Homemade Vegan Protein Bars (no bake) (2024)

Breakfast | Desserts | Recipes

Homemade Vegan Protein Bars (no bake) (1)

Hi friends!

You need to make these homemade vegan protein bars. They are packed with healthy fats, omega 3’s, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals.

Store bought protein granola bars often have preservatives, way too much sugar, weird ingredients, and added oils.Making your own homemade vegan protein bars is much healthier, way more delicious and honestly, it’s more frugal. Good news: they take 10 minutes to make and are no-bake!

Homemade Vegan Protein Bars (no bake) (2)

How do you make homemade vegan protein bars?

The first step is adding all of the ingredients (except for the coconut and coconut) into the food processor. Blend until combined well but still has texture.

Melt the chocolate then pour on top of the granola mixture. Spread evenly. You can always add more chocolate but I wanted a thin layer since this is supposed to be a healthy snack rather than a dessert. Top with coconut shreds and extra chocolate chips.

Stick the bars in the fridge, let them sit for an hour, then feel free to cut them and devour these homemade vegan protein bars!

They are beyond delicious.

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These homemade vegan protein bars are:

Chewy

Fruity

Perfectly sweet

Nutritious

Nutty

Filling

Healthy

Vegan

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What makes these homemade vegan protein bars healthier than store-bought?!

I always read the labels of store-bought granola/protein bars hoping for clean ingredients but I am left disappointed. There are a couple brands out there with clean labels but honestly, most of the time, I find store-bought granola bars have WAY too much sugar, oil, tons of added artificial ingredients and weird additives. I’d much rather make my own. These are refined sugar free, they’re gluten-free, dairy-free, plant-based, and soy-free. What more could you ask for?

The healthy fats in these protein bars in addition to the protein from the nuts and seeds will help to keep you full longer in between meals.

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Common Questions:

  1. Can these be kept in the freezer? OMG YES! Of course.
  2. How many bars does this recipe make? Makes 10-12 large bars depending on how you cut them. If you want them into mini squares for more of a dessert treat, it makes about 20 little squares.
  3. Can I swap out the nuts for seeds if I have a nut allergy? Yes! Use sunflower seeds, extra pumpkin seeds, whatever you want.
  4. Can I omit the chocolate layer if I don’t want chocolate? Yes, still chill them in the fridge though to firm up.
  5. Would it work if I replaced the dried cherries with raisins? Totally. I’ve tried them with dried apricots too and they’re amazing

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When should I eat these?

Need a healthy mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack? These are absolutely perfect for that! Whether you pack these in your kid’s lunches, bring them to work with you, take them in your purse when you’re on the go, or even to a pot luck – they come in so handy! I even like having them for a treat after dinner. They are filling so I often have a bite sized piece.

I always say, eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full. If you are in the need of a snack, I encourage you to eat! But…go for something nutritious. These bars are truly the perfect snack.

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A few important tips:

  • Make sure to store these in the fridge or freezer
  • If you pack them in your kid’s lunch, pack an ice pack as well.
  • Use a food processor for this not a blender
  • Feel free to omit the chocolate if you don’t want it

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Homemade Vegan Protein Bars

Easy, no-bake, omega and fiber packed homemade vegan protein bars are the perfect plant-based snack or after-dinner treat. Oil-free, gluten-free and no added sugar.

serving 10 bars

prep time 10 minutes mins

Let cool in fridge 1 hour hr

total time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

the ingredients

  • 1 cup pitted medjool dates
  • 1/2 cup raw cashews
  • 1/2 cup hazelnuts or any other nut
  • 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
  • 1/2 cup dried cherries or any other dried fruit
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips for melting on top
  • 2 tbsp shredded coconut for topping
  • pinch of salt

instructions

  • Blend all ingredients except for coconut and chocolate in the food processor. Blend until completely combined.

  • Press mixture firmly and evenly into a 9x9 baking pan.

  • Melt chocolate chips in a bowl in 30 second increments, mixing each time until melted.

  • Spread the melted chocolate over the top of the granola bar mixture.

  • Top with coconut and extra chocolate chips if you want.

  • Let them sit in the fridge for at least an hour to firm up.

  • Cut when you're ready to eat them and serve!

