Cookies and Cream Protein Bars
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My cookie and cream protein bars are one of my favorite high-protein snacks, packing 14 grams of protein each. They are soft, chewy, and have real sandwich cookie pieces in every bite.
Not to brag, but, well… I’m going to. I’m quite an expert on homemade protein bars, having tested so many recipes and built quite a collection. During college, I had a full-fledged love affair with Quest Cookies and Cream protein bars, so of course, I’ve decided to try making them from scratch. These thick and chewy bars have the same base as many of my other bar recipes- coconut flour, protein powder, and maple syrup. The difference here is that I add finely crushed sandwich cookies. I know they’re not the healthiest (okay, not even remotely), but I’m only using two for the entire recipe, so it barely counts.
Table of Contents
Arman’s recipe highlights
The shortlist of ingredients. No corn syrup, hidden sugars, or “natural flavor.” What you see is what you get. Don’t even get me started on what was in those Quest ones…
Stable at room temperature. I developed the ideal combination of ingredients to make sure the bars travel well and do not need refrigeration. Saying that, I do keep them in the fridge for long-term storage.
Actually high protein. Many recipes labeled ‘high protein’ have just 4 or 5 grams per serving. These pack in at least 14 grams each, and I’ll also include a trick to increase them even further.
Key Ingredients and Tips
- Oat flour. If I have rolled oats at home, I’ll usually make my own oat flour, but you can buy them from the store instead. Use gluten-free oat flour if needed.
- Coconut flour. Works with the oat flour to keep the bars extra chewy. If you don’t want to use this, extra oat flour works just fine.
- Protein powder. I typically use vanilla casein, as it yields the best texture and adds sweetness. Vanilla brown rice or pea protein is also great. I don’t recommend whey, as it can be quite wet and difficult to shape into bars.
- Almond butter. Smooth and drippy with no added sugar or salt. Any nut or seed butter will work as long as it is smooth (my partner loves these with cashew butter).
- Maple syrup. Gives the protein bars sweetness and holds them together. Honey or brown rice syrup is a great alternative.
- Chocolate cookies. Oreos or other Sandwich cookies work well. They do need to be crushed, so throw them into a ziploc bag and use a rolling pin (or your hands, I don’t judge) to crush them up.
- Milk. Depending on the protein powder you use, the ‘dough’ may be a little crumbly. If that happens, add milk (or water), one tablespoon at a time, until it’s workable.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to make
Step 1- Prep. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Step 2- Combine dry ingredients. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, protein powder, and sweetener.
Step 3- Add the wet ingredients. Stir in the almond butter and syrup until a crumbly batter remains.
Step 4- Finish the batter. Using a spoon, add milk one tablespoon at a time until a thick batter forms. Fold in the crumbled cookies.
Step 5- Refrigerate. Transfer the batter to the pan and press it into place. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm.
Expert tips
- Pick the right protein powder. Aka use a protein powder you like the taste of. You’ll be able to taste subtle notes of it throughout.
- My #1 tip when slicing no-bake bars is to use a warm, sharp knife. I like to run hot water over the knife, carefully dry it, then slice. You might have to repeat this in between each slice, but it’ll help guarantee smooth, even cuts.
- Adjust the mixture as needed. If you notice your bar mixture is crumbly/thick, slowly add milk or water to loosen it and make it workable. If it’s too wet, add a little extra oat flour or protein powder.
- Add even more protein. If I have some extra time, I like to whisk 1/4 cup of vanilla protein powder with some milk and one tablespoon of powdered sugar. It makes a mock ‘icing’ that I drizzle over the bars, and chill until they set.
Storage notes
I like to keep leftover bars in the fridge, covered. They will keep well for about 2 weeks (although good luck having them last that long). You can also freeze them in a Ziploc bag for up to 6 months.
I mentioned them being room temperature stable– just keep them covered in parchment paper or in a grease-proof bag.
