Ice cream bars are definitely one of the most underrated desserts out there. The only problem is that most of them are packed with tons of sugar and calories and not much nutritional benefit… And sure, there’s nothing necessarily wrong with that. I mean, it is a treat after all! But doesn’t a healthier protein-packed version sound appealing?

Yes, you can make your own homemade chocolate covered ice cream bars using just a handful of ingredients and your favourite whey or plant-based protein powder! They are super easy to make and healthy too.

Ice cream is one of the most loved desserts known to mankind. Whether that be a pint of chocolate ice cream, soft serve vanilla ice cream in a sugar cone, a fruity ice lolly on a wooden stick or a creamy decadent fudgesicle. The ultimate indulgent treat that combines creamy ice cream, a crisp chocolate shell, and a satisfying crunch.  It always fills the pudding gap and satisfies the sweet tooth.

I never buy ice cream bars anymore, as making my own is so much more satisfying! I love experimenting with different textures and flavors and these protein ice cream bars are one of my new favorite combos. They have a thick, creamy filling and a hard chocolate shell – a marriage made in heaven.

While you can purchase protein ice cream bars at the store, my version is healthier and tastes better. There aren’t any fake sugars that irritate the gut, “natural” flavorings, vegetable oils or colorings, no refined sugar, xanthan gum, or artificial preservatives. Just real, simple ingredients.

Customise them with whatever your heart desires and you have the perfect, high-protein treat at 16g of protein per pop! The filling is made with banana and coconut cream, sun butter (aka sunflower seed butter), honey, vanilla and protein powder.

You may swap the sun butter with any creamy nut or seed butter, such as peanut or cashew, coconut or almond butter. Honey is optional and can be substituted with maple syrup or another liquid sweetener.

Feel free to add a handful of chia seeds or shredded coconut, and change up the flavor by experimenting with different protein powders until you find your favorite. The protein or collagen powder increases the protein and nutritional content, as well as adds to the creamy texture of the filling but you can leave it out if preferred.

My silicon ice cream popsicle mould is by far the best purchase I have made in a long time. I have been making my own ice creams on a very regular basis since I’ve had this mould, in fact, I now always have ice creams in the freezer.

As I love adding extra protein into my diet wherever I can, I naturally had to create a protein ice cream bar recipe. These popsicles are not just high in protein, but they are made with a handful of nourishing ingredients making them the ultimate healthy creamy and crunchy ice cream recipe.

These homemade ice cream bars are perfect for special occasions, or just when you are craving something sweet and refreshing. You can customize them with your favorite ice cream flavors and toppings, or tweak their sweetness to your liking making them as fun as they are delicious!

Why you will love these chocolate covered ice cream bars

Nutrient-dense – made with real, whole food ingredients

No ice cream maker required

Easy to make – simply combine the filling ingredients, pour them into popsicle molds, freeze, then dip in melted chocolate

Delicious flavor and texture

If you don’t have an ice cream mould, you can even make the ice cream in a loaf tin and scoop some into a bowl or cone or turn it into protein soft serve!

The healthy frozen treat is a perfect solution for anyone who wants to be healthy but could happily eat a bowl of ice cream every day. It tastes like a sweet and decadent dessert, and yet it’s packed with vitamins, fiber, protein, and nutrition.

It’s a good day indeed when you can indulge in a rich and creamy homemade protein ice cream that’s secretly GOOD for you at the same time! After all…. everything tastes better on a stick!

Chocolate Dipped Protein Ice Cream Bars

These protein ice cream bars have a thick, creamy filling coated in a chocolate shell. They are made with banana, coconut cream, protein powder and lightly sweetened with honey. In addition, these bars are gluten free, paleo and keto friendly.

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Healthy Clean Eating

Keyword almond protein ice cream bars, chocolate dipped protein ice cream bars, clean eating dessert or snack, healthy ice cream bars, healthy ice cream protein popsicles, healthy protein ice cream bars

Servings 6

Equipment

• 6 popsicles sticks - optional

Ingredients

Ice Cream Filling

• 1 large ripe banana
• 1 cup coconut cream or milk, full fat for creaminess
• 1/4 cup cashew butter (or any creamy nut/seed butter)
• 2 scoops protein or collagen peptides powder
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Coating

• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Toppings Optional

• Chopped nuts
• Chocolate chips

Instructions

Ice Cream Filling

• Place all filling ingredients in a blender and process until it has a smooth, consistent texture.

  Place a popsicle stick into each slot of the silicone popsicle mold (making 6 ice cream bars).  Pour the ice cream filling into the molds. Or you can make them without a stick.

  Put the molds on a baking sheet, or make sure they have a flat surface to lay on in the freezer, and set the molds in the freezer. Freeze at least 4 hours. (Larger molds will require a longer freezing time.)

  Once the filling is frozen, make the chocolate coating.

   

Chocolate Coating

• Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in small dish and microwave with 30 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.

  Remove the bars and after checking they are firm and set, pop out of molds.

  Take the ice cream bars and dip them, one at a time into the melted chocolate. You may pour the chocolate into a glass or ceramic cup to dip the bars, or just dip them into the pan you used to melt the chocolate.

  You can use 2 forks to roll them around in the chocolate to fully coat them.

  Another method is to hold each bar over the melted chocolate with a fork and spoon the chocolate over letting any excess drip back into the bowl.

  Place the dipped bars onto a sheet of parchment paper to set.

  Put the bars into the freezer for at least 4 hours.

  Once chocolate is set and crisp, enjoy your homemade dipped ice cream bars.

   

Print Recipe

If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites