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    Hummusapien » Recipes » Snacks » Cookie Dough Protein Bars

    ★★★★★ from 26 reviews

    Cookie Dough Protein Bars

    Published Jan 2, 2023 · Modified Jan 3, 2023 · by Alexis Joseph · 86 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    The best homemade Cookie Dough Protein Bars packed with cookie flavor! Made with whole grain oat flour, cashew butter, and vanilla plant protein with a silky smooth chocolate coating. 10g protein per bar!

    stack of bars with coffee

    Ermygerd. Can I just say that this may be my favorite bar recipe ever to have graced this blog? I mean we all love my Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars and Matcha Protein Bars but I have a soft spot for anything cookie dough.

    A super serious statement, I know.

    There are 176 reasons why this recipe is superb, but the sheer ease of it tops the list. Simply combine everything in a mixing bowl, press dough into a pan, top with chocolate coating, freeze, cut, and devour while pondering how life could be so darn beautiful.

    How to make cookie dough protein bars

    Making homemade protein bars is super simple and super affordable versus buying store bought! Pssst--they're quicker to make than you'd think.

    1. Whisk together oat flour, protein powder, salt and baking soda in a mixing bowl.
    2. Add cashew butter, maple syrup, cashew butter and vanilla.
    3. Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil. Pour silky chocolate coating over bars. Freeze, slice, EAT!
    cookie dough bars with chocolate sliced

    What makes these protein bars PERFECT

    • you don't have to bake them
    • they're made with healthy, plant based ingredients
    • they taste amazing and double as dessert!

    Ingredient tips and substitutions

    • Oat flour: Lotsa oats for texture, nutrition, and cookie flavor. You can make your own by blending oats into a fine powder. Use certified gluten free if needed.
    • Vanilla plant protein: For a protein boost and extra sweetness. I like to use a pea and rice blend. I have not tried these with whey. If you don't have protein powder, you should be able to sub any combo of oats, ground flax or almond flour, but they will be less sweet.
    • Cashew butter: Even more cookie flavor plus healthy fats for mouthfeel and optimal texture. You can use almond butter but they'll be darker and strong in flavor. Peanut butter is a bit more dry and will give a strong peanut flavor. Use sunflower seed butter for nut-free.
    • Maple syrup: For a hint of extra sweetness. Honey syrup or agave will also work.
    • Almond milk: a splash to bring the batter together. Any milk will do.
    • Vanilla extract: For authentic vanilla cookie flavor!
    • Baking soda: Purely for cookie flavor; you can totally omit if you'd like.
    • Chocolate chips: To get that thick layer or chocolate on top.
    stack of four protein bats

    What kind of protein powder is best?

    I always go with plant-based protein powder that's a blend of pea and rice because I love plants! I haven't tried these with whey since I don't cook with it. This and this are my favorite plant-based protein powders. They're also great with these vanilla collagen peptides.

    You want one that's sweetened versus unflavored, as that contributes to the overall taste of these bars. If less sweet bars are your jam, feel free to try unsweetened protein.

    If you don’t have protein powder, you can try swapping it out for more oats, or even throw some ground flaxseed in there!

    How to store bars

    I like to store my bars in fridge for up to a week, but they can also be stored at room temperature.

    Can you freeze protein bars?

    Yes! You can freeze them for up to three months. They're delish right out of the freezer, too!

    stack of three bars with gold knife

    More amazing protein bar recipes

    • No-Bake Matcha Protein Bars
    • No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
    • No-Bake Raspberry Protein Bars
    • No-Bake Banana Protein Bars

    THE SEA SALT ON TOP. Don't you skip it. That would legit be tragic.

    Print
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    Cookie Dough Protein Bars Recipe

    ★★★★★ 5 from 26 reviews
    • Author: Alexis Joseph
    • Prep Time: 20 mins
    • Cook Time: 0 min
    • Total Time: 20 mins
    • Yield: 9 bars 1x
    • Category: Snack
    • Method: No-Bake
    • Cuisine: American
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    The BEST no-bake homemade Cookie Dough Protein Bar recipe that tastes just like a cookie! Made with oat flour, cashew butter, and vanilla plant protein with a silky smooth chocolate coating. 10g protein per bar! Vegan and gluten-free.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale

    For the bars:

    • 1 ¾ cups oat flour (certified gluten-free if necessary)*
    • ½ cup vanilla plant-based protein powder
    • ¼ tsp fine sea salt
    • ¼ tsp baking soda (optional for cookie flavor)
    • ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
    • ½ cup cashew butter (can sub almond butter)
    • ¼ cup almond milk
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract

    For the chocolate topping:

    • ½ cup chocolate chips (dairy-free if necessary)
    • 2 tbsp cashew butter
    • 1 tbsp coconut oil
    • Sea salt, for topping bars

    Instructions

    1. Line an 8x8 inch square baking dish with parchment paper going both ways.
    2. Place oat flour, protein powder, salt, and baking soda in a large mixing bowl, stirring to combine.
    3. Add maple syrup, cashew butter, almond milk, and vanilla. Stir until you have a ball of "dough." Using wet hands, press evenly into prepared baking dish.
    4. Make chocolate coating by placing chocolate chips, coconut oil, and cashew butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second intervals for about a minute, or until melted, stirring each time. Pour chocolate over bars and use a spatula to spread evenly.
    5. Freeze for at least 2 hours before slicing into 9 bars. Top with a sprinkle of salt and devour!

