Chewy, and naturally sweetened, these Chocolate Mint Protein Bars pack 11 grams of protein into a tasty, no-bake snack. Made with just a handful of simple ingredients, they’re an easy, homemade option you can prep ahead and keep on repeat for quick, high-protein fuel.
"These look delicious!! I think I may make them with sprouted sunflower seeds, because we don't eat a lot of almonds. I love the mint flavor + dates!" -Megan Stevens
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 55 Minutes
- 👪Serves: 5
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 336 kcals and 11 grams of protein
- 📋Main Ingredients: Dates, Almonds, Collagen powder, cacao powder and peppermint extract.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, refined sugar-free, paleo.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: These mint chocolate protein bars are rich, chewy, naturally sweetened, and taste like a healthy dessert while delivering a solid protein boost.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
These dark chocolate mint protein bars strike that sweet spot between indulgent and practical. Naturally sweetened with dates and maple syrup, they’re thick, rich, and perfect for curbing a craving, without turning on the oven (check out these other awesome, no-bake snack recipes). Plus, mint has been known to help digestion, so it's an all-around win.
I keep homemade protein bars stocked in my fridge so there’s always something quick to grab when the afternoon slump hits. It's also what I recommend to my SMASH workout clients. These bars, along with recipes like protein overnight oats, are one of the easiest ways to make snack and breakfast prep feel a whole lot more manageable.
Jump To
💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
Classic flavor: Comforting and uplifting, the chocolate mint flavor is one that gets you up and out the door every time.
Fueling: Each protein bar has 11 grams of protein to help you stay fueled until your next meal and prevent a sugar crash.
Simple ingredients: These mint chocolate protein bars are made with only 6 ingredients and have a rich, chewy, but fudgy texture that busy moms and kids both love.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Dates: Soaking your dates before you need them will make it easier to process them. This is what I do for my best chocolate turtles and homemade energy balls.
- Collagen powder: One of the cleanest sources of protein and the one that blends/mixes the smoothest. Learn more about what collagen powder is.
- Nuts: Any nuts you have on hand will work for the recipe. Mix and match for new tastes.
Quick notes: Protein bars are wonderful for breastfeeding (check out these healthy breastfeeding snacks!), however, peppermint is not, as it's rumored to reduce milk production. If making them as a nursing mom, eliminate the mint.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
Below are a few flavor substitutions you can use to adjust the taste of the mint chocolate protein bar recipe. Most of these work for a peanut butter chocolate protein bars, too.
Nut-free: If you need to skip the nuts, substitute with pumpkin or sunflower seeds instead. Know that lightly roasting the seeds beforehand gives them even more flavor.
Indulgence: Use these date bars as a dessert by drizzling them with coconut milk caramel sauce.
Add-ins: In place of chocolate chips, you could stir in extra nuts or other dried fruits. Likewise, you can add in almond or vanilla extract to change the taste.
Paleo-approved: To make the bars paleo-friendly, you'll have to omit the chocolate chips. Not to worry, though, they're delicious without them too.
How To Make The Chocolate Mint Protein Bar Recipe
Step 1: Soak your dates for 20 minutes to soften them before blending.
Step 2: Combine the blended dates, and nuts in a mini food processor then add to a bowl with the remaining ingredients.
Step 3: Portion into an 8x3, lined, loaf pan and freeze to set.
Step 4: Slice and wrap in parchment paper.
Expert Tips To Make It
Only add water if necessary, and add half a tablespoon at a time. The more water you add, the stickier the bars are.
Both peppermint extract and mint extract work for the no-bake protein bars. So, use what you have.
You can replace the collagen powder with protein powder, but it will change the texture (and taste) of the bars:
- Vegan protein powder absorbs more liquid, so the bars will hold together well, but they'll be drier.
- Beef protein (learn why after 10 years of vegan protein, I switched to beef isolate protein powder) creates a sticky texture; you may need 1-2 tablespoons more powder to hold them together.
The bars are tacky if they've been sitting out, so they're best enjoyed chilled, wrapped in parchment paper.
How To Store Them
Store the mint energy bars in the freezer either in a flat line or separated between layers of parchment paper and in a plastic bag. They'll stay fresh for up to 3 months.
Of course, you can store them in the fridge too, in the same way. However, I personally like them every so lightly chilled from the freezer. They'll be softer in the fridge.
Mint Chocolate Protein Bar FAQs
Protein bars become crumbly when too many dry ingredients are used in comparison to wet ingredients. This happens a lot with vegan protein powder. To fix this, add more nut butter or a splash of liquid.
To get protein bars to stick together, you need a combination of sticky ingredients like blended dates, honey, maple syrup, and nut butters, along with powdered ingredients. If you struggle to get the bars to hold together, you could have added too much water. Add in some extra collagen powder, protein powder, or coconut flour to bulk them up.
If you want to make the mint chocolate bars without protein in them, replace the collagen powder with almond flour. This way, the texture will be similar.
More Easy No-Bake Protein Snacks
If you tried this Mint Chocolate Protein Bar Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Mint Chocolate Protein Bars
Video
Equipment
- Mini food processor
- 8x3 Load pan
Ingredients
- 2 cups Dates soaked in warm water
- ¾ cup Almonds or another nut
- ¼ teaspoon Peppermint extract
- 2 tablespoons Cacao powder
- ⅛ cup Dairy-free chocolate chips as needed
- ¼ cup Collagen powder
- 2 tablespoon Water as needed
Instructions
- In a small food processor, process the almonds until they'rebroken down but still slightly chunky.
- Soak the dates in warm water for twenty minutes (this makes them easier to blend!). Then, process them in the food processor with the almonds until semi-smooth. Only add water if absolutely necesssary.
- Scrape the date and nut mixture into a large bowl and add in the remaining ingredients.
- Mix well to combine. Again, only add water if necessary. Take your time mixing.
- Line an 8x3 pan with parchment paper. Pour the mixture into the pan and using another piece of parchment paper, press the mixture into the pan until even.
- Top with chopped almonds or sea salt if you wish.
- Place in the freezer for at least 45 minutes to firm up. Them slice into bars and wrap them in parchment paper.
Notes
- Soak your dates for 15 minutes in warm water so that they blend easily.
- Grind the almonds first. You can leave some texture to them, but the bars will hold together better with small, super-fine pieces.
- If your mixture is way too sticky, add a bit more collagen powder.
- Once frozen, wrap the individual bars in parchment paper to store them easily as they're sticky when they thaw.
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Shelby S says
These have such a delicious flavor to them! Almost indulgent but also a good pick me up from the mint, love them!
Megan Stevens says
These look delicious!! I think I may make them with sprouted sunflower seeds, because we don't eat a lot of almonds. I love the mint flavor + dates!
fitasamamabear says
Mmm sunflower seeds would be yummy too! I love chocolate + mint- it's such a win!
Carol Little R.H. @studiobotanica says
These look so good!! Can you please advise what you mean by "mint extract"?
Several things come to mind and not certain what you are suggesting we use.
Thanks!
Rachel says
WOW, love the clean ingredients! This is making me hungry... Can't wait to try making them!
fitasamamabear says
Haha they do make a yummy snack 😀
Daniela says
This is totally up my alley! I love making these at home! So delicious!
fitasamamabear says
Anything chocolate is up my alley 😀