Gluten-Free Cookie Dough Protein Bars are a simple and delicious high protein snack! They're soft, chewy, and made with wholesome ingredients you probably have in your kitchen right now.

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Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• 🍴Ingredient Notes
• Recipe Variations
• 🍴Step by Step Instructions
• Expert Tips
• How to store leftovers
• Recipe Card
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• 💬 Reviews

Why You'll Love This Recipe

If you're looking for a yummy way to sneak in more protein, you have to try these homemade gluten-free protein bars!

One of the best things about this recipe is that they taste like a candy bar! Enjoy them as a healthy snack or dessert. I love to meal prep an extra batch to keep in my freezer for whenever a craving strikes.

Easy

These delicious high protein snack bars are perfect for when you a quick grab and go snack! The recipe comes together in less than 10 minutes and all you need is a mixing bowl, spatula, parchment paper, and a small loaf pan.

Healthy

Unlike most protein bars you find in the grocery store, this recipe is made with simple ingredients like almond butter, honey, and vanilla collagen. There are a lot of protein bars on the market with mystery ingredients that you can't pronounce!

Plus, this recipe contains 15 grams of healthy fat from the almond butter and about 11 grams of protein from the collagen. This combination is what makes these no bake protein bars so satisfying! (They're also low in sugar!)

Allergy Friendly

If you have food sensitivities like me, it can be difficult to find snacks that work with your dietary restrictions. This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and can easily be made nut-free!

🍴Ingredient Notes

• Almond Butter - Creamy, drippy natural almond butter works best with this recipe. I love Costco almond butter because it's a great price for the size that you get.
• Vanilla Collagen - I used Primal Kitchen Vanilla Collagen, but any vanilla collagen powder will work with this recipe.
• Coconut Flour - I have not tested this recipe with any other gluten-free flour. For more information on coconut flour, check out my post on why coconut flour should not be used interchangeably with other gluten-free flours.
• Coconut Oil - You'll need a small amount of coconut oil to give these protein bars a little extra moisture.
• Honey - You can swap for maple syrup, but they might be a little stickier.
• Vanilla Extract - For a rich vanilla flavor, you will need real vanilla extract for this recipe.
• Dark Chocolate Chips - My favorite dairy-free and soy-free chocolate chip brands are Pascha and Hu Kitchen. Both make dark chocolate chips with clean ingredients.

Recipe Variations

• Swap the chocolate chips for sprinkles and the almond butter for cashew butter to create more of a birthday cake flavor!
• Melt chocolate and pour over the cookie dough mixture to make a thick chocolate layer on top.
• For a nut-free version use Sunbutter which is made with sunflower seeds. You can also use chocolate sunflower seed butter to make a chocolate fudgy protein bar!
• To make chocolate peanut butter protein bars, swap the almond butter for peanut butter! You can use creamy or chunky peanut butter.
• Press the dough into silicone molds to create fun shapes! Dip the shapes in melted dark chocolate.

🍴Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Make Cookie Dough Mixture

Add almond butter, vanilla collagen, melted coconut oil, coconut flour, honey, and vanilla extract into a large bowl. Stir together with a spatula or spoon until a thick dough forms.

Step 2: Press into Bread Pan

Next, pour the cookie dough mixture into a parchment paper lined bread pan. Use a spatula to flatten it out.

Pour the chocolate chips on top and gently press them into the dough. (You can also add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt!)

Chill the dough for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator.

Step 3: Cut into Square Bars

Finally, use the parchment paper to pull the mixture out of the pan. Place on a cutting board and carefully cut 12 bars out with a warm knife. (Run the knife under hot water and dry with a towel.)

Place the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you're ready to enjoy!

Expert Tips

• Use a spatula to mix the dough together. Make sure you scrape the sides of the bowl to incorporate everything together.
• Line the baking pan with parchment paper so the bars don't stick. Use the parchment paper to easily pull the bars out of the bread pan.
• For best results, run hot water on a sharp knife and dry with a towel before you cut into the bars. This will ensure clean cut each time.
• Use a smaller bread pan to make thicker bars.
• It's important to chill the bars for at least 2-3 hours before you remove them from the pan. If they're too soft, pop them in the freezer for a few minutes to firm up.

How to store leftovers

Leftover protein bars should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

You can also store them in the freezer for 2-3 months!

More protein snacks!

After you make this Gluten Free Cookie Dough Protein Bars, make sure to leave a comment & rate the recipe!

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