Hazelnut Chocolate Protein Bars
Hazelnut Chocolate Protein Bars made with hazelnut butter and cocoa. A simple homemade protein snack with rich chocolate flavor.
Hazelnut butter holds these no-bake bars together, with cocoa and chocolate protein powder mixed through the base. Chopped hazelnuts and dark chocolate chips add texture. Maple syrup sweetens the mixture, so use unsweetened nut butter rather than a chocolate-hazelnut dessert spread.
Stir any separated oil back into the jar before measuring the hazelnut butter. That small step matters: a scoop from a dry layer will behave differently from one taken from an oily top. Protein powders vary too, so expect the firmness to depend on the products you use rather than matching a packaged bar exactly.
Press the mixture firmly into an eight-inch square pan and leave enough parchment overhang to lift it out. Chill until it holds together for slicing, then cut the slab in half and each half into five bars. Keep the finished bars refrigerated and serve them cold, or freeze individual portions for later.
Questions you may have about this recipe
Are these bars baked?
No. These set in the refrigerator and require no oven time.
Do they taste like dessert or a protein bar?
Cocoa, maple syrup, and chocolate chips give them a sweet, chocolate-forward flavor. The protein powder you choose also affects the taste; this recipe does not provide a verified protein amount per bar.
Can these be frozen?
Yes. Chill and slice first, then freeze the bars separated with parchment in a sealed freezer-safe container. Thaw a portion in the refrigerator and serve chilled.
Are these suitable for meal prep?
Yes. Keep them covered and chilled. Their firmness depends on the nut butter and protein powder, so allow more chilling time if needed rather than expecting a shelf-stable commercial-bar texture.
Can I swap the nuts?
Chopped almonds or peanuts can replace the chopped hazelnuts. That changes the flavor; replacing the hazelnut butter or protein powder can also change the texture.
What you need to make Hazelnut Chocolate Protein Bars
1 1/2 cups unsweetened hazelnut butter, stirred well before measuring
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup chocolate protein powder
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup chopped hazelnuts
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
How to make Hazelnut Chocolate Protein Bars
Line an 8-by-8-inch square pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to lift out the slab after chilling.
Stir separated oil back into the hazelnut butter before measuring. Mix the measured hazelnut butter and maple syrup until smooth. If slight warming is needed, let the mixture cool back to room temperature before adding chocolate chips.
Stir in the protein powder, cocoa powder, vanilla and salt until evenly combined.
Fold in the chopped hazelnuts and chocolate chips.
Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan.
Smooth the top and cover.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, until firm enough to lift and slice cleanly. Chilling time and firmness vary with the nut butter and protein powder.
Lift out using the parchment and cut into 10 bars: cut the slab in half, then each half into 5 bars. Store covered in the refrigerator and serve chilled; freeze portions for longer storage.
Tips
Press firmly and evenly into the specified pan so the chilled bars cut neatly.
Use unsweetened hazelnut butter, not a sweet chocolate-hazelnut spread. Stir separated oil back in before measuring.
Use a sharp knife after the slab is firm. Protein powders absorb liquid differently, so a brand substitution may change the texture.
Allow at least 2 hours 15 minutes: 15 minutes prep and at least 2 hours chilling, longer until firm enough to slice. Store covered in the refrigerator and serve chilled; freeze individual portions for longer storage.
Reader Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Rich, filling, and perfect with coffee.” Linda M
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Great flavor and very satisfying.” Mark R
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “These feel like a treat without being heavy.” Susan T
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Easy to prep and store for the week.” George B
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A solid snack I keep coming back to.” Carol D
Printable Recipe
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Hazelnut Chocolate Protein Bars
Hazelnut Chocolate Protein Bars with rich cocoa flavor and crunchy nuts. A no oven snack made for busy days.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened hazelnut butter, stirred well before measuring
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup chocolate protein powder
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup chopped hazelnuts
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line an 8-by-8-inch square pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to lift out the slab after chilling.
- Stir separated oil back into the hazelnut butter before measuring. Mix the measured hazelnut butter and maple syrup until smooth. If slight warming is needed, let the mixture cool back to room temperature before adding chocolate chips.
- Stir in the protein powder, cocoa powder, vanilla and salt until evenly combined.
- Fold in the chopped hazelnuts and chocolate chips.
- Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan.
- Smooth the top and cover.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, until firm enough to lift and slice cleanly. Chilling time and firmness vary with the nut butter and protein powder.
- Lift out using the parchment and cut into 10 bars: cut the slab in half, then each half into 5 bars. Store covered in the refrigerator and serve chilled; freeze portions for longer storage.
Notes
Allow at least 2 hours 15 minutes: 15 minutes prep and at least 2 hours chilling, longer until firm enough to slice. Use unsweetened hazelnut butter, not sweet chocolate-hazelnut spread. Protein powders absorb liquid differently, so substitutions can change texture. Chopped almonds or peanuts can replace the chopped hazelnuts; replacing the nut butter can also change firmness. These are chilled homemade bars, not shelf-stable commercial bars. To freeze, chill and slice first, then separate bars with parchment in a sealed freezer-safe container. Thaw portions in the refrigerator and serve chilled.
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