No Bake Coconut Protein Bars
No-bake coconut protein bars are an easy and healthy high protein snack! They are vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, refined sugar-free, keto-friendly, and paleo-friendly. The recipe is made with simple ingredients including almond butter, coconut flour, shredded coconut, and maple syrup. Enjoy them as a midday snack or a post workout dessert!
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Take your tastebuds to the beach with these sweet, nutty, tropical protein bars! They are loaded with shredded coconut, almond butter, coconut flour, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. Unlike store bought protein bars, this recipe is made with no refined sugar, no additives, and no preservatives. They taste like a delicious dessert, but they are made with wholesome ingredients. Once you try ’em out for yourself, you’ll never want to consume store bought protein bars again!
These coconut protein bars are:
- Vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and grain-free
- Sweet, nutty, and chocolatey
- A high fiber and high protein snack
- Filling, satisfying, and packed with healthy fats
- Made with no refined sugar
- Easily customizable
- Keto and paleo friendly
- Made in 10 minutes with healthy ingredients
- Great for pre-workout or post-workout
What are homemade protein bars made of?
- Almond butter: Natural almond butter that has a runny consistency provides the best results. Look for options with no added sugar and no added oil.
- Protein powder: I recommend using a coconut, vanilla, or chocolate flavored protein powder.
- Coconut flour: Coconut flour is dried coconut meat that has been finely ground into powder. It’s a healthier alternative to all-purpose flour, and it is naturally gluten-free.
- Shredded coconut: This ingredient is fresh coconut meat that has been shredded and dried. Shredded coconut is not only used inside the protein bars, but it’s also added on top for decoration.
- Maple syrup: This natural sweetener is a healthier alternative to highly processed and refined sugar. You can replace maple syrup with another liquid sweetener and achieve similar results. A few options include agave nectar, honey, and coconut nectar.
- Chocolate chips: You can use any type of chocolate chips for this recipe. If you want to keep these protein bars refined sugar-free, be sure to use stevia-sweetened chocolate chips.
- Coconut oil: Coconut oil softens the chocolate topping. It prevents the chocolate from breaking apart once you slice the protein bars.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract brings warmth and sweetness.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the chocolate and coconut flavors.
How to make chocolate coconut protein bars
For the full ingredient measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to view the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
First, combine almond butter, protein powder, maple syrup, coconut flour, shredded coconut, vanilla extract, and salt in a bowl. Mix together until dough forms.
Next, line a square baking dish with parchment paper. Firmly press the dough across the bottom of the dish.
Then, combine chocolate chips and coconut oil in a bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between, until the chocolate is melted. Pour melted chocolate over the dough and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle shredded coconut on top.
After, chill the protein bars in the freezer for 5 minutes or until the chocolate sets. Gently slice into 8-12 bars, depending on your preferred size. Enjoy!
Tips for making homemade protein bars
Follow my tips below to perfect these no-bake coconut protein bars.
Use coconut protein powder. For a rich coconut flavor, I recommend using coconut flavored protein powder. If you don’t have any, you can use vanilla or chocolate protein powder instead.
Do not pack the protein powder. Gently spoon the protein powder into your measuring cup. If you pack the protein powder, you may end up using too much. This mistake will result in dry, crumbly protein bars.
Don’t omit the coconut oil. Coconut oil provides an important role in the chocolate topping. It softens the chocolate layer which prevents it from cracking (and breaking apart) while you slice the bars. Unless you are following an oil-free diet, do not omit it from the recipe.
Decorate the bars. You can keep it simple with shredded coconut on top or go all out with various toppings! Try sprinkling crushed nuts, granola, cacao nibs, and more on top.
How to make clean slices: In order to make clean slices, place a large knife under hot running water for 10 seconds. Then, wipe the knife dry with a paper towel. Immediately slice the bars, wiping the knife between each cut, until the knife is no longer warm. Repeat as needed until all bars are sliced.
Recipe variations
Looking to customize this recipe for a keto, paleo, or sugar-free diet? Follow the simple ingredient swaps below.
