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Vegan No-Bake Cookie Dough Protein Bars (4 ingredients)

Homemade vegan no-bake cookie dough protein bars are super-easy, high-protein, gluten-free, oil-free, inexpensive and delicious! Only four ingredients, too!

Homemade Junk Free Vegan Protein Bars

Both my husband and I eat protein bars on a regular basis, right after hard training sessions.

For years, I never paid attention to my protein needs post-workout; I thought that, so long as I was eating a healthy diet, I was just fine. And I was, for the most part, but I had a hard time making significant gains for more intense training and long-distance runs. Plus, I would feel pooped more often that I should have given the amount of rest I was getting.

It took a seasoned sports nutritionist all of 5 minutes to figure out what I needed, namely more protein in my diet, and protein bars quickly became as important a part of my routine as the workout itself.

But here is my issue: High-protein bars are expensive. Plus, they often include ingredients I do not want to eat, such as hydrolyzed gelatin, glycerin, soy protein isolate, high fructose corn syrup, fractionated palm kernel oil, and artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, and preservatives. Bleah.

The great news is that a basic, junk-free, high-protein bar is ridiculously easy to make, and at a fraction of the price, too. Here it is: my Vegan No-Bake Cookie Dough Bars!

Recipe Benefits

  • Vegan (egg-free, dairy-free)
  • Gluten-free
  • Oil-free
  • Only 4 ingredients
  • Customizable (e.g., flavor add-ins, stir-ins, toppings)
  • No-bake
  • Quick and easy to make

Ingredients

The exact amounts of each ingredient are indicated in the recipe card at the end of the post.

  • Old-fashioned or quick-cooking rolled oats (certified gluten-free, as needed)
  • Plain nondairy milk (e.g. almond, rice, soy, hemp)
  • Natural, unsweetened nut or seed butter (e.g., peanut butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter)
  • All natural vegan vanilla protein powder

FAQS

The bars have a firm, fudge-like texture that will vary in favor according to the nut butter or seed butter used.

Can I Customize the Flavor of the Bars with Add-Ins?

Yes! Customize the bars in countless ways with a slick of chocolate, spices (e.g., cinnamon, ginger, pumpkin pie spice), natural extracts (e.g., almond, vanilla), chopped nuts and dried fruits, or a few chocolate chips.

Can I Make the Bars Sweeter?

Yes. These bars are minimally sweet, so If you prefer your vegan protein bars a bit sweeter, add the suggested chocolate chips, dried fruit (a few tablespoons), or unsweetened coconut flakes to the dough.

Alternatively, or in addition, add a bit of your favorite natural sweetener (e.g., mashed dates, agave nectar, maple syrup, coconut sugar, or stevia).

How Should I Store the Bars?

Individually and tightly wrap the bars in plastic wrap. Store the bars at cool room temperature for 1 day or the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Alternatively, place the wrapped bars in an airtight container and freeze for up to three months. Let the frozen bars thaw at room temperature for about 1 hour.

Can I Add Chocolate to these Bars?

Yes! Consider topping the bars with chocolate chips (press into the dough) or a drizzle of melted dairy-free chocolate. You can also add some miniature dairy-free chocolate chips or finely grated dark chocolate directly to the dough.

no bake vegan cookie dough protein bars topped with chocolate chips

Can I use Whey Protein instead of Vegan Protein?

Yes, but with a modification. Whey protein will not work in this recipe as written; the bars will have a gooey, sticky texture that will not hold together in bar form. But the problem is easily solved by increasing the total amount of oats to 2 cups (200 grams total oats) and reducing the amount of milk to 1/2 cup (118 ml).

Can I Make Protein Balls instead of Bars?

Yes! You can form the dough into any size or shape that suits your fancy, from balls to rounds to free-form mini bars.

Vegan No-Bake Cookie Dough Protein Bars (4 ingredients)

Vegan No-Bake Cookie Dough Protein Bars (4 ingredients)

Yield: 8 bars
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Homemade vegan no-bake cookie dough protein barst are super-easy, high-protein, gluten-free, oil-free, inexpensive and delicious! Only 4 ingredients, too.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (100 g) old-fashioned or quick-cooking rolled oats (GF, if needed)
  • 1and 1/3 cups (315 mL) plain nondairy milk (e.g. almond, rice, soy, hemp) or low-fat milk
  • 1/2 cup natural, unsweetened nut or seed butter (e.g., peanut, cashew, sunflower)
  • 1 and 1/3 cups lightly packed all natural vegan vanilla protein powder

Instructions

  1. Line an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan with foil or parchment and then spray with nonstick cooking spray
  2. Place the oats in a blender or food processor and process into a fine powder.
  3. Add the milk amd the nut or seed butterto the processor bowl. Process, using on/off pulses, until the mixture is blended and smooth, stopping to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl once or twice with a rubber spatula.
  4. Add the protein powder to bowl; process using on/off pulses until all of the protein powder is incorporated, stopping to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl once or twice with a rubber spatula.
  5. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Place a large piece of parchment paper, wax paper or plastic wrap (coated with nonstick cooking spray) atop bar mixture and use it to spread and flatten the bars evenly in the pan. Cover and refrigerate overnight until very firm.
  6. Using the liner, lift the mixture from the pan and transfer to a cutting board. Peel off the foil or parchment and cut into 8 bars.

Notes

Storage: Individually and tightly wrap the bars in plastic wrap. Store the bars in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Alternatively, place the wrapped bars in an airtight container and freeze for up to three months. Let the frozen bars thaw at room temperature for about 1 hour.
Add Chocolate: Consider topping the bars with a bit of melted bittersweet melted chocolate, as I did with these bars.
Whey Protein Tip: Whey protein will not work in this recipe as written; the bars will have a gooey, sticky texture that will not hold together in bar form. But the problem is easily solved: simply increase the total amount of oats to 2 cups and reduce the amount of milk to 1/2 cup.
Protein Balls instead of Bars: You can form into any size or shape that suits your fancy, from balls to rounds to free-form mini bars.

Nutrition Information
Serving Size 1 bar
Amount Per Serving Calories 195Total Fat 10gCarbohydrates 10gProtein 19g

Did you make this recipe?

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Mel

Thursday 15th of February 2024

Sorry I don’t get the measurements, is 1-1/3 cups one cup + 1/3 of a cup? Thanks

Camilla

Wednesday 21st of February 2024

Hi Mel, it is 1 and 1/3 cups. I'll change that to make it more clear :)

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Becki

Friday 22nd of April 2016

Have you tried adding fruit into them? Like banana or blueberries? I want to try but am worried it would throw off the bar composition too much to hold together..

Camilla

Thursday 5th of May 2016

Hi Becki,

Fresh fruit would definitely throw off the liquid ratios, so it would require some experimenting, BUt you can definitely add some finely chopped dried fruit, or freeze-dried fruit to the mix!

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