Homemade Ice Cream Bars (High Protein, Dairy-Free)

These homemade ice cream bars are made with rich vanilla protein ice cream and coasted in a two-ingredient chocolate shell. They’re the perfect way to treat yourself while still sticking to your goals.

Ice cream bars are a summer staple for kids and now they just got better! Made with protein ice cream these bars can be customized with your favorite toppings.

They’re easy to whip up and a healthier version for kids too.

So, skip the store-bought bars and keep a stash of these in your freezer this year!

As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I love working healthy deserts like these homemade ice cream bars into clients' programs and watching their awe that they can get fit and still enjoy food.

You’ll love them because they’re:

• Easy to make
• Cool and refreshing
• Dairy-free, gluten-free, and paleo
• Rich in protein (15 grams)

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses my favorite protein ice cream as the base. From there, you’re just coating the bars in chocolate and topping them with your favorites.

Coconut milk: for these homemade ice cream bars you’ll need a can of full-fat coconut milk. Make sure to pop it into the fridge overnight so that it gets extra hard and drain all the water from it before blending. This is what replaces the sweetened condensed milk in traditional ice cream recipe.

Collagen powder: is what gives this homemade ice cream a protein boost! Collagen powder is the cleanest form of protein means that this protein ice cream is also great for kids.

Pasteurized egg yolks: Opt for the “creations” brand which comes in a carton and double-check it's pasteurized. This means that no unhealthy bacteria can get in.

Vanilla extract:  the more potent the vanilla is the better flavor will come out in the ice cream bars.

Honey: raw honey is best and you don’t need a lot!

Chocolate chips: make sure to use allergy-friendly chocolate chips as needed for the coating.

Coconut oil: this is what will make the shell of the homemade ice cream bars harden up (just like in these magic shell recipes).

How To Make Homemade Ice Cream Bars

1. Make the ice cream by combining all the ingredients in a blender until smooth.
2. Portion into silicone popsicle molds and add the sticks.
3. Pop in the freezer for at least 8 hours.
4. The next day, melt the chocolate and coconut oil so that it’s runny.
5. Transfer the melted chocolate to a glass.
6. Very quickly and in small batches, dip each ice cream bar into the melted chocolate.
7. If using toppings, after dipping it into the chocolate roll it in the toppings.
8. Place a piece of parchment paper on a cutting board and get them back in the freezer.

Step By Step Photos

Important Teaching Tips

The original protein ice cream recipe calls for vanilla stevia and sprinkles. Omit this and just use a vanilla extract. You don’t need the added sweetness in the ice cream bars as you’ll be coating them in chocolate.

The homemade ice cream bars really have to be frozen. Keep them in the freezer for a solid eight hours or you’ll have a drippy mess.

When you’re dipping the bars you need to move quickly. They will start to melt.

If you want toppings on the bars have a plate beside the chocolate so that as soon as the chocolate drips off you press them into the toppings.

If you’re making a lot of homemade ice cream bars, do the dipping in small batches (about three) and get them back in the freezer. You only have about half a minute to dip them before they start to get soft and runny.

If you want to make double chocolate ice cream bars, just add 1 tablespoon of cacao or cocoa powder to the ice cream mixture.

Choosing Collagen Powder

It’s no surprise that these ice cream bars are made with collagen powder!

All the protein without the bloat.

I use collagen powder for amping up protein and boosting gut health.

Learn about the difference between collagen and bone broth as how to increase protein intake.

Honestly, as a busy mom collagen powder just makes it easy to eat more protein and not feel like I’m living off chicken and eggs.

And more protein means more energy, more natural beauty, and feeling your BEST.

Plus, in recipes like this, you can sneak protein into your kids as it’s one of the purest sources.

I grab my collagen from Perfect Supplements because they source their collagen from pasture-raised (grass-fed) cows. So, I trust it.

Grab some collagen powder and use code mamabear10 to save some money.

What Kind Of Popsicle Molds To Use

After having made a zillion popsicles and gluten-free frozen treats for kids these last few years, I now opt to use the flat popsicle molds as they’re so much easier.

These silicone popsicle molds make it easy to lay the popsicle mixture into the freezer (without knocking off the sticks at the top!) and they’re way easier to get the frozen popsicle out of the mold (you don’t even need hot water!).

Trust me, opt for the flat ones.

Fun Toppings

 You can leave the ice cream bars as is or top each ice cream bar in a custom, crunchy topping. Some of our favorites have been:

• Crushed peanuts
• Toasted coconut
• Sprinkles
• Sea salt

Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Ice Cream Bars

Other High Protin Desserts

• Peanut butter protein ice cream
• Chunky monkey protein powder ice cream
• Peanut butter protein fudge