High Protein “Twix” Bars
These easy and delicious Twix-like bars are made with natural whole food ingredients and vanilla protein powder, offering a nutritious twist on a homemade candy bar. Naturally plant-based!
Who doesn’t love a good candy bar? But as we all know, most store-bought candy bars are packed full of refined sugars and processed ingredients. While tasty, they certainly do not make the healthiest options. Enter these homemade high-protein “Twix” bars! They are made with good-for-you ingredients, including my FAVORITE protein powder from EarthChimp. Enjoy!
Why You’ll Love It
- This healthy candy bar recipe is simply fun to make!
- These bars taste uncannily like classic store-bought Twix bars.
- Packed with healthy fats, fiber, and protein.
- Naturally vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free (if you use naturally sweetened chocolate) and plant-based.
Ingredient Notes
Oat flour: Oat flour is used in the cookie layer base and offers a shortbread texture that also happens to be rich in fiber. I haven’t tested this recipe with another flour, so I cannot recommend a substitute. If you try another, please drop a line in the comments below and let me know how it went!
Vanilla protein powder: I’m picky about protein powders. Many of them taste too chalky or metallic for my tastes. However, I’ve been using EarthChimp protein powder for about a year and it is by far our family’s favorite! It tastes super good and is made with healthy, high-quality ingredients, so I can’t recommend it enough. Having said that, any vanilla protein powder will do!
Coconut sugar: To keep this refined sugar-free, I prefer using coconut sugar in this recipe, also partially for its caramel notes, but feel free to swap it out for any granulated sweetener you prefer.
Coconut oil: Coconut oil is used in all three layers of this recipe. It adds texture, flavor, and healthy fats.
Oat milk: I’m a huge fan of oat milk and it of course pairs well with the oat flour in this recipe, but feel free to use any milk you prefer.
Cashew butter: The flavor and creaminess of cashew butter in particular, really does a great job of mimicking a caramel flavor when paired with the other ingredients in the caramel layer. Having said that, any nut or seed butter will get the job done in a pinch.
Maple syrup: Maple has sweet vanilla and caramel notes which helps these bars taste even more like Twix! If you are not vegan, honey is a suitable alternative.
Vanilla extract: A hint of vanilla enhances the flavors in these bars, but feel free to omit it if you do not have any on hand.
Chocolate chips: I love to use 70% dark chocolate chips sweetened with coconut sugar or dates, but use any chocolate you prefer. Just keep in mind that the type you use will impact the sweetness level as well.
How to Make High-Protein Twix Bars
- Combine the cookie dough base ingredients in a large bowl and then mix until smooth.
- Press the dough into a parchment paper-lined square pan. Place the pan into the freezer while you make the caramel layer.
- Mix the caramel layer ingredients in a mixing bowl until smooth.
- Remove the pan from the freezer and spread the caramel in one even layer over the cookie layer. Pop the pan back into the freezer for at least thirty minutes.
- Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil.
- Remove the pan from the freezer and cut the layers into bars.
- Dip the bars into chocolate until fully coated and then place onto parchment paper and then into the freezer to set.
- Store or enjoy right away!
Storage
Store these bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or the freezer for 6 months.
You Might Also Like These Tasty Plant-Based Dessert Recipes
Gluten-Free Vegan Lemon Cookies
Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies
High Protein Twix Bars
Ingredients
Cookie Layer
- 1 cup oat flour
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder I'm a big fan of EarthChimp's protein powder!
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup oat milk or any milk of choice
Caramel Layer
- ½ cup cashew butter
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Coating
- 2 cups dark chocolate chips I like to use at least 70% dark chocolate, but any chocolate will do!
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Line a square 8"x"8" or 9"x9" baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the oat flour, protein powder, sugar, coconut oil, and milk. Mix until you have a smooth cookie dough.
- Press the cookie dough into the parchment paper-lined baking pan with your fingers or a spatula until you have one smooth, even layer. Pop the pan into the freezer while you prepare the caramel layer.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cashew butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.
- Remove the pan from the freezer and then pour the caramel layer over the cookie layer. Spread with a spatula until the caramel forms a nice smooth layer over the cookie layer.
- Place the pan back into the freezer to set for at least 30 minutes.
- Melt the chocolate chips and the coconut oil over a double boiler on the stove, or the microwave until smooth and melted.
- Remove the pan from the freezer. Lift the parchment paper and place it onto a cutting board. Cut the frozen Twix base into 10 bars.
- Dip the bars into the melted chocolate until fully coated.
- Place the chocolate-dipped bars back onto parchment paper, and then back into the freezer to set for just a few minutes.
- Enjoy right away or keep the bars stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 week or the freezer for up to 6 months.
