Cookies and cream protein bars are a homemade version of the Quest Cookies and Cream protein bars. Soft, chewy, and made with healthy ingredients, these cookies and cream protein bars take 10 minutes to make! Vegan and Gluten Free.
I am a certified snacker. If I’m not snacking on peanut butter cookies or oatmeal cookie bars, I’m definitely noshing on these cookies and cream protein bars.
After being a die hard quest protein bar fan, I just couldn’t justify spending tons of money each week on store bought protein bars. My all time favorite protein bar flavor is Cookies and Cream, so I decided to make my own!
Not only was it much cheaper and more delicious, I knew EXACTLY what was going in them.
The texture was spot on- Thick, soft and chewy protein bars that are stable at room temperature. The taste was fantastic- Sweet, satisfying and loaded with chunks of chocolate cookie pieces.
These protein bars are completely vegan and gluten free, with tips to make them keto and paleo!
How to make cookies and cream protein bars
The Ingredients
- Oat Flour– It’s just ground up oatmeal. You can make your own or store bought. Be sure you use gluten free oats, to keep it gluten free.
- Coconut Flour- Works well with the oat flour, to keep the bars extra chewy. If you don’t want to use coconut flour, add more oat flour.
- Protein Powder– You can use vanilla flavored or unflavored. Be sure you like the taste of it, as it will be quite evident.
- Granulated sweetener of choice– Optional, but recommended if your protein powder is unflavored or unsweetened.
- Almond butter– Smooth and drippy almond butter, with no added sugar or salt. You can use any nut or seed butter butter, provided it has a smooth texture.
- Maple syrup– Gives the protein bars sweetness, and holds them together. You can use agave nectar or brown rice syrup if you prefer.
- Chocolate Cookies– Crumble up some chocolate cookies for the delicious cookie flavor. Feel free to use store bought cookies if that is what you have on hand.
- Milk of choice– To help form the dough into bars! Use any milk that you prefer!
The Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, add your dry ingredients and mix well. Add in your almond butter and syrup, and mix until a crumbly texture remains. Slowly add the milk, until a thick batter remains. Gently fold through your crumbled chocolate cookies. Transfer the protein bar batter into a lined 8 x 8-inch pan. Refrigerate until firm, around 2 hours. Once firm, cut into bars.
Can I make this keto and paleo?
To make these keto friendly, replace the oat flour with 1 cup of coconut flour (total- do not add the extra coconut flour). Instead of using maple syrup, use keto maple syrup. The rest of the ingredients are already keto, so you’ll be good to go!
Storing and Freezing Tips
- To store: Cookies and cream protein bars can be stored at room temperature, in a sealed container. They will keep well for at least 1 week. Store them in the refrigerator to keep them for longer.
- To freeze: These protein bars can be stored in the freezer in a ziplock bag or freezer friendly container. They will freeze well for at least 6 months.
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No Bake Cookies and Cream Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups oat flour
- ½ cup coconut flour can sub for almond or more oat flour
- ½ cup protein powder
- 2 tablespoon granulated sweetener of choice * See notes
- 2-3 chocolate cookies crumbles
- ½ cup almond butter can sub for any nut or seed butter
- ½ cup maple syrup can sub for agave nectar or brown rice syrup
- 1/4 cup milk of choice ** See notes
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- In large mixing bowl, combine the flour, protein powder, granulated sweetener and set aside.
- Add the almond butter and syrup, and mix well, until a crumbly batter remains.
- Using a spoon, add the milk of choice one spoonful at a time until a thick, firm batter is formed. Gently fold through the crumbled cookies.
- Transfer to lined baking dish and press firmly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Notes
** Depending on the flour/protein powder combination, you may need more or less. I used up to 3/4 cup milk.
Nutrition
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Oh hi, you had me at Cookies and Cream – one of my favourite ice cream flavours at the scoop store in my hometown. And that in a bar? Yes, please. Coming from me as a non-bar fiend.
I’ve never experienced that student-abroad/US student on a meal plan feeling but from hearing about it elsewhere already it seems tough business. I’m pretty sure you’ll make some college students happy they can prepare their own bars and save money for textbooks 😉 .
These are so good- Promise they are delicious!
I’m sure most of my money went toward things that weren’t legal but can’t remember 😉
I’ll be trying these since the fiber in those quest bars scares me! They look so good!
