Homemade Vegan Protein Bar Recipe (dairy-free, gluten-free, healthy)

This homemade vegan protein bar recipe makes a tasty snack for both mama and kids! In addition to being made with healthy ingredients, these protein bars with vanilla powder make a great post-workout snack. Or grab a homemade vegan protein bar as you're running out the door. Similarly, you can pair them with fruit for a healthy breakfast. Easy to make, real-food-based ingredients, and utterly delicious.

If I could total the amount I used to spend on store-bought protein bars I'd cringe.

It wasn’t until a couple of years ago I realized how easy it was to make my own! Not to mention how tasty (have you had these no-bake peanut butter ones?!).

This homemade vegan protein bars recipe is both fueling and filling. And their simple to make. Thus, a total busy mom win.

Don't want to read? JUMP to the recipe.

Perks Of The Recipe

• Allergy-friendly (dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan)
• Easy to make
• Cost-effective
• Easy to customize
• Real-food based

Why To Avoid Traditional Protein Bars

• Loaded with sugars
• Contain excess ingredients
• Hard to find allergy-friendly ones

Now, the funny thing is that I’m not celiac nor am I vegan. However, I find that when I focus on a real food diet my recipes tend to end up either vegan or gluten-free as the ingredients are healthy.

As a matter of fact, I do have a few favorite store-bought snack options that no fit my criteria. However, homemade is best 😀

Which Protein Powder To Use

These easy protein bars are made with Botanica Protein Powder.

Botanica Perfect Protein is a unique blend of quinoa, coconut, and brown rice. This makes it dairy, gluten and soy-free, organic, vegan, vegetarian and non-GMO.

Botanica won the Alive awards in 2017 for both Consumers' & Retailers' choice for functional foods.

It’s a great-tasting protein powder and more similar to whey in that it doesn’t absorb or fluff like many other protein powders.

Plus, the classic flavors of Botanica are delicious.

You can grab it off Amazon or from Well Dot Ca

Protein Powder & Kids

In contrast, some people don’t think kids should have protein powder. Personally, I think that as long as you have a quality protein powder and trust it’s the source, it’s okay.

I have quite a few I love and trust including Orgain which I mentioned above, Iron Vegan and Genuine Health Fermented Protein Powder. Both of which you can buy off my favorite website.

When checking out a new protein powder, especially if my kiddos are going to be using it, I like to look for a few of these points:

• no random flavored added
• low in sugar
• no carageen
• no processed oils

But here’s a tip: if you’re not into protein powder- that’s ok! Instead of the powder, swap in collagen powder instead!

In the same way, collagen is not only full of awesome protein but it’s also awesome to help boost your immune system- double win. You can grab collagen powder packs (I take these with us on long road trips!) from Perfect Suppplements and use code mamabear10 to save some money.

Keep in mind that if you need this homemade vegan protein bars recipe to be vegan, collagen is not an option. Also, note that swapping to collagen powder will take away some of the sweetness in these homemade protein bars so you may want to counter that with a sweetener.

When To Use These Homemade Vegan Protein Bar Recipe

Personally, I think that homemade protein bars can be used anytime ha-ha. We're snack fiends so I like to have items like this on hand in the freezer for emergencies (Read: melting down, snack-deprived kid). Mostly we use them for:

• Snacks when we're rushing around
• Breakfast on the go
• Mama post-workout if short on time

Texture

The protein bars come out light and indulgent.

However, the protein powder you choose will affect the taste and texture.

For example, most vegan protein powders are based on pea protein. Pea protein absorbs liquid. If you're using a traditional vegan protein powder that contains pea protein, you'll need to add more liquid to the recipe to get the bars to hold together.

Ingredients 

• Gluten-free oats
• Vegan Protein Powder
• Chia Seeds
• Coconut Oil
• Almond Butter
• Vanilla Extract
• Maple Syrup
• Almond Milk
• Dried Cherries

Here's where you can grab all the amazing ingredients!

Don’t forget to pin these gluten-free homemade protein bars

Grab The Printable!

Gluten-Free Homemade Protein Bars

Fit as a Mama Bear

These gluten-free homemade protein bars are healthy and surprisingly sweet! They're a vegan, no-bake recipe that's full of real food ingredients and makes a tasty snack.

5 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 10 mins

30 mins

Total Time 45 mins

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 10 bars

Calories 233 kcal

Equipment

• Silicone Spatula
• Mixing Bowls

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 cup almond meal
• ½ cup Old Fashioned Oats gluten free
• ½ cup Vegan Vanilla Protein Powder
• ⅛ cup Vegan Vanilla Protein Powder
• 1 tablespoon Chia Seeds
• 2 tablespoons Coconut Oil measured solid
• ⅓ cup Almond butter
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• ¼ cup almond milk
• ½ cup dried cherries
• ¼ cup almonds chopped

Instructions

 

• In a large bowl combine the first four ingredients.
  
• Heat the coconut oil until melted and whisk it in with the almond butter and syrup,
  
• Pour wet into dry and mix slightly.
• Slowly add in the almond milk and whisk until combined.
• Add in the dried cherries and mix again.
• Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper. Scoop the mixture into the pan and using another piece of parchment paper, press the bar mixture evenly into the pan. Press hard to make sure they stay together.
  
• Top the mixture with the almonds and use a silicone spatula to press them into the mixture.
  
• Place in the freezer to set for one hour.
• Remove and cut into ten bars.
• Keep in the freezer until ready to eat (or place in the fridge). Can be eaten straight from the freezer or chilled in the fridge.

Notes

• The protein powder you choose will affect both the flavor and the texture of the bars. Check out my three favorite protein powders and know that the fermented ones absorb liquid more.
• If using Botanica protein powder, the amount is 1.5 scoops of protein powder
• If you’re using a pea-based protein powder, you'll need to add more liquid to the bars (start with 2 tablespoons)
• Let the bars thaw at room temperature for ten minutes (or in the fridge for longer) before enjoying
• Tip: if you have specific dietary restrictions (gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan) – double-check all your ingredients for appropriate brands!
• For all my Canadians, you can grab all these ingredients (and more!) at my favorite health food store.
• Keep in mind the protein values may be off by 1-2 grams as it depends on which protein powder you’re using. Each vegan protein powder has a different markup of ingredients which can alter the intake slightly.

Nutrition

Calories: 233kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 10gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 28mgPotassium: 140mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 216IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 121mgIron: 1mg

Keyword no bake bars, protein powder, vanilla, vanilla protein bars, vegan protein powder recipe

Have You Tried This Recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment below. Mention @fitasamamabear or tag #fitasamamabear!

Snacks are a staple for both workout fanatics and busy moms. In other words, these homemade vegan protein bars are an easy no-bake recipe to keep you filled and fueled. Plus, they’re vegan, almond cherry flavored and surprisingly sweet!