These Paleo Chocolate Protein Bars are a copycat of the popular RXBars. Made with simple, real ingredients and come together quickly with no baking. Gluten free, dairy free, and Whole30!
These chocolate protein bars made with dates and nuts are not only delicious but also a great source of natural sweetness, fiber, healthy fats, and protein. They make for a convenient on-the-go snack or a tasty indulgence when you're craving something sweet and satisfying.
These are technically Whole30 compliant because they are sweetened with just dates and make a great quick snack. They are also gluten free and dairy free, meeting lots of dietary requirements.
Ingredients for chocolate protein bars
Dates- pitted dates are the base of these bars that help with sweetness and binding them together.
Nuts- raw almonds and cashews are used, but using all of one will work great.
Protein powder- egg white protein powder is what the original bars use, but collagen powder also works just as well. Don't use actually egg whites as that will makes the bars very wet and not able to eat without baking. It's a very different ingredient.
Real Salt kosher salt- this is a large grain salt that balances perfectly with the sweet bar. Any large grain salt will work.
Making the bars
These are super easy to make! In a high powered blender or food processor, chop up the nuts a little to get started. Then add in the dates, cacao powder, and protein powder and blend until combined, stopping and scrapping down the sides as needed. Once combined, press into a prepared pan and place in the fridge to chill. Store covered in the fridge.
These are not as hard and chewy as the original version. The original are a little tougher to chew and stick to your teeth where these are softer and easier to eat. There are also not whole nuts in them which I prefer, it's all more blended together.
The nutrition info is below in the recipe card and it is similar to the original.
Original: Calories 210, Fat 9g, Carbs 24g, Fiber 6g, Sugar 15g, Protein 12g.
These are a little higher calorie, but also higher protein and fat. I didn't figure out the cost difference, but I definitely don't think I spent over $20 on these which is what it would cost to buy. You will love this homemade version are here are some more flavors to try:
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Chocolate Protein Bars (copycat RXBars)
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 cup egg white protein powder just pure egg whites
- 2 cups pitted dates
- ½ cup cacao powder
- 4-6 tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon large grain salt
Instructions
- Line a 9 inch square pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a food processor, add the almonds and cashews and pulse until chopped up.
- Add in the egg white powder, dates, and cacao powder. Process until combined.
- Add in water a tablespoon at a time and process until mixture blends together like cookie dough. It should be moist enough to stick together, but not too wet where it's overly sticky. This may take a minute to fully come together, just keep processing until it does.
- Press evenly into prepared pan, sprinkle with large grain salt and refrigerate.
- Cut into 12 bars. Keep refrigerated for best texture. They can be at room temperature, but will soften.
Kari - Get Inspired Everyday! says
These look really good, good enough to be dessert, and I love that they're packed with protein as well! I make lots of homemade energy bars like Lara bars and I figured out the cost is about 1/2 of what I pay for the store bought when they're on sale, so it's a huge savings!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Kari- they are definitely sweet! Half the price- I love it!
Darryl Edwards - Primal Play says
This is so easy to follow and doesn't require baking either! IF you used egg whites instead would it involve baking? Sorry for the novice question! 🙂
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Darryl- I'm not sure it would work with actual egg whites. You can use collagen peptides instead for the protein. I hope that helps answer your question.
Jo Romero says
These look great! I don't tolerate nuts but I know my husband would love these and could take them to work as a snack! Great recipe, thanks!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Jo! Yes, a perfect snack for the hubby!
Cristina Curp says
Oh love this! Would it work with less dates? Maybe add more egg whites? I've been wanting to try RX bars but they have too many carbs for me.
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Cristina! Ahh-I'm not sure. Maybe? I understand because they were too sugary for my husband. I feel like the dates could be reduced and just play around with it until you get something tasty. I would probably add some nut butter for the moisture that would be missing from the dates. Maybe a little sweetened (Swerve) to make up for the lost sweetness. Those are my thoughts 🙂
Chihyu says
This protein bars are so cute ! They look so delicious and moist as well ! I'm totally going to make it for my workout snacks !
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Chihyu! They would make the perfect workout snack! Hope you enjoy 🙂
Renee says
Ooo I love all that sea salt on the top! These are such a great idea! Thank you!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Renee!
Jean says
Looks so good! I love no-bake recipes and Rx bars, so I'll have to try this recipe in the future!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Jean! You'll love them!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
These look amazing! I love all of the dates in them with so much chocolatey goodness, so yummy!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Emily! They are so good 🙂
Preethi says
Hi is here a replacement for egg white powder? Would love to try it and have a lot of egg whites on hand but not egg white powder.
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Preethi- unfortunately egg whites won't work, it needs to be be dry. You could use collagen peptides or leave it out completely. That would result in the being less protein, but they would still be delicious. Hope that helps!
PAULA says
Search for "wikiHow to Dehydrate Eggs for Powdered Eggs" I just did a quick search because I was wondering if I could make my own egg white powder. It turns out you can! Basically, you can dehydrate the egg whites a few different ways. Otherwise, you can buy a jar of it for about $10.00 at Trader Joe's. Hope this helps!
Jessica DeMay says
So interesting! Thanks, Paula!
Robin Ramsey says
I used Muscle Milk whey protein (vanilla) powder because I didn't have egg white powder. It turned out pretty good. I'm definitely going to continue to use the protein powder.
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks for trying my recipe, Robin! Glad you like them!
Moriah says
If I substitute a scoop of protein powder instead of egg white will the protein amount come out the same if one scoop is 24 grams of protein?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Moriah, I don't know what protein you are using. It wouldn't be just a scoop for a cup though. You'd want to use a cup of protein powder. You can use a site like My Fitness Pal to plug in all your ingredients and figure it out. Hope that helps!
Huân says
I actually just omit the egg white and it tastes delicious. I stopped paying for store-bought bars. Thanks, Jay for the recipe!
Jessica DeMay says
You're welcome! Thanks for trying it! That definitely works but they won't have much protein that way.
Robin says
HI there! What brand of Egg White powder do you use? I'm seeing Egg White powder and Egg White protein powder.
Not sure which to purchase. This recipe is perfect for the date paste I have.
Thank you.
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Robin- I used NOW Sports brand because that's what they had at my local store that was just pure egg whites. They have other brands that are flavored and I'm sure they have many brands online that are good. Here is the exact one I used: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013OXDBU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=jaysbakingm07-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0013OXDBU&linkId=7e9c4a05f7c7eae4bf006875df62fe3c
I hope you love them!
Lara says
I actually made my own egg white powder today. Just cook egg whites in non-stick pan and then add to dehydrator trays at 150 degrees for 4 hrs. Super easy!
This recipe is absolutely great, thank you !
Jessica DeMay says
You're welcome, Lara! So interesting! I've never heard of that, but that's great info. Thanks for sharing!