1-First, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Gather all your ingredients to keep things smooth and efficient. This setup ensures your cookies bake evenly and come out just right for that low sugar chocolate chip protein cookies vibe.

2-Next, in a bowl, beat the butter until creamy, then slowly mix in the maple syrup until light and fluffy. Add the peanut butter and stir until fully blended. This step builds the base for your gluten-free peanut butter protein cookie recipe, creating a rich texture that’s hard to resist.

3-Beat in the egg and vanilla extract to bind everything together. Stir in the almond flour, protein powder, baking soda, and salt until just combined, then fold in the chocolate chips. Scoop the dough into rounded tablespoons and place them about 2 inches apart on the sheet.

4-Bake for 7 minutes, tap the sheet gently on the counter, and bake another 3-4 minutes until lightly browned but soft in the center. Let them cool on the sheet and sprinkle with flaky sea salt if you like. These steps can be adjusted for dietary needs, like using a flax egg for vegan options.