Dessert just got an upgrade! I am excited to share these Chocolate Nut Butter Protein Ice Cream Bars with you! The inside is creamy and the outside has the perfect chocolate crunch shell. Not only are these a healthier for you option, but they are DELICIOUS and incredibly easy to make. You will honestly question why you would even shop the frozen aisle anymore.
These ice cream bars are one of my favorite frozen treats to make, and what sets them apart is how simple they are without compromising on flavor or texture. You will love how creamy the cottage cheese and peanut butter base becomes once blended – smooth and rich, yet naturally sweetened with honey. No ice cream maker? No problem! Just a blender and a little freezer time, and you will have these delicious bars ready to enjoy.
The best part? The satisfying crunch of the chocolate coating with peanuts and sprinkles adds an irresistible contrast to the creamy ice cream. This recipe is a fun and easy way to create something that feels special, whether you are treating yourself or sharing with loved ones. Plus, these bars are packed with protein and made with clean ingredients, so you can feel good about every bite!
The last time I bought a store bought ice cream I was looking forward to eating it after dinner at ice cream time! Unfortunately, it was pretty disappointing. It was overly sweet and all I could taste was sugar. So I took matters into my own hands and made a much healthier, refined sugar-free version, which I think is way more delicious!
Next time you buy ice cream bars at the super market you can check the ingredients. You will be surprised by how many ingredients are used. Besides lots of chemicals and flavour extracts (or natural flavours!!) Yeah right! You will find a ton of sugar in them. This quickly loads up to about 20 g of sugar per ice cream. And all of this in one single ice cream!
Of course, not every single ice cream has this nutritional value, but there are simple and easy ways to choose a healthier ice cream, simply make it yourself. These chocolate covered cottage cheese ice cream bars are low sugar, low carb, high protein, keto-friendly and make the creamiest, dreamiest dessert or healthy snack. The bars taste like homemade Klondike bars and make for a cool and refreshing treat. You can also customize with different flavors or different chocolate coatings.
Delicious serving suggestions:
As a summer treat: Perfect for hot days when you crave something creamy and cold.
With extra toppings: Add a drizzle of melted chocolate, more chopped peanuts, or even crushed graham crackers for extra texture.
For kids: A fun, hands-on treat that kids will love making and eating.
Party snacks: These bars are a fun, crowd-pleasing dessert to serve at gatherings.
Post-workout snack: Packed with protein from the cottage cheese, they are a great way to refuel after a workout.
On-the-go dessert: Wrap them individually for an easy, grab-and-go frozen dessert.
Elevate your dessert game with a fusion of taste and wellness in every decadent bite. If you love ice cream bars, but not all the sugar, this is the healthy dessert recipe for you!
Healthy, balanced and simple! Doesn’t get any easier than that!
Chocolate Nut Butter Protein Ice Cream Bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups cottage cheese any variety
- 2 scoops protein or collagen peptides powder
- 2 tablespoons peanut (or any other nut or seed) butter
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Coating
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons peanuts, roasted, salted, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chocolate sprinkles
Instructions
- Combine the cottage cheese, protein powder, peanut butter, cocoa powder, honey and vanilla in a food processor and process until smooth and creamy. Pour the ice cream into your popsicle molds of choice. Silicon molds make it easy to remove the ice cream bars.Insert the popsicle sticks and cover them with the silicone cover. Freeze for 3-4 hours or until set.
Chocolate Coating
- Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in small dish and microwave with 20 second bursts stirring between each one until melted and smooth.Or use double boiler method - (pot of boiling water with a bowl resting on top) melt the chocolate chips and the coconut oil together.Place the chopped peanuts and chocolate sprinkles into two small platesRemove the bars and after checking they are firm and set, pop out of molds.Work quickly,using the popsicle stick or using two forks, dip one bar at a time into the bowl of melted chocolate until it is half or fully coated. Lift the bar from the bowl of chocolate and let any excess drip off, quickly dip in the peanuts and chocolate sprinkles before the chocolate hardens then place it onto a tray lined with baking paper. Repeat with the remaining bars.You can enjoy them immediately or return them to the freezer for later.NOTE: These cottage cheese ice cream bars will be icy if left in the freezer for over a few hours. Allow them to thaw for 5-10 minutes, and then they will be a softer,creamy consistency.Expert Recipe TipsBlending for smoothness: Be sure to blend the cottage cheese mixture until completely smooth, especially if you are not a fan of the curd texture. This will give you a silky ice cream base.Sweetener choice: If you prefer a sweeter treat, feel free to adjust the amount of honey or maple syrup to your taste. You can also use sugar-free sweeteners like monk fruit for a low-sugar option.Customizable toppings: You can swap out the peanuts and chocolate sprinkles with your favorite toppings, like crushed almonds, coconut flakes, or even freeze-dried fruit for added texture and flavor.Chocolate coating tip: Make sure your popsicles are well frozen before dipping them in melted chocolate. Work quickly when adding toppings so the chocolate doesn’t harden too soon.
