Caramel Espresso Protein Bars – Sugar Free Energy!

Caramel Espresso Protein Bars packed with protein, caffeine and all the energy you want, but low fat and sugar free! Healthy combination of coffee and caramel great for a snack or treat.

Imagine a luscious protein caramel layer harmonizing with a robust espresso-infused protein base, and topped with a drizzle of chocolate.
These bars are not only incredibly delicious but also provide a wholesome balance of nutrients, including slow-digesting protein, healthy fats, and energizing carbohydrates.

Whether you’re a busy professional, a fitness enthusiast, or simply looking for a guilt-free treat, these caramel espresso protein bars will become your go-to snack.

Ingredients for Caramel Espresso Protein Bar Recipe:

Caramel Espresso Protein Bars are made with simple and clean ingredients you probably have in your pantry already. Here’s what you need:

The Espresso Base

• Chocolate Protein Powder; I used Dymatize Chocolate Whey here.
• Vanilla Protein Powder; Quest Nutrition Whey-casein protein powder is what I used
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• Oat Flour: You can make your own by blending oats in a high-speed blender
• Coconut Flour
• Espresso: Freshly Brewed is best!

The Caramel Layer

• Vanilla Protein Powder: Quest Nutrition Vanilla here again.
• Unflavored Protein Powder: I use the Multi-purpose mix protein powder from Quest Nutrition.
• Caramel flavor Peanut Butter; I used Thicka Than a Snicka PB from American Dream Nut Butter (discount code HAYLSKITCHEN). They have a bunch of other flavors that would go well here too.
• Sugar free Caramel Syrup for sugar free caramel protein bar!
  I use the sugar caramel syrup from Lakanto (code HAYLSKITCHEN gets you a discount)
• Peanut Butter Powder, also known as Powdered Peanut Butter. I recommend Lakanto (code HAYLSKITCHEN gives you a discount).
  Or you could use the one from PbFit too.
• A bit of Vanilla Extract

For the Chocolate Topping:

• Sugar Free Chocolate: I used the one from Lakanto here.
  Code HAYLSKITCHEN gives you a discount here
• A bit of Coconut Oil

How to make for Chocolate Macchiato Protein Bars:

This chocolate macchiato protein bar recipe is super easy.

1. Mix all dry ingredients for the espresso layer.
   Mix dry ingredients before adding wet so you have a smooth mix.

2. Add in espresso (little at a time).

3. Spread layer on base of parchment-lined pan.

4. Mix all ingredients for the caramel layer.

5. Spread protein caramel layer on top of protein espresso layer.

6. Freeze bars about 10 minutes.

7. Cut into pieces.

8. Melt chocolate (with coconut oil) in microwave.
   Let the melted chocolate cool a bit – for about 5 minutes – so that you don’t melt the bars!
   Drizzle on top of bars.

Note: Use whey-caesin and whey protein powder when specified. It works well with the ratio of ingredients in these healthy caramel espresso bars.
Whey-caesin absorbs more liquid, and whey absorbs less, so you need to adjust the liquid accordingly.

To store Caramel Coffee Protein Bars

Store these homemade caramel coffee bars in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days, or on the countertop for a few hours.

For longer, place caramel espresso protein bars in airtight sealed container, or individually wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in zipper bag; Freeze homemade caramel macchiato bars for 2 or 3 months. Be sure to let them thaw on the counter before eating!

Alternatives for Healthy Cramel Espresso Bars Recipe:

If you don’t have all the ingredients I used, you can try these healthy caramel espresso bars with some of these other alternatives:

• Oat Flour: Use almond flour
• Coconut Flour: About ½ – ⅔ cup Almond Flour

For the caramel layer:

• Peanut Butter: about 3 tablespoon Peanut Butter or Almond butter, but add less syrup.
• Unflavored Protein Powder: Try coconut flour or unflavored collagen
• Caramel flavor Peanut Butter: Regular peanut butter
• Sugar free Caramel Syrup: Maple flavor Syrup

For the topping:

• Sugar-free Chocolate: Use regular chocolate

Vegan Caramel Coffe Bars Recipe

These high-protein caramel coffee bars can easily be made Vegan with a plant-based protein powder and dairy-free chocolate.

More High-Protein Caramel-y recipes to try:

• Caramel Cashew Protein Bars
• Chocolate Caramel Protein Cake
• Caramel Fudge Protein Bars
• Caramel Popcorn Protein Fudge
• Chocolate Caramel Protein Sandwich Cookies
• Caramel Almond Protein Bars
• Caramel Apple Protein Bars

Caramel Espresso Protein Bars – Sugar Free Energy!

Print recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time0 minutes mins

Chill Time:10 minutes mins

Total Time20 minutes mins

Servings: 8 2″ bars

Calories: 120kcal

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Caramel Espresso Protein Bars packed with protein, caffeine and all the energy you want, but low fat and sugar free! Healthy combination of coffee and caramel great for a snack or treat.

Ingredients

Espresso Layer:

• ¼ cup Chocolate Protein Powder, Whey, 22g
• ¼ cup Vanilla Protein Powder, Whey-casein 22g
• ½ cup Oat Flour, 45g
• ⅓ cup Coconut Flour, 37g
• 1 tablespoon Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, 5g
• 5 tablespoon Espresso, 75ml

Caramel Layer:

• ¼ cup Vanilla Protein Powder, Whey-Casein, 17g
• ¼ cup Unflavored Protein Powder, Whey-Casein, 17g, see post for subs
• ¼ cup Peanut Butter Powder, 24g
• ¼ cup Caramel Syrup, Sugar-free recommended below, 60ml
• 2 tablespoon Caramel flavor Peanut Butter, 28g, Recommendation below
• ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Chocolate Topping:

• ½ tablespoon Chocolate, Sugar-free recommended below, 7g
• Bit of Coconut Oil

Instructions

• Line a loaf pan with parchment paper; leave an overhang to lift out later.

Espresso Base:

• In a bowl, combine chocolate protein powder, vanilla protein powder, oat flour, coconut flour and cocoa powder.
• Add espresso (little at a time) to form a dough.
• Transfer to prepared loaf pan, and use back of spoon/spatula to press down and spread.

Caramel Layer:

• In the same bowl, stir together vanilla protein powder, unflavored protein powder, peanut butter powder, peanut butter, caramel syrup and vanilla.
• Spread on top of base layer (use back of spoon or spatula to smoothen).
• Place in freezer 10 minutes.

  Remove and cut into 8 bars.

Chocolate Topping:

• Place the chopped chocolate and coconut oil in a shallow bowl and microwave for about 25 seconds – at 10 second intervals – until it’s completely melted. Let cool about 5 mins.
• Drizzle onto bars.

Notes

• Nutrition value is calculated using products recommended below.
• See post for alternate ingredients, tips and storage options.

Product Recommendations:

• Dymatize ISO 100 Gourmet Chocolate Whey Protein Powder
• Quest Nutrition Vanilla Whey-Casein Protein Powder
• Quest Nutrition Multi-purpose Mix (Unflavored) Whey-Casein Protein Powder
• Lakanto Sugar Free Caramel Syrup
  • Use code HAYLSKITCHEN for a discount off your order
• American Dream Nut Butter Peanut Butter
  • Use code HAYLSKITCHEN for a discount off your order

Nutrition:

• Servings: 8 bars | Serving size: 1
• Calories: 120kcal
• Fat: 3.7g | Saturated fat: 1.2g
• Carbohydrates: 11.8g | Fiber: 3.9g | Sugar: 1.4g
• Protein: 12.6g