No-Bake Chocolate Protein Bars come together in just 15 minutes and are each packed with 10 grams of protein! Ditch the store-bought bars and try making your own right at home.

four chocolate protein bars stacked

Homemade Protein Bars

If there’s one thing we can all probably use a little more of in our diets, it’s protein. Protein is a macronutrient that is important for keeping our muscles and bones healthy.

But put more simply (and not to get too sciency), protein also helps keep us feeling full and energized.

And that’s where these No-Bake Chocolate Protein Bars come in! Each protein bar is packed with 10 grams of protein and 3.5 grams of fiber that will help keep you feeling full. They’re similar to my Peanut Butter Protein Bars, but instead of being flavoured with peanut butter, they’re flavoured with (you guessed it) chocolate.

Not only that, but this protein bar recipe is also much healthier than most store-bought protein bars, which are often packed with added sugars, carbs and ingredients you can’t pronounce.

Why you’ll love this Chocolate Protein Bar recipe

  • 15 minutes to make. You heard that right. You can make your very own homemade healthy chocolate protein bars in just 15 minutes.
  • No fancy kitchen gear needed. All you’ll need is a couple of mixing bowls, a spoon and a pan for the bars. No need to reach for any mixers or fancy equipment!
  • Great for most diets. These Chocolate Protein Bars are gluten-free, grain-free, vegan, refined sugar-free and can be made keto but using a sugar-free syrup substitute and keto chocolate.
  • Freezer-friendly. One thing I love about this recipe is that the bars can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months and eaten directly out of the freezer.

Protein bar ingredients

  • Almond Flour: This makes up the base of the bar. Almond flour is packed with protein and is grain-free and gluten-free which makes it perfect to use in protein bars! If you don’t have almond flour you could also substitute for oat flour.
  • Protein powder: Any of your favourite unflavoured or vanilla flavoured plant-based protein powder. If you don’t like protein powder, you can substitute it with more almond flour. Just keep in mind if you do this, the bars will have less protein in them overall.
  • Cocoa powder: This is what will give the protein bars their chocolate flavour! Make sure to use a good quality cocoa powder for the best taste.
  • Salt: Did you know that salt can help enhance the flavour of chocolate? Just a small pinch is all you’ll need! If you love the sweet and salty flavour combination you can also sprinkle the finished bars with some Maldon sea salt.
  • Almond butter: I recommend using natural runny Almond butter (The kind that drizzles off the spoon) for this recipe. But you can use any type of almond butter you have on hand. You can also substitute this ingredient with peanut butter, cashew butter or even sunflower seed butter.
  • Maple syrup: The sweetener for these bars! You could also use brown rice syrup or honey. (Make sure to use a liquid sweetener to help bind everything together.)
  • Vanilla extract: to add some flavour. Vanilla can also help enhance the chocolate taste!
  • Dark chocolate: I recommend 70% dark chocolate. This will be used to create the chocolate topping on the bars. This is optional to add but definitely makes the protein bars more delicious!
  • Coconut oil: this is added to the dark chocolate topping to help it set and make it easier to cut into without cracking.
a stack of four chocolate protein bars

How to make No-Bake Chocolate Protein Bars

Step 1

Mix the almond flour, protein powder, cocoa powder and salt together in a large mixing bowl. In another mixing bowl, stir the almond butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract together.

  • almond flour, cocoa powder and protein powder in a mixing bowl
  • almond butter in a mixing bowl

Step 2

Add the wet ingredients to the bowl of dry ingredients and mix together until combined. If the dough feels a little too dry you can add 1-2 teaspoons of almond milk to the dough and continue to mix.

Tip: I find it easiest to start mixing the dough together with a spoon, and then switch to mixing with your hands.

  • almond butter in a mixing bowl of dry ingredients for protein bars
  • chocolate protein bar dough

Step 3

Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper and then press the chocolate protein bar dough evenly into the pan. Melt the dark chocolate and coconut oil together in a microwave-safe bowl and then pour chocolate on top of the bars. Place in the fridge to set for at least 3 hours or overnight, then cut into even bars.

  • chocolate protein bar dough pressed into an 8x8 inch pan
  • chocolate protein bars topped with melted dark chocolate

How to store Protein Bars

Fridge: these protein bars can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. (After that you’ll notice they will start to become a little dry.)

Freezer: These bars freeze very well and can even be eaten directly out of the freezer! To freeze them transfer the bars to a freezer-safe container or to a freezer-safe bag and place them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

What protein powder is best for protein bars?

There are so many different types of protein powder on the market it can be overwhelming to know which one to choose!

I’ve tried many different brands and flavours of protein powder, and the one I find to be the best is the Epic Protein from Sprout Living. I use the original epic protein which is unflavored in this recipe. I find this protein has the smoothest taste and texture in recipes. You can save 20% off your order with sprout living with the code “choosingchia.”

Are chocolate protein bars healthy?

Many store-bought Chocolate Protein Bars are packed with added sugars, fillers and additives that make them not so healthy. (Even some of the ones that are marketed as being a health food!)

That’s why it’s such a great idea to make your own homemade protein bars. This recipe is perfectly healthy and made with wholesome good-for-you ingredients.

Expert tips for making Chocolate Protein Bars

  • Use almond flour, not almond meal. Almost flour is more finely ground and will result in a better consistency for the protein bars.
  • If your dough is dry, add a touch of almond milk and continue to mix. If after that you find it’s still too dry to stick together, try adding a little more almond butter. (Depending on the brand you use you might need a little more)
  • To cut the bars, let the bars sit on the countertop for 5 minutes before slicing. This will allow the chocolate topping to warm up slightly so it won’t crack when you cut into the bars.
  • Make sure to store these bars in the fridge or freezer. They won’t store well on the counter and won’t hold their shape.
two chocolate protein bars on parchment paper

Try these No-Bake recipes next!

If you tried these No-Bake Chocolate Protein Bars or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for even more deliciousness!

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four chocolate protein bars stacked

No-Bake Chocolate Protein Bars

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  • Author: Jessica Hoffman
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 15 bars 1x
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Mix
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free
Print Recipe

Description

It’s easy to make Chocolate Protein Bars right at home in just 15 minutes!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups almond flour
  • 1/2 cup protein powder
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 3/4 cup almond butter (can sub peanut butter, cashew butter etc.)
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tsp almond milk, as needed
  • 4 oz 70% dark chocolate
  • 1 tbsp refined coconut oil

Instructions

  1. Mix the almond flour, protein powder, cocoa powder and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.
  2. Mix the almond butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract together in a separate bowl.
  3. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl of dry ingredients and mix them together. (It’s easiest to start mixing with a spoon, and then switch to mixing with your hands!)
  4. If the dough feels a little dry, add 1-2 teaspoons of almond milk to the dough and continue to mix.
  5. Press the dough evenly into an 8×8 inch pan lined with parchment paper.
  6. Melt the dark chocolate and coconut oil together in a microwave-safe bowl and pour on top of the bars. (make sure to move the pan around after adding the chocolate so the chocolate spreads out evenly.)
  7. Place in the fridge to set for at least 3 hours or overnight then cut into bars.
  8. Store in the fridge.

Notes

*I use the Sprout Living Epic Protein Original in these bars. You can save 20% if you’d like to try it out with the code “choosingchia” at checkout.

Store these bars in the fridge or freezer.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 230
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Fat: 6g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Fiber: 3.5g
  • Protein: 10g