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.

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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.

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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 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.

Should vegans eat protein bars? ›

Whether you're following a vegan diet or simply seeking a nutritious and satisfying snack, incorporating vegan protein bars into your routine can be a game-changer. They offer a convenient and portable option for those on-the-go, while providing a balanced combination of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients.

Is there a vegan perfect bar? ›

Perfect Bar Almond Coconut

Perfect Bar makes some of the best tasting protein bars available, and while most are made with honey for sweetness, this one was formulated without, just for vegans.

Can I eat protein bars instead of chocolate? ›

The bottom line on protein bars

Is that protein bars aren't the perfect alternative to chocolate bars if you can have a protein shake with it, too. You can still consume either or whenever you like, just don't get bogged down in the fallacy that "protein bars are good, chocolate bars are bad."

Is it cheaper to make or buy protein bars? ›

Finally, making your own bars can be significantly cheaper than buying the store-bought brands.

What is better than protein bars? ›

Protein shakes: Protein shakes typically contain fewer carbohydrates and fats than protein bars, making them a more concentrated source of protein. A serving of protein powder usually provides 20 to 30 grams of protein with minimal carbohydrates and fats.

Can vegans eat too much protein? ›

Little research has been conducted into any risks associated with high-protein vegan diets, although it is always important to ensure that there is variety and that attention is paid to vitamin and mineral requirements, especially in pregnancy.

What ingredients should not be in protein bars? ›

Avoid any bars with palm oil or kernel oil (often included in bars coated with chocolate) Sugar. If sugar, sucrose or high fructose corn syrup is the main ingredient, don't buy it. Also avoid sugar alcohols like xylitol, sorbitol and maltitol—they cause bloating and gas and have a laxative effect.

Can vegans survive without protein? ›

Protein deficiencies among vegetarians and vegans are uncommon , especially for those following a healthy, well-planned diet. Still, some people may be interested in increasing their plant protein intake for a variety of reasons.

Which kind bars are vegan-friendly? ›

All of our Whole Fruit bar flavors are vegan, as well as most of our KIND Healthy Grains® clusters (excluding Oats & Honey Clusters with Toasted Coconut and Almond Butter Whole Grain Clusters).

Can vegans eat chocolate bars? ›

While dark chocolate is usually vegan-friendly, milk and white chocolate typically are not. Milk Chocolate, as the name implies, contains dairy, making it not vegan, unless it is made with a nondairy milk like oat milk or almond milk. White Chocolate also frequently contains dairy products.

Can I eat protein bars every day? ›

While protein bars can be enjoyed regularly, consuming them as meal replacements or as your primary protein source isn't recommended. Pay close attention to nutrition labels, as many protein bars contain added sugars, saturated fats and other low-nutrient ingredients.

What is the difference between a protein bar and a chocolate bar? ›

Protein bars typically contain 10 to 30 grams of protein, whereas a 50g bar of Cadbury dairy milk chocolate contains less than 4 grams. Some protein bars use protein sources such as yoghurt powder, milk powder, soya, pea, brown rice, and dairy proteins like whey and casein.

Which food has the highest protein? ›

Protein foods
  • lean meats – beef, lamb, veal, pork, kangaroo.
  • poultry – chicken, turkey, duck, emu, goose, bush birds.
  • fish and seafood – fish, prawns, crab, lobster, mussels, oysters, scallops, clams.
  • eggs.
  • dairy products – milk, yoghurt (especially Greek yoghurt), cheese (especially cottage cheese)

What is a good substitute for protein powder at home? ›

Lentil-based dishes – Lentil soups and curries are an easy way to include protein-rich ingredients in your diet. Foods enriched with nuts – Mixtures made from nuts or sweet shakes made from nuts are easy to include protein in your diet. Meat – Lastly but not least, all kinds of meat are a good source of protein.

How do you substitute protein powder in baked goods? ›

Although you can replace part of the flour with protein powder, you should never replace more than ⅓ of the flour with protein powder. Ideally, you should be aiming to replace just ¼ of the flour with protein. Anything above will get you a dry texture.

Can I eat protein bar instead of protein powder? ›

Protein bars, on the other hand, have a higher calorie and carbohydrate content than powders. They have a higher fibre content too, which is not a bad thing because this also means that protein bars will leave you more satisfied than protein shakes.

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