Chocolate Protein Bars | Easy Vegan No-Bake Recipe - Elavegan (2024)

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4.73 from 11 votes

These no-bake chocolate protein bars are super soft, gooey, fudgy, and delicious. This vegan recipe contains only 6 ingredients and is very easy to make! Watch the video below to see the easy instruction steps!

Chocolate Protein Bars | Easy Vegan No-Bake Recipe - Elavegan (1)

Super Soft Chocolate Protein Bars

Say hello to these soft, gooey and fudgy chocolate protein bars which are currently my new favorite dessert! I love all kind of bars such as brownies, peanut butter bars or blondies. I thought a combo of a blondie bar and chocolate might be extraordinarily delicious. And honestly, these bars really didn’t disappoint!

They look similar to homemade Butterfingers, however, they aren’t crunchy. I am pretty sure it would be easy to change the recipe a bit and turn these cashew butter bars into homemade vegan Butterfingers. These protein bars are my new favorite because they are:

  1. Healthier than most chocolate candy bars.
  2. Quick and easy to make without an oven!
  3. Vegan and protein-rich.

Chocolate Protein Bars | Easy Vegan No-Bake Recipe - Elavegan (2)

Just 6 Simple Ingredients

I am not kidding! This recipe is really simple and contains only the following 6 ingredients:

  • Vegan protein powder
  • Nut-butter or seed butter of choice
  • Liquid sweetener of choice
  • Banana
  • Dairy-free chocolate chips
  • Coconut oil

I used a vanilla flavored protein powder which is already sweetened. Therefore, I only added 3 tbsp (60 grams) of sweetener. If your protein powder isn’t sweetened, I would suggest adding about 70 grams of sweetener.

Nut butter: I used cashew butter, however, you can also use almond butter, peanut butter, coconut butter, sunflower seed butter, and even tahini if you don’t mind the slightly bitter taste of tahini.

Liquid sweetener: I used maple sure, but you can certainly also use agave syrup, rice malt syrup, Yukon syrup or any other liquid sweetener.

I also added half of a small banana which acts as a binder and holds the mixture together. Applesauce might work as well (I didn’t try it though) or maybe two flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flax seeds mixed with 5 tbsp hot water).

You can use dairy-free chocolate chips or any dark chocolate of choice.

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How To Make Chocolate Protein Bars?

I recommend using a food processor because it’s easier than using a blender. The procedure is really simple and straight forward:

  • First, process the ingredients for the protein layer in your food processor.
  • Melt the dairy-free chocolate with the coconut oil in a water bath or in a microwave.
  • Pour the chocolate onto the protein layer and put the pan in the freezer to set.
  • Remove the pan from the freezer and cut the deliciousness into bars.
  • Check my step-by-step VIDEO right under the recipe instructions!

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How To Store?

You should store the protein chocolate bars in the refrigerator (for up to 5-6 days) or for up to 3 months in the freezer. I always make sure to have a batch in my freezer, because you never know when the sweet cravings kick in, right?! 😀

When you freeze the bars, make sure to let them thaw for about 20 minutes before serving.

Chocolate Protein Bars | Easy Vegan No-Bake Recipe - Elavegan (5)

These Chocolate Protein Bars are:

  • Vegan (dairy-free)
  • Can be made gluten-free (check your protein powder)
  • No-bake, which means no oven required
  • Healthier than most protein bars
  • Quick and easy to make with only 6 ingredients
  • A delicious dessert

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Should you try out this delicious chocolate protein bars recipe please leave a comment and rating below. Also, don’t forget to tag me in your Instagram or Facebook post with @elavegan and #elavegan because I would love to see how it turned out!

