Easy Monster Protein Cookie Dough Bars (No Bake)

These Healthy Monster Protein Cookie Dough Bars are made with peanut butter and M&Ms and are dipped in rich chocolate! They are packed with protein and absolutely to die for!!!

Monster protein cookie dough bars on parchment paper

Talk about an indulgent but healthy dessert! These Healthy Monster Protein Cookie Dough Bars are an epic easy treat to whip up during the week or for a get together. They will be loved by all!

Seriously, if you served these at a party, no one would have a CLUE they’ve been lightened-up with better for you ingredients. All they’ll be doing is reaching back for more because the are THAT good!!

Enjoy these monster cookie bars with a tall glass of cold milk or alongside some yogurt and fruit for a balanced snack. You could even chop them up and throw on your ice cream! And if I may make a recommendation…add them on top of a Jello Yogurt Bowl or Cookies and Cream Protein Milkshake. They truly are great now matter how you eat it.

These no bake cookie dough protein bars are gluten-free as written. To make vegan protein bars, use vegan protein powder and dairy-free candy. Vegan M&M’s can be hard to find but you can always substitute with vegan chocolate chips! 

Monster protein cookie dough bars in a square baking dish before being cut into squares

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE MONSTER PROTEIN COOKIE DOUGH BARS

  • Sweet candy and raw cookie dough dipped in chocolate…so yummy!
  • Macro-friendly. Lightened up with less calories and even 7 grams of protein.
  • Healthy + made with simple ingredients. Great source of healthy fats.
  • Easy and quick to make. We LOVE no-bake recipes!!
  • Very freezer friendly. Great to keep stocked when you get a cookie craving.
  • PERFECT SNACK for sweet tooth. Seriously the perfect treat to curve your chocolate craving.
  • Great healthy crowd favorite. And an awesome choice to bring to a party!
Monster protein cookie dough bars on parchment paper

INGREDIENTS

  • Chocolate Chips – I used Enjoy Life chocolate chips. Semi-sweet is delicious but you could use milk or dark chocolate chips too. You could also use chopped chocolate.
  • Protein powder – I used PEScience vanilla protein powder. Use my code Laurenfitfoodie to save 10% on your purchase. Protein powders can vary in consistency and some will absorb liquid more easier than others. This might cause your cookie dough mixture to seem a little dry or crumbly. Just add a little water or milk, about a teaspoon at a time, until it gets to cookie dough consistency. Add liquid slowly – you also don’t want to over due it!
  • Oat flour You can always make your own oat flour by grinding up some oats. Or use all-purpose flour if you prefer. If using all-purpose, just make sure you are aware of the risks of consuming raw flour. I’ve got more on this in the FAQ section. Coconut flour will not work for this recipe.
  • Oats – Old-fashioned is best for thick oat texture. Quick oats will yield a slightly different texture but you can sub in a pinch.
  • Brown sugar – I used classic golden monk fruit sweetener. Coconut sugar, brown sugar or any brown sugar alternative would work here.
  • Peanut butter – I used All American Dream Nut Butter peanut butter. Drippy natural peanut butter is best!
  • Salt – A little bit of salt helps bring the flavor out more. Add more or less depending on how salty your peanut butter is.
  • M&Ms – I used mini M&Ms.
Monster protein cookie dough bars being mixed up in a bowl with a wooden spoon before being baked

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE PROTEIN BARS

  1. Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside. 
  2. Add the chocolate chips to a bowl and heat in 20-30 seconds intervals, stirring in between, until melted. 
  3. Pour the melted chocolate into the bottom of the pan lined with parchment paper; use a small spatula to spread out evenly. Add to the freezer until the chocolate hardens, about 10 minutes. 
  4. Meanwhile to a medium-sized bowl, add the protein powder, oat flour, oats, sweetener, brown sugar, peanut butter, vanilla, and salt. Mix the dry ingredients well to combine. Then fold in half of the M&M’s. 
  5. Add the cookie dough on top of the chocolate layer and spread out evenly/press down well. I used a piece of parchment paper sprayed with nonstick cooking spray to press the dough down and prevent sticking. 
  6. Add the remainder of the M&M’s across the top and press down one last time. 
  7. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before slicing and enjoy. They get better the longer they sit in the fridge!

