Cookie Dough Protein Bar Recipe

An easy and delicious no-bake snack with 12 grams of protein per serving. These cookie dough protein bars are a fun treat to have in the fridge and work as a post-workout snack or an on-the-go snack for busy days. Made with protein powder, cashew butter, and chocolate chips these protein bars are also a hit with kids.

Indulge a craving and fuel your body with these easy cookie dough bars.

Are you looking to step up your snack game and have healthy snack options on hand? This is the recipe for you (along with the Strong and Sweet Protein Guide for serious cravings).

These cookie dough protein bars are soft chewy protein bar loaded with healthy fats and clean ingredients (just like these low calorie protein balls).

Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan they're made with minimal ingredients and store well in the freezer for busy days.

As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I love that this cookie dough protein bar recipe brings all the benefits of quality ingredients and a high protein diet, with all the deliciousness of classic cookie dough flavor (this edible cookie dough does that too!).

Ingredients You’ll Need

If you have a well-stocked gluten-free pantry chances are you already have the ingredients you need to make these cookie dough protein bars. Likewise, learn everything you need to know about making homemade protein bars (step-by-step guide!).

Vegan vanilla protein powder; The kind of protein powder you choose will alter the texture and the flavor of the cookie dough bars. For the best results, use Genuine Health fermented vegan protein powder.

Cashew butter; any nut butter will work in this recipe however cashew butter gives the cookie dough bars a more indulgent silky feel. It's a nice swap in these Gingerbread protein bars too.

Tapioca flour; This is what helps hold the bottom layer of the cookie dough bars together so that you can actually keep them at room temperature without having them fall apart. Arrowroot powder should work fine here too.

Date sugar; the cookie dough bars are sweetened minimally with date sugar and a tiny bit of honey. Though you can swap out the sweeteners a bit this is what makes the protein bars so delicious.

Mini chocolate chips; make sure that your chocolate chips are both certified dairy-free and gluten-free if you need this to be an allergy recipe. I opt for enjoy life chocolate chips.

Know that if you love the cookie dough flavor, you'll also enjoy this cookie dough protein smoothie too.

How To Make Cookie Dough Protein Bars

1. In a large bowl combine all ingredients except the chocolate chips.
2. Mix until sticky.
3. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
4. Line an 8x3 pan and press the protein bars mixture down until smooth.
5. Pop in the freezer to set.

Important Teaching Tips

Different protein powders will alter the texture of the homemade protein bars (and recipes like chocolate protein donuts). This recipe was made with a vegan fermented protein powder which means that the base of the bars thickens and firms up very well and doesn't go soft at room temperature.

However, if you were using a protein powder that is not pea protein-based or a whey protein powder it may make it so that the cookie dough protein bars are a little bit harder to hold when they're not chilled. Adding in some almond flour would help.

If you need the protein bar recipe to be paleo-approved, make sure to use a paleo-based protein powder or collagen powder. In this case, add an extra bulker like almond or coconut flour.

These bars can be stored in the freezer or the fridge but are best eaten at room temperature. That's when they have that soft chewy indulgent cookie dough texture.

Which Protein Powder To Choose

These homemade protein bars are made best when you use Genuine Health Protein powder.

Genuine Health’s Fermented Vegan Protein Powder is one of my favorites because it helps you truly fuel.

Made with 20 grams of plant-based protein, this vegan protein powder is dairy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, and certified organic.

But my personal favorite is that this protein is fermented. This normally meals a little less "protein powder bloat" because it helps break down the grains, nuts, and legumes.

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Flavor Variations

Want to whip up the cookie dough protein bars regularly but need to switch it up so you don't get bored? Below are fun and tasty ways to make the bars seem like "new" again.

Crunch: If you want some additional texture add some chopped pecans to the mix or even just pressed into the top.

Festive: Around the holidays sprinkle some crushed candy canes on top for a hint of peppermint and a festive look (you'd also love these Christmas baked protein oats).

Nut butter: Though the bars use cashew butter, almond hazelnut or regular peanut butter are just as delicious too.

Drizzle: Adding on a chocolate ganache or dairy-free caramel sauce is always delicious and a fun way to make protein bars into dessert.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cookie Dough Protein Bars

More Gluten-Free Protein Recipes You'll Love

• Chocolate-topped, nut-free protein bars
• Collagen donuts
• Protein cookie dough
• Flourless protein brownies
• Overnight cookie dough protein oats
• Cookies and cream protein shake
• Peanut butter and jam protein balls
• Chocolate chip protein powder muffins
• Chocolate fudge protein balls
• High protein cookies
• High protein pancakes
• Yogurt protein pancakes
• Chocolate protein fluff
• Easy, no-bake vanilla protein bar
• High protein snack recipes