Brownie Protein Bars

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These brownie protein bars are gluten-free, no-bake healthy, and taste just like fudge brownies! Made with nutritious cashew butter, protein powder, collagen, and cocoa, and sweetened with maple syrup, they are the perfect post-workout snack or healthy dessert option. Skip the store-bought protein bars and make these instead.

I love brownies, and I love homemade protein bars. Combining my two loves and creating these indulgent-tasting yet healthy brownie protein bars is perhaps one of my best decisions all week.

While this is the first protein bar recipe that I have shared on the blog, I plan to share many more over the summer. We are an active family, and we always like to have healthy homemade snacks on hand. A few of our favourite homemade sweet snacks include these Monster Cookie Granola Bars, these Cashew Butter Cookie Dough Bars and these Chocolate Hemp Pumpkin Seed Energy Balls.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
Recipe Substitutions
Equipment
Storage
Allison’s Tips
FAQ
Related Recipes
Pairing
Brownie Protein Bars

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy: These protein bars take 30 minutes to make from start to finish, and there’s no food processor or oven required. Simply add all of the ingredients to the bowl, stir or mix with your hands, and press into a pan lined with parchment paper. Top with melted chocolate and optional candy-coated chocolate for a “Cosmic Brownie” protein bar. Pop in the freezer until firm, then slice.
Healthy: Refined sugar-free and naturally sweetened with maple syrup, packed with protein from both whey protein powder and collagen, and rich in healthy fat thanks to cashew butter. Naturally gluten-free and grain-free.
High in protein: Each bar contains 13 grams of protein, making this a great post-workout snack or healthier dessert option.

Ingredients

Here is an overview of the ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card for exact quantities.

Protein Powder: I recommend using unflavoured, unsweetened whey protein powder in these bars. You may use your favourite unflavoured and unsweetened protein powder, but keep in mind that the texture might be affected. Whey protein has a very fine, smooth texture.
Collagen Powder: Collagen powder is rich in several amino acids and can improve skin elasticity and joint health, as well as strengthen hair and nails. I recommend bovine collagen powder from grass-fed cows in this recipe.
Cashew Butter: Cashew butter provides a creamy texture. You can use peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter instead.
Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder provides a rich chocolate flavour. You may use raw cacao powder in its place.
Maple Syrup: Maple syrup keeps these protein bars refined sugar-free.
Salt: Balances and enhances the flavour of the chocolate. I use fine sea salt or Redmond Real Salt.
Vanilla Extract: Vanilla is necessary to provide brownie-like flavour.
Chocolate Chips: Semisweet chocolate chips are melted with coconut oil for a delicious topping.
Coconut Oil: Helps to thin out the melted chocolate chips.
Naturally Coloured Candy-Coated Chocolate: Only if you want to turn Brownie Protein Bars into Cosmic Brownie Protein Bars! I use Pure Food By Este Rainbow All Natural Candy Coated Mini Chocolate Chips.

Instructions

Step 1: Combine all ingredients together in a mixing bowl.

Step 2: Stir until combined. The mixture should have the consistency of cookie dough. If it is crumbly, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk. Note: I recommend using your hands to mix so that all ingredients come together into one uniform dough.

Step 3: Press the dough into a 9×5-inch loaf pan lined with parchment paper.

Step 4: Combine chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small saucepan.

5. Step 5: Melt over low heat until smooth, stirring occasionally.

6. Step 6: Pour the melted chocolate over the protein bar.

7. Step 7: Top with candy-coated chocolate chips, if using. Transfer into the freezer and freeze until firm, 20 minutes.

8. Step 8: Remove from the freezer and slice into bars.

Hint: The chocolate topping often cracks a little bit when sliced, so don’t worry about perfect slices. To minimize cracking, run your knife under hot water for 10 seconds, then dry it and proceed with slicing the bars.

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Recipe Substitutions

Cashew Butter – You can use almond butter, peanut butter, or sunflower seed butter instead.
Maple Syrup – You can use honey instead, but keep in mind that honey is a bit sweeter than maple syrup, so you won’t need as much.
Collagen – To keep these bars vegetarian, you can replace the collagen with oat flour or almond flour. If you find that the dough is too dry, add some milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the mixture comes together like cookie dough.

straight on shot of a protein bar with a bite taken out of it

Equipment

Before you make this recipe, ensure that you have the following:

9×5-inch loaf pan
Parchment paper
Bowl for mixing up the protein bar dough
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Large spoon for mixing
Small saucepan for melting the chocolate and coconut oil

Storage

Store these protein bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for two weeks or in the freezer for three months.

Allison’s Tips

Mix by hand: Because the dough is quite thick, mixing by hand ensures that all of the ingredients get mixed together.
Use the right protein powder: This recipe was tested with unsweetened and unflavoured whey protein powder. I have not tried plant-based protein powders in this recipe, but feel free to experiment.
Add liquid: If for some reason the dough is dry, add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Use drippy cashew butter: Don’t use thick/dry cashew butter. You want cashew butter that is quite drippy. Using a nut butter that is dry will result in very dry and crumbly protein bars.

FAQ

Is it cheaper to make your own protein bars?

Yes, it is cheaper to make your own protein bars. The ingredients might cost a bit more up front, but each bar ends up costing way less than a store-bought protein bar.

Are protein bars good for you?

Store-bought protein bars can contain many additives and artificial sweeteners. Homemade protein bars that are made with natural, whole food ingredients are good for you.

Looking for other healthy snack recipes? Try these:

Pairing

These homemade protein bars are great on their own, but they are even better with a glass of milk or a bowl of yogurt with berries.

Did you make this recipe? Let me know how much you loved it with a star rating and a comment below.

Take a picture of your finished recipe and tag me on Instagram (@upbeet.kitchen), follow me on Pinterest, or connect with me on Faceb ook. I love seeing all your creations!