Birthday Cake Protein Bars No-Bake Gluten-Free Recipe
These no-bake Birthday Cake Protein Bars are soft, chewy, and packed with vanilla protein powder, cashew butter, oat flour, and rainbow sprinkles for that classic cake flavor. Naturally sweetened with maple syrup and topped with a drizzle of white chocolate, they’re the perfect high-protein snack for meal prep, post-workout, or satisfying sweet cravings.
Birthday Cake Protein Bars are the perfect way to satisfy sweet cravings while keeping protein intake on point. These no-bake bars are made with simple ingredients like oat flour, cashew butter, and vanilla protein powder, plus a fun pop of rainbow sprinkles. They have that classic cake flavor without unnecessary additives or a chalky aftertaste. I make a batch almost every week, and if I didn’t limit my kids to one bar a day, they’d disappear in a blink! The soft, chewy texture and just-right sweetness make them a favorite for the whole family. Whether for meal prep, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a post-workout boost, this is the protein bar recipe I always come back to—because it’s the best one I’ve ever made.
Why You’ll Love These Protein Birthday Cake Bars
- No-Bake & Quick: Just mix, press, and chill—ready in minutes.
- Simple Ingredients: No unnecessary fillers or additives.
- Customizable Protein Blend: Works with whey protein or plant-based options.
- Perfect Texture: Soft and chewy without being dry.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make easy funfetti protein bars:
Cashew Butter: Creates a creamy, cake-like texture. Swap with almond butter or peanut butter if you prefer.
Oat Flour: Helps bind the bars together while keeping them soft. Here is a table with the additional flour options and measurements. The oat or almond flour will give the bars the best flavor!
| FLOUR | MEASUREMENT |
|---|---|
| Almond Flour | 2/3 cup |
| Gluten-Free Flour Blend | 1/3 cup |
| All-Purpose Flour | 1/3 cup |
Vanilla Protein Powder: Acts as the binder. Use whey, casein, or a plant-based alternative. This is my favorite organic vanilla protein powder to use.
Maple Syrup: Adds natural sweetness. Sub with honey or a sugar-free syrup.
Greek Yogurt: Enhances texture and adds protein. I use plain-full fat greek yogurt. Swap with dairy-free yogurt or milk of choice.
Coconut Oil: Helps with consistency and becomes solid at cool temperatures. Use melted butter or ghee if preferred.
Vanilla Extract: Essential for flavor. Almond extract can enhance the cake taste.
Sea Salt: Balances sweetness—don’t skip it!
Rainbow Sprinkles: Use naturally colored ones for a cleaner ingredient list. Here’s a link to my favorite all-natural sprinkles.
White Chocolate Chips: Optional but adds extra flavor.
How to Make My Gluten-Free Birthday Cake Protein Bar Recipe
Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions that are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Step 1: Make the Dough
In a mixing bowl or food processor, combine 1/3 cup cashew butter, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract. Mix until smooth, then add 1/3 cup oat flour, 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder, 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed, and 1/4 teaspoon sea salt. Mix until a thick dough forms. Gently fold in 2 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles, being careful not to overmix.
Step 2: Form the Bars
Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and press the dough evenly into the pan, making sure to pack it down firmly for the best texture. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to smooth the surface. Place the pan in the freezer to help it set while you melt the white chocolate.
Step 3: Add the White Chocolate and Sprinkles
In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt 1/4 cup white chocolate chips with 2 teaspoons coconut oil in 25-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the chilled bars and immediately sprinkle with additional rainbow sprinkles for extra color and crunch. Return the bars to the fridge for about 10-15 minutes until the topping is set, then slice into bars and enjoy!
Expert Recipe Tips
Use a High-Quality Protein Powder: Whey isolate or concentrate works best. This is my favorite organic vanilla protein powder to use.
Adjust Consistency: If the dough is too dry, add a little more greek yogurt. If it’s too wet, add a little more oat flour.
Press Firmly: Pressing the dough firmly in the bread pan helps them hold together better.
Drizzling Tip: Slice the bars and separate them with a 1/4″ gap in between them. Then drizzle the white chocolate over the top of the bars and allow it to drip down the sides of the bars.
Freeze for Faster Setting: 30 minutes in the freezer speeds things up.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
- Post-Workout Boost: Enjoy as a protein-packed recovery snack.
- Quick Breakfast: Pair with coffee for an easy morning option.
- Chocolate-Dipped Bars: Coat in melted white chocolate for extra indulgence.
- Yogurt Parfait Mix-In: Chop and stir into Greek yogurt.
- Frozen Treat: Store in the freezer for a firmer bite.
- Crumble Over Ice Cream: Adds a fun texture to vanilla or chocolate.
- On-the-Go Snack: Pack for a midday energy boost.
Final Thoughts
Making your own Birthday Cake Protein Bars is the best way to enjoy a high-protein snack without unnecessary additives. These bars are quick to make, customizable, and perfect for satisfying sweet cravings. Whether you’re looking for an alternative to store-bought protein bars or a simple post-workout snack, this recipe is a winner. Try them out and let me know how you like them!
Here are Amazon links to my favorite naturally sweetened protein powders that are very affordably priced:
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Do you love protein bars? Check out more of my homemade protein bar recipes:
Birthday Cake Protein Bars No-Bake Gluten-Free Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup cashew butter
- 1/3 cup oat flour
- 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 3 tablespoons greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles
Topping
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl or food processor, combine 1/3 cup cashew butter, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract. Mix until smooth, then add 1/3 cup oat flour, 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder, 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed, and 1/4 teaspoon sea salt. Mix until a thick dough forms. Gently fold in 2 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles, being careful not to overmix.
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and press the dough evenly into the pan, making sure to pack it down firmly for the best texture. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to smooth the surface. Place the pan in the freezer to help it set while you melt the white chocolate.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt 1/4 cup white chocolate chips with 2 teaspoons coconut oil in 25-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth. Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper.
- Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the chilled bars and immediately sprinkle with additional rainbow sprinkles for extra color and crunch. Return the bars to the fridge for about 10-15 minutes until the topping is set, then slice into bars and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe has been reviewed by a healthcare professional for its nutritional balance and alignment with healthy eating principles.
Dear Nicole, these protein bars are absolutely the best tasty snack /treat we have tasted . I love all four flavours, they are so good . They are super easy to make and they taste great straight from the freezer and they are so satisfying , they fill that little gap until mealtimes 😂🤗I will never stop making them , there an absolute pleasure to make and eat . Thanks Nicole XX
Thank you, Susan!
I love how cute these are, super sweet and make a perfect snack or dessert 😄
I’m glad you love them, too, Leila! 🙂
Love these, Nicole!!! They aren’t too sweet.
Wow, these are really good! I made a double batch and added a few chopped peanuts.
Thanks, Cassie! I’m so glad you liked them 🙂 I love the idea of adding peanuts.
These fun protein bars are so delicious and I can’t wait for you to try them 🙂