Quest protein powder is a popular protein supplement made by Quest Nutrition. It contains whey and casein protein and is marketed as both a post-workout recovery shake and an ingredient for baking protein-rich treats. But is Quest protein powder actually a good option for baking? Here is a quick overview of the pros and cons:
Pros:
- High in protein – 25g per serving
- Contains whey and casein for sustained protein release
- Low carb – Only 1g net carbs per serving
- Comes in a variety of flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and cinnamon roll
- Specifically designed to bake well
Cons:
- Contains sugar alcohols which may cause digestive issues
- Has a distinct protein taste when used in baking
- Can make baked goods dense or dry
- More expensive than other protein powders
To provide a more in-depth answer, we will look at how Quest protein powder performs in different baked goods, how to use it successfully in recipes, and how it compares to alternatives like whey and plant-based protein powders.
Using Quest Protein Powder in Baked Goods
Here is a breakdown of how Quest protein powder works in some popular baked goods:
Protein Bars
Quest protein powder excels at making high-protein, low-carb protein bars. The bars come out dense and hearty. Flavor and texture improves if you add nut butter, nuts, seeds or shredded coconut. Quest recommends their recipe for Quest protein bars which contains:
- 1 scoop (28g) Quest protein powder
- 1⁄4 cup natural almond butter
- 1⁄4 cup Quest Protein Chips or chopped nuts
- 1⁄4 cup sugar-free chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp coconut or almond milk if needed
The recipe is easy to modify by using different protein flavors and add-in mixes.
Protein Cookies
Quest protein powder can make protein-packed cookies with a nice chewy texture. For best results, use moist ingredients like nut butter, coconut oil, Greek yogurt or applesauce. Here is a sample recipe for Quest Chocolate Chip Protein Cookies:
- 1⁄2 cup almond butter
- 1⁄4 cup Truvia baking blend
- 1 egg
- 1 scoop (28g) Quest Chocolate Milkshake protein powder
- 1⁄2 tsp baking soda
- 1⁄4 tsp salt
- 1⁄2 cup Lily’s sugar-free chocolate chips
The cookies may spread more than normal cookie dough. Chilling the dough for 30 minutes helps.
Protein Pancakes and Waffles
Quest protein powder makes great high-protein pancakes and waffles. Replace 1/4 of the flour in your recipe with Quest powder. Or make protein-packed pancake mix ahead of time by blending:
- 1 cup Quest protein powder
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
Then when ready to make pancakes, mix 1/2 cup pancake mix with 1/4 cup water and 1 egg. Cook on a greased griddle or waffle iron.
Protein Muffins
You can make protein muffins with Quest powder, but beware that they will be denser and not as fluffy. Replace 1/4 to 1/2 of the flour in a muffin recipe with Quest powder. Or search for high protein muffin recipes developed specifically for protein powder. Zucchini, banana and blueberry muffins pair well with Quest.
Protein Brownies and Blondies
Quest protein powder does not work quite as well in brownies as it does in other baked goods. It can leave the texture dry and dense. For best results, use black beans or lentils to add protein instead of Quest powder. You can swap 1/4 to 1/3 of the flour for Quest, but no more than that. Adding extra egg yolks or an avocado to brownie batter helps improve moisture.
Protein Bread
Making bread with Quest protein powder is hit or miss. Because bread relies so much on gluten development, too much protein powder can result in a dense, rubbery bread. For best results, use no more than 1/4 cup Quest powder per loaf of bread. Make sure to let the dough proof sufficiently to develop the gluten. Adding some vital wheat gluten can also help improve rise.
Protein Cakes
Moist protein-packed cakes can be made by swapping 1/4 to 1/3 of the flour in cake recipes for Quest protein powder. Stick to recipes that already contain moisture-boosting ingredients like fruit, yogurt, sour cream or oil. Carrot cake, banana cake, and red velvet cake work better than drier cakes like pound cake. Be sure not to overbake protein cakes as they set up faster than flour-only cakes.
Tips for Baking with Quest Protein Powder
Here are some top tips for success when baking with Quest protein powder:
- Start by replacing only 1/4 of the flour in a recipe with protein powder and increase from there if needed.
- Add an extra egg or egg yolk to boost moisture.
- Incorporate wet ingredients like yogurt, applesauce, nut butter or extra oil to maintain a moist texture.
- Underbake slightly – protein baked goods firm up faster than flour-only recipes.
- Chill cookie dough for 30 minutes which helps prevent spreading.
- Let bread machine doughs proof sufficiently to rise well before baking.
- Use loaf pans or muffin tins lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Pair protein powder with ingredients that mask the protein flavor such as cocoa, peanut butter, vanilla, cinnamon and fruit.
- Check protein bar or cookie dough consistency and adjust liquids if needed before baking.
Following these tips will give you the highest chance of baking success with Quest protein powder!
How Does Quest Protein Powder Compare?
So how does Quest protein powder stack up against other protein powder options for baking? Here is a comparison:
Quest vs. Whey Protein Powder
| Quest | Whey Protein |
|---|---|
|
|
Overall, Quest and whey are fairly comparable for protein baking purposes. Quest may lead to slightly better structured baked goods. But whey can provide great protein boosting power as well. Pick whey if you prefer more natural ingredients.
Quest vs. Plant-Based Protein Powder
| Quest | Plant-Based Protein |
|---|---|
|
|
Plant-based protein powders are great for vegetarian and vegan baking. They come in a wide variety of protein contents and ingredients. For sturdy baked goods, choose a blend with a mix of proteins. Limit brown rice protein powder which can make things dense.
Conclusion
Quest protein powder can make an excellent addition to high-protein baked goods. It provides a solid protein boost at 25g per serving. Quest powder results in sturdy, filling protein bars, cookies, pancakes and muffins. It also allows you to pack extra protein into baked treats without sacrificing taste.
Be mindful that Quest can create dense, dry baked goods if overused in a recipe. For best results, start by replacing only a quarter of the flour in a recipe with Quest powder. Also increase moisture-boosting ingredients like eggs, yogurt and nut butter. And avoid overbaking protein baked goods.
By following these tips, you can successfully add Quest protein powder to make protein brownies, cakes, bread and more. While not always 100% identical, Quest protein baked goods can be a delicious way to increase your daily protein intake.