You’ve never met a protein bar like THIS before. My Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bars are a game changer, because they taste so much like a delicious dessert, you’ll forget that they’re even healthy!
Whether you’re looking for a delicious post-workout treat, or a lunchbox snack for your kiddos, these chocolate chip cookie dough protein bars are guaranteed to be a hit. Oh, and they’re vegan, gluten-free, and way better than those famous refrigerated protein bars (if you know, you know).
There are few things in this world that are better than cookie dough, and in my opinion, I like to view cookie dough as a love language of its own. There are a million different types, from the typical Nestle Tollhouse cookie dough to my Life Changing Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies, and each one is delicious in the own right. Asking me to pick a favorite type of cookie dough is like asking me to pick a favorite child, which goes without saying that it’s literally IMPOSSIBLE.
But I do have to say, these chocolate chip cookie dough protein bars are probably one of my greatest cookie dough creations to date. They were born out of a simple desire: to enjoy the cookie dough flavor that I know and love, while still supporting my nutrition and fitness goals. Now, these aren’t your typical protein bars, and they aren’t your typical cookie dough, either. They are hearty, delicious, squares of chocolatey goodness, and the desire to eat the whole tray will be REAL.
I recommend making these at the beginning of the week, and having them to snack on when you need a sweet treat, post-workout or not! When the chocolate cravings hit, you’ll be grateful that you have these sitting in the fridge. They store great up to one week in the fridge!
What You Need to Make These Chocolatey, Delicious Protein Bars
These bars are vegan-friendly, dairy-free, gluten-free, and refined-sugar free. Oh, and they only use seven different ingredients. Does it get any better than that?!
- Cashew Butter: I love cashew butter because it’s nice and creamy, yet packed with protein. Don’t skip this!
- Maple Syrup: If you’ve followed my recipes for a while, then you’ll know that I love maple syrup. It’s my favorite natural sweetener!
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract is crucial for any cookie-related business.
- Baking Soda: You might be thinking, WHY do I need to add baking soda to a recipe that we aren’t even baking? The answer is because baking soda has a distinct taste that is in cookies. So, if we are making protein bars that actually TASTE like chocolate chip cookies, then you need to add some baking soda. Don’t ask questions, just do it!
- Unsweetened Protein powder: Pick your favorite protein powder, or you can replace this with collagen peptides!
- Salt: A little salt helps balance out the sweetness.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: After all, what is chocolate chip cookie dough without chocolate chips?!
How to make these Decadent Protein Bars
These bars are incredibly easy to make, and are practically fool-proof! All it takes are a few simple steps. I promise, you can’t mess it up.
Simply start by lining an 8×8 square pan with parchment paper, and mix all of your ingredients together in a bowl. Reserve about 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips, and melt them down with some coconut oil to make the chocolatey topping. I do this in the microwave, in 2 separate 30-second increments.
Next, press your dough into the pan, until it’s spread out evenly. Then, drizzle a layer of chocolate across the tops of the bars.
Refrigerate your bars for 3 hours, and then slice into 12 equal slices. Store in the fridge for up to one week, and enjoy!
What recipes to make next!
If you loved this recipe, here are some others that you may enjoy making next!
Creamy Chocolate Cheesecake Bars
Pecan Chocolate Chip Shortbread Bars
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a rating and comment below, and tag me on Instagram so I can repost your beautiful creations! Enjoy! xx
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Cups Cashew Butter
- ¼ Cup Maple Syrup
- ½ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ⅛ Teaspoon Baking Soda
- ¾ Cup Unsweetened Protein Powder, can also substitute for collagen peptides
- ¾ Teaspoon Salt
- 1 ¼ Cups Mini Chocolate Chips, divided (melt 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips with 1 tsp coconut oil), and keep remaining 1/2 cup intact to mix into the bars)
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 square pan with parchment paper (grease inside first so that the parchment paper sticks).
- In a large bowl, mix together all of the ingredients, including the 1/2 cup of chocolate chips, then transfer the dough into the pan, using your hands to press down evenly.
- Melt the 3/4 cup chocolate chips with the coconut oil, until smooth. I do this in the microwave in 2, 30-second increments.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the bars.
- Refrigerate for 3 hours, then gently slice into 12 bars.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Rate & review
SELECT A RATING and tell me what you think!
What others are saying
You have to make these !!! Without a doubt the best recipe I’ve made to date! Didn’t even need to add chocolate chips to the “cookie dough “ base. UNBELIEVABLY GOOD!!!!
You are too sweet, Sara! Thank you so much!!
I made these tonight. So good & so easy!!
So happy to hear you enjoyed it, Joy! Thank you!
I made these for my family, and they are so good. And I didn’t even add the chocolate layer on top!
Question, I’m allergic to cashews; what not butter works be the closest substitute?
Hi! You can substitute in any nut or seed butter; some of my favorites are almond butter or sunflower seed butter!
I can’t even express how much I love this recipe. I love it so much, actually, that I now prep these cookie dough bars every single week since they were originally posted on Instagram! I love starting my morning with them and as a previous refrigerated-protein-bar-purchaser, I love that these have natural ingredients, are good for you, and how much money I save by making these. Recently I’ve been omitting the top layer of chocolate on my bars just to get some variety. I love them!
WOW, this completely makes my day. Thank you SO much Hannah for all of your sweet words! I’m so happy these have found a permanent home in your routine, and that you love them so much!
These are so satisfying!! Tastes exactly like cookie dough, will continue to make these 🙂 Thanks so much, Nicole!
Aren’t they so good?! So happy you’re loving them Julie, thanks for your review!
Just made these today. Super easy and delish! Hubby loved them. I used good ol PB as I am not a fan of cashew butter but will try next time w almond butter. Thank you for the recipe!
Woohoo! I’m so glad it worked out well for you with the peanut butter. Thanks so much for your review, Nancy!
I made these this morning, and as the last person to comment, I also used peanut butter (I only had a spoonful of cashew butter on hand). I decided to leave out the chocolate chips but still did the chocolate layer on top, I went for dark chocolate. I’m a big fan! They came together super quickly; I’ll definitely be making these again.
Woohoo!! Love that you were able to find a solution that works for you, Jackie! Thank you so much for making this recipe, and for leaving such a sweet review!
Loved these!! As a busy fitness instructor who frequently grabbed the store bought refrigerated option, these were way better!! Thank you.
Yay! Aren’t they so much better?! I am so happy to hear that, as a fitness instructor, these turned out well for you, Jennifer! Thank you so much for your review!
These look and sound amazing! But I’m curiiis why they need some baking soda if they never go in the oven??
Hi Lindsay, good question! To quote the blog post, “You might be thinking, WHY do I need to add baking soda to a recipe that we aren’t even baking? The answer is because baking soda has a distinct taste that is in cookies. So, if we are making protein bars that actually TASTE like chocolate chip cookies, then you need to add some baking soda. Don’t ask questions, just do it!”
Can you approximate the calories in these bars and what brand-name chips and cashew butter you use? Thank you in advance
Hi Mary! I do not include nutritional information on my blog, including calorie counts, and you can read why here: https://kalejunkie.com/why-i-decided-not-to-include-nutrition-information-on-my-blog/
These are fabulous! My entire family loved them!!!!
Yay! I am so happy to hear that, Jackie!