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. 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
Healthy 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 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
- 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.
Lakin says
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!
Alexis Joseph says
I'm so happy you loved them! I like them straight from the freezer, too. Thanks, Lakin!
Lindsey Grant says
Does anyone know the macros on this bar or at least the protein for each servings?
Alexis Joseph says
Just edited to add the nutrition--if you use the Plant Fusion protein powder, they have just under 10g of protein per bar. Enjoy!
Lucy says
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?
Alexis Joseph says
It's just for cookie flavor, you can leave it out if you'd like!
Nikki says
I can't stop making these... They are a Fernandez home staple.
Alexis Joseph says
Hhehehe make me a batch!!! JK. Kinda.
Nikki says
These are INCREDIBLE! My husband and I like to have protein bars handy for a quick snack and after I made these, he asked why we have ever bought protein bars when I can make these Instead! They’re sooo much better than store bought!
Alexis Joseph says
YAYYY! Thank you a ton for the love, Nik! I truly appreciate you taking the tine to rate the recipe 🙂
amelie says
Very nice. I made them without protein since I didn't have it and it tastes lovely with the coconut oil. Oats contain proteins anyway.
Is the idea to leave these in the freezer for conservation or is the fridge enough? I made a batch of 12 with these quantities and I feel that is the perfect amount for that energy boost!
Alexis Joseph says
Glad you liked them! The fridge is fine 🙂
Lana says
?? thank you for this recipe! I just made it and the hardest part is to wait now 🙂 how do you store these after cutting them (in the fridge or freezer? )
Alexis Joseph says
Either one will work!
Alexis says
YES! That's fabulous, Jennifer. Be sure to try the Matcha Protein Bars, too!
Jennifer C. says
These are as good as they look! I am addicted to sweets and needed healthy options to satisfy my cravings...these did the trick and beyond!
Alexis says
It adds a little cookie flavor but you can leave it out!
Georgia says
These look really good! Why do you use baking soda if these are no bake? Thank you!
Becca says
These were amazing! I made them as a “congrats” treat for my boyfriend. They look so fancy and decadent, you’d never guess how easy they were to put together. I subbed vanilla almond butter for the cashew butter bc that’s what I had on hand. They remind me of my childhood cafeteria favorite “Buckeye Bars” but without all the garbage. So happy I found this recipe and I will definitely be making it again!
Sarah Tonti says
THIS. IS. AMAZING.
Thank you, Alexis! 🙂
Danielle Liszka says
Great healthier alternative to a protein bar! Love the sweetness. I have made this recipe once with cashew butter and once with almond butter, personally I enjoy the almond butter version better but both delicious! Love trying hummusapien recipes, keep creating Alexis! 🙂
Alexis says
Yayyy one of my favorites!!
Alexis says
What a wonderful story! Thank you, Toni 🙂
Toni says
I was looking for a healthy bar to make for my daughter to take this weekend’s surf carnival. The girls on her rowing team need to keep up their strength in between races and so are encouraged to eat snacks constantly.
I used the plant protein powder I had and Brazil nut butter (which I had just made) instead of the cashew butter and used up all the left over baby Easter eggs I had left over!
These are delicious and fit the bill perfectly and I know they are going to love them....now to work out how to keep them cold at the beach on a long hot Australian Summer’s day! ?
Malak says
Soooooooooooo good but mine was too sticky and was hard to spread but still I enjoyed every bite
Krissy says
These are insane!!!! I have made these multiple times, and my whole family is now hooked on them!! So easy to make and so perfect for satisfying my sweet fix after meals
Alexis says
Yayyy thank you so much, Krissy! SUPER glad you liked them.
Jocelyn Rick says
Made with peanut butter. Delicious!
Alexis says
Love that, yum!
Alexis says
I’ve never been to any of those grocery stores, sorry! You can grind old fashioned oats if you can’t find oat flour. I get protein powder on Amazon. Hope that helps!
Ashley says
Where can I find all the ingredients for this could I find them at Hannafords , Shaw's price Chopper ect
Sarah Kamounah says
Hi.
Can I use soy protein instead?
Alexis says
I haven’t tried them with soy protein so I can’t verify the results, sorry! They’re best with a sweetened, vanilla protein powder versus a plain unflavored kind.
Mica says
Any suggestions on what to replace the cashew butter with as I am allergic to nuts! 🙁
Alexis says
Sunbutter!
Alexis says
Awww I’m so glad you love them!!