- Keto: Be sure to use sugar-free maple syrup and chocolate chips.
- Paleo: Choose a paleo-friendly protein powder.
- Sugar-free: Check the ingredients label to make sure you are using sugar-free protein powder, maple syrup, and chocolate chips.
How to store vegan coconut protein bars
Saving your homemade protein bars for later? I recommend storing them in a tightly sealed container. You can keep them at room temperature for 3-5 days or inside the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
If you would like to save them longterm, place inside the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to insert a piece of parchment paper between each protein bar in order to prevent them from sticking together.
More vegan protein bar recipes
More chocolate coconut recipes
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Print
No Bake Coconut Protein Bars
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Mix, No Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
No-bake coconut protein bars are healthy, vegan, gluten-free, and grain-free! These homemade protein bars are made with coconut flour, almond butter, shredded coconut, and maple syrup. It’s a high protein snack that’s easily customizable for keto and paleo diets. Chocolate coconut lovers will adore this post workout dessert! #protein #proteinbar #coconut #proteinpowder #almondbutter #vegansnack #snackrecipes #snackideas
Ingredients
Protein Bars
- 1 cup almond butter
- 1 cup protein powder
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup Let’s Do Organic coconut flour
- 1/4 cup Let’s Do Organic shredded coconut
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Topping
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 2 tsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp shredded coconut
Instructions
- Combine almond butter, protein powder, maple syrup, coconut flour, shredded coconut, vanilla extract, and salt in a bowl. Mix together until dough forms. (If your dough isn’t sticky enough, add an extra 2 tbsp maple syrup. The amount needed may vary depending on the brand of almond butter and protein powder.)
- Line a square baking dish with parchment paper. Firmly press the dough across the bottom of the dish.
- Combine chocolate chips and coconut oil in a bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between, until the chocolate is melted. Pour melted chocolate over the dough and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle shredded coconut on top.
- Chill in the freezer for 5 minutes or until the chocolate sets. Gently slice into 8-12 bars, depending on your preferred size. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use coconut protein powder. For a rich coconut flavor, I recommend using coconut protein powder. If you don’t have any, you can use vanilla or chocolate protein powder instead.
- Do not pack the protein powder. Gently spoon the protein powder into your measuring cup. If you pack the protein powder, you may end up using too much. This mistake will result in dry, crumbly protein bars.
- Don’t omit the coconut oil. Coconut oil provides an important role in the chocolate topping. It softens the chocolate layer which prevents it from cracking (and breaking apart) while you slice the bars. Unless you are following an oil-free diet, do not omit it from the recipe.
- How to make clean slices: In order to make clean slices, place a large knife under hot running water for 10 seconds. Then, wipe the knife dry with a paper towel. Immediately slice the bars, wiping the knife between each cut, until the knife is no longer warm. Repeat as needed until all bars are sliced.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 protein bar
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 7g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 7.5g
- Protein: 9g
Keywords: coconut protein bars, no bake protein bars, vegan homemade protein bars
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Hi! Can i sub same amount of coconut flour if i do on have shredded coconut available? Any other alternatives?
Hi Jean! 🙂 I would not recommend using coconut flour instead of shredded coconut since they are quite different in texture. You can certainly give it a try, but since I haven’t tried it myself, I can’t guarantee it will work! Please do let me know if you give it a try. Enjoy 🙂
Hey Kaylie, what coconut protein do you use?!
Hey, nice name! 🙂 Tru Plant makes a great coconut macaron flavored protein powder. You do not have to use coconut flavored protein though. Feel free to use standard vanilla or chocolate!
Hello, I’m curious if the recipe requires a sweetener. Is there a way to make an unsweetened base and the only sweetness would be in the chocolate topping. In other words, is there a substitute for the maple syrup? thank so much!
Hi, Tony! Yes, the sweetener is needed. However, you might find success using a sugar-free maple syrup alternative. You can find stevia-sweetened or monk fruit sweetened “maple syrup” options online and in stores!