    Notes

    *You can make your own oat flour by grinding old-fashioned oats in the Nutribullet or a high-speed blender.

    Keywords: cookie dough protein bar

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @hummusapien on Instagram. I love sharing what you make!

    About Alexis Joseph

    Oh HEY there! I'm Alexis Joseph, food writer, blogger, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), new mama, and co-founder of local restaurant group, Alchemy. I use my passion for cooking and wellness as fuel to help others ignite a more freeing and happy relationship with food. Learn more about Alexis!

    5 Secrets to Delish, Healthy Lunches

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Sissy Hall says

      September 05, 2022 at 1:36 am

      I make these weekly and use as my breakfast daily. Yum!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        September 06, 2022 at 6:42 pm

        How awesome, thanks Sissy!

        Reply
    2. shannon meyer says

      April 18, 2022 at 3:35 pm

      I make these bars weekly, no lie! They are so delicious- my kids and I love them!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        April 18, 2022 at 5:18 pm

        What a compliment, thank you so much Shannon!!

        Reply
    3. Kim says

      March 11, 2022 at 2:41 am

      These are a weekly staple in our house! Easy to make and delicious right out of the freezer. I've made these with peanut butter, almond butter, and cashew butter and all are great. Thanks for the recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Nicole says

      February 10, 2022 at 3:57 pm

      Absolutely delicious & easy to make!! Will be making weekly from now on. So sorry I slept on these for a few years:/

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        February 10, 2022 at 4:59 pm

        Yayyyy thanks Nicole!!

        Reply
    5. Whitney says

      January 31, 2022 at 4:59 pm

      Love all your bars and bites! Got so tired of store bought bars. Keep the recipes coming!:)

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        January 31, 2022 at 7:59 pm

        Yayyy this is on of my old favorites!

        Reply
    6. Jessica says

      April 26, 2021 at 10:12 pm

      I have made this a ton of different ways and all are delish! Made with tahini, cashew butter and almond butter. The best snack

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        April 29, 2021 at 8:03 pm

        Wahoo! So glad to know the recipe worked those ways 🙂

        Reply
    7. Sandra says

      January 10, 2021 at 8:08 pm

      Keeper!!! So good!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        January 11, 2021 at 4:16 pm

        Fab!! Thanks, Sandra!

        Reply
    8. Carrie says

      January 07, 2021 at 4:17 pm

      This is probably my favorite snack!! I love eating these straight from the freezer. The texture and flavor are both an A+ from me!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        January 08, 2021 at 11:01 pm

        Me too!! Thanks, Carrie 🙂

        Reply
    9. Lakin says

      November 08, 2020 at 4:23 am

      I made these for my girlfriend because she wanted something protein-focused that wasn’t chocolate or peanut butter. I made these with almond butter and we both really enjoyed them! They taste like a healthy fudge. They also keep well in the freezer. Just put one in the fridge at least a day before you plan to eat it. Thanks so much for sharing!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        November 09, 2020 at 12:50 pm

        I'm so happy you loved them! I like them straight from the freezer, too. Thanks, Lakin!

        Reply
    10. Lindsey Grant says

      July 27, 2020 at 6:50 pm

      Does anyone know the macros on this bar or at least the protein for each servings?

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        July 28, 2020 at 3:42 pm

        Just edited to add the nutrition--if you use the Plant Fusion protein powder, they have just under 10g of protein per bar. Enjoy!

        Reply
    11. Lucy says

      June 03, 2020 at 3:03 pm

      Hi this looks good and I'm excited to try. However, I'm confused as to why there's baking soda in the recipe when they aren't baked? Surely that gives a bitter taste?

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        June 03, 2020 at 3:08 pm

        It's just for cookie flavor, you can leave it out if you'd like!

        Reply
    12. vin lookup says

      April 16, 2020 at 4:47 am

      The cake you make is delicious and appealing. I will learn this recipe. Thanks very much.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    13. Nikki says

      April 08, 2020 at 8:16 pm

      I can't stop making these... They are a Fernandez home staple.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        April 10, 2020 at 4:02 pm

        Hhehehe make me a batch!!! JK. Kinda.

        Reply
    « Older Comments

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    Well HELLO there, pal! I'm Alexis. Welcome to Hummusapien, a fantastical food blog brimming with nourishing (always delish!) recipes from a Registered Dietitian plus life tidbits to inspire you to live your most joyful, balanced life. Grab a super hot cup o' joe and let's get cookin'.

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