Healthy No Bake Chocolate Fudge Protein Bars
These healthy no bake chocolate fudge protein bars are the perfect protein-packed snack which tastes like dessert! Made with no flour, sugar, oil or butter, these protein bars are naturally gluten free, vegan, paleo and dairy free!
You know what one of the perks of being back home is?
Having friends who visit the gym on a consistent basis AND having locally made protein bars tasting like lies.
While this may sound absolutely ridiculous, it has been a blessing.
Whenever I went past the health food aisle in an American grocery store, most of the protein packed snack bars came in some pretty delicious flavors, the most popular one (across most brands of bars) would easily be peanut butter. Here in Australia, it seems as though ‘chocolate fudge’ is the favorite here. That, or it is what companies perceive their consumers would enjoy.
…If only they knew how sub-par these taste.
Having tried most of the brands of protein snack bars here, it’s pretty evident that ‘chocolate fudge’ is a very generous flavor profile to be given to them. The bars were chalky, VERY artificial tasting and while cocoa was evident, I certainly did not come across anything that resembled ‘fudge’.
To be sure it wasn’t just my (Americanised) taste buds, I asked some of my friends here who regularly consumed protein bars to give me their thoughts.
My thoughts were justified.
Because of the lackluster bars available here, many of them resorted to purchasing bars in bulk from overseas to have post workout snacks which actually tasted decent.
Not anymore, though.
Now that I’m temporarily back, they know that whenever they come over, my freezer will be stocked with at least one kind of snack bar, and with the promise of actually tasting delicious. I was inspired by the $5 I spent on a ‘chocolate fudge’ protein bar to come up with my own version. To ensure that the recipe would stay true to its name, I added a layer of creamy protein fudge on top of the chocolate based protein bar. Not only did this give it an extra boost of protein, it also took the flavor profile up a notch. Chocolate on its own? Delicious. Chocolate bar topped with fudge? Twinning. I mean, winning. I think these snack bars have your name on them…
These healthy no bake chocolate fudge protein bars are firm, chewy but topped with a creamy fudge layer which could literally be considered a healthy dessert! Unlike traditional protein bars, these contain no artificial fillers, ingredients and only require a handful of ingredients- Even for the fudge layer! They also contain no butter, oil, flour or sugar so are the perfect snack to enjoy anytime, irrespective of whether you work out or not. As always, I tested it out using a vegan protein powder, a paleo protein powder and a casein protein powder. If dietary restrictions don’t hold you back, I strongly recommend the casein or vegan varieties over the paleo one. Depending on which protein powder you opt for, these bars are gluten free, vegan, paleo, dairy free and grain free!
HACK! For those of you who don’t want the extra dose of protein in the fudge frosting layer, feel free to use the cheat’s method of either cream cheese with cocoa powder and your sweetener of choice or this delicious coconut cream frosting– It’ll still be a double whammy!
Make these healthy no bake chocolate fudge protein bars and should you ever come to Australia (COME!), snack straight from my freezer.
Seriously.
- 1 3/4 cups gluten-free oats, ground to a flour (see notes for paleo option)*
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1 T cocoa powder
- 1- 2 T Granulated sweetener of choice**
- 1 scoop vanilla or chocolate protein powder (See above for recommendations)
- pinch sea salt
- 1/2 cup almond butter (can sub for any nut butter of choice)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup (can sub for honey, agave or brown rice syrup)***
- 1/4 + dairy free milk of choice****
- 2 scoops protein powder
- 2 T cocoa powder
- 1-2 T nut butter of choice, melted
- 1-2 T maple syrup
- Dairy free milk to form batter
- Line a large baking tray or 8 x 8 baking dish with baking paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine your flours, protein powder, cocoa powder, salt and granulated sweetener and set aside.
- In a microwave safe bowl or stovetop, melt your nut butter of choice with the maple syrup. Mix very well until fully incorporated.
- Using a tablespoon, add milk of choice until a VERY thick batter is formed. Transfer batter to lined baking tray and press firmly in place and place inside the fridge. While chilling, start by making your frosting- mix the first 4 ingredients then using a tablespoon, add milk until a thick and spreadable frosting is formed. Top the bars with frosting and allow to chill for 30 minutes, or until firm.
- Cut into bars and enjoy!
- * For a paleo option, swap for 1 cup of coconut flour TOTAL (omit the extra 1/4 cup in second line)
- ** I used a monk fruit sweetener, but if your protein powder is sweet enough, keep as it is.
