Beautiful Protein Nanaimo Bars with layers of a protein chocolate-coconut, protein powder custard and melted chocolate. These healthy, homemade Nanaimo bars are a perfect low calorie, Vegan, gluten free and sugar free alternative to the popular Canadian treat.
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I had no idea what Nanaimo bars were until someone requested for a healthy version of it, and when I looked it up, I just knew I had to go for it.
The OG Nanaimo bar has a chocolate and coconut base, a layer of custard and topped with chocolate; Quire a high sugar, high fat and calorie dense treat.
This one though.. A high protein, sugar free, low calorie, low fat, gluten free and Vegan-option healthy Nanaimo bar with all clean ingredients.
Taste? Just pure bliss! I’m so grateful to whoever brought this to my attention!
Ingredients for Protein Nanaimo Bars Recipe:
These protein Nanaimo bars are made with simple healthy ingredients, have no sugar or heavy cream, making them the perfect gluten free, dairy free and sugar free homemade protein bar!
- Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
- Chocolate Protein Powder for a homemade protein bar that’s also sugar free.
I used ProteinWorld Whey, but the ProteinWorld Slender Blend is another great option. Code HAYLSKITCHEN gets you a discount on both.
A third alternative would be Quest. - Unsweetened Cocoa Powder or Cacao Powder
- Plain or Honey Graham Crackers or Biscuits for the slight crunch (use gluten free if you need)
- Oat Flour – You can make your own by blending rolled oats in a high speed blender
- Coconut Flour
- Chopped Almonds for a bit of crunch
- Almond Milk
The Protein Custard for Nanaimo Bars without Custard Powder
These raw Nanaimo protein bars use a high protein and sugar free custard or icing made with Greek yogurt and protein powder and no custard powder.
- Vanilla Protein Powder for high protein custard.
I recommend the same here too: Protein World Slender Blend, ProteinWorld Whey, or Quest. - Non fat Greek Yogurt
- A bit of Unsalted Butter
- Also a bit of Coconut Flour
- A tiny bit of Turmeric for color
And for the Chocolate Coating:
- Sugar free Chocolate Bar or Chocolate Chips: I use the chips from Lakanto here (HAYLSKITCHEN for a discount here too). Another option is Lily’s Bar or Chocolate Chips.
- Coconut Oil so the chocolate is easier to melt and more smooth when you drizzle.
Tips for Protein Powder Nanaimo Bars
- Use whey protein powder since it works well with the ratio of ingredients here. You might want to adjust the amount of milk accordingly.
- Mix the dough well to form a smooth mixture, but don’t over-mix since the protein powder might make the texture tough.
- Let the healthy Nanaimo bar layers chill before adding the chocolate and slicing, or they will be too soft.
- Use grated butter for the sugar free Nanaimo custard icing layer so it mixes well with the other ingredients.
To store Homemade Nanaimo Bars
To store high protein raw Nanaimo bars, place in an airtight container and keep on the counter for up to 3 days.
Keep these homemade Nanaimo bars bars refrigerated or in the freezer so they stay fresh and last longer. They keep in the fridge for up to a 1 week.
To freeze, place Nanaimo protein bars in airtight sealed container, or individually wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in zipper bag; They should keep for 2 or 3 months. Be sure to let them thaw on the counter before eating!
Alternatives for Healthy Nanaimo Bars Recipe!
I made this healthy, sugar free and gluten free and low calorie Nanaimo bars recipe with this particular ingredient list, but here’s some options to choose from.
- Chocolate Protein Powder: Try a Vanilla protein powder
- Oat flour: Almond flour
- Graham Crackers: Any cracker, or biscuit
- Coconut flour: Try using about 3 tablespoon of Almond Flour (but it will reduce the coconut flavor)
- Almond Milk: Any other milk
- Almonds: Chopped hazelnuts or walnuts
Options for the Protein Icing:
- Greek Yogurt: Coconut Yogurt
- Butter: Non dairy butter
Vegan Nanaimo Bars recipe without Heavy Cream
Since there’s no heavy cream in this Nanaimo bars recipe, they can easily be made Vegan with the right ingredients.
Use a plant based protein powder to get a Vegan Nanaimo bar; ProteinWorld has a Vegan protein blend as well.
You also want to make sure you use dairy free butter and chocolate chips to make these Nanaimo protein bars.
More Homemade Layered Protein Bars to try!
