Ingredients
- 1 cup almond butter (unsweetened, creamy)
- ¼ cup coconut oil (melted)
- ¼ cup maple syrup or honey (can reduce to 2 Tbsp if your protein powder is sweetened)
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2–3 scoops (about 60–75 g) chocolate or vanilla protein powder (whey, collagen, or plant-based)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1–1½ cups rolled oats (gluten-free if needed) OR fine unsweetened shredded coconut if you want grain-free
- Optional mix-ins: chia seeds, hemp hearts, or chopped almonds for texture
- Optional topping: 2–3 Tbsp dark chocolate chips melted with 1 tsp coconut oil for a glossy layer
Instructions
- Line an 8x8 pan with parchment/butchers paper.
- In a saucepan on low heat, combine almond butter, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
- Remove from heat and stir in cocoa powder + protein powder until a thick dough-like mixture forms.
- Fold in oats (or coconut) + any mix-ins.
- Press mixture firmly into pan.
- (Optional) Melt chocolate chips with coconut oil, spread over the top, and smooth with a spatula.
- Chill in fridge 1–2 hours (or 30 min freezer) until firm.
- Slice into 12–16 squares.
Macros (approx. per square if cut into 12)
- Protein: 10–12 g
- Carbs: 10–12 g (lower if using coconut instead of oats)
- Fat: 9–11 g
- Calories: ~150–180
(Exact values depend on protein powder & add-ins.)
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 1 week.
- Freeze up to 3 months. Perfect for grab-and-go protein snacks.
FitnHealthy Forever Tip - If you want them extra chewy/fudgy, use half oats and half coconut.
If you want them more bar-like, increase protein powder and reduce sweetener slightly.