Homemade Cookie Dough Protein Bars | Gluten & Diary Free
Homemade cookie dough protein bars with only six ingredients:
No-bake, gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free, and vegan.
Easy Homemade Protein Bars! No added sugar, gluten-free, and dairy-free. The best recipe for homemade protein bars. Healthy snacks, kids, travel, or busy schedules. These protein bars taste like desserts with no preservatives! Made with only six ingredients! Print the Recipe Below!
It’s been several weeks since I made these delicious protein bars, but I’ve made so many variations since then! I’m telling you, they’re amazing. I can’t compare them to any protein bars on the market because they are so unique, taste good, and are too good to stop at one.
If you like cookie dough, you’ll LOVE these. They pack so much protein, are great for on the go, and are fun to make! I made about twenty bars and stashed them away in the freezer for breakfast or after a workout during the week.
These protein bars only have six ingredients: plant-based vanilla protein powder (Orgain), dates, almonds, cinnamon, unsweetened almond milk, and no-sugar-added vegan chocolate chips (Lily’s)
You can customize the ingredients using a different nut instead of almonds, honey instead of dates, your choice of milk, any protein powder you want, chocolate chips or no chocolate chips…and so on! This recipe is very customizable.
I already have a six-ingredient pumpkin spiced cookie dough protein bar planned for the fall! 🍂 
I’m loving my new food processor. After two years of never using it, I recently got rid of my fancy food processor. I traded it for a smaller, less-intimidating one (fewer buttons and blades) with the easier cleanup. This was the best decision I’ve ever made because now I use it for everything. I was a little nervous it wouldn’t work well, but it’s a powerhouse! This food processor is easy to clean up and convenient to take out when making protein bars or protein balls. I also like that it doesn’t take up all my cabinet space.
How to make homemade protein bars
Step One: Grind up the almonds (or nuts) 
Step Two: Add the dates, but make sure they’re pitted! I buy pitted dates, but sometimes, a pit will sneak in. I separate all the dates to make sure they have zero pits.
Tip: It helps to add a tablespoon of water (or oil) to the food processor with the dates.
Step Three: Add the dates and almonds into a large mixing bowl. 
Step Four: Mix the cinnamon, almonds, milk, protein powder, and dates in a large mixing bowl. If the mixture is too dry, add more almond milk by the tablespoon. If it’s too runny, add more protein powder. It all depends on the ingredients you choose to use.
Step Six: Taste it to see if it needs more protein powder, cinnamon, or sea salt!
If you didn’t want to shape it, you could also eat it from the bowl like protein cookie dough. 
Step Seven: Use a 1/4 cup to measure out the protein bars. Roll the dough into a ball, then form it into a rectangular protein bar shape. You can make protein balls instead if you want. I think it would be cute to make little shapes with a cookie cutter if you have kids. 
How many protein bars does this recipe make?
This recipe will make about 18-20 bars. 
These protein bars are great for busy mornings, a to-go post-workout treat, or for dessert! They’re high protein, low carb, low sugar, and super inexpensive compared to store-bought protein bars. It’s always nice to know what goes into your protein bars! Plus, making them is so much fun. I have made these with my son a few times, which excites him to eat them. He thinks he’s eating actual cookies.
Homemade Cookie Dough Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 Cups Raw Almonds
- 7-8 Medium Pitted Dates
- 1/3 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
- 1 Cup Vanilla Plant-Based Protein Powder
- 2 Tsps Ground Cinnamon
- 1/3 Cup Dark Chocolate No added Sugar Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- Add raw almonds to the food processor. Once they're ground, add dates and combine.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine dates, almonds, milk, cinnamon, and protein powder together. *if it's too mushy, add more protein.*if it's too dry, add more almond milk.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Roll 1/4 cup of the dough into balls, and then form into rectangle bars.
Nutrition
I hope you find the time to make these this weekend! If you do, make sure to tag me in your pics so I can share! Now, I need to go get ready for my trip! Have a great weekend, everyone!
Questions for you!
- What flavor protein bar should I make next?
- Have you ever made your own protein bars?
- When you’re searching for protein bars at the store, what is the first thing you look for on the package?
Delicious recipe as always, Taralynn! Can’t wait to try them! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Thanks, Charmaine!!
Yum!! Do you think this recipe would work with coconut flour or any other kind of non-nut flour?
I haven’t tried it like that, but you could certainly try! I’m sure it would, but you’d have to play around with the almond milk/protein amount!
I love the font you used in this image! What style is it called, if I may ask? 🙂
There were all kinds of fonts used! Which one?
Oh my gosh.. stop!! Just when I thought I couldnt love you anymore you go ahead and surprise me with the best sounding & looking recipe! I LOVEEE cookie dough so I am for sure making these this weekend !!!!! I am so excited. I cant wait to try it out. I also love how it’s minimal ingredients and easy! Have a great Friday & weekend!
XO, Katie | http://www.meshkomoments.com
Awwwww thanks, Katie!!!!! I can’t wait to see how yours turn out!!!! 😊 have a great weekend
Your food photography is great! Could I make this without the chocolate?
Thank you, Lanie!
You certainly can!!
These look so good! I’d like to try a maple walnut one!
ohhhh yum!
I made these this morning! They were delicious. I’m excited to make my own protein bars from now on after trying out this recipe.
I’m so happy to hear that, Kara!!
I cannot wait to make these! I’ve never made my own protein bars before.
I vote cranberry orange!
ohhhhh what a fun and unique flavor! Great idea!
Wow, these look fantastic!
Thanks, Sara!
These bars are easy to make and taste great! Thank you.
I cannot wait to make more of your protein recipes.
Yay!! So happy to hear that 😊
Could I use something over than almonds?
Cashews!
These look so good! I’ve made my own protein bars before and was pleasantly surprised, can’t wait to try this recipe. The first thing I look at is sugar content, it’s shocking how much sugar is in some protein bars, and it isn’t always natural sugars either! Some of the ones on the market seem worse than a candy bar. I think a chocolate peanut butter or caramel one would be good!
I agree with you! Why eat a protein bar filled with sugar? I’m excited for you to try this recipe out!!
Peanut butter is a great choice!
Hi Taralynn!
These look SCRUMPTIOUS! I can’t wait to try them! Do you think one could use almond flour instead of raw almonds? I don’t have any on hand, and honestly am too impatient to wait for a grocery store trip haha
Maxi
Yes!! You can totally!
Looks awesome! Pinning this one for later!
We have made these four times! I have to agree with other commenters and say my kids love them.
Ahhh! Yay 🙂 Thank you for sharing your feedback!
I recently made a batch of these and my kids think they are the most delicious thing in the world. Thank you for the great recipe. I will make this over and over again.
That puts a huge smile on my face! I’m so happy to hear that, Tara!
We used chocolate protein and white chocolate chips! The kids love them.
That is amazing! I need to make those!
I don’t have enough almonds on hand right now, but I do have almond flour. Would I still use 1 3/4 cup of almond flour?