Who doesn’t love a good protein bar? They are among the most tasty, filling, and convenient healthy snack ideas you can enjoy. If you are looking to make homemade bars, though, then you have probably got an inkling that DIY’ing it has certain advantages.

The main draw with going the homemade route is the infinite customizability. Many protein bars on the market aren’t fit for everyone’s dietary needs (gluten free, vegan, nut-free etc), but when making your own, you can make sure that they are!

So what makes these bars so good? They are VERY chocolatey, for starters. They are soft and chewy in just the right way. They take no-time to make. They have protein powder for an added nutritional boost, yet they don’t taste like a typical power bar (nor can you taste the powder).

So they give you the boost of a protein bar, but they taste like a real dessert. And they have an amazing flavor just like a delicious candy bar, but not overly sweet. Just right in every way. My husband described them as a cross between a Mars bar and a chocolate covered granola bar.

Store bought protein bars can be expensive. Even the cheaper brands that tend to have more added sugar and other unnecessary ingredients are still a few dollars per bar. Not to mention the bars with more natural ingredients.

Also when you make your own, it comes out so much cheaper than buying from the store. Whip up a batch in under 10 minutes, and you might never want to spend money on another packaged protein bar ever again.

This homemade recipe does not have any nasty preservatives and artificial sweeteners and is packed with healthy fats, recipe tastes better than store bought bars, and is packed with clean and nutritious ingredients.

These bars have a chewy texture and are made with just a few simple ingredients that you can find at almost any grocery store. They are one of my go-to recipes to make so I can have a quick snack to grab on a busy day. In my opinion, They are a great post-workout snack or the perfect snack to curb your sweet tooth.

With 10 grams of protein and under 2 grams net carbs per bar they are perfect for lunch boxes and are easy to make-ahead. You can make a big batch and keep them chilled or even frozen until you are ready to eat one. What’s not to like?

Feel free to use your favorite protein powder, and the recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if you want to make up a big batch for meal prep.

Chocolate Protein Power Bars

These easy chocolate protein bars require no baking and take 10 minutes to make. They are healthy, soft, and chewy. Great to have between meals or as a pre/post workout snack.

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Healthy Clean Eating

Keyword chocolate protein power bars, clean eating dessert or snack, healthjy homemade protein bars, healthy no bake protein bars, healthy protein bars no bake

Servings 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup quick oats
• 1 cup dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
• 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
• 1/4 cup protein or collagen peptides powder
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup cashew (or any other nut or seed) butter
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Coating

• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoons coconut oil

Instructions

• You can make these bars in silicon bar moulds or line an 7 x 5-inch loaf pan or dish with parchment paper on the bottom and sides leaving some overhanging to act as a handle to get the bars out easier for cutting.

  Add oats, dates, coconut, protein powder, cocoa, cashew butter, coconut oil and vanilla extract to a food processor and process until a sticky dough is formed.

  Scoop out into lined pan and spread out evenly with a spatula or back of a spoon. Refrigerate for an hour or more to firm up and set. About 10 minutes from them being set, melt the chocolate coating.

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.

  Remove the bars from the fridge and after checking they are firm and set, remove from pan using the parchment paper handles and cut into 6-7 bars or more smaller squares if preferred.

  Skewer each bar or use 2 forks to hold each bar and dip and turn in the melted chocolate until fully coated, then place on a rack to dry.

  Or you can hold each bar with a fork over the melted chocolate bowl and spoon over the chocolate letting any excess drip back into the bowl.

  Drizzle with any remaining chocolate if you like. Sprinkle with any toppings if using (have to work fast to so the chocolate doesn't set before the toppings go on).

  Refrigerate again for 20 minutes until chocolate is set.

  Store in fridge up to a week and freezer up to 3 months.

   

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