- *** To keep this completely sugar free, omit and increase milk of choice. Please note that these bars will be more firmer.
- **** Depending on the flour blend, you may need more. Adjust accordingly.
- No bake protein bars should be kept in the fridge, but are freezer friendly.
Healthy 3 Ingredient Paleo Protein Cookies
Healthy No Bake Cookies and Cream Protein Bars
Healthy No Bake Chocolate Cake Batter Bites
What is a popular flavor in your neck of the woods? I was telling a mate the other day that it seems Salted Caramel is Australia’s #1 favorite!
Ever had a chalky protein bar? Fail Bloody Whale.
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Sad fudge is just really sad all around! These look to chewy and delicious though that they’ll make up for all the chalky bars – I’ve had my share in the past!
Right? Thanks Michele!
I usually reach for the PB flavors. Partly because I love PB, but partly because the straight chocolate fudge ones never tasty fudgey enough for me. Or they taste like fake fudge, since they’re usually fake.
Seriously, it’s FAKE FUDGE. Fudge off, faux fudge. That’s alot of ‘f’s
Holy crap that frosting though!!!!!! I just finished off a batch of your homemade protein bars. These are up next 100% !!!
🙂 You seriously rock, Amy!
Homemade protein bars FTW!! Gosh these look so fudgy. Australia has some freaking amazing flavor combos. Best chocolate milk of my life was when I found malted chocolate honeycomb there. HEAVEN.
OMG!!!! BIG M’s! I couldn’t find something similar in America BUT….there were like 1000 types of milks. Quinoa milk WTF
Haha #merica
People on the blogs seem to love quest bars, but in my community we are all about Clif bars. It’s because we’re hippies.
Haha, I love Quest bars- Clif are okay, but when I got them, I didn’t really have much use for them lol.
You know what would be delicious on these protein bars? Fresh berries. 🙂 Just kidding! I love how decadent these bars look, Arman. I’d say send me one, but I’m living a day behind you…so technically these bars haven’t actually been made yet. Which means this post hasn’t been posted yet either. Woah, talking to future Arman like this will really mess with your brain!
Haha, well if you send the cheque, they can certainly make an appearance!
This is confusing me, seeing as my time on my macbook is set to NY time! ha!
Oyyyyy it’s so sad that my fridge is slowly getting empty…..of your food! :'( BUT at the very least I can still make your recipes!! 😀 I would love to try making this bar with some of my chocolate milkshake protein powder!
🙂 Yes! Such a good idea! My fridge is filled here for you 😀
As always, these bars look so fudgy and delicious! I would love to raid your fridge and freezer! Lol
🙂 Please do, Joanne! 🙂
Ewww there is nothing worse than a chalky protein bar!! Looks like you’ve solved the problem. Pinned – can’t wait to try these!
Please do, Christina!
(omg, I just wrote Xtina first. WTF)
I am racking my brain to think of any good local protein bar. I can only remember one good one that was declared as protein bar and was not only high in protein but also pretty high in sugar and fat. So it was basically a candy bar. And then I once tried one with a good nutritional profile but it tasted so nasty that I actually carefully checked if I hadn’t accidentally bought a dog biscuit! Good that I have you 🙂
I love how pretty you make look anything with frosting. It always looks SO delicious. I also really like these pictures 🙂
YES! The good ones (well, here at least too) are pretty much candy bars too, but you’d probably be best to eat an actual candy bar!
What is the nutrition facts in these bars? They look yummy! Thanks.
Hi Carla! For sure! If you go onto myfitnesspal.com, they will provide it for you 🙂 Enjoy!
The base is awesome. Just made using unflavored hemp protein. They are great!
Fantastic- Thanks so much for the feedback, Mikelle!
Just came across your fudge recipe and wow does this look fantastic! I wanted to try this recipe tonight but am having trouble figuring out the calories per serving. Although healthy I still need to monitor my intake. Any suggestions on how I can figure out the calories per serving?
Hi Felicia! If you go onto a calorie calculating website, it will provide those details for you 🙂
What is the need for dairy-free milk? Is there some downside to using regular milk?
Hi JT! If you can tolerate whole milk, go for it! 🙂
Hey!! Love your recipes would I be able to sub out coconut flour for something else such as more oat flour? Thanks!
Absolutely! You’ll find that you need less milk to firm up though 🙂
Just made these and they taste amazing, thank you for sharing this recipe
🙂 You are so welcome, Shane!