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.
Kathy E says
OMG - I just mixed these up, put in pan and tasted the scrapings from the food processor. Delicious! Thank you to Krista C. too for mentioning your "mistake" about the egg whites. I might try this in the future to bring down the cost. Or experiment with making my own powder by drying out unsweetened whipped egg whites.
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks for trying them, Kathy! I know- isn't that such a helpful tip!
Krista Carlson says
I misunderstood the ingredients and actually used actual egg whites instead of powder. In case anyone is curious, the bars turned out super gooey, but then I baked them at 350 for about 20 minutes and now they're perfect.
Jessica DeMay says
That is great to know! Thanks, Krista! I'm glad they turned out good 🙂
Dena A. says
I just ran across this recipe! They sound yummy! I love nuts, dates and chocolate! I have never used powdered egg whites. I will look for it at our health food store! I am excited to make and try these! New to Whole30 as well! Thanks for sharing!
Jessica DeMay says
You're welcome, Dena! I think you'll love these!
Beverly says
Would pea protein be used in place of the egg white protein?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Beverly- you could try it, but the flavor will be different. You can just leave it out if you don't have it. It won't be as high protein, but still delicious. Just reduce the water a little. Hope you enjoy!
Adrienne Bishop says
These are amazing!!! I added some dairy free chocolate chips and it was like dessert! So much better than the original! I think cocao nibs would work even better. Thanks for the great recipe!!!
Jessica DeMay says
You're welcome, Adrienne! Thanks for trying them. I'm so glad you like them! Oh yum- chocolate chips added- that sounds amazing!
Eryn says
Hi! These look great. Working on batch cooking some freezer snacks and meals. Wondering if it would change anything to soak the nuts before making these (for more nutritional benefit). Thanks!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Eryn! I love that idea! You would need to soak and dehydrate to use them in the recipe or buy sprouted nuts. I don't think just soaking then using would work. I hope that helps!
Robin says
Hi there, arent Rx bars baked? if they are why do you call yours as a copy cat recipe and could you please post one for a baked bar? also how long is the shelf life? thanks n happy new year.
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Robin- I don't think they're baked. I call them a copycat recipe because they use the same ingredients, have the same nutritional info, and taste the same. They stay good in the fridge for a month. Hope you try them!
Amy says
Can you freeze these?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Amy- yes, that should work. They also last in the fridge at least 1 month. Hope you try them!
Kayla Shelley says
I made these yesterday for my mom who started a whole30 and they are so delicious! They definitely taste better than the real deal because they aren’t too sticky. I will probably be making a new batch tomorrow since they are almost gone!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks for trying my recipe, Kayla! I'm so glad you and your mom like them! Thanks for the great feedback!
Elena says
Hi Jessica!
I can't wait to try these! Like, I seriously want to make them NOW! I have all ingredients on hand at the moment except for cashews. Do you suppose I could sub almonds for the cashews? (So 2 c. almonds instead of 1 c. almonds and 1 c. cashews.)
Signed,
Impatient 🙂
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Elena- sorry it took a little to get back with you. You can always try Instagram which is always quicker- I'm jays_bakingmecrazy there. I think that would be perfect. It's a flexible recipe and really any nut will work. I hope you love them!
Elena says
Thank you thank you thank you!
Elena says
Update: You were right, Jay! Using all almonds DOES work, and they ARE perfect! I just whipped them up so they'd be ready for my husband when he came home from work, and we both love them. Thanks again!
Jessica DeMay says
You're welcome! Thanks for the update! So glad to hear you and your husband like them 🙂