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Make sure to also check out the following vegan chocolate bars:

  • Homemade Snickers
  • Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
  • Cookie Dough Bars
  • Homemade Bounty Bars
  • Chocolate Chip Blondies
  • Oat Breakfast Bars

Chocolate Protein Bars | Easy Vegan No-Bake Recipe - Elavegan (9)

No-Bake Chocolate Protein Bars

Author: Michaela Vais

These no-bake chocolate protein bars are super soft, gooey, fudgy, and delicious. This vegan recipe contains only 6 ingredients and is very easy to make!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 10

Calories 197 kcal

Ingredients

Protein Layer

Chocolate Layer

Instructions

  • Watch the video (scroll down a bit) for easy visual instructions. I recommend using a kitchen scale for this recipe.

  • Line a pan with parchment paper with an overhang on all sides (for easy removal). My pan measures 6x6 inches resp. 15x15 cm (inside measurements). If your pan is much bigger, you should better double the recipe, otherwise, the bars will turn out too thin.

  • Process all ingredients for the protein layer in a food processor. Scrape down the sides of the container and mix again. The dough should stick together when you press it between your fingers. If it's too dry, add more liquid sweetener or banana. If it's too sticky, add more protein powder.

  • Press the dough evenly into the lined pan and put the pan in the freezer.

  • Melt the chocolate chips in a double-boiler or in a microwave and pour the melted chocolate on top of the protein layer.

  • Put the pan back in the freezer for about 30 minutes or until the chocolate is firm.

  • Cut into bars and enjoy! Store leftovers in the fridge or freezer!

Notes

  • I used a vanilla flavored protein powder which is already sweetened. The main ingredient is powdered oat flour. If you use unsweetened protein powder, I would suggest adding more sweetener.
  • You can use almond butter, peanut butter, etc. instead of cashew butter. For a nut-free version, I would suggest sunflower seed butter or coconut butter.
  • I left out the vanilla extract because my protein powder has an intense vanilla flavor which I love!
  • Nutrition facts are for one bar when you cut the batch into ten bars.

Nutrition Facts

No-Bake Chocolate Protein Bars

Amount per Serving

Calories

197

% Daily Value*

Fat

7.2

g

11

%

Carbohydrates

19.5

g

7

%

Fiber

1.9

g

8

%

Sugar

14.3

g

16

%

Protein

12.5

g

25

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically

Equipment

Kitchen scale*

Food processor*

Chocolate Protein Bars | Easy Vegan No-Bake Recipe - Elavegan (10) Simple and Delicious Vegan Cookbook by ElaVeganCLICK HERE to order!

If you are using Pinterest, feel free to pin the following photo:

Chocolate Protein Bars | Easy Vegan No-Bake Recipe - Elavegan (11)

Chocolate Protein Bars | Easy Vegan No-Bake Recipe - Elavegan (2024)

FAQs

What to avoid when buying protein bars? ›

A good bar shouldn't have any trans fats and should be low in saturated fats (less than three grams per serving). Oils. Avoid any bars with palm oil or kernel oil (often included in bars coated with chocolate) Sugar.

What makes a protein bar vegan? ›

Traditional protein bars often use whey protein from dairy, whereas vegan protein bars get their protein from plant sources, including peas, brown rice, beans, nuts, and seeds. These protein bars avoid other animal-derived products like egg and honey.

Is it cheaper to make your own protein bars? ›

Homemade protein bars are much more cost-effective than buying protein bars at the store. A single protein bar can range from $. 99 to $3.99. This entire recipe (for 16 bars) will cost you less than $5 and you likely already have these ingredients on hand!

What is a substitute for protein powder in bars? ›

For example, in place of protein powder, you can use: whole or chopped nuts: peanuts, almonds, walnuts, cashews. nut or seed butter: peanut, almond, cashew, sunflower, tahini. seeds: hemp, flax, pumpkin, sunflower, chia.

Is it safe to eat protein bars everyday? ›

A closer look at the ingredients and sugar levels in some of these bars can make you question whether they're a good idea to eat every day. While there's no problem with the occasional sugary snack or 'unhealthy' treat, eating certain types of protein bars every day might be problematic long term.

Are protein bars inflammatory? ›

However, they can damage the gut lining, cause inflammation, and increase gut permeability, leading to a condition commonly known as 'leaky gut'. This can lead to a host of health issues, including autoimmune disorders.

