Double Chocolate Protein Bites (Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free)
Updated: Sep 24
These customizable, double chocolate protein bites are gluten-free, dairy-free and have only 2g of unrefined sugar per bite. Top with sprinkles or coconut!
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Why You Will Love These Double Chocolate, Gluten-Free Protein Bites
My daughter constantly asks for these little chocolate protein bites that can be found at Whole Foods. I understand why: they are delicious, sweet, chewy, and filling. We decided to take a crack at making our own at home, but with less sugar. I wanted them to taste chocolatey like a brownie but be made with nourishing, nutritious ingredients. We packed these bites with home blended oat and chia flour (made in our Vitamix 5200 Blender--it gets very finely milled which ensures a fluffy texture), almond butter, rich cocoa powder, vanilla, chocolate protein powder, and a tiny bit of honey. If I am adding any extra sweetener to my recipes, I always like to work in unrefined sugars when at all possible. These bites also are extra decadent with the stir-ins: mini semi-sweet, dairy-free chocolate chips (and some naturally dyed sprinkles).
These bites are a great kids in the kitchen activity. I made this recipe with my older daughter while my younger daughter was at preschool. We worked together to portion the bites using a 1/2 tablespoon measuring spoon, then rolled the bites into smooth balls. We dipped the bites in a little almond milk then decided what toppings we wanted. I love coconut and chocolate so I rolled mine in unsweetened, shredded coconut. My daughter wanted more sprinkles, so we topped hers with naturally dyed sprinkles. These double chocolate protein bites only have 2 grams of sugar total per bite. They are a guilt free snack, and can even pass as a dessert (your kids will think they are brownies!)
*A Note about Nut Alternatives: If these need to be peanut-free, you can easily substitute the peanut butter with almond butter. If these need to be nut-free, you can easily substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter (Once Again Organic Sunflower Butter works best) and use all coconut milk at a 1:1 ratio instead almond milk.
A bit about plant-based protein powders
I have tried many different plant-based protein powders. Some can taste bland, or just not dissolve well. I tried Truvani's plant-based protein powders a few years ago and got hooked. I love that all the ingredients are organic, gluten-free, and dairy-free. They also don't add any sugars, just a tiny bit of monk fruit. Their flavors are also delicious! For this recipe I used my favorite staple, Truvani Organic Plant Based Chocolate Protein Powder. This strawberry flavored protein powder is great in these no-bake protein bites, but it is also so yummy in smoothies as well with some frozen blueberries and almond milk. It blends up well and tastes great!
Check out Shop My Kitchen Essentials for other great gluten-free cooking products and non-toxic kitchenware I use in my home.
Frequently Asked Questions: No-Bake Chocolate Protein Bars
How should I store these no-bake protein bites?
Store the no-bake protein bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Since peanut/nut butter softens at warm temperatures, keep them cool—especially if packing them for a work or school snack (we put a small ice pack in my kid's lunchbox which works great!)
Can I freeze them for long-term meal prep?
Yes! Freeze the bites in a single layer on parchment paper, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They freeze well for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or on the counter for 10 minutes before eating.
Why is my dough too crumbly or too sticky?
If too dry/crumbly: Protein powders and oat flour absorb liquid at slightly different rates. Add unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough comes together into a soft, cohesive ball.
If too sticky: Sprinkle in an extra tablespoon of blended oat flour or protein powder until pliable and workable by hand.
How do I get clean, even bites?
I used 1/2 tbsp measuring spoon to portion out the dough into individual equally sized pieces.
Are these protein bites safe for school lunchboxes?
If these need to be nut-free, you can easily substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter (I like the Once Again Organic Sunflower Butter) and use 1/2 cup coconut milk instead of a combination of 1/4 cup coconut and 1/4 cup almond.
Substitutions & Customizations
Nut-Free
Replace the peanut butter with creamy sunflower seed butter. If replacing milk, swap the almond milk for full-fat coconut milk or oat milk to maintain a rich texture.
Pre-Grounded Flour
If you don't have a high-speed blender (like a Vitamix) to process whole rolled oats and chia seeds into fine flour, use certified gluten-free oat flour and pre-ground chia meal.
Sweetener Alternatives
Maple syrup can be substituted 1:1 with raw honey or agave nectar. For a lower-sugar option, a liquid monk fruit syrup or stevia would work.
If you love these Double Chocolate Protein Bites, check out our full collection of Dessert Recipes. Check out other great gluten-free, dairy free recipes to add to your family's meal rotation:
If you try this recipe, leave a comment below👇 and let me know how it turned out—I absolutely love hearing from you!
How to make these Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Protein Bites
Step 1: Blend the Dry Base
Place the rolled oats and chia seeds into a high-speed blender or food processor. I used our Vitamix, which worked great. Blend for 20–30 seconds until they turn into a fine, smooth home made oat/chia flour blend.
Chia seeds and raw oats in bowls on a table chia seeds and oats in a blender blended oat and chia seed flour in a bowl on a table
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a medium bowl, stir together the almond butter, honey, vanilla extract, and 7 tablespoons of the almond milk until completely smooth. Stir in the cocoa powder, plant-based chocolate protein powder, and sea salt until a thick, rich chocolate paste forms.
vanilla, almond milk, honey, and almond butter in bowls on a table wet ingredients in a bowl being stirred wet ingredients in a bowl with cocoa powder and protein powder protein powder and cocoa powder in bowl with wet ingredients
Step 3: Combine and Fold the Batter
Add your blended oat/chia flour to the bowl and stir well. Fold in the semi-sweet mini chocolate chips and the first 2 tablespoons of sprinkles until evenly distributed. Knead the dough with your hands, working to ensure it is smooth, pliable, and holds together easily. If for some reason it feels at all dry, add 1 additional TBSP of almond milk.
oat and chia flour with sprinkles and chocolate chips oat flour going into bowl with wet ingredients chocolate dough chocolate dough with sprinkles and chocolate chips fully mixed dough 1/2 tbsp measuring spoon with dough
Step 4: Scoop and Shape all Balls
We used a 1/2 tbsp measuring spoon to portion out the dough then we rolled each into a little ball. Working together, this took about 20 minutes to roll out all 45 balls.
dough in 1/2 tbsp measuring spoon for portioning rolling dough into a ball 1 double chocolate protein bite on a sheet tray a few protein bites on a sheet tray a few more protein bites on a sheet tray full tray of protein bites
Step 5: Set up the Assembly Line, Dip, Dunk and Roll
Line up your tray of pre-rolled balls, a small bowl with the 3 tablespoons of dipping almond milk, a bowl of sprinkles and a bowl of coconut flakes, and a parchment-lined tray for the finished treats. Take each pre-shaped ball, briefly dip it into the almond milk, let any excess drip off for a split second, and then dunk it into either the sprinkle bowl or roll it in the coconut flake bowl. Place the finished ball onto the parchment-lined tray.
rolling protein ball in almond milk dipping protein ball in sparkles rolling protein ball in coconuts coconut, sprinkles, almond milk and a sheet tray of protein bites on a table
We ended up decorating some with sprinkles, some with coconut, and leaving some plain. They all turned out delicious!
double chocolate protein bites rolled in coconut a sheet tray of finished double chocolate protein bites
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