These fudgy Cosmic Brownie Protein Bars are packed with rich chocolate flavor, plant-based protein, and colorful candy-coated chocolate chips. They’re an easy, vegan-friendly snack or healthy dessert made with banana, applesauce, almond butter, and chocolate protein powder.

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As a kid, Cosmic Brownies had an absolute hold on me. I used to save my lunch money just to buy one from the school cafeteria, and that little package of fudgy chocolate goodness often felt like the highlight of my day!

These Cosmic Brownie Protein Bars are my healthier, homemade spin on that nostalgic favorite. They’re made with simple ingredients like banana, applesauce, almond butter, and chocolate protein powder, giving you a rich chocolate flavor and soft, fudgy texture with a little boost of protein.

And, of course, I couldn’t leave out the colorful candy-coated chocolate chips! They give every bar that colorful Cosmic Brownie vibe and make these feel more like a fun treat than a wholesome snack.

These Cosmic Brownie Protein Bars are completely vegan and perfect for meal prep, afternoon snacking, or whenever you’re craving something sweet and chocolatey. Give them a try and let me know how they turn out!

Why you’ll love these Cosmic Brownie Protein Bars

They’re rich, chocolatey, and topped with colorful candy-coated chocolate chips for a fun sweet treat.
They provide a quick boost of protein to make snack time a little more satisfying.
They’re naturally sweetened with banana, applesauce, and maple syrup.
They require just 10 minutes of prep time and the batter comes together fast in the food processor.
They’re soft, fudgy, and perfect for dessert, meal prep, or a delicious afternoon snack!

Cosmic Brownie Protein Bar ingredients

Flaxseed is mixed with water to create a simple flax egg, which helps hold the bars together — no eggs required!
Banana adds sweetness and helps give the bars their soft, fudgy texture. The riper your banana, the sweeter the bars will be, so grab that spotty one sitting on the counter.
Applesauce adds moisture without making the bars feel too heavy or dense. Stick to unsweetened applesauce to keep the sugar content low.
Maple syrup provides a little extra sweetness and pairs perfectly with all that chocolatey goodness. Feel free to skip it if you like your bars a little less sweet.
Almond butter brings richness, healthy fats, and an extra boost of protein. Use a smooth, creamy variety so it blends easily!
Vanilla extract enhances the flavor and makes the bars taste a little more dessert-like.
Chocolate protein powder gives these bars their fudgy texture and chocolatey flavor while adding a boost of protein. If you’re using unflavored protein powder, add a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder instead.
Rainbow candy-coated chocolate chips add a fun pop of color and give the bars their nostalgic cosmic brownie-inspired vibe. Regular mini candy-coated chocolates will also work!

How to serve these Cosmic Brownie Protein Bars

Crumble a bar over Greek yogurt with berries for a chocolatey breakfast or snack.
Spread a bit of peanut butter or almond butter on top to add even more richness.
Pack one in your lunchbox for a tasty afternoon pick-me-up.
Serve the bars on a dessert platter alongside fresh strawberries or raspberries.
Enjoy a bar straight from the fridge as an easy grab-and-go snack!

Substitutions & variations

Almond butter – Swap in peanut butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter. Just keep in mind that each one will slightly change the flavor.
Chocolate protein powder – I used Vega Essentials for this recipe, but you can use any plant-based or whey chocolate protein powder. You can also use unflavored or vanilla protein powder, but add a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder for a chocolatey flavor. A quick heads-up: because different brands absorb moisture differently, your final texture may vary slightly.
Applesauce – If you don’t have any applesauce on hand, you can replace it with an equal amount of mashed banana, though this will give the bars a slightly stronger banana flavor.
Maple syrup – Agave nectar or honey (if not vegan) can be used instead in the same amount!
Candy-coated chocolate chips – Use mini candy-coated chocolates, rainbow sprinkles, regular chocolate chips, or chopped dark chocolate. You can also omit them altogether if you prefer.
Add-ins – If you’re feeling creative, mix in chopped walnuts, pecans, shredded coconut, or mini chocolate chips for a fun twist.
Nut-free option – To make this recipe nut-free, use sunflower seed butter in place of the almond butter and make sure you choose a nut-free protein powder.