You can also double or half this recipe if you wish! To double, use a 9×13-inch dish. To half, use a loaf pan.

Monster protein cookie dough bars on parchment paper, one square with a bit taken out of it

HOW TO MAKE VEGAN PROTEIN BARS?

It’s super easy to make these protein bar recipe vegan. Just use a plant-based protein powder and make sure your chocolate chips are vegan-friendly.

Monster protein cookie dough bars on parchment paper

PROTEIN COOKIE DOUGH BAR VARIATIONS

  • Nutella protein bars. Instead of peanut butter protein bars, try Nutella protein bars!
  • Chocolate chip cookie dough protein bars. Instead of M&M’s, use mini chocolate chips!
  • Loaded healthy cookie dough bars. Add in some flax seeds, sunflower seeds or chia seeds for even more health benefits!
Monster protein cookie dough bars being added to a baking dish before being baked

FAQ: PROTEIN COOKIE DOUGH BARS

What can I use in place of the peanut butter?

You can also use cashew butter or almond butter. If allergic to tree nuts, you can use also sunflower butter.

Can I use a different flour?

So I have only tested this recipe with oat flour and all-purpose flour – I have not tried it with almond flour but it should work too. I would not recommend using coconut flour for this recipe.

How to heat treat if using all-purpose flour?

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the flour onto a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes then set aside to cool completely

Can I use a different kind of protein powder?

I have only tested this recipe with PEScience, which is a casein + whey protein blend. I have not tried this recipe with strictly a milk protein isolate or whey protein isolate.

My cookie dough mixture feels too dry/crumbly?

Not all protein powders have the same consistency and some will absorb liquid more easier than others, which might cause your cookie dough mixture to seem a little dry or crumbly. Just add a little water or milk, about a teaspoon at a time, until it gets to cookie dough consistency. Add liquid slowly – you also don’t want to over due it!

Monster protein cookie dough bars on parchment paper, one with a bite taken out of it

WANT TO MAKE THIS RECIPE?

If you try these Monster Protein Cookie Dough Bars and love them, please give this recipe a star rating! 

You can also tag me on Instagram or TikTok, @LaurenFitFoodie. It makes my day seeing your yummy recreations!

Yield: 12

Monster Protein Cookie Dough Bars

Monster Protein Cookie Dough Bars

These Healthy Monster Protein Cookie Dough Bars are made with peanut butter and M&Ms and are dipped in rich chocolate! They are packed with protein and absolutely to die for!!!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

Chocolate Layer:

  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips (120g)
  • 1/2 tsp coconut oil

Cookie Dough Layer:

  • 2/3 cup peanut butter (150g)
  • 1/2 cup oat flour (64g)
  • 1/2 cup old fashioned oats (40g)
  • 1 scoop protein powder (30g)
  • 3 Tbsp brown sugar (36g) - I used golden monk fruit sweetener
  • pinch of salt, add more or less depending on the saltiness of your peanut butter
  • 1-oz. mini m&m’s, divided (30g)

Instructions

  1. Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 20-30 seconds intervals, stirring in between, until melted.
  3. Pour the melted chocolate into the bottom of the pan lined with parchment paper; use a small spatula to spread out evenly. Add to the freezer until the chocolate hardens, about 10 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile to a medium-sized bowl, add the peanut butter, oat flour, oats, protein powder, brown sugar and salt. Mix well to combine. Then fold in half of the M&M’s. 
  5. Add the cookie dough on top of the chocolate layer and spread out evenly/press down well. Add the remainder of the M&M’s across the top and press down one last time. 
  6. Place back in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before slicing and enjoy. Keep stored in the freezer for 3 months (recommended) or in the fridge for up to one week.

Notes

MFP entry: LFF Monster Protein Cookie Dough Bars

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1 bar (39g)

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 181Total Fat: 9.2gSaturated Fat: 3.5gCarbohydrates: 17.7gFiber: 1.9gSugar: 7.3gProtein: 6.9g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram and tag me @LaurenFitFoodie! 

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