- Protein Millionaire Shortbread
- Peanut Butter Cup Protein Bars
- 7 Layer Protein Magic Bars
- Biscoff Protein Bars
- Chickpea Cookie Dough Protein Bars
- Peanut Butter Protein Twix Bars
Protein Nanaimo Bars
Ingredients
Chocolate Coconut Base:
- ⅓ cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut, 27g
- ⅓ cup Chocolate Protein Powder, 30g, 1 scoop
- ¼ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, 20g
- ¼ cup Oat Flour, 22g
- 1 tablespoon Coconut Flour, 7g
- 1 sheet Graham Crackers, Crushed, 15g
- 2 teaspoon Chopped Almonds, or other, 10g
- ¼ cup Unsweetened Almond Milk, 60ml
Protein Custard:
- ⅔ cup Vanilla Protein Powder, 60g
- ¼ cup Non-fat Greek Yogurt, 56g
- 2 teaspoon Butter, Grated 10g
- 1 teaspoon Coconut Flour, 2g
- Pinch of Turmeric
Chocolate Coating:
- 1½ tablespoon Chocolate Chips, Sugar-free recommended, 21g
- ¼ teaspoon Coconut Oil
Instructions
- Line a 7×5” pan or loaf pan with parchment paper; leave an overhang to lift out later.
Base:
- In a bowl combine shredded coconut, chocolate protein powder, cocoa powder, oat flour, coconut flour, crushed graham cracker and chopped almonds.
- Add in milk and mix. Mixture will be like a dough.Add more milk if too dry, coconut flour if too wet.
- Transfer to prepared pan and press down.
Protein Custard:
- In a bowl, mix vanilla protein powder, yogurt, butter, coconut flour and turmeric until smooth.Mixture should be thick but smooth and spreadable.Add milk if too thick, coconut flour if too thin.
- Spread on top of base and use back of spoon/spatula or fingers to smoothen.
- Place in freezer 15-20 minutes to harden.
Chocolate topping:
- Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in a large microwave safe bowl and microwave about 45 seconds, stirring halfway, until completely melted.
- Spread chocolate on bar and use back of spoon to smoothen.Let harden.
- Lift layers out of pan, place on cutting board and using a warmed sharp knife, slice into 6 bars.
Notes
- Nutrition value is calculated using products recommended below.
- See post for alternate ingredients, tips and storage options.
- ProteinWorld Whey Protein Powder
- Use code HAYLSKITCHEN for 30% off your order
- ProteinWorld Slender Blend
- Use code HAYLSKITCHEN for 30% off your order
- Lakanto Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
- Use code HAYLSKITCHEN for 15% off your order
- Servings: 6 bars | Serving size: 1
- Calories: 171kcal
- Fat: 8.6g | Saturated fat: 5.4g
- Carbohydrates: 13g | Fiber: 4.4g | Sugar: 2.1g
- Protein: 14.7g
Elaine says
Good recipe, though I doubled it so it would fit my pans.
I used cream cheese instead of greek yogurt because I was out of yogurt.
I used chopped nuts instead of graham crackers.
I also used more coconut than called for. Aside from that, this is a really lovely dessert for keto/gluten free folks!
🙂
Haylee Jane Monteiro says
omg YAYYY
I’m so happy the subs worked out and it turned out good as well.
Definitely need to try the cream cheese thing!
ek says
hi! do you know if i can sub anything instead if protein powder? i don’t have any. i’m not necessarily looking for high protien, but rather low-calorie- is it okay to omit?
Haylee Jane Monteiro says
Hi Ek,
This recipe uses protein powder as a replacement for the sugar or maple syrup or dates and such that would go in regular recipes.
The only alternative would be to use a 1:1 zero calorie sugar alternative (I use the Golden sweetener from Lakanto; My code HAYLSKITCHEN gives you a discount there). You would also want to reduce the amount of milk used in the recipe (since protein powder absorbs a lot of moisture).
Victoria says
I CANT WAIT TO TRY THESE!!!
Haylee Jane Monteiro says
Omigosh yes! I really hope you love them as much as I did!
I’d love to know what you think if you try them out!
Andreea says
I requested these and boy did Hayl ever deliver! They perfectly satisfy the craving for Nanaimo bars without the heavy groggy feeling from all of the butter/sugar in traditional ones.
Haylee Jane Monteiro says
YASSSSS!! I’m so happy to have gotten this one right Andreea!
All the Nanaimo cravings satisfied without the guilt. Love it!