More homemade protein bar recipes
Cookies and Cream Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup oat flour
- ½ cup coconut flour can sub for more oat flour
- 1 cup vanilla protein powder
- 2 chocolate sandwich cookies crumbled
- ½ cup almond butter can sub for any nut or seed butter
- ½ cup maple syrup can sub for honey or brown rice syrup
- 1/4 cup milk ** See notes
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the oat flour, coconut flour, and protein powder. 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 forms. Gently fold through the crumbled cookies. .
- Transfer to lined baking dish and press firmly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Yeah, college, I remember those days! Love cookies and cream and will definitely try these ! Pinned!
Please do, Mira! 🙂
I literally have no words. These look amazing. Do you ship to Canada? Better yet… do you deliver in person?
Your a gem. I will deliver in person! 😀
Just wait until you’re using that blender to guzzle fruit smoothies. Mark my words, it’ll happen.
I love the look of the frittata with cheese. Mmm.
I made zucchini roll ups once. They were inedible. Maybe I should have busted out the blender instead.
Someone made a ball gown out of Quest Bars? I think I might hurl.
I like your sketch free version. Speaking of sketchy, in college, I lived on Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and cheap beer.
Hahaha it was you, wasn’t it! 😉
I’m not going to lie, most of my budget went on alcohol… Then food! But the legal age in the UK is 18 so at least it was all above board! Haha!
Favourite grab and go snack is dates – although I have found these date rolls here that are either coated in coconut, almonds or pistachios! So addicted!
Hahahaha YES team legal at 18! Ohhhh you’re in for a treat- I’m recreating the ‘Summer roll’ in a paleo style 🙂
My money went to books. Not textbooks, books for pleasure I bought off Amazon because there was no fiction section in the library. I was still reading, so I told myself I could slack off on other studies.
Oh nice! I love reading!
My college student is pretty pathetic in the cooking dept although I imagine he will learn at some point. Right now all he ever cooks is kale. I know, that’s a bizarre one, isn’t it? Anyway, I might just have to make these and send a care package!
If I was your son, I would be bribing you to fedex some home goodies on a consistent basis! But KALE? Wow. That’s impressive!
Well since I will eventually run out of quest bars, this could be a good option, although I own none of those ingredients. Not yet!
YES! Do it, Tonya- I wish there was a way to send stuff, I’d send you all my no bakes seriously!
I love this cookie and cream bars, and you used my favorite flour! 🙂 And, I have to admit I love the chocolate chip cookie dough Quest bars — they are always in my pantry.
ooooo I love that- That’s coming up in the new future 🙂
These look like healthy quest bars to me!! Cookies n Cream anything is a win in my book.. and when you take out any nasty ingredients – I’m all for it!
Thanks so much, Elizabeth!
Coming from someone who doesn’t like Quest bars, I am so excited to try these out! I’m going to be an incoming college freshman, so I don’t know exactly where all my “extra” money is going to go, but I have a suspicion it is going to all go to food 😀
Thanks for the natural, high quality protein bar recipe! I have a feeling this is going to be one of my new favorite treats!
Please do, Alison- I like where all your money will be going towards 🙂
Not in college yet, but my money usually goes into food and other knacks I find at the mall or online!
My go-to snack is Greek yogurt with peanut butter or cacao powder and Stevia–but sometimes I go crazy and make a mini stack of coconut flour pancakes! If I’m out and about, I like a nice Quest bar or any healthy bar out there 😀
Hahaha love it!
Ahhh the college budget. I’m impressed with you saving up and not phoning your parents when times got a little tougher. I think I’m more on the same boat as your sis ;). But anywhooo, these look amazing! King of the No-Bake ANYTHING.
Hahaha such a princess :p
Thanks buddy!
I’m glad I didn’t really know about the delight of Quest Bars until recently. These creations you’ve come up with sound just divine … if only you could send me a batch! 🙂
Haha, promise I will make them for you in person when I’m on the West coast 🙂