This soft, no-bake, Gluten-Free Protein Bars Recipe recipe makes an ideal on-the-go snack! Made with vanilla protein powder and sweetened with just a hint of maple syrup, these dairy-free bars come in at a minimum of 11 grams of protein per serving.
"These protein bars are delicious and easy to make. I just love no-bake snacks that are not messy and are kids approved."
-Vladka
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 45 Minutes
- 👪Serves: 10 Bars
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 234 kcals and 11 grams of protein
- 📋Main Ingredients: Almond flour, vanilla protein powder, almond butter, gluten-free oats, dried fruits.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan-friendly,high-protein, no-bake, refined sugar-free.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: These homemade protein bars are easy, no-bake, and packed with clean ingredients for a healthy, satisfying snack.
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If I added up how much I used to spend on store-bought protein bars, I’d probably cringe. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I realized how easy it is to make your own at home, and honestly, how much better they taste (have you had this peanut butter vanilla protein bars recipe?!).
If you’re new to snack prep, learn everything you need to know about how to make your own protein bars (step-by-step guide!). These gluten-free protein bars are both fueling and filling, with simple ingredients that come together fast, making them a true busy mom win.
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💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
Easy to make: Made with basic high-protein food staples and prepped in just 5 minutes.
Easy to customize: There are so many ways to vary these gluten-free protein bars that you can make something almost new each time.
Filling: With 10 grams of protein, lots of healthy fats, and packed with fiber, the bars make a great snack.
Texture: Thick and chewy but they hold up well at room temperature.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Almond flour: Not to be confused with almond meal or ground almonds. Almond meal helps give this gluten-free protein bar an indulgent flavor without a gritty texture. (learn the difference between almond flour and meal).
- Regular oats: Oats are an easy way to bulk up the protein bars recipe and stretch it further. Plus, they're a great source of recovery post-workout. Make sure to use gluten-free oats as needed, though.
- Vanilla Protein Powder: The protein you choose will affect the flavor and the texture of the bars. Make sure you choose a gluten-free protein as per any allergy requirements. Originally, these high-protein snack bars were made with Botanica Perfect Protein.
- Almond butter: Any nut butter will work for protein bars, just make sure it's fresh so that it blends more easily. We obviously love using no oil peanut butter, too.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
Ultimate chocolate: Swap the dried fruit for chocolate chips and drizzle on some dairy-free chocolate glaze. Or, coat them like this chocolate protein bar recipe.
Salted caramel: Skip the dried fruit and top the protein bars with coconut milk caramel sauce followed by flaky sea salt.
How To Make Gluten-Free Protein Bars
Step 1: Mix the oats, almond flour, and protein.
Step 2: Whisk together the syrup, nut butter, and vanilla extract.
Step 3: Add in the dried cherries and portion the mixture into an 8x8 pan.
Step 4: Press crushed almonds on top of the dairy-free protein bars and freeze to set.
Important Teaching Tips
The kind of protein powder you choose will affect both the taste and texture of the bars as well as how to make them (this applies to my favorite gingerbread protein bars, too). Here is the breakdown on which protein powder is best:
- Vegan protein: Originally made with a vegan protein powder (specifically Botanica Perfect Protein) these tend to absorb more liquid. If the batter looks super dry and crumbly, you need to add a splash more milk to the recipe.
- Fermented vegan protein: Absorbs the most liquid out of the bunch. Add 1 tablespoon more of nut butter, and you'll need more milk.
- Beef protein: I have recently switched to beef isolate protein powder for health reasons, and it's perfect. Delicious in flavor and great to mix in. It will create a stickier texture, but you won't need as much dairy.
- Collagen powder: This is my favorite when making protein bars for kids as it's the cleanest source you'll find. It blends easily, and you will probably not need as much milk since it doesn't absorb like crazy. Learn more about what collagen powder is and know you'll need a bit more sweetness in the bars.
