Cookie Dough Tahini Caramel Bars (Vegan, Grain-Free)

These Cookie Dough Tahini Caramel Bars are gooey, sweet, and secretly made with wholesome ingredients. You get a soft cookie dough base, creamy tahini caramel, and a layer of dark chocolate on top. Plus, they’re totally vegan, grain-free, and made with gut-friendly ingredients—but you’d never know by the taste.

Stack of gooey cookie dough caramel bars layered with tahini, maple, and chocolate

This recipe is what happens when you can’t decide between cookie dough, caramel, or chocolate—so you just make all three into one perfect bar. These Cookie Dough Tahini Caramel Bars are layered, gooey, sweet in the best way, and made with nourishing ingredients that still feel fun and indulgent.

Watch Me Make Cookie Dough Tahini Caramel Bars

The cookie dough base is packed with almond flour, applesauce, and a scoop of vanilla buttercream protein for that nostalgic flavor. The tahini caramel layer is creamy and sweet with a hint of salt, and the dark chocolate top seals the deal. I love storing these in the fridge for an after-dinner treat or pre-bedtime snack. They’re satisfying and blood sugar-friendly, but still taste like dessert.

High protein no bake caramel bars with dark chocolate topping and cacao nibs

You can mix everything up in one bowl per layer, and the whole thing is no-bake—just layer and chill. If you like desserts that feel decadent but leave you feeling good, you’re gonna want these stocked in your freezer.

Gluten-free and grain-free cookie dough bars sliced into squares on parchment paper

Why You’ll Love These

  • 3 dreamy layers - Cookie dough, tahini caramel, and chocolate all in one bar.

  • Wholesome but indulgent -Vegan, grain-free, low sugar, and still taste rich and sweet.

  • No baking required - Just mix, layer, chill, and enjoy.

  • Freezer-friendly - Keep a stash ready for snack emergencies!

Overhead shot of sliced cookie dough tahini caramel bars topped with dark chocolate and cacao nibs

What You’ll Need

  • Almond flour – This gives the cookie dough base a soft and chewy texture. 

  • Vanilla protein powder – I used Macro Mike Vanilla Buttercream (Code: AMB-SARI). It adds sweetness and a protein boost. 

  • Tahini – Used in both the base and caramel layer. Gives a nutty, creamy flavor that balances the sweetness. 

  • Maple syrup – Natural sweetness in the cookie dough and caramel. 

  • Applesauce – Helps bind the base and keep it soft. 

  • Coconut yogurt – Makes the caramel extra creamy. You can sub thick Greek-style non-dairy yogurt. 

  • Almond milk – Just a splash to thin the caramel. 

  • Vanilla extract + salt – Rounds out the flavor. 

  • Cacao nibs – For crunch and a little bitter contrast. 

  • Dark chocolate – I use Hu Kitchen for refined sugar free.

Healthy cookie dough dessert bars sprinkled with cacao nibs and drizzled with chocolate

How To Make It

  1. Mix together all cookie dough layer ingredients until smooth.

  2. Press into a parchment-lined small square pan.

  3. In a separate bowl, stir together the tahini caramel ingredients until smooth.

  4. Spread the caramel over the cookie dough layer.

  5. Pour melted dark chocolate over top and spread evenly.

  6. Chill in the freezer until firm, then slice and enjoy!

Close-up of cookie dough bar showing thick tahini caramel and rich chocolate layers
Protein cookie dough bars with tahini caramel filling and dark chocolate topping

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I make these without protein powder?

    Yes! You can replace the scoop of protein powder with 2–3 extra tablespoons of almond flour if needed. The texture will still hold, though the bars may be a little softer and slightly less sweet depending on your protein flavor.

  • Is this recipe gut-friendly?

    Definitely. These bars are made with grain-free almond flour, tahini, and coconut yogurt, and use maple syrup instead of refined sugar. There’s no dairy, gluten, or gums, making them a great option for sensitive digestion or a gut-healing plan.

  • Can I use a different nut or seed butter?

    Yes—sunflower seed butter or cashew butter both work well in place of tahini. Keep in mind it will slightly change the flavor of both the cookie dough and caramel layers.

  • How should I store them?

    Keep these bars stored in an airtight container in the freezer, they are best frozen and too soft in the fridge.

  • Can I make these fully vegan and dairy-free?

    They already are! Just double check your chocolate and yogurt brands to make sure they’re plant-based.

  • What kind of protein powder should I use?

    I used Macro Mike’s Vanilla Buttercream protein (Code: AMB-SARI), but any vanilla-flavored plant-based protein will work. Just be sure it’s one you enjoy the taste of since it’s a key part of the cookie dough flavor.

  • Can I skip the chocolate topping?

    You can, but it really pulls the layers together! If you are avoiding chocolate use melted carob instead.

Fudgy cookie dough protein bars layered with tahini caramel and chocolate
Low Sugar, Gluten Free, Vegan, Dairy Free, Chocolate, High Protein, Protein Powder, Gut Friendly, Hormone Balancing, Caramel
Frozen Treats
American
Yield: 6
Author:
Cookie Dough Tahini Caramel Bars

Cookie Dough Tahini Caramel Bars

These Cookie Dough Tahini Caramel Bars are rich, creamy, and packed with nourishing ingredients—featuring a soft cookie dough base, a gooey tahini caramel layer, and a dark chocolate shell. They’re gut-friendly, vegan, and grain-free with a hit of plant-based protein. A perfect no-bake dessert to keep stocked in your fridge or freezer.

Prep time: 6 MinTotal time: 6 Min

Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough Layer:
For the Tahini Caramel Layer:
For the Chocolate Topping:

Instructions

Notes


  • You can use coconut oil in the chocolate layer to help it stay glossy if desired.
  • Store in the freezer for best flavor and texture.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

310

Fat

23 g

Carbs

17 g

Fiber

4 g

Sugar

10 g

Protein

9 g

estimated off of 6 servings

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Like This Recipe?

💡 More no bake recipes you’ll love: [Tahini Pistachio Banana Bark] / [Cookie Dough Ice Cream Squares] / [Pistachio Matcha Truffles]

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No-Bake Chocolate Fudge Crispie Treats (Vegan, Gluten-Free)