Cookie Dough Protein Bars

August 3, 2024 Evann Ryan

Homemade Cookie Dough Protein Bars

If there is one flavour I feel the most confident in when it comes to posting on Instagram it's cookie dough. It all started when I had just a few thousand followers and I had my first reel go viral, and you know what it was? Cookie dough! Since then I've been grateful to continue to grow my account through various recipes and building a solid community with you. And while you seem to enjoy vegetables as well, cookie dough seems to always steal your heart, and because of that I know we're going to be friends forever.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe

Each bar is packing 16g of plant-based protein!

Loaded with ooey gooey cookie dough flavour without refined sugars or heavy butter.

It's a no bake recipe, perfect for non-bakers or hot summer days.

Grain free, gluten free, dairy free, and low sugar.

Delicious flavour and texture.

Homemade protein bars are always better than store bought!

What You'll Need

Peanut butter powder. This is defatted peanut flour, which removes a lot of the calories and fats while maintaining the protein count!

Maple syrup or a preferred liquid sweetener.

Vanilla extract or vanilla beans are key to achieve that cookie dough flavour.

Good quality protein powder. I used a plain protein powder here, but vanilla would be great too!

Almond flour lends a really nice doughy texture.

Dark chocolate. I used a low sugar chocolate from Zazubean!

Substitutions

I used Nuzest Natural Pea Protein (linked below!) for these which meant I added 3 tbsp maple syrup for sweetness. If you have Vanilla Protein at home instead (or chocolate!) you can most likely skip the maple syrup all together. If you like it sweeter than use a Vanilla Protein and maple syrup, up to you!

Peanut butter powder increases the amount of protein in these while keeping them lower in fat. You can however substitute regular peanut butter, cashew butter, or tahini for a richer bar! If using a regular nut/seed butter try 1 cup and check the texture from there.

Next up try these Chocolate Crunch Protein Bars!

Please note: all the calories and macros have been calculated to the best of my ability but may vary slightly.

Cookie Dough Protein Bars Recipe

Recipe makes 8 large bars (or you can slice into 16 to cut the macros in half!)

Macros per bar:

288 cals - 16g fat - 20g carbs - 16g protein

Ingredients:

2/3 cup + 2 tbsp peanut butter powder
3/4 cup water
3 tbsp maple syrup (see recipe notes)
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup natural pea protein (discount code: EVANNRYAN) See recipe notes!
1/2 cup almond flour
2 Zazubean Panama Bars (No added sugar dark chocolate!)
1 tbsp oil

Instructions:

To a mixing bowl add peanut butter powder and water.
Whisk until you have a runny peanut butter.
Add in maple syrup, vanilla, and salt. Whisk to combine.
Add in pea protein and almond flour.
Fold everything together until you have a cookie dough texture.
*Trouble shooting texture*
Because protein powders vary so much in texture your dough maybe be too thick or too runny. If it's too thick you can add in 1-2 tbsp water or a dairy free milk of choice to smooth it into a dough. If it's too thin simply add 1-2 tbsp at a time more protein powder until desired consistency.
Once you have the perfect cookie dough texture fold in 1 chopped Zazubean Panama Bar.
Line a loaf pan or small baking pan with parchment paper and press the cookie dough into it. Smooth the top with a spoon.
Melt the second Zazubean Panama Bar in the microwave or over a double broiler with 1 tbsp oil.
Pour melted chocolate over the bars and smooth from edge to edge.
Top with flaky sea salt if desired.
Set the bar in the freezer to firm, 30 mins or more.
Slice the bars into desired sizes. I sliced mine in 8 for listed macros.
Keep bars in the fridge until ready to eat.
Enjoy!