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 no-bake protein bars are a great meal prep recipe!
Why You'll Love These Homemade Nut-Free Protein Bars
- an easy, no-bake recipe
- school safe
- great for a post-workout snack
- topped with chocolate
Truly, no-bake snacks like this 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, these bars are a 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!
Don't want to read? JUMP to the recipe!
Notes On Vegan Protein Powder
While these homemade nut-free protein bars were originally made with whey protein, given I am now dairy-free they use a vegan protein powder (learn more about making dairy-free living easy here).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 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 chocolate protein balls.
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.
Options For The Healthy Chocolate Topping
Given I tend to make my own chocolate more often than not, you'll find these nut-free protein bars topped with that.
The chocolate topping 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 healthy protein bars! Simply melt a bit of coconut oil (1-2 teaspoon) with paleo chocolate chips. I'd start with ⅔ cup and see if that covers it.
Substitutions & Add-Ins For The Bars
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.
They should last about a week in the fridge. Though personally, we never have them that long as we gobble them up pretty quickly 😉
Ingredients
Chocolate Topping
You can grab all these ingredients from my favorite one-stop-shop or peek at my favorite brands in my Pantry Staples.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
How To Make Them
In a large bowl, mix together the protein powder and oats.
In a small bowl, whisk the sunflower seed butter and syrup until smooth.
Pour the butter into the oat mixture and mix until combined.
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. Then, 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 t 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.
Don't forget to pin these Homemade Nut-free Protein Bars!
Grab Your Printable
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No-Bake Protein Bars Topped With Healthy Chocolate
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
Nutrition
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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
http://www.thatssodarling.com
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!