Needing a better-for-you sweet treat that is also high in protein and delicious? These no-bake brownie batter protein bites will be your new go to! They can be made ahead and kept in the fridge or freezer for weeks so you always have something on hand! Made with AE Dairy cottage cheese, these get a mousse-like texture that gets dipped in chocolate and topped with sea salt for the perfect sweet and salty combo.
When I was making these, I had an idea but really no plan! I knew I wanted them to have a fudgy, chocolate flavor with a rich chocolate coating. These came out better than I could have imagined!
I sort of combined my cottage cheese chocolate pudding and my edible cottage cheese cookie dough for a decadent combo.
With protein from the cottage cheese, protein powder, and peanut butter + fiber from the oats, these are a better for you sweet treat that packs protein and fiber to keep you full and satisfy your sweet tooth! I prefer these in the fridge for a soft texture, but they are also freezer friendly.
What Makes These So Good
- Mousse-like texture: Like brownie batter but fluffier thanks to whipped cottage cheese.
- No-bake & easy: Comes together fast with simple pantry staples and a short chill time.
- Better-for-you: Made with protein, healthy fats, and no refined sugar to keep you full for hours!
- Meal prep win: Keep a stash in the fridge for sweet cravings or breakfast bites.
- Customizable: Swap in your favorite nut butters, protein powders, or additional add-ins!
What Are No-Bake Protein Bites
These no-bake brownie batter protein bites are soft, fudgy, and taste just like a spoonful of brownie batter. Made with wholesome ingredients and ready in minutes, they’re the perfect high-protein snack to keep in the fridge all week. Easily customizable and a great way to sneak in extra fiber and nutrients!
Key Ingredients Needed
These no-bake brownie bites require just a handful of simple ingredients, find substituion ideas below:
- Cottage cheese: use full-fat for the creamiest texture. Greek yogurt works in a pinch but has a more tangy flavor. I use AE Dairy Cottage Cheese for the perfect flavor and texture!
- Old fashioned oats: for a chewy texture and to keep the mixture together. Quick oats work too, avoid steel-cut oats.
- Maple syrup: swap with honey, agave, or a sugar-free syrup if preferred. Adds moisture and natural sweetness.
- Peanut butter: use creamy peanut butter for best results. Almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter are all great swaps.
- Protein powder: chocolate or vanilla both work well. You can also use collagen or a plant-based protein, get creative with different flavors. I like to use Equip Foods Prime Protein powder, it’s grass-fed beef and not whey so it does better with my gut and skin!
- Cocoa powder: use unsweetened cocoa for a deep chocolate flavor. Cacao powder works too but is slightly more bitter. Be sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder—not a sweetened cocoa mix.
- Chocolate chips: regular or mini chips work great. Sub with chopped dark chocolate or cacao nibs for a less sweet option.
How to Make The Protein Bites
Let’s talk a little about how to make the No-Bake Brownie Batter Protein Bites (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)
Quick Overview:
- Blend cottage cheese mixture, fold in dry ingredients.
- Scoop, chill, dip in chocolate, chill again, and enjoy!
- In a blender combine the oats, maple syrup, cottage cheese, vanilla, and peanut butter (it helps if the peanut butter is warmed up a bit). Blend until smooth.
- Transfer the cottage cheese mixture to a bowl and add in the protein powder and cocoa. Mix to combine. Fold in the 1/4 cup of chocolate chips.
- Use a portion scoop or measuring spoon to scoop even sized bites, about a tablespoon each. Roll into balls and place on a sheet pan, freeze for 5-10 minutes until set.
- In a small mixing bowl combine the remaining chocolate chips and coconut oil, microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring each time, until melted completely.
- Dip each protein bite in the chocolate, roll around to coat, remove from the chocolate, and let any excess chocolate drip off. Set back on the sheet pan and top with a sprinkle of sea salt if desired. Repeat with the remaining bites.
- Place in the fridge to set up completely and enjoy. These will keep in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for 3-4 weeks, they are best enjoyed refrigerated!
No-Bake Brownie Batter Protein Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup Old fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup Maple syrup, or honey
- 24 oz. AE Dairy cottage cheese
- 1 tbsp Vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup Peanut butter, softened
- 1/2 cup Protein powder, chocolate or vanilla
- 1/2 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp Coconut oil, melted
- 1 cup Chocolate chips, divided
- Flaky sea salt, optional
Instructions
- In a blender combine the oats, maple syrup, cottage cheese, vanilla, and peanut butter (it helps if the peanut butter is warmed up a bit). Blend until smooth.1 cup Old fashioned oats, 1/4 cup Maple syrup, 24 oz. AE Dairy cottage cheese , 1 tbsp Vanilla extract , 3/4 cup Peanut butter
- Transfer the cottage cheese mixture to a bowl and add in the protein powder and cocoa. Mix to combine. Fold in the 1/4 cup of chocolate chips.1/2 cup Protein powder, 1/2 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 cup Chocolate chips
- Use a portion scoop or measuring spoon to scoop even sized bites, about a tablespoon each. Roll into balls and place on a sheet pan, freeze for 5-10 minutes until set.
- In a small mixing bowl combine the remaining chocolate chips and coconut oil, microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring each time, until melted completely.1 cup Chocolate chips, 1 tbsp Coconut oil
- Dip each protein bite in the chocolate, roll around to coat, remove from the chocolate, and let any excess chocolate drip off. Set back on the sheet pan and top with a sprinkle of sea salt if desired. Repeat with the remaining bites.Flaky sea salt
- Place in the fridge to set up completely and enjoy. These will keep in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for 3-4 weeks, they are best enjoyed refrigerated!
Nutrition
If you enjoyed this recipe, I would appreciate if you left a star rating on the recipe card above or a comment below sharing your experience! I value your feedback, it would also mean a lot if you could share this recipe or my website with friends or loved ones. Cheers!
Video Tutorial
Want to see just how I make these healthy chocolate snacks, check out the video below for step-by-step instructions!
Related Recipes
Tools I Recommend
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- High Powered Blender: I love this powerful yet affordable blenders for smoothies, sauces, soups, and more. This is one I’ve had for a while. – it is perfect for blending the cottage cheese.
- Rubber Spatula – a must have! I like these because they don’t come apart so I don’t have to worry about water getting inside the spatula and causing mold.
- Pyrex Mixing Bowl Set – I love this set of nesting bowls. I use them for everything, Pyrex glass does not break easily so you can trust on these bowls for years, plus they come in 3 useful sizes and can be stacked!
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Store them in an airtight container and freeze for up to a month. Let them sit at room temp for a few minutes before eating or chill in the fridge.
A chocolate or vanilla whey or plant-based protein works great. You can also get creative with different flavors like Oreo cookie or funfetti!
You can, but the flavor and texture will change a bit. The protein helps thicken these bites and add extra flavor, sub oat or almond flour and a little cocoa powder if ommiting.
Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week (or a bit longer depending on the expiration date of the cottage cheese). They’ll stay soft and hold their shape.
They can be! Just use a gluten-free, dairy-free protein powder and chocolate chips to suit your dietary needs.
Hi, these sound so yummy and I cannot wait to try them!
Your recipe and instructions do not specify what a serving size is. It says 24 bites and Serving says 1 serving. Can you please clarify??
Thank you!
Thank you, they are good!! The recipe makes 24 bites, I left the serving as 1 bite so you could see the calories and macros of each. It is personal preference how many you want per serving. Hope this helps!