If using a vegan protein powder, the gluten-free protein bars do get soft when they sit out for too long. So, keep them in the fridge until ready to eat. However, this isn't the case with beef protein, and they hold up perfectly at room temperature.
Store the post-workout bars in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days and enjoy chilled. Or freeze them separated by pieces of parchment paper for up to 2 months. Let them sit on the counter to thaw for about 15 minutes.
Gluten-Free Protein Bars FAQs
Most store-bought nutrition bars contain added sugars that can be detrimental to fitness goals. Making protein bars allows you to be in control of how much (and what type) of sugar is added.
Swapping out peanut or almond butter for a different nut butter is a great way to change the flavor of a protein bar recipe. Try using almond-hazelnut butter or cashew butter.
How your protein bars stick together is a result of the protein powder you choose. If you're using a vegan protein powder and notice that your bars are crumbling, you'll need to add an extra bit of nut butter and dairy-free milk. Outside of that, make sure to press the bars firmly into the pan so that they hold their shape.
More Wicked Protein Recipes You'll Love
If you tried this Gluten-Free Protein Bar Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Gluten-Free Homemade Protein Bars
Video
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Almond flour
- ½ cup Old Fashioned Oats gluten free
- ½ cup Beef based protein powder
- 2 tablespoons Coconut Oil measured solid
- ⅓ cup Almond butter
- 1 tablespoons Maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons almond milk
- ½ cup dried cherries
- ⅛ 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 1 tablespoon at a tome and mixuntil 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
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup non-dairy milk
- ½ cup + 2 tbs protein powder
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Kris says
I'll never buy a protein bar again! This was so easy and tasty. 🙂
fitasamamabear says
Haha life win and money saved!
Allyssa says
Thanks a lot for sharing this amazing recipe, will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
Cindy says
I loved these protein bars! What a delicious treat they I can actually feel good about eating.
fitasamamabear says
Glad you enjoy them!
Katie says
These bars are fantastic! Super easy to make and totally delicious!
fitasamamabear says
Easy is the key haha glad you like them!
Nancy says
Love that these protein bars are homemade and so many variations. No funny stuff from store bought
fitasamamabear says
Exactly! Nice when you can control the ingredients.
Shilpa says
These protein bars are absolutely delicious. The kids loved them.
fitasamamabear says
Mega win!
Heidi Bruaw says
These sound really good and I love that they're no bake and gluten free! They are much healthier than store bought, which I love. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
fitasamamabear says
It's nice to have the home option for surw! Glad you enjoyed them!
Jen says
love this no-baked gf protein bars for my after workout quick snack.
fitasamamabear says
Keeps it simple!
Amanda says
These are the perfect grab and go snack. My kids are going to love them.
fitasamamabear says
Yes! Honestly my kids think they're a "treat" haha it's perfect!
Kayla DiMaggio says
Love how these protein bars help to power me through the day! I love that they are not chalky and taste delicious!
fitasamamabear says
Thank you! It's all down to the protein powder and nut butter combo to not make the chalky hehe
Giangi Townsend says
A recipe that I want to try as it is packed with goodness. Thank you for sharing.
fitasamamabear says
Thanks for dropping by! They're a tasty one!
linda spiker says
I think grab and go treats are a must have for moms of little kids! These are perfect!
fitasamamabear says
We'd die without grab and go haha
Raia Todd says
My kids are going to love these! We have a road trip coming up and they'll be the perfect snack to bring along. 🙂
fitasamamabear says
Oh yay! I always make a ton of no bake snacks for long trips- so simple!
Daniela says
These look delicious! My kids would go nuts over them!
fitasamamabear says
My daughter loved them! We devoured the batch super fast 😛
Lindsey Dietz says
Even though this recipe has more ingredients than I typically use, I just LOVE how easy it is anyway! Lots of goodness packed into these!
fitasamamabear says
It is a bit high on ingredients.. mainly because I tried to shove as many things as possible in there haha