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.
Michelle says
SO GOOD!!! My mom and I have gotten in many fights because I make them and she eats all of them! We are hooked. They are so much better than the RX Bars on the market and are easy to make. We like to freeze them!
Jessica DeMay says
Haha- I love it! Thanks for trying my recipe, Michelle! So glad to hear you and your mom like them 🙂 What a compliment that you like them better than the original!!
Amir says
Hi There,
Is there any reason that i couldn't cut them into pieces, they are soft and stick to the knife.
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Amir- I'm sorry you're having problems with them being too sticky. You could try rolling them in balls if that's easier.
Amy p says
What can you se instead of nuts? I have a sensitivity to tree nuts. But I can do peanut butter
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Amy- you can use sunflower seeds (paleo) or peanuts if you don't mind them not being paleo. Hope you try them!
Natalie F says
Hi, what would I have to do to incorporate whey powder instead of egg white powder?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Natalie- just add in the same place the egg white powder would be added. It will change the flavor, but should be fine. Hope you enjoy!
Karlijen says
These are amazing!
I just made them with only slight adjustments, and they are all organic, and better than the Rx Bars that I love!
(I used 1/2 cup sunflower protein powder and 1/2 cup unsweetened grass fed whey protein powder instead of egg white powder, as the store I went to didn't have any unsweetened. I used 2 cup mix of almond, cashew, walnut and macadamia nuts.)
I also made the sun butter batch, and they are soft and delicious!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks for trying my recipes, Karlijean! I'm glad you like them better than the store bought 🙂
Justin says
How many bars did you get from this recipe? Thanks! I was looking at purchasing all the items on Amazon and I'm going to spend about $60, I just wanted to see how far that $60 will take me!
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Justin- the batch makes 9 bars. The ingredients definitely shouldn't cost $60 unless it's enough to make many batches. I buy raw almonds and cashews at Trader Joes for the best price or check the bulk containers and a local health food store. A container of egg white protein may be a little pricey, but should be enough to make about 5 batches. I hope that helps!
Sarah says
These bars were DELICIOUS!! I did swap out some of the dates for a spoonful of Justin's peanut butter to take down the sweetness and I'm in love. How long do you think they would hold in the fridge?
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks for trying my recipe, Sarah! They last about 1 month in the fridge.
Amanda Torres // TheCuriousCoconut.com says
Ooooh these look so good! I love making my own homemade bars at home to save money.
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Amanda! Yes, so much for affordable!
Kendra Cardoza says
The chocolate sea salt Rxbars are my all time favorite, so i know i would love these!
Jessica DeMay says
You would, Kendra!
Holley@theprimaldesire.com says
I feel the same way about my food processor! These look like a great sweet treat! And with the salt on top! Sweet and salty deliciousness
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Holley! I'm glad we're in agreement about the food processor 😉
Rachel Manthei says
What kind of a food processor do you all use? I just made them but the food processor started smoking! ...Maybe not commercial grade enough? Help!
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Rachel- I use a Ninja, but a Vitamix or Blendtec would also work. I think a KitchenAid processor would work as well. I'm sorry it make your processor smoke! 🙁
Chris I says
I think I did something wrong. I also used a Ninja food processor and had to use it in shifts basically to stop it from burning out. I followed the recipe except I replaced the egg white protein with Chocolate protein powder (it's all I had). The mixture was so thick it was like cement. Should I add more water?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Chris- I'm so sorry that happened! I have never had an issue with my Ninja. My first thought it maybe your dates were dry and hard? If so, soak them in hot water for 10 minutes first. And yes, it sounds like it needed more water. Maybe the protein powder had something to do with that? It shouldn't be that thick. I hope that helps and you try them again!
Chris I says
The dates had been in my cabinet for a few months, so maybe! I'll try that out next time. Thanks!