An easy, healthy no-bake snack to keep on hand! These homemade nut-free protein bars are made with vegan protein powder to make a healthy snack or fueling post-workout option.
Soft, chewy, and topped with chocolate, these gluten-free protein bars are a great meal prep recipe!
Truly, high-protein, gluten-free, no-bake snacks like protein bars are a busy mom staple!
Due to the fact that they're easy to whip up and even easier to eat while you're rushing around.
Plus as a Certified Nutrition Coach, these bars are a dairy-free, protein-packed way to curb a chocolate craving (just like this double-chocolate protein fluff!).
Reap the benefits of a quality snack plus curb a craving!
Why You'll Love This Nut-Free Protein Bars Recipe
- an easy, no-bake recipe
- allergy-friendly (dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free)
- school safe (peanut free!)
- great for a post-workout snack
- topped with chocolate
Ingredients You'll Need
The gluten-free, nut-free protein bars are actually only made with five ingredients! Which is why as a Certified Nutrition Coach, I love them.
It also means they're ultra-simple to whip up. Learn everything you need to know about making homemade protein bars (step-by-step guide!).
The chocolate on top is just extra yumminess!
Regular oats: oats are an easy way to bulk up the recipe and stretch it further. Plus, they're a great source of recovery post-workout.
Vegan Protein Powder: the protein powder you choose will affect the flavor and the texture of the protein bars. Make sure you choose a gluten-free protein as per any allergy requirements. For best results use Orgain Protein Powder.
Sunbutter: a peanut-free butter made from sunflower seeds. Make sure to grab one with no added sugars.
Maple syrup: the protein powder in these peanut-free bars keeps them pretty sweet so you don't need much!
Coconut oil: coconut oil gives these nut-free protein bars a really indulgent flavor to them. Remember that each coconut oil will have a slightly different flavor.
And thanks to the bars being nut-free, they make a wonderful, school-safe snack( just like this nut-free granola recipe).
How To Make Nut-Free Protein Bars
- Mix together the protein powder and oats.
- Melt the coconut oil and whisk together the syrup and sunbutter.
- Pour the wet into dry and mix until everything is sticky.
- Dump the mixture into an 8x4 pan and press smooth. Freeze.
- While the bars are freezing, make the chocolate coating.
- Heat the coconut oil and cacao butter over low heat until melted. Add in the rest.
- Pour the chocolate mixture on top of the gluten-free protein bars and freeze to set.
Step By Step Photos
Notes On Vegan Protein Powder
While these homemade nut-free protein bars were originally made with whey protein, given I am now dairy-free and gluten-free they use a vegan protein powder (learn more about making dairy-free living easy here).
If you're making the switch to vegan protein powder, there are a few things you should note:
- vegan protein powder absorbs liquid. So, most recipes with whey are not directly interchangeable
- vegan protein powder tends to be less sweet than whey. This means that you normally have to add a bit more sweetness to counter the flavor
- each vegan protein powder is slightly different based on its blend (pea/rice/etc). Meaning, one protein powder may absorb better than another
Thus, the protein powder you choose for these no-bake protein bars recipe will affect the flavor of the bars.
Choosing A Protein Powder
Since making the swap to a vegan protein powder I now have a few brands I love. Orgain Protein Powder is one of them and what I used for these nut-free protein bars.
Orgain protein powder is allergy-friendly (no soy, gluten-free, kosher, etc), has no added sugar and no artificial sweeteners, and actually won Preventions Cleanest Packaged Food Award!
Likewise, it has 21 grams of vegan protein per scoop and it’s a clean enough brand that I feel comfortable giving it to my girls. If you want to give it a try, check it out and use code mamabear30 for 10% off your first-ever order.
I also adore Genuine Health as a brand as well as Botanica.
Learn more about the benefits of a high protein diet.
Options For The Healthy Chocolate Topping
This nut-free protein bars recipe is topped with homemade chocolate.
The chocolate is a blend of cacao butter and cacao powder (learn more about the benefits of cacao powder and the difference between it and cocoa powder).
However, if you want something a bit more simple you can still make these gluten-free protein bars! Simply melt a bit of coconut oil (1-2 tsp) with paleo chocolate chips. I'd start with ⅔ cup and see if that covers it.
Teaching Tips And Substitutions
The thing with homemade protein bars is that you can always tweak them. I've kept this protein bars recipe extremely simple so that just about everyone can whip it up.