Natalie E. says
I just wanted to let you know that I make a double batch of these EVERY WEEK! They’re my favorite and an absolute staple because they’re so delicious.
Taylor says
I purchased a pea protein powder that I'm not crazy about drinking. I recently saw your instagram story featuring these bars and thought it would be a great way to use the powder. WOAH, these are absolutely delicious! I top them with maldon sea salt flakes and they are just devine!
lauren says
do you have to store in the freezer, or can you store them in the pantry (after they freeze initially, of course) 🙂 thanks in advance!!
Courtney Glausi says
Update: these are the best things EVER!!!!!!!
Courtney Glausi says
I can't wait to try these! What kind of protein powder do you recommend? Anything that isn't super expensive? 🙂 Thanks!
Angelina says
These sound amazing! Can you use coconut flour instead of oat?
Samantha says
Hi! These look great. I'm wondering what the oat flour can be subbed for? My husband has Celiac disease and is allergic to oats as well.
Any suggestions?
priya says
omg THIS is the recipe for the cookie dough bites served at Alchemy?! bless you. those are little bites of heaven!
how do you think these would be with vega vanilla? (the regular, not the sport)
Dionna says
Okay, I was typing hummus into my search bar so I could tell my son what ingredients are in it. I hit enter and your website popped up. Boy, the universe has a funny way of putting people in your life. I have only seen this cookie dough recipe but CONVINCED we need to be besties cuz you're speaking my language! Beautiful website and recipes! Would you mind if I shared some on my Facebook page?
Bethany says
These would be amazing with my morning coffee!
Alexis says
Indeed!! I know from experience 😉
Eliza says
So I made these and can vouch for the fact that they are 100% amazing. That chocolate topping! Ahhh. Oh my goodness, they actually might be one of my favorite things I've ever made! Seriously. The texture is absolutely perfect. I had one for dessert tonight! I made a few substitutions with ingredients that I had/didn't have on hand and they still turned out beautifully. Peanut butter instead of cashew butter, warm water instead of almond milk, baking powder instead of soda, and for the protein powder, I used a vegan protein powder from the bulk bin section at my co-op. Dang. Off to make more of your recipes:)
Alexis says
OMG yay!! I was hoping someone would make them with PB and report back. So glad all your subs worked! Thanks so much for letting me know 🙂
Maureen Saxe says
Thanks Alexis!!
Karly says
Really!? These are actually healthy!? They look almost too good to be true! I'm in love over here.
Maureen Saxe says
These look nice but I'm wondering why the baking soda if they are no-bake? Does it add a salt element or somehow still add leavening power?
Alexis says
Hey Maureen, I explained in the post that it just adds more of that cookie flavor 🙂
rachel says
These look delicious!! Especially the chocolate + salt on top! I need to get my hands on some cashew butter, I don't have any at the moment but feel like your right about that being the best to get the cookie doughness right. I went to look at getting that $10 sample pack and they're already sold out- been looking for a plant-based protein powder to try out.
Alexis says
It's so so so good! If you make them, let me know what you think 🙂
Alexis says
Wait you're gonna dieeeeeee.
Alexis says
Hey Kynthia! Unfortunately I don't calculate nutrition info but feel free to enter it into an online recipe calculator like Spark Recipes 🙂
Alexis says
I can't wait for you to try them!! Eeeeeeee!
Alexis says
Hey Janet, I know a lot of people like their protein to have some sweetness but if you want a natural unsweetened one, try Plant Fusion Natural: https://rstyle.me/n/cqmqh8b82r7. Most protein powder companies have a natural variety 🙂
Janet says
I don't know why all these protein powders have to add stevia. It's so sickeningly overly sweet. If I want sweet, I will add my own, thank you. Doesn't anyone make just a plain unsweetened protein powder?
Robyn Coale says
PURE MAGIC
Meah Konstanzer says
OMG yasss finally someone who gets the chocolate coating balance!!! I'm always down for chocolate, but when the coating just breaks and falls off, it's a little sad haha. This one looks perfectly melt-in-your-mouth! And sea salt on top. You know it girl! Totally whipping up a batch to store in my freezer.
xxMeah
Alexis says
Right? I'm always so bummed when it crumbles everywhere because I want every last crumb in my mouth 🙂
Kynthia Droesch says
Can you please provide calorie and fat count per bar?
Dylan says
I don't think these could be anymore delicious! ?✨
Alexis says
You would know! So glad that it worked so well in a loaf pan, too.