (vanilla or chocolate)
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Optional: dark chocolate chips, chopped nuts
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tray with cupcake liners.
In a bowl, mash the banana and mix with eggs and Greek yogurt.
Add the protein powder, oat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir until smooth.
Fold in any optional add-ins like chocolate chips.
Pour batter evenly into liners (makes 6–8 cupcakes).
Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool before enjoying or storing.
Notes
You can substitute oat flour with almond flour for lower carbs. These cupcakes store well in the fridge for 3–4 days or can be frozen individually. Great post-workout snack or dorm-friendly breakfast on the go!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Looking for a way to enjoy dessert and boost your protein intake? These protein cupcakes are the answer. Whether you’re an athlete, a student with fitness goals, or just want a healthy snack, these cupcakes are soft, naturally sweet, and surprisingly nutritious.
No blender, no fancy ingredients just simple protein cupcakes you can whip up in any dorm kitchen.
Table of Contents
💪 Why You’ll Love These High-Protein Cupcakes
Whether you’re prepping for finals or post-gym recovery, these cupcakes are:
- High in protein without sacrificing taste
- Made with Greek yogurt, oats, and optional whey protein powder
- Freezer-friendly and perfect for meal prep
- Lower in sugar and calories than traditional cupcakes
- Versatile: you can make chocolate, vanilla, or even banana protein cupcakes
They’re the perfect healthy cupcake alternative for students who want to eat better without giving up sweets.
🛒 Ingredients for the Best Protein Cupcake Recipe
Here’s what you need for 12 cupcakes:
Base:
- 2 ripe bananas (mashed)
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup oat flour (or ground oats)
- 1 scoop vanilla or chocolate whey protein powder (optional)
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Optional Add-Ins:
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
- Blueberries, grated zucchini, or crushed walnuts
- 1 tbsp peanut butter for a creamy center
These cupcakes contain no refined sugar, are high in fiber, and have a moist texture even without frosting.
👩🍳 How to Make Protein Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line or grease a muffin tin.
- In a large bowl, mash bananas. Add eggs, Greek yogurt, sweetener, and vanilla.
- Stir in oat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add protein powder (if using) and mix until smooth.
- Fold in any optional add-ins.
- Divide into 12 muffin cups and bake for 18–20 minutes.
- Let cool and enjoy warm or chilled.
These healthy protein cupcakes can be stored in the fridge for 5 days or frozen for 1 month.
🍫 Optional Variations
You can adapt this recipe for:
- Chocolate Protein Cupcakes: Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder + chocolate whey
- Vanilla Cupcake Protein Powder: Use vanilla protein and add lemon zest
- Protein Cupcake in a Mug: Use half the ingredients and microwave for 90 sec
- Banana Protein Cupcakes: Let the banana shine—skip the sweetener
This flexible recipe is great for experimenting with different flavors and ingredients.
FAQ
Can I put protein powder in my cupcakes?
Yes, you can add whey, casein, or plant-based protein powder to your cupcake batter. Just reduce the flour slightly to keep the texture soft.
Are protein cupcakes healthy?
Absolutely. They contain more protein and less sugar than traditional cupcakes, making them a high-protein, low-sugar dessert option.
Can I make cupcakes without protein powder?
Yes! Use Greek yogurt, eggs, and oats—these ingredients naturally provide protein without any supplement.
Can I bake a cake with protein powder?
Yes, just follow the same logic: swap a portion of flour with protein powder and monitor the baking time.
📊 Nutrition Info (Per Cupcake, with Protein Powder)
- Calories: 165
- Protein: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fat: 5g
- Sugar: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
Want lower carbs? Use unsweetened applesauce instead of banana and skip chocolate chips.
🧁 Internal Tip
🍰 Love this sweet treat? Pair your cupcake with our Maple Tahini Iced Coffee a dorm-friendly drink that blends nutty, creamy energy with a touch of maple syrup.
📣 Conclusion
Whether you’re trying to hit your macros or just need something better than store-bought muffins, these protein cupcakes are your next go-to dorm snack.
📚 Real Student Experience
Ever wondered how real students actually survive finals with healthy snacks? I recently shared my late-night baking story during exam week in a Medium post. From stress to snacks, I talk about how these protein cupcakes helped me push through long study nights without crashing.
👉 Read the full story on Medium here