Delish Dark Chocolate Coconut Protein Bars

I married the person who thinks “protein bar” is a personality trait, so naturally I made Delish Dark Chocolate Coconut Protein Bars as an edible compromise between my dessert standards and his gym enthusiasm. These bars are dense, chocolaty, and suspiciously coconutty in the best way — the kind of snack that says, “I care about nutrition, but also chocolate.” Try them because they behave like breakfast, snack, and emergency chocolate therapy all at once. Also, yes, this pan is too small. No, I won’t wash fewer dishes.

One time I told my husband to “rough chop” the coconut for these bars. He returned with what could only be described as coconut confetti, half on the floor and half glued to the dog. The kids declared it a craft project and now our kitchen counters have a permanent, crunchy top layer of coconut. I tried to be mad, but the dog was licking chocolate off the spoon and honestly? That’s a win.

Time-Saving Hacks

– Use pre-shredded coconut and pre-chopped nuts. It’s like cheating, but the kind that keeps you out of the grocery line.
– Microwave chocolate to melt it quickly. Watch it like a hawk unless you enjoy smoky kitchen confessions.
– Mix in a big bowl to avoid washing multiple dishes. Then realize you still have to wash the bowl. Life remains unfair.
– Press into a lined pan using the back of a measuring cup — less time, more compact bars. Also, it makes you feel like a pastry wizard.
– Freeze them briefly to set faster. Yes, this technically counts as “baking,” in the same way that setting a block of cheese in the fridge counts as culinary mastery.

Serving Ideas

– Crumble over yogurt for breakfast if you’re faking a functional morning.
– Serve with coffee because caffeine + chocolate is the government-approved power couple.
– Give them to the kids as “snack bars” and then quietly eat the one you were saving for your sanity.
– Present them with a glass of milk or a small espresso for dramatic adulting. Serve with wine if the kids drove you nuts. No judgement here.
– If someone asks for a fork, respond with a glare and a napkin. These are designed to be grabbed.

What to Serve It With

Keep it simple: fresh fruit, a smear of nut butter, or nothing at all because honestly these bars are fine solo. If you want to get fancy, pair them with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey to pretend you’re making a balanced plate.

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Don’t overprocess the mixture unless you want bar-shaped paste. A few intentional chunks make them interesting.
– If your chocolate seizes, breathe, add a tiny splash of oil or warm milk, and stir like your life depends on it. Also, maybe don’t let the toddler “help.”
– Press them firmly in the pan. Fluffy bars are for the weak. Compact bars hold together, look professional, and are easier to eat in the car.
– If your oven decided to misbehave and char the edges, trim them off and rebrand as “rustic.”

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh.
Pro tip: Layer parchment between bars so they don’t glue together like tiny chocolate bricks. Freeze for longer storage; just let them thaw a few minutes before demolishing.

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts.
– Add chopped nuts, seeds, or dried fruit for texture.
– Use almond butter instead of peanut butter for a different nut vibe.
– Make them vegan by using maple syrup and dark chocolate that’s dairy-free.
– Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top because salt + chocolate is romance.

Delish Dark Chocolate Coconut Protein Bars

A delicious and nutritious snack perfect for any time of the day!

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 1.5 cups Almond flour
• ▢ 0.5 cups Cocoa powder
• ▢ 1 cup Shredded coconut Unsweetened preferred
• ▢ 0.25 cups Maple syrup
• ▢ 1 cup Peanut butter

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a large bowl, mix almond flour, cocoa powder, and shredded coconut until combined.
• Add maple syrup and peanut butter to the dry ingredients and mix well until a thick dough forms.
• Press the mixture into a lined baking pan, making sure it's even.
• Bake for 20 minutes, then allow to cool before cutting into bars.

Notes

These bars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.