Are vegan protein bars good for you? ›

The Advantages of Vegan Protein Bars:

Vegan protein bars are often made of nuts and seeds, which contain significant amounts of fibre, and this aids in keeping you full as it takes longer to digest. Protein bars like TREK help keep you going! Vegan protein bars can help you lose weight.

Are there any vegan protein bars? ›

GoMacro Bars are a sustainably sourced protein bar jam-packed with nutrient-dense, plant-based foods and available in 16 flavors. It's not uncommon for vegan protein supplements to include pea protein in their ingredient lists, but GoMacro really does it well.

Does vegan mean no protein? ›

Some people may think a vegan dietary plan heavily restricts protein sources. However, there are an abundance of vegan-friendly proteins a person can consume, such as seitan, soybeans, and peanuts. Having a vegan diet means that a person cannot take in protein from the same sources as a person with an omnivorous diet.

Is peanut butter a good source for protein? ›

Peanut butter is rich in heart-healthy fats and is a good source of protein, which can be helpful for vegetarians looking to include more protein in their diets. A 2-tablespoon serving of peanut butter contains up to 8 grams of protein and 2 to 3 grams of fiber.

Why are Rxbars so expensive? ›

Compared to other protein bars, such as CLIF bars, LARA bars, and Luna bars, the cost of RX BARS is comparable to their competitors. The cost of products like this often comes from the protein source. Whey protein isolate, a common form of adding protein to these bars, is expensive.

What is the least expensive way to get protein? ›

17 Cheap and Healthy Sources of Protein
  1. Natural peanut butter. For a plant-based option, peanut butter provides a solid dose of protein. ...
  2. Eggs. ...
  3. Edamame. ...
  4. Canned tuna. ...
  5. Plain Greek yogurt. ...
  6. Sunflower seeds. ...
  7. Black beans. ...
  8. Sardines.
Dec 25, 2017

Which nuts has the highest protein? ›

Peanuts are the highest protein nut containing 6.58 grams of protein per 1-ounce serving. Peanuts are closely followed by almonds and pistachios, which contain 6.07 and 5.81 grams of protein per 1-ounce serving respectively.

Which are the healthiest protein bars? ›

10 Best Protein Bars
  • Best soft bar: Truwomen Trubar | Skip to review.
  • Best plant-based: Aloha | Skip to review.
  • Best for people on a low FODMAP diet: GoMacro | Skip to review.
  • Best for weight watching: No Cow | Skip to review.
  • Best for a gluten-free diet: RXBAR | Skip to review.
  • Best for a keto diet: think! (
Sep 26, 2023

How do you get homemade protein bars to stick together? ›

A few other common ingredients are whole nuts and seeds, grains like oats and crispy cereal (which offer fiber and a granola bar–like texture), cocoa powder or chocolate chips, and liquid sweeteners like maple syrup or honey, which help your bars stick together and taste delicious.

What to look for when buying protein bars? ›

4 things to look for in a healthy protein bar
  • Made of whole ingredients. Read the ingredient list and look for whole, natural foods like fruit, nuts and seeds. ...
  • High in protein. A good protein bar has protein from nuts, seeds and whey or soy isolate. ...
  • Lower in carbohydrates and sugar. ...
  • Try one with superfoods.

How do you know if a protein bar is bad? ›

One can look for these indicators to determine if a protein bar has gone bad:
  1. Texture changes: Protein bars might become hard or overly chewy.
  2. Discoloration: Any unusual color changes could signal spoilage.
  3. Off-putting smell: An odd or rancid odor is a clear sign that a protein bar should not be consumed.
Feb 5, 2024

What is the ingredient criteria for the best protein bars? ›

Look for minimal or no artificial ingredients, if possible. Healthy fats: Fats are essential for your body to absorb certain nutrients and help keep you full. Opt for protein bars that contain healthy fats from nuts and seeds rather than those that use vegetable or hydrogenated oils.

References

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