However, there are lots of ways you can tweak it to suit your preference:
- nut butter can be used for Sun Butter if you don't need to avoid nuts
- you can add in mini chocolate chips for a sweeter profile
- top the chocolate with shredded coconut if you have any
- mix in a few dried cranberries to sweeten it
These homemade, no-bake protein bars are soft, chewy, and a great post-workout snack. Likewise, they make a tasty grab and go option in a rush.
However, there are so many ways to customize them don't be afraid to add!
How To Store Them
The best part about homemade protein bars is that they hold well in both the freezer and the fridge!
Store in air-tight containers for both. In the freezer, they will freeze solid so you'll need to move them to the fridge or room temperature before eating. Or, you can pop them from the freezer into a lunchbox in the morning and they'll b good to go by snack time.
Gluten-free protein bars should last about a week in the fridge. Though personally, we never have them that long as we gobble them up pretty quickly 😉
Fast, crave-worthy snacks that hit your protein goals (without tracking or extra cooking time).
Frequently Asked Questions About Nut Free Protein Bars
Protein bars when made with minimal sugars and no processed oils can be a healthy addition to any diet and a tasty way to increase daily protein intake.
Homemade protein bars are normally placed in the freezer to set and firm up. From there they can be stored in the freezer for a couple of months. However, once they're firm they can be stored in the fridge and are ready to eat.
Other Wicked High Protein Recipes You'll Love
- Chocolate peanut butter protein balls
- Peanut butter and jam protein balls
- Homemade protein bars with chocolate
- Protein cookie dough
- Chocolate fudge protein balls
- Savory blueberry protein oatmeal
- Chocolate peanut butter bomb shake
- Chocolate protein fluff
- Coconut protein balls
- High protein cookies
- High protein pancakes
- Yogurt protein pancakes
- Energizing protein bar
- Easy, no-bake vanilla protein bar
- High protein snack recipes
Fast, crave-worthy snacks that hit your protein goals (without tracking or extra cooking time).
Gluten-Free Protein Bars With Chocolate
Video
Equipment
- 8x4 baking tray
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 3 scoops vegan protein powder about ¾ cup
- 1 cup regular oats gluten-free
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil measured solid
- ¾ cups sunflower seed butter
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- Chocolate Topping
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil measured solid
- ⅛ cup cacao butter
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the protein powder and oats.
- In a small bowl, melt the coconut oil and whisk the sunflower seed butter and syrup until smooth.
- Pour the butter into the oat mixture and mix until combined. It will be sticky.
- Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper. Dump the mixture into the pan and use another piece of parchment paper on top to press the oats into the pan evenly. Press down hard to make them really stick together,
- Place in the freezer.
- While the bars are freezing, make the chocolate coating.
- In a small pan, heat the coconut oil and cacao butter over low heat until melted. Slowly add in the honey and cacao powder. Whisk until no clumps remain.
- Remove the bars from the freezer and pour the mixture over top making sure to get all areas- use a silicone spatula for this.
- Once covered, return the bars to the freezer to set (about thirty minutes).
- Remove from the freezer and cut into 8-10 bars. Keep in the freezer until ready to eat and thaw for 5-10 minutes before consuming.
Notes
- Store nut-free protein bars in air-tight containers. In the freezer, they will freeze solid so you'll need to move them to the fridge or room temperature before eating.
- They should last about a week in the fridge.
- Grab the allergy-friendly ingredients you need from my Pantry Staples
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
If you're looking for a quick, healthy, and filling snack this is it! No-bake protein bars are tasty, easy to make, and are perfect for school lunches, play dates, or munching on in the car while you're running around.
Thus, make a big batch, keep them n your freezer and you'll be thankful you had something healthy to grab while running out the door!
Erica
I made my own protein bars out of whey protein about a year ago. I should do it again. Your bar recipe looks amazing. I love that they're no-bake! So easy!
fitasamamabear
I love protein bars and only go with no bake- mainly because I'm lazy haha but also because baking whey makes the bars taste dry to me- give this recipe a shot and let me know how you like them!
Priyadarshini Rajendran
They look yummy, thank you for this post. Now I will start keeping healthy snacks on hand too.
fitasamamabear
Life is so much easier when you have something healthy to reach for instead of having to make something in the moment!