Print Recipe

If you liked this recipe, then you’ll love my 1-Bowl Pumpkin Vegan Brownies!

Homemade Vegan Protein Bars (no bake) (2024)

FAQs

What is the best binder for protein bars? ›

Natural peanut or cashew butter – It helps bind the bars together, and it adds protein, healthy fats, and irresistible nutty flavor. Whole rolled oats – They give these bars a perfect chewy texture. If you're gluten-free, make sure that you use certified gluten-free oats.

How to make vegan protein snacks? ›

Roasted seaweed and edamame. Air-popped popcorn with a generous sprinkle of nutritional yeast (this adds a pleasant cheesy flavor) Smoothie made with frozen berries, a banana (or any combination of fruit), nut butter, vegan protein powder, and unsweetened plant-based milk. Plant-based protein bar.

What ingredients should not be in protein bars? ›

6 Ingredients to Avoid in Protein Bars
  • Sugar alcohols. ...
  • Carrageenan. ...
  • Soy. ...
  • Sugar and high fructose corn syrup. ...
  • Casein and whey. ...
  • Other miscellaneous synthetic ingredients. ...
  • Optimum Nutrition Opti-Bar High Protein Bar. ...
  • Go Macro.
Dec 4, 2016

What are natural binders for protein bars? ›

Peanut, almond, cashew, sunflower seed, and pumpkin seed are all great options. Another great addition is dried fruit, which sweetens up your bar with naturally occurring sugars while providing fiber and vitamins—plus chewiness and binding.

What ingredient acts as a binder? ›

Binders are any ingredient that can help a mixture hold its shape or remain bound together. Traditional binding agents include flour and eggs. The most commonly used food binder is flour. Flour is created by grinding raw grains or roots into a powder and then served in diverse cuisines.

How to get cheap vegan protein? ›

In fact, there are numerous affordable vegan protein sources. As mentioned earlier, you can suffice your protein needs by consuming lentils, green peas, beans, seitan, nutritional yeast, nuts and seeds, peanut butter, vegetables (broccoli, kale, spinach), and more.

How do raw vegans get enough protein? ›

Eating Protein from Plant-Based Sources
  1. Avocado, 4 g each.
  2. Guavas, 1.4 g each.
  3. Passion Fruit, 5.2 g per cup.
  4. Pomegranate, 4.7 g each.
  5. Mulberries, 2 g per cup.
  6. Blackberries, 2 g per cup.
  7. Apricots, . 5 g each.
  8. Raspberries, 1.5 g per cup.

What is the healthiest protein bar? ›

10 Best Protein Bars
  • Best soft bar: Truwomen Trubar | Skip to review.
  • Best plant-based: Aloha | Skip to review.
  • Best for people on a low FODMAP diet: GoMacro | Skip to review.
  • Best for weight watching: No Cow | Skip to review.
  • Best for a gluten-free diet: RXBAR | Skip to review.
  • Best for a keto diet: think! (
Sep 26, 2023

What are the symptoms of too many protein bars? ›

Protein bars often contain compounds called sugar alcohols, which are lower in calories than traditional sugars. Sugar alcohols are associated with multiple gastrointestinal side effects including abdominal pain, bloating, and gas.

What is the main ingredient in protein bars? ›

The protein sources for bars can come from either plant or animal origins and vary depending on the manufacturer. Popular sources include wheat, rice, soy, pea, and whey. However, some more novel sources of protein include algae, pumpkin, sunflower, and hemp.

What is the best plant to eat for protein? ›

Some plant-based foods, such as soybean products, seitan, beans, and lentils contain high amounts of protein. You can also find protein in nuts, whole grains like quinoa and amaranth, and hemp seeds.

What is the binding agent for energy bars? ›

Traditionally honey, brown sugar, Vitafiber syrup, syrup of cereals like corn, sorghum. There are other binding agents which are low in calories.

What is the best binding agent for granola bars? ›

While there are several different sticky ingredients that you can use, we've found that the binding agent that works the best is honey! When added to your homemade granola bars, honey acts as glue that sticks all the pieces together.

What is a protein binder? ›

Texture Enhancement: Protein binders are used to modify the texture and consistency of food products. In dairy products like curd (yogurt), they can be added to create a thicker or creamier texture, enhancing the overall eating experience.

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