Chocolate Protein Bars | Easy Vegan No-Bake Recipe - Elavegan (2024)

By Ela on | 25 Comments. This post may contain affiliate links*. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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4.73 from 11 votes

These no-bake chocolate protein bars are super soft, gooey, fudgy, and delicious. This vegan recipe contains only 6 ingredients and is very easy to make! Watch the video below to see the easy instruction steps!

Chocolate Protein Bars | Easy Vegan No-Bake Recipe - Elavegan (1)

Super Soft Chocolate Protein Bars

Say hello to these soft, gooey and fudgy chocolate protein bars which are currently my new favorite dessert! I love all kind of bars such as brownies, peanut butter bars or blondies. I thought a combo of a blondie bar and chocolate might be extraordinarily delicious. And honestly, these bars really didn’t disappoint!

They look similar to homemade Butterfingers, however, they aren’t crunchy. I am pretty sure it would be easy to change the recipe a bit and turn these cashew butter bars into homemade vegan Butterfingers. These protein bars are my new favorite because they are:

  1. Healthier than most chocolate candy bars.
  2. Quick and easy to make without an oven!
  3. Vegan and protein-rich.

Chocolate Protein Bars | Easy Vegan No-Bake Recipe - Elavegan (2)

Just 6 Simple Ingredients

I am not kidding! This recipe is really simple and contains only the following 6 ingredients:

  • Vegan protein powder
  • Nut-butter or seed butter of choice
  • Liquid sweetener of choice
  • Banana
  • Dairy-free chocolate chips
  • Coconut oil

I used a vanilla flavored protein powder which is already sweetened. Therefore, I only added 3 tbsp (60 grams) of sweetener. If your protein powder isn’t sweetened, I would suggest adding about 70 grams of sweetener.

Nut butter: I used cashew butter, however, you can also use almond butter, peanut butter, coconut butter, sunflower seed butter, and even tahini if you don’t mind the slightly bitter taste of tahini.

Liquid sweetener: I used maple sure, but you can certainly also use agave syrup, rice malt syrup, Yukon syrup or any other liquid sweetener.

I also added half of a small banana which acts as a binder and holds the mixture together. Applesauce might work as well (I didn’t try it though) or maybe two flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flax seeds mixed with 5 tbsp hot water).

You can use dairy-free chocolate chips or any dark chocolate of choice.

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How To Make Chocolate Protein Bars?

I recommend using a food processor because it’s easier than using a blender. The procedure is really simple and straight forward:

  • First, process the ingredients for the protein layer in your food processor.
  • Melt the dairy-free chocolate with the coconut oil in a water bath or in a microwave.
  • Pour the chocolate onto the protein layer and put the pan in the freezer to set.
  • Remove the pan from the freezer and cut the deliciousness into bars.
  • Check my step-by-step VIDEO right under the recipe instructions!

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How To Store?

You should store the protein chocolate bars in the refrigerator (for up to 5-6 days) or for up to 3 months in the freezer. I always make sure to have a batch in my freezer, because you never know when the sweet cravings kick in, right?! 😀

When you freeze the bars, make sure to let them thaw for about 20 minutes before serving.

Chocolate Protein Bars | Easy Vegan No-Bake Recipe - Elavegan (5)

These Chocolate Protein Bars are:

  • Vegan (dairy-free)
  • Can be made gluten-free (check your protein powder)
  • No-bake, which means no oven required
  • Healthier than most protein bars
  • Quick and easy to make with only 6 ingredients
  • A delicious dessert

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Should you try out this delicious chocolate protein bars recipe please leave a comment and rating below. Also, don’t forget to tag me in your Instagram or Facebook post with @elavegan and #elavegan because I would love to see how it turned out!

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Make sure to also check out the following vegan chocolate bars:

  • Homemade Snickers
  • Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
  • Cookie Dough Bars
  • Homemade Bounty Bars
  • Chocolate Chip Blondies
  • Oat Breakfast Bars

Chocolate Protein Bars | Easy Vegan No-Bake Recipe - Elavegan (9)

No-Bake Chocolate Protein Bars

Author: Michaela Vais

These no-bake chocolate protein bars are super soft, gooey, fudgy, and delicious. This vegan recipe contains only 6 ingredients and is very easy to make!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 10

Calories 197 kcal

Ingredients

Protein Layer

Chocolate Layer

Instructions

  • Watch the video (scroll down a bit) for easy visual instructions. I recommend using a kitchen scale for this recipe.

  • Line a pan with parchment paper with an overhang on all sides (for easy removal). My pan measures 6x6 inches resp. 15x15 cm (inside measurements). If your pan is much bigger, you should better double the recipe, otherwise, the bars will turn out too thin.

  • Process all ingredients for the protein layer in a food processor. Scrape down the sides of the container and mix again. The dough should stick together when you press it between your fingers. If it's too dry, add more liquid sweetener or banana. If it's too sticky, add more protein powder.

  • Press the dough evenly into the lined pan and put the pan in the freezer.

  • Melt the chocolate chips in a double-boiler or in a microwave and pour the melted chocolate on top of the protein layer.

  • Put the pan back in the freezer for about 30 minutes or until the chocolate is firm.

  • Cut into bars and enjoy! Store leftovers in the fridge or freezer!

