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!
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.
And don't miss my Cookie Dough Overnight Oats!
Ingredients
- Oat flour: Lotsa oats for texture, nutrition, and cookie flavor (don't miss my cottage cheese cookie dough bites, too!). 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 or collagen. 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.
Let's make 'em!
Making homemade protein bars is super simple and super affordable versus buying store bought! Pssst--they're quicker to make than you'd think.
- Whisk together oat flour, protein powder, salt and baking soda in a mixing bowl.
- Add cashew butter, maple syrup, cashew butter and vanilla.
- Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil. Pour silky chocolate coating over bars. Freeze, slice, EAT!
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!
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
I like to store my bars in fridge for up to a week, but they can also be stored at room temperature.
You can freeze them for up to three months. They're delish right out of the freezer, too!
THE SEA SALT ON TOP. Don't you skip it. That would legit be tragic.
Print
Homemade Cookie Dough Protein Bars Recipe
- 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
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
For the bars:
- 1 ¾ cups oat flour (certified gluten-free if necessary)*
- ½ cup vanilla 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
- Line an 8x8 inch square baking dish with parchment paper going both ways.
- Place oat flour, protein powder, salt, and baking soda in a large mixing bowl, stirring to combine.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Donna says
Delish and so easy to make!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
YAYYY!
Whitney Long says
I can’t believe I have never left a comment. These are both mine and my husbands favorite bars and I have made them a thousand times. Delish, and so much cheaper and better tasting than store bought!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Ahhh yay!! You made my day, Whitney!
Jessica Flory says
Soooo yummy! Tastes so much like an oatmeal cookie.
Lincoln says
Wow, these were truly incredible. Usually no-bake recipes are "okay" to fill a craving, but these I actually crave and desire on their own! I only had peanut butter on hand, still delicious. This is definitely a healthier way to get my unhealthy chocolate dessert fix on 🙂 Once frozen, my chocolate topping keeps dislodging from the "cookie" part itself when I try to cut and/or eat it... any suggestions? Will definitely make again regardless. Thanks for the recipe!
Alexis Joseph says
So glad you love them! Since chocolate gets crunchy when frozen I'm not sure how to solve that one :/ sorry!!
Michelle says
I don't write reviews often, but these certainly deserved one. THEY ARE SO GOOD! I feel less guilty eating them because they are a "protein bar" but they could easily pass as dessert. I made my own cashew butter, which made them even more creamy and delicious. I thought storing them in the freezer would make them last longer, but they actually just made them even better!
Alexis Joseph says
You made my day! Thanks SO much, Michelle 🙂 You'll have to try the matcha ones, too!
Sissy Hall says
I make these weekly and use as my breakfast daily. Yum!
Alexis Joseph says
How awesome, thanks Sissy!
shannon meyer says
I make these bars weekly, no lie! They are so delicious- my kids and I love them!
Alexis Joseph says
What a compliment, thank you so much Shannon!!
Kim says
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!
Nicole says
Absolutely delicious & easy to make!! Will be making weekly from now on. So sorry I slept on these for a few years:/
Alexis Joseph says
Yayyyy thanks Nicole!!
Whitney says
Love all your bars and bites! Got so tired of store bought bars. Keep the recipes coming!:)
Alexis Joseph says
Yayyy this is on of my old favorites!
Barbara says
Hi.
These look fabulous, but I am wondering if there are any substitutes you can recommend for the nut ingredients??? We have severe nut allergies
Alexis Joseph says
Hey Barbara! You can try sunflower seed butter or tahini!
Jessica says
I have made this a ton of different ways and all are delish! Made with tahini, cashew butter and almond butter. The best snack
Alexis Joseph says
Wahoo! So glad to know the recipe worked those ways 🙂
Sandra says
Keeper!!! So good!
Alexis Joseph says
Fab!! Thanks, Sandra!
Carrie says
This is probably my favorite snack!! I love eating these straight from the freezer. The texture and flavor are both an A+ from me!
Alexis Joseph says
Me too!! Thanks, Carrie 🙂