Sim @ Simslife.co.uk
These look and sound delicious! I really do need to give protein powder a try and get baking again! Sim xx
fitasamamabear
My advice is t =o just find the right kind of protein powder for YOU. There's so many options out there so do your research! And then enjoy tastiness 😀
Ophelia Tang
These no bake protein bars sound awesome. They are so simple to make and they looks so delicious and healthy. Thanks for sharing.
fitasamamabear
Thanks Ophelia! I love everything no bake haha makes life so much easier!
Elise Cleary
Adding these to my must try list! FYI, these would be super easy to make gluten free as well.
fitasamamabear
Let me know how you like them- and yes, they are easy to make gluten free! I always forget to brand them that way... thanks!
Jolina
Since we started taking our workouts seriously, we've been experimenting with bars as pre- and after-workout snacks. I think this would fit the bill nicely! Love how it's no bake. I'm not sure what kind of protein powder we have...I will check later. Thanks for the tip!
fitasamamabear
Homemade protein bars are awesome! There's soo many ways to make them (so stay tuned!). I personally like making no bake ones as I find baking with whey dries them out. Regardless, find one you love and enjoy!
Gloria Harvley
I can't wait to try these out!! Looks great!
fitasamamabear
Thanks! I have a multiple batches in my freezer 😀 Let me know how you like them!
Nicole Paler
If ever I am to replace stevia with something else (as we don't have it here) do you think that honey will do? if yes, how much do you think I should add in? This recipe looks so convenient and healthy and I'm pretty sure that vs those treats you get at your local coffee shop or starbucks store this is way healthier and cheaper so YAY! <3
fitasamamabear
Definitely a healthier version that a store bought one 😉 As for stevia, it's potent sweetener so you normally don't need as much. For this recipe you can use 2 tablespoons of whatever sugar you wish (I like cane sugar or coconut palm sugar). But truthfully, since the stevia is just for the chocolate topping I would start with two tablespoons, taste test to see if you like the sweetness and then add more as needed. I like my chocolate fairly dark so it depends on preference!
Lisa
Yum! These sounds amazing and easy enough to make! Ill have to try it!
XO-Lisa
fitasamamabear
They're super tasty!
Mel
Wow what a great idea and easy meal to have on the run! Not just great for mothers but all 🙂
fitasamamabear
Yes! So much easier when everything is already made and in the freezer- I live off of grab and go 😀
GiGi Eats
THESE LOOK SO STINKIN' YUM!!!! I wonder if my husband would like them if I made them for him! He is always trying to find quick, on the go meals when he's out and about during meal times!
fitasamamabear
Ah thanks so much lady! They're pretty tasty! They make the perfect on-the-go snack because you can keep them in the freezer and then just grab and go. Tell him to give them a shot and definitely let me know!
LifestyleNama
It looks so yummyyyy. Will definitely try this yummy recipe.
fitasamamabear
It's a really tasty one- I love it! Let me know what you think!
Lacey
Oh my gosh, this recipe looks amazing! My girls (especially my youngest) is constantly asking for something to eat, and of course looks askance when all I offer is fruit! I'll definitely be trying these!
fitasamamabear
Omg all my girls DO is ask for snacks. I counted and one day it was NINE times. Nine! My girls are fruit fiends so I always need something to balance it with haha I hope your girls love them!
Allyssa
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing protein bars topped chocolate recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
fitasamamabear
Anything that has chocolate is a win in our house haha glad you enjoyed it!
Allyssa
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
fitasamamabear
Glad you enjoyed it!
Jenni
I have never made my own bars like this before, but they were so good! They tasted great, too!
fitasamamabear
Thanks for giving them a go! You'll be hooked now lol
Jere Cassidy
Finally, I found a protein bar that doesn't have peanut butter in it. I wasn't familiar with sunflower seed butter but easily found it. Great recipe, easy to make and love the chocolate on top.
fitasamamabear
Sun butter is a great switch up!
Mandy Applegate
I made a batch of these protein bars and now I have them to look forward to at lunchtime - delicious!
fitasamamabear
Hehe yes! They're a tasty one
Allyssa
This tasted so amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make recipe! Fam really loves it! Will surely have this again!
Jennifer
Love these! I make them every few months just to keep them on hand for snacking. Yum!
fitasamamabear
Right?! Snacks already made keeps you sane lol
Kate
I made these for a weekend trip and they were a huge hit! I'll be making them again.
fitasamamabear
Aw that's awesome to hear!