Notes

  • I used a vanilla flavored protein powder which is already sweetened. The main ingredient is powdered oat flour. If you use unsweetened protein powder, I would suggest adding more sweetener.
  • You can use almond butter, peanut butter, etc. instead of cashew butter. For a nut-free version, I would suggest sunflower seed butter or coconut butter.
  • I left out the vanilla extract because my protein powder has an intense vanilla flavor which I love!
  • Nutrition facts are for one bar when you cut the batch into ten bars.

Nutrition Facts

No-Bake Chocolate Protein Bars

Amount per Serving

Calories

197

% Daily Value*

Fat

7.2

g

11

%

Carbohydrates

19.5

g

7

%

Fiber

1.9

g

8

%

Sugar

14.3

g

16

%

Protein

12.5

g

25

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically

Equipment

Kitchen scale*

Food processor*

Chocolate Protein Bars | Easy Vegan No-Bake Recipe - Elavegan (10) Simple and Delicious Vegan Cookbook by ElaVeganCLICK HERE to order!

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Chocolate Protein Bars | Easy Vegan No-Bake Recipe - Elavegan (11)

Chocolate Protein Bars | Easy Vegan No-Bake Recipe - Elavegan (2024)

FAQs

What makes a protein bar vegan? ›

Vegan protein bars are rich in both of these things: they're low on sugar because they don't contain any animal products, and they're high in fiber because they're made from whole grains. These two qualities make vegan protein bars an excellent choice for anyone who wants to improve their digestive health.

What is a substitute for protein powder in bars? ›

For example, in place of protein powder, you can use: whole or chopped nuts: peanuts, almonds, walnuts, cashews. nut or seed butter: peanut, almond, cashew, sunflower, tahini. seeds: hemp, flax, pumpkin, sunflower, chia.

Should vegans eat protein bars? ›

If you follow a vegan or plant-based diet, vegan protein bars can be a suitable option. However, if you have no dietary restrictions and prioritize a higher protein content and quality, traditional protein bars may be more suitable for you.

Are there any vegan perfect bars? ›

Perfect Bar Almond Coconut

Perfect Bar makes some of the best tasting protein bars available, and while most are made with honey for sweetness, this one was formulated without, just for vegans.

What is the main ingredient in protein bars? ›

Some bars feature yogurt powder, milk, or dairy proteins like casein and whey, while others use plant-based sources like soy, pea, or brown rice. Some contain egg whites, while others rely on nuts and seeds as a primary protein source.

Is it cheaper to make or buy protein bars? ›

Homemade protein bars are much more cost-effective than buying protein bars at the store. A single protein bar can range from $. 99 to $3.99. This entire recipe (for 16 bars) will cost you less than $5 and you likely already have these ingredients on hand!

What is better than protein bars? ›

Protein shakes: Protein shakes typically contain fewer carbohydrates and fats than protein bars, making them a more concentrated source of protein. A serving of protein powder usually provides 20 to 30 grams of protein with minimal carbohydrates and fats.

How do you get homemade protein bars to stick together? ›

A few other common ingredients are whole nuts and seeds, grains like oats and crispy cereal (which offer fiber and a granola bar–like texture), cocoa powder or chocolate chips, and liquid sweeteners like maple syrup or honey, which help your bars stick together and taste delicious.

Can vegans eat too much protein? ›

It is possible for a person to have too much protein in their diet. Research suggests that for most people, eating more than 2g/kg/d could cause long-term health problems. A person with too much protein in their diet may have the following symptoms: intestinal discomfort.

Can vegans survive without protein? ›

But only two of those are necessary to survive! Without fat and protein, you will die, but you can live just fine without carbohydrates. Even though the body needs glucose to feed certain body parts, your body can create its own sugar from the fat or protein that you eat. This process is called Gluconeogenesis.

What chocolate is surprisingly vegan? ›

Lindt Excellence 70% Dark Chocolate

Lindt Excellence is pretty excellent chocolate (I always used to steal squares of it from the fridge when my mum wasn't looking) and it's pretty naturally vegan, too. The ingredients of these bars include cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, and vanilla.

How is vegan protein different? ›

Vegan protein comes from sources such as peas and rice, which are easy to digest. Many vegan proteins are also a source of fibre and contain digestive enzymes, and even though it is lower in calcium than whey, it is higher in iron.

What is the difference between vegan and non vegan protein? ›

Whey protein powder is a high quality protein derived from cow's milk that contains lactose. Plant-based protein powders are made from various plants, such as brown rice, soy, or pea, and are vegan-friendly and lactose-free.

What is the difference between protein and vegan protein? ›

Generally, animal proteins are known as complete proteins, meaning they contain all nine essential amino acids. While some plant proteins, including pea protein and soybeans, are also complete protein sources, many other plant foods are considered incomplete proteins ( 3 ).

What contains protein vegan? ›

Below, we look at 17 vegan sources of protein that are also nutritious in other ways.
  • Edamame. Edamame are immature soybeans. ...
  • Lentils. Lentils are small, lens-shaped legumes that are great for vegan diets. ...
  • Beans. ...
  • Split peas. ...
  • Tofu. ...
  • Whole wheat pasta. ...
  • Oats. ...
  • Khorasan wheat.

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