Mint Dark Chocolate Protein Bars – The BEST Healthy Snack!
I love these homemade protein bars for a sweet treat. Every bite is so delicious and full of minty, chocolatey goodness! Not too chewy, not too crunchy, and not crumbly…they’re just right. Like a store-bought protein bar but SO much better! Trust me, you guys are going to want to keep this one on repeat!
You’ll Also Love: No-Bake Oatmeal Protein Bars
Ingredients
Here are a few notes about what you’ll need for this recipe:
Almond Butter – Almond butter or cashew butter are both great options for this recipe. If possible, it’s easier to use nut butter at room temperature since it mixes a bit better.
TIP: If you’re using unsalted almond butter, feel free to add a tiny dash of salt to the mixture!
Brown Rice Cereal – I love how crispy brown rice cereal adds texture to these bars! Another option is to use crumbled walnuts or pecans instead.
Oat Flour – Oat flour or almond flour adds nutrition and texture to the recipe. Don’t have these on hand? Make your own by simply blending rolled oats (or almonds) into a flour-like texture!
Vanilla Protein Powder – Add your favorite vanilla protein powder! Personally, I love this protein powder in recipes. But any type of whey protein or plant-based protein blend will work great.
Mint Extract – Just a little bit of peppermint extract takes these chocolate bars to another level!
Cocoa Powder – Cocoa powder (or cacao powder) adds chocolate flavor to this recipe.
Maple Syrup – These Mint Chocolate Protein Bars are sweetened to perfection with maple syrup! Honey or brown rice syrup are also great options.
Mini Dark Chocolate Chips – I like using mini chocolate chips so that they spread throughout the bars a bit more evenly. Regular chocolate chips work great, too!
Chocolate Topping (Optional) – The chocolate drizzle topping is optional but so good! It’s made from two simple ingredients: melting chocolate (or chocolate chips) and coconut oil.
How to Make Mint Chocolate Protein Bars
This recipe only takes about 5 minutes to put together, and then freezes for about an hour. So while it takes some time to wait for them to set in the freezer, the actual making of these bars is so quick and easy! Here’s how to make Mint Chocolate Protein Bars:
- Mix all of the bar ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.
- Pour into an 8×8″ baking pan lined with parchment paper.
- Spread and flatten the dough with a spatula.
- Add the chocolate topping drizzle.
- Freeze for about 1 hour.
- Slice into bars and enjoy!
Notes About the Recipe
- Lightly press down the mixture in the baking pan, but don’t over-press. That could make them overly dense!
- Use an extra piece of parchment paper on top of the mixture and a spatula to help the top be evenly flat.
- This recipe can make 8, 10, or even 12 bars!
- Easily make vegan protein bars by using plant-based protein powder and vegan chocolate chips.
RELATED: The 6 BEST Protein Bars for Weight Loss
How to Store Mint Chocolate Protein Bars
These bars are best when stored in the refrigerator. This helps hold their texture and keeps the chocolate from melting. They can also be kept at room temperature if necessary (in an airtight container), but they tend to be a little bit on the softer side when stored that way. I always recommend keeping them in the fridge if possible!
More Healthy Snack Ideas
- Homemade Peanut Butter Protein Bars
- Chocolate Banana Smoothie
- Heavenly Hunks (Copycat Recipe)
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Energy Bites
- Blueberry Banana Protein Muffins
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Did you make these Mint Chocolate Protein Bars? Be sure to give it a rating below and tag your photos @jar.of.lemons!
Mint Dark Chocolate Protein Bars
Ingredients
Mint Chocolate Protein Bars
- 3/4 cup almond butter (or cashew butter)
- 3/4 cup brown rice cereal
- 1/4 cup oat flour (or almond flour)
- 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
- 1/2 teaspoon mint extract
- 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup mini dark chocolate chips
Topping (Optional)
- 1/2 cup melting chocolate
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Combine the almond butter, brown rice cereal, oat flour, vanilla protein powder, mint extract, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and mini chocolate chips together in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix everything together until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into an 8×8" baking pan lined with parchment paper.
- Use a spatula to lightly press down and smooth out the mixture until it's evenly flat.
- Melt the optional melting chocolate and coconut oil together in the microwave in 30-second increments, mixing in between until the chocolate is smooth.
- Drizzle the melted chocolate over the bar mixture.
- Freeze for about 1 hour.
- Lift the bars out of the baking pan using the edges of the parchment paper and set them on a cutting board.
- Slice into 8-12 bars.
- Store in the refrigerator and enjoy!
LaKita says:
These homemade protein bars are so easy to make and delicious! Perfect to make and enjoy during the week as a filling afternoon snack.
Veronika says:
I used to always like to snack on After eight chocolate as a kid so these are right up my alley! So much healthier than plain chocolate and they really fill me up until the next meal.
Jacqueline Debono says:
My new favourite healthy snack bar. I just love the chocolate and mint flavour profile!
Amy Liu Dong says:
Such an easy and delicious protein bar to make for me and for my husband. Perfect for our everyday errands.
Marie says:
These bars are so nutritious and filling, yet they feel like a treat! This is the best combination of qualities for a snack They’re super easy to make and my son loves them too, so I added them to his lunchbox this week. I have a feeling I’ll be making them again and again!
Linda says:
We’ve got a new favorite snack! Not only is this recipe super yummy but it’s easy to throw together too. Not to mention we feel no guilt when reaching for that afternoon picker-upper.
Colleen says:
These protein bars are so delicious, you would never know how healthy they are! The bonus is how easy they are to make. Thank you.
Amanda says:
Chocolate and mint are one of my favorite flavor pairings, so I had to make these. Turned out so good! They’re so full of chocolate flavor with just the right touch of sweetness.
Heather says:
Felt like I was eating a candy bar – these were so good! And no guilt here digging in..perfect snack.
Jessica says:
These turned out incredible! I thought they looked delicious when I first saw them but I have to say… they taste even better! So good, thank you!