Hahahahaha love it! Please do- There’s a paleo option! 🙂
I just tried the cookies & cream quest bar for the first time and it was the first flavor I’ve actually enjoyed! That said, even though my budget is bigger than it was in college, those bars add up fast! It’s definitely cheaper making my own! I’ll have to give this a try!
Thanks Liz- Hope you enjoy them!
I think I spent more money on clothes than rent or food during uni. Those were the days haha but I agree with you – I’m completely stubborn and refuse to ever ask my mum for financial help.
Haha, clothing is always a big one too!
Admittedly, I have not gotten to try the cookies and cream bar but now why would I when I have yours?! These look fantastic, Arman. You did a great job with these..perfect for everyone. Have a wonderful day my friend, Catherine
Thanks so much, Catherine! 🙂
I wish I had this recipe in college when living on a student budget in Oxford and trying to cook with only a semi functioning oven! These look amazing, will be trying now I’m home in the heat again! Honestly in college I was not good at budgeting, now I’ve become better after law school.
These are so good! You should make them when you start working!
Definitely going to for some work fuel 🙂
Perfect! Enjoy!
You know what is totally insane!? I have NEVER had a quest bar. I KNOW!
I tried to order a free sample online…and then they never showed UP. SO SAD.
But whatever, I’ll make yours instead. Over it! Pinned!
T-DAWG. What are you?
Smart. You make epic bars which are delicious 🙂
Can you believe I’ve never had a quest bar? I see them everywhere, but never bought them. Your version looks really good though! Cookies and cream anything always sounds so good. Considering I just made homemade granola bars for the first time ever this past weekend, I figure I’m a pro now at the homemade snacks haha.
Thanks heaps, Kelly! You need to try this out- SO GOOD!
I just started the school year again and I understand the college budget! I have a kitchen in my dorm room this year so I’m luckier, but you have to learn how to make your dining hall meal plan stretch! Thankfully my university has amazing options for a college (I’m talking salmon and quinoa some days). The text book prices do not help the budget though! These look so easy to make though. Could you switch out the cookies for freeze dried fruit or other add in to change the flavor?
Right? I swear I should have written a text book myself- Think of how rich we would be! Definitely switch out the cookies for dried fruit 🙂
I’ve never had a Quest bar buuuuut yours look way better. Also, we are the same–if I ever asked my mom for money she would 100% think I was joking. In fact I actually have no idea what she would say because I’m certain she would be so confused.
Right? 100% dependent on myself pride :p
I can’t remember where my money went! That tells you how much I paid attention, haha.
Crap.
Where did my money go?
…….Where DID it go? Omelettes :p
Confession: Even though dairy hurts my stomach, I love quest bars. Thank you for making a dairy free option!!!
of course! Enjoy! 🙂
Oh man, I remember those days when I had to literally count every penny. I’d go digging around under the cushions of the couch in my dorm room for extra change. (I never found any…) I do remember “splurging” to go get cheese quesadillas at a little hole-in-the-wall Mexican place every Friday night. I’d get takeout and then chill out in my dormroom playing video games and watching sports until it was time to go out…or go to bed. Ah, those were the days…now I go to bed at 9pm. Haha! But these bars? Love them! Cookies and cream is one of my all-time favorites!!
Right? Seriously, that 5 cent coin made a difference between brand name drinks and those of subpar quality! Haha how times have changed. I envision you may soon be experiencing the good old times again- Sending over a game boy 😀
Haha college budgets….otherwise known as mac and cheese and ramen noodle diets. I love quest bars, these protein bars look awesome. And cookies and cream is the perfect flavor!
Thanks so much, Aimee- Oh ramen noodles…damn those things haha! My savior!
I might be in love with you right now over these. I still think back to when i took down my first no bake black bean fudge in my NYC hotel room and inspected where the keebler elves were coming from on HOW it could be so good.
and quest bars are totally my snack of choice for “i dont know when the next time im going to eat is and if it i need something to hold me over this protein and fiber better WERK bitch” i also walk around everywhere with popcorn because it’s a serious addiction (i find it in my clothes and hair daily)
add to the list of Arman recipes to make? CHECK
Right? Thanks so much, Meredith! 🙂 I wish you were here now…to help me pack.