No Bake Protein Bars Topped With Healthy Chocolate
Protein bars are an ideal snack for moms and kids. They’re easy, healthy and portable. They keep you full and when made properly, they’re a great way to boost nutrition. These bars (like my vanilla protein bars) are just that!
If you came to my house (it’s a mess, please don’t!) the one thing you would find consistently (besides the mess) is a freezer full of healthy snacks. Seriously, it’s one of the things I am very particular about. As a busy mom to (almost!) two, I need snacks on hand all. The. Time.
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Thus, protein bars, muffins, energy balls and bars are a given in my freezer at all times. I like to make them in big batches and just grab them as I need them.
These protein bars are especially perfect because they’re nut free, which means can take them t most public areas without fear of someone having a reaction. The bars are “no bake” which means easy to throw together and they taste good.
Plus, the chocolate topping is mildly healthy which means baby bear can eat them!
A note on protein powders…
For this recipe, you need to use whey protein. Whey protein mixes better than plant based and keeps a sweeter flavor. Plant based protein powders tend to absorb more liquid than whey meaning that they not only become super dense but also leave a gritty tasty also.
And if you plant protein powders are anything like mine, they’re “enhance” with super foods. Which is awesome, except in a recipe like this one which is very simple, it makes the bars taste horrible.
Ingredients In The Protein Bars
- 3 scoops vanilla whey protein powder
- 1 cup oats
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil, measured solid
- 3/4 cups sunflower seed butter
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/8 cup almond milk
Chocolate Topping
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil, measured solid
- 1/4 cup raw cacao
- 1/2 pack of stevia or 2 tablespoons sugar of choice
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
How To Make The No Bake Bars
In a large bowl, mix together the protein powder and oats.
In a small bowl, whisk the sunflower seed butter and syrup until smooth.
Pour the butter into the oat mixture and mix until combined.
Very slowly add in the almond milk, you may not need it all. Combine until the mixture looks sticky.
Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper. Pour the mixture into the pan and use another piece of parchment paper on top to press the oats into the pan evenly. Press down hard to make them really stick together,
Place in the freezer.
While the bars are freezing, make the chocolate coating.
In a small pan, heat the coconut oil over low heat. Slowly add in the raw cacao and whisk until no clumps remain. The mixture will be runny.
Whisk in the stevia or sweetener of choice.
Remove the bars from the freezer and pour the mixture over top making sure to get all areas- use a silicone spatula for this.
Once covered, return the bars to the freezer t set (about thirty minutes).
Remove from the freezer and cut into 8-10 bars. Keep in the freezer until ready to eat and thaw for 5-10 minutes before consuming.
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These no bake protein bars are quick to make and tasty to eat! Nut free and topped with chocolate they’re a win with kids!
Ingredients
- 3 scoops vanilla whey protein powder
- 1 cup regular oats
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil, measured solid
- 3/4 cups sunflower seed butter
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/8 cup almond milk
Chocolate Topping
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil, measured solid
- 1/4 cup raw cacao
- 1/2 pack of stevia or 2 tablespoons sugar of choice
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the protein powder and oats.
- In a small bowl, whisk the sunflower seed butter and syrup until smooth.
- Pour the butter into the oat mixture and mix until combined.
- Very slowly add in the almond milk, you may not need it all. Combine until the mixture looks sticky.
- Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper. Pour the mixture into the pan and use another piece of parchment paper on top to press the oats into the pan evenly. Press down hard to make them really stick together,
- Place in the freezer.
- While the bars are freezing, make the chocolate coating.
- In a small pan, heat the coconut oil over low heat. Slowly add in the raw cacao and whisk until no clumps remain. The mixture will be runny.
- Whisk in the stevia or sweetener of choice.
- Remove the bars from the freezer and pour the mixture over top making sure to get all areas- use a silicone spatula for this.
- Once covered, return the bars to the freezer t set (about thirty minutes).
- Remove from the freezer and cut into 8-10 bars. Keep in the freezer until ready to eat and thaw for 5-10 minutes before consuming.
If you’re looking for a quick, healthy and filling snack this is it! No bake protein bars are tasty, easy to make and are perfect for school lunches, play dates or munching on in the car while you’re running around. Make a big batch, keep them n your freezer and you’ll be thankful you had something healthy to grab while running out the door!
Looking for more tasty snacks? Check out my favorite Chewy Granola Bars or these No Bake Cherry Vanilla Balls
I made my own protein bars out of whey protein about a year ago. I should do it again. Your bar recipe looks amazing. I love that they’re no-bake! So easy!
I love protein bars and only go with no bake- mainly because I’m lazy haha but also because baking whey makes the bars taste dry to me- give this recipe a shot and let me know how you like them!
They look yummy, thank you for this post. Now I will start keeping healthy snacks on hand too.
Life is so much easier when you have something healthy to reach for instead of having to make something in the moment!
These look and sound delicious! I really do need to give protein powder a try and get baking again! Sim xx
My advice is t =o just find the right kind of protein powder for YOU. There’s so many options out there so do your research! And then enjoy tastiness 😀
These no bake protein bars sound awesome. They are so simple to make and they looks so delicious and healthy. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Ophelia! I love everything no bake haha makes life so much easier!
Adding these to my must try list! FYI, these would be super easy to make gluten free as well.
Let me know how you like them- and yes, they are easy to make gluten free! I always forget to brand them that way… thanks!
Since we started taking our workouts seriously, we’ve been experimenting with bars as pre- and after-workout snacks. I think this would fit the bill nicely! Love how it’s no bake. I’m not sure what kind of protein powder we have…I will check later. Thanks for the tip!
Homemade protein bars are awesome! There’s soo many ways to make them (so stay tuned!). I personally like making no bake ones as I find baking with whey dries them out. Regardless, find one you love and enjoy!
I can’t wait to try these out!! Looks great!
Thanks! I have a multiple batches in my freezer 😀 Let me know how you like them!
If ever I am to replace stevia with something else (as we don’t have it here) do you think that honey will do? if yes, how much do you think I should add in? This recipe looks so convenient and healthy and I’m pretty sure that vs those treats you get at your local coffee shop or starbucks store this is way healthier and cheaper so YAY! <3
Definitely a healthier version that a store bought one 😉 As for stevia, it’s potent sweetener so you normally don’t need as much. For this recipe you can use 2 tablespoons of whatever sugar you wish (I like cane sugar or coconut palm sugar). But truthfully, since the stevia is just for the chocolate topping I would start with two tablespoons, taste test to see if you like the sweetness and then add more as needed. I like my chocolate fairly dark so it depends on preference!
Yum! These sounds amazing and easy enough to make! Ill have to try it!
XO-Lisa
http://www.thatssodarling.com
They’re super tasty!
Wow what a great idea and easy meal to have on the run! Not just great for mothers but all 🙂
Yes! So much easier when everything is already made and in the freezer- I live off of grab and go 😀
THESE LOOK SO STINKIN’ YUM!!!! I wonder if my husband would like them if I made them for him! He is always trying to find quick, on the go meals when he’s out and about during meal times!
Ah thanks so much lady! They’re pretty tasty! They make the perfect on-the-go snack because you can keep them in the freezer and then just grab and go. Tell him to give them a shot and definitely let me know!
It looks so yummyyyy. Will definitely try this yummy recipe.
It’s a really tasty one- I love it! Let me know what you think!