These Gingerbread Protein Bars have sweet and spicy flavor with a hint of warmth rolled into them. A no-bake snack that's soft, chewy, and a minimum 15 grams of protein. Totally grain-free and dairy-free, these no-bake protein bars make an ideal treat or post-workout snack.
"I am a big fan of these healthy snacks packed with protein. These gingerbread protein bars are easy to make and delicious. I will make them again." - Vladka
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 35 Minutes
- 👪Serves: 5
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 236 kcals and 15 grams of protein
- 📋 Main Ingredients: Natural almond butter, beef-based protein powder, spices, molasses, and maple syrup.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, and paleo.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Easy to make, with a sweet but warm spiced flavor, these gingerbread bars are the perfect snack.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
Once the cool weather comes I am all about all things comfort. And these gingerbread protein bars embrace all the classic flavors of ginger and cloves, but with a little bit of a protein twist (these Snickerdoodle protein bars do the same!).
Only a few simple ingredients, and these bars come out ultra chewy, filling, and perfect for on-the-go days (just like these low-calorie protein balls and mint chocolate protein bars). They also make a thoughtful snack for new moms who are always ravenous because they’re so full of healthy fats and protein! Learn more about the benefits of a high protein diet and if you want to enjoy what you eat while increasing, check out my Strong and Sweet Protein Guide, which brings dessert-like snacks with 17 grams of protein or more.
💭Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Easy to make: These gingerbread protein bars are done in just a few minutes
Allergy-friendly: Made with beef protein powder, they're dairy-free, gluten-free, and paleo. Plus, packed full of protein
Flavorful: With a sweet but spicy flavor they're hard tor esist!
Ingredients and Substitutions
If you have food staples for a high-protein diet, you’ll be on your way to making these easy, no-bake, gluten-free protein bars in no time (and these double chocolate protein bars no nuts!).
- Almond butter: This can be replaced with any nut butter. Just make sure it's fresh and a bit runny so that it mixes well.
- Protein powder: Originally, this gingerbread protein bar recipe was made with vegan protein powder. However, I have revamped it with beef-protein powder which I switched to for health reasons. The kind of protein you choose will affect the taste and texture.
- Seasonings: Taste test the protein bars and adjust any of the seasonings to suit your preferences. And if you love the gingerbread flavor, don't forget to keep these gingerbread protein cookies on the list too.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
These gingerbread protein bars are tasty as-is. However, they’re also fun to dress up if you want something a bit more indulgent or are serving them at a party (yes, I have totally done that!).
Toppings: Drizzle the protein bars with coconut milk caramel sauce, or top them with dairy-free chocolate ganache.
Mix-Ins: Stir in toasted pecans, chocolate chips, or anything else you love. This is true when learning how to make homemade protein bars.
How To Make Gingerbread Protein Bars
Step 1: Combine the protein powder and spices in a large bowl. Gently stir.
Step 2: One by one, add in the wet ingredients and mix together. Add the almond milk in as needed.
Step 3: Press the gingerbread protein bars into a silicone mold and smooth the top. Pop them in the fridge to chill.
Expert Tips To Make Them
The protein bars can be eaten as soon as you make them, but they'll be sticky. However, they thicken up after sitting in the fridge for an hour or so making them easier to hold.
I like to use a silicone baking loaf for homemade protein bars because it’s easier to get the bars out. A fun prep hack (especially if you make these for teens!) is to portion them individually into a rectangle muffin tray so that they’re already pre-cut for size.
The amount of almond milk you need will depend on the protein powder you choose. You want the batter to be semi-dry and not crazy sticky. But it does need to hold together.
I like to use Equip Protein Powder not only because it's beef-based and eliminates all bloating, but because their flavors are the BEST. Salted caramel in these gingerbread bars is bliss. Try them out with code mamabear to save some money.
How To Store The Bars
Store the gingerbread bars in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
Freeze the protein bars in a reusable baggie or airtight container for up to three months. Simply let them thaw in the fridge before consuming.
Meal prep the bars by storing them individually wrapped in parchment paper for grab-and-go days.
Gingerbread Protein Bars FAQs
Homemade protein bars can easily be part of a healthy diet and are a versatile way to get in extra nutrients. You want to make sure that your bars have over 10 grams of protein per serving and less than that in grams of sugar. This makes it so that the protein bar is keeping you full while also giving you energy.
Protein bars can be a great, quick, snack choice to help fuel up after a workout since they’re normally a balanced blend of macronutrients. Since protein is needed to help repair muscles, so long as the protein bar you’re choosing is high in protein, it can help muscle recovery. Ideally, you want 20-30 grams of protein after a workout so you may need to adjust your serving size.
More Gluten-Free Protein Snacks
If you tried this Gingerbread Protein Bars Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Gingerbread Protein Bars (Gluten-free)
Video
Equipment
- 9x3 Silicone loaf pan
Ingredients
- ½ cup Beef-based protein powder I use Equip for their flavor
- ¼ teaspoon Ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon Ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Ground ginger
- ½ cup Almond butter runny
- 2 tablespoons Almond butter yes, you need both
- 2 Almond butter Blackstrap molasses
- 2 Almond butter Maple syrup
- 2 Almond butter Almond milk as needed
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the protein powder and spices.
- Add in the almond butter, molasses, and maple syrup one by one.
- Stir well and slowly add in the almond milk a tablespoon as a time as needed.
- Mix and press the batter down. You want as little milk as possible in there. Ideally, you want a semi-dry dough that holds together.
- Portion the batter into a silicone baking loaf and use a fork or silicone spatula to press it down smoothly.
- Pop it into the fridge for 30 minutes to set before slicing into rectangles.
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Heidi says
how do you figure the nutrition content? I added this recipe into the app that I use (Cronometer) and it came out very differently (?)
Shelby Stover says
The recipe card calculates it within itself and can vary as much as 250 ish calories. Much it depends on the protein powder used as well as each one is unique in their breakdown and the tool uses a generic one, so honestly I use it more of a guideline.
Bonnie McDonald says
I made these this morning. Interesting. I will make them again and increase the spices also try using another protein powder. May even add some mini chocolate chips for extra fun. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
fitasamamabear says
So happy you tried them! I make them with more cinnamon than ginger if I'm making them for my kids so definitely adjust the spices. If you need a dessert drizzle with homemade caramel sauce 😉
Anna M. says
This worked exactly as written, thanks! Took it with us for hiking snack.
Kara says
We loved these! I can't wait to make them again during the holidays.
fitasamamabear says
They're so tasty!
Gwen says
Thank you for sharing this recipe. They were yummy!
fitasamamabear says
Glad you liked them!
Rebecca says
I love gingerbread, and this recipe is so the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.
fitasamamabear says
it's such a yummy flavor.
Juliette says
This worked exactly as written, thanks! My first time making protein bars and they went so good!
Andy Scott says
I’m loving these gingerbread protein bars! They are dairy-free, which really helps my aunt because she has sensitivities. I'm happy to have been able to surprise her with these this week!
Alisa says
These gingerbread bars paired perfectly with your dairy-free caramel sauce! So so yum!
fitasamamabear says
Mmm caramel on ANYTHING is the best!
Vladka says
I am a big fan of these healthy snacks packed with protein. These gingerbread protein bars are easy to make and delicious. I will make them again.
fitasamamabear says
Gingerbread bars are totally a house favorite here too lol
Angela says
I love how quickly is!