This mint dark chocolate protein bar recipe is a mint chocolatey delight, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth while keeping you satiated. Made with just a few ingredients and 15g of protein per serving. These bars make a great post-workout snack or midday treat.
This recipe is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth without derailing your nutrition goals.
I always like to keep a version of this recipe handy in this fridge and I usually mix in a handful of fruit and nut mix to keep it crunchy.
Speaking of crunchy, I have made this viral cottage cheese cookie dough with chocolate chunks, but you can add any mix-ins of your liking.
If you're looking for more cottage cheese recipes, I have made overnight oats with cottage cheese, these blueberry muffins, and these protein cookies.
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Why I love this recipe
Mint dark chocolate flavor: The combination of dark chocolate that's high in antioxidants and minerals and mint creates a refreshing, dessert-like taste .
High in Protein: Each bar is packed with 15 grams of protein, making it an ideal pre/post workout snack to support muscle recovery and keep you feeling full longer.
Easy to Make: With just 6 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time, you can whip up a batch of these bars in no time.
Great for Meal Prep: These bars store well, so you can make a large batch and have a convenient, nutritious snack ready for the rest of the week.
If you want other healthy protein snacks, try this nut-free lemon protein bars recipe, this cottage cheese chocolate mousse recipe, or this protein sludge recipe to help you stay on track with your protein intake.
Ingredients Needed
Oat flour: you can replace it or mix it with almond flour or coconut flour. If you have oat flakes you can make your own oat flour by bending it in your food processor.
Rolled oats: I like to add them for a chewy texture and variation in consistency.
Protein powder: I use unflavored unsweetened whey protein powder. You can your favorite protein powder. Vanilla or chocolate flavor.
Maple syrup: you can replace it with honey or brown rice syrup.
Almond butter: This helps binding the ingredients as well as provide an extra boost of protein.
Cocoa powder: or cacao powder, whichever you have on hand and that you prefer.
Dark chocolate chips: I usually just roughly chop my favorite 90% cacao antioxidant rich dark chocolate bar. You can also use regular sized chocolate chips or the mini ones.
Water: to adjust the consistency if needed.
Peppermint extract.
How to make Mint Chocolate Protein Bars
Step 1-In a bowl, combine dry ingredients—oat flour, cocoa powder, protein powder, and dark chocolate chips and mix well.
Step 2- Melt the almond butter with the maple syrup on the stove or in the microwave until smooth and well blended.
Step 3- Add the melted almond butter mixture to the dry ingredients. Then, incorporate the pepper mint extract.
Step 4 -Transfer the mixture to a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Spread it evenly. Freeze for 30 minutes to allow the bars to set.
Step 5- Once set, remove from the freezer and cut into protein bars. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
Don't overpack the mixture into the lined baking pan as the bars will come too dense and lose their chewiness.
If you use sweetened protein powder make sure you adjust the maple syrup quantity.
Variations
Use oat flakes instead of oat flour: Using oat flakes will make these mint dark chocolate protein bars chewier, less dense and more substantial to eat.
Add in nuts, dried fruits and seeds for more protein and minerals and switching things up.
You can skip adding the dark chocolate chips inside the bars and instead melt them with butter or coconut oil to create a chocolate topping to pour over the bars.
if you are a fan of white chocolate you can use that instead of dark chocolate.
you can sprinkle sea salt on top to give the bars an extra finish and balance the sweetness.
Storage instructions
Refrigerator: Store the bars in an airtight container, separating layers with baking paper to prevent them from sticking together. They will keep fresh in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. This option maintains a slightly softer texture.
Freezer: For longer storage, place the bars in a freezer-safe airtight container, using parchment paper between layers. They will last in the freezer for up to 6 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before eating them for about 10-15 minutes for the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
If they are homemade and contain wholesome natural and organic ingredients they can only be good for you.
The healthiest protein bars are the homemade ones try this mint dark chocolate recipe and this nut free lemon protein bars recipe too.
It can either be due to using too much protein powder or because of nut butters' oil being separated.
Recipe Card
Mint Dark Chocolate Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 1.5 cup oat flour
- ⅓ cup oat flakes
- ½ cup protein powder I used unsweetened whey protein powder
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ⅔ cup almond butter
- ⅔ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine dry ingredients—oat flour, cocoa powder, protein powder, and dark chocolate chips and mix well.
- Melt the almond butter with the maple syrup on the stove or in the microwave until smooth and well blended.
- Add the melted almond butter mixture to the dry ingredients. Then, incorporate the pepper mint extract.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Spread it evenly. Freeze for 30 minutes to allow the bars to set.
- Once set, remove from the freezer and cut into protein bars. Enjoy!
