Cookie Dough Protein Bars

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5 from 381 votes
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These cookie dough protein bars are an easy and delicious no bake snack packing in over 20 grams of protein each! Made with just 3 key ingredients, there is NO added sugar or grains needed!

cookie dough protein bars

Protein bars are something I enjoy on an almost daily basis.

Ever since I started regularly weight training three years ago, I’ve included protein with every single meal. I often resort to a protein shake to make thing meet but I also love making homemade protein bars. 

To keep things interesting, I have a few flavors I rotate through, including chocolate protein barsketo protein bars, and cookies and cream protein bars. However, it was high time I introduced a new flavor into the mix.

Something I’ve been regularly snacking on after dinner has been protein cookie dough (or my healthy cookie dough). It’s like eating raw cookie dough, minus the sugar and the carbs! As I need something to snack on during the day and that can easily fit in my bag, I adapted my night time dessert into a delicious protein bar!

Why these cookie dough protein bars recipe works

  • 3 Ingredients. Just protein powder, almond butter (or alternative!) and oat flour. 
  • No baking required. This recipe takes less than 5 minutes to make. 
  • 20 grams of protein per bar. Each bar packs in over 20 grams of protein per serving! 
  • Vegan and gluten free. Made with gluten free oat flour, this recipe is naturally plant based and suitable for celiacs!

What I love about these bars is how much they taste like real cookie dough! They are thick, chewy, and stable at room temperature. Packed with chocolate chips, they taste like any good chocolate chip cookie dough. 

cookie dough protein bar

The Ingredients.

  • Almond butter- Smooth almond butter with no added sugar or salt. This gives the protein bars some thickness, while also adding an extra 7 grams of protein per bar. 
  • Protein powder- opt for a vanilla flavored protein powder with no added sugar or carbs. 
  • Oat flour- Skip the expensive store-bought kind and make your own! If you want these bars to be wheat and grain free, you can use Medjool dates. 
  • Water- to thin out the batter. 
  • Chocolate chips- no cookie dough tastes as good as chocolate chip cookie dough! To keep the bars low sugar, use sugar free chocolate chips

The Instructions.

Prepare the protein bar batter: Add the almond butter, protein powder, and oat flour into a food processor and pulse until combined. Add the water and continue pulsing until a thick batter remains. Using a rubber spatula, fold through the chocolate chips.

Refrigerate the bars: Transfer the batter into a lined 8 x 8-inch pan and press down and smooth the top out. Refrigerate for at least an hour. 

Slice and serve: Slice into bars. 

how to make cookie dough protein bars

Tips for success

  • If you don’t have a food processor, you can also use a blender or a simple mixing bowl. Be sure to regularly scrape down the sides of the bowl/blender. 
  • I used a vanilla brown rice protein powder, but casein or a blended protein powder also work.
  • If you use an unsweetened protein powder, add 1-2 tablespoons of maple syrup or honey to sweeten the bars. 
  • To ensure these bars are gluten free, use gluten free oat flour. 

Storing and freezing instructions

  • To store: While these bars are stable at room temperature, they are best stored in the refrigerator, covered. They will keep well for up to 4 weeks. 
  • To freeze: Place leftover bars in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. 
chocolate chip cookie dough protein bar

More protein powder recipes to try

Frequently Asked Questions

Which protein powder is best for this recipe?

Brown rice protein powder or casein protein powder is best for protein bar recipes. When mixed with liquid ingredients, they have a much thicker texture, which helps bind everything together.

Can I substitute the almond butter?

You can substitute the almond butter for peanut butter, cashew butter, tahini, or sunflower seed butter. Alternatively, you can try peanut butter protein bars.

Can I use coconut flour or almond flour?

If you want to substitute the oat flour for another flour, I prefer almond flour as it uses a similar amount of oat flour. Coconut flour will also work, but you will only require HALF the amount.

cookie dough protein bars recipe

Cookie Dough Protein Bars (3 Ingredients!)

5 from 381 votes
These cookie dough protein bars are an easy and delicious no bake snack packing in over 20 grams of protein each! Made with just 3 key ingredients, there is NO added sugar or grains needed!
Servings: 12 Bars
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 10 minutes

Video

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a food processor, combine all the ingredients, except for the chocolate chips, regularly scraping down the sides. Fold through the chocolate chips.
  • Transfer into a lined baking dish and press down into the pan. Refrigerate for at least an hour to firm up.
  • Remove the cookie dough protein bars from the refrigerator and slice into 12 bars.

Notes

* Or any smooth nut or seed butter.
** Medjool dates also work. 
*** You may need more, depending on how thick the batter is. 
TO STORE: While these bars are stable at room temperature, they are best stored in the refrigerator, covered. They will keep well for up to 4 weeks. 
TO FREEZE: Place leftover bars in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. 
I updated this recipe with improved ingredients. The original recipe is simply protein powder, Medjool dates, and chocolate chips (as shown in the video). You can continue making the original recipe if you prefer. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1BarCalories: 123kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 20gFat: 5gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 4mgFiber: 5gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 4mgNET CARBS: 5g
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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