Quick recipe tips

Use a very ripe, spotty banana if you like your protein bars on the sweeter side.

Choose a creamy, well-stirred almond butter — it’ll blend much more smoothly into the batter over crunchy varieties.

Press the candy-coated chocolate chips into the bars while they’re still warm so they stick a little better.

Chill the bars for at least 30 minutes before slicing to get the firmest, fudgiest texture.

Step-by-step instructions

Prepare the pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8 × 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Make the flax egg: Stir together the flaxseed and water. Let sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
Blend the batter: Add the flax mixture, banana, applesauce, maple syrup, almond butter, vanilla, and protein powder to a food processor. Blend until smooth.

Bake: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the edges are set and the center is just firm.

Add the topping: Sprinkle the candy-coated chocolate chips over the warm brownies, gently pressing them into the surface.
Chill and serve: Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before slicing into 9 bars.

Make ahead & storage

These Cosmic Brownie Protein Bars are just as convenient as they are delicious. Keep a batch in the fridge so you have a quick and satisfying chocolatey snack within reach whenever you need it.

Meal prep

Prepare in advance: Make the bars up to 3 days before serving and keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to enjoy.
Chill before slicing: Refrigerate the bars for at least 30 minutes before slicing to help them firm up and cut a little cleaner.
Pack for later: Divide the bars into individual containers for easy grab-and-go snacks throughout the week.

Storing leftovers

Fridge: Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Separate the layers: Place parchment paper between the bars if you stack them to prevent sticking.
Serve chilled: Enjoy them directly from the fridge for the firmest, fudgiest texture, or let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften up.
Expect some color bleeding: The colors from the candy-coated chocolate chips may bleed slightly as the bars sit in the refrigerator because of their moisture content. This is normal and won’t affect the flavor!

Freezing

Freeze individually: These bars are freezer-friendly! Wrap each bar or place parchment paper between the bars, then store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Thaw before serving: Let frozen bars thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for about 30-60 minutes.

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Cosmic Brownie Protein Bars

These fudgy Cosmic Brownie Protein Bars are packed with rich chocolate flavor, plant-based protein, and colorful candy-coated chocolate chips. Made with banana, applesauce, almond butter, and chocolate protein powder, they’re an easy vegan-friendly snack or healthy dessert.

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Chill Time 30

Total Time 1

Servings bars

Calories 130kcal

Ingredients

1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
3 tablespoons water
1/2 cup mashed banana (about 1 medium banana)
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/3 cup creamy almond butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chocolate protein powder
2 tablespoons rainbow candy-coated chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, stir together the ground flaxseed and water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to thicken.
Add the flax mixture, mashed banana, applesauce, maple syrup, almond butter, vanilla extract, and chocolate protein powder to a food processor. Blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the brownies are set around the edges and the center is just firm.
Immediately after removing the brownies from the oven, sprinkle the rainbow candy-coated chocolate chips evenly over the top. Gently press them into the warm brownies as needed so they stick.
Let the brownies cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up before slicing and serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Fiber: 2g

FAQ

Chocolate whey or plant-based protein powder can work, but different brands absorb moisture differently. Pick one you really enjoy because its flavor will come through in the finished bars!

Protein powder is important part for the structure and flavor of these bars, so I don’t recommend leaving it out without replacing it. You can experiment with cocoa powder and oat flour, but the amounts may require adjustment.

Yes, refrigeration helps the bars stay fresh and maintain their firm, fudgy texture. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

The bars may need more time to bake, cool, or chill. Make sure the center is just firm before removing them from the oven, then refrigerate the bars for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Yes! Peanut butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter will all work. Keep in mind that each option will change the flavor and texture a bit.

They can be! Use a plant-based protein powder and make sure your candy-coated chocolate chips are dairy-free to keep the bars completely vegan.