Vanilla Peanut Butter Protein Bars Recipe (dairy-free, gluten-free, no-bake)

Easy to make, these vanilla peanut butter protein bars make a tasty post-workout snack! Made with vegan protein powder and creamy peanut butter this homemade protein bar recipe is great on-the-go. Peanut butter protein bars are a simple, no-bake recipe perfect for easy meal prep!

No-bake snack recipes are a staple in my house (think energy balls, healthy pudding, etc). Mainly, because they keep life super simple! Thus, there is almost always some in the freezer to grab.

These homemade, vanilla peanut butter protein bars are both easy to make and even easier to grab while you’re running out the door! While this is the basic recipe, they also taste delicious with:

• mini chocolate chips
• dried cranberries
• shredded coconut

Don’t be nervous about adding. The best part about homemade protein bars is that you can customize them!

Don’t want to read? JUMP to the recipe!

Notes On Vegan Protein Powder

While these vanilla peanut butter protein bars were originally made with whey protein, given I am now dairy-free they use a vegan protein powder (learn more about making dairy-free living easy here).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 For The Bars

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.

How To Store The Bars

These homemade protein bars can be stored in either the fridge or the freezer. In the fridge, they should last roughly one week. Whereas in the freezer they’ll obviously last longer (a month or so) so long as they’re in an airtight container.

They do freeze pretty solid so if they’re in the freezer make sure you let them thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before you’re ready to eat them!

Likewise, if planning to store them in the freezer, make sure they are cut and separated into bars first. Otherwise, you’ll crumble them getting apart!

Texture 

Part of the texture of the protein bars depends on the protein powder you use and how well it binds. These bars are typically a bit delicate from the oats but they do hold together.

The plus side is that they’re not super sticky- even coming out of the freezer. While they are peanut butter-based, your hands (or the hands of your toddler!) won’t be completely covered.

Substitutions

As I mentioned above, the best part of making your own protein bars is that you can alter them if you need to (like when you run out of ingredients!). Any nut butter will work with these protein bars as will Sun butter.

If you need the bars nut-free, sun butter is a wonderful alternative. And any plant-based milk will work in place of the almond milk.

Similarly, I’ve also replaced the oats with puffed rice to make a bit more of a crunchy protein bar and that turned out great also.

Ingredients 

• vegan protein powder
• regular gluten-free oats
• coconut oil
• natural, smooth peanut butter
• raw honey
• vanilla extract
• almond milk

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

• Mixing bowls
• Silicone spatula
• Measuring spoons

How To Make The Recipe

In a medium bowl, combine oats and protein powder.

In a small bowl or pot heat the coconut oil and peanut butter slowly until coconut oil is melted. Remove from heat. Whisk in the honey and vanilla until everything is combined and smooth.

Pour the peanut butter mixture into the oat mixture and mix with a fork until it looks sticky but crumbly.

Very slowly, add in the almond milk and mix until everything is combined and holding together.

Line an 8×4 baking pan with parchment paper. Place the mixture into the pan and use another piece of parchment paper to press the mixture down evenly.

Place in the freezer for thirty minutes to set. Remove and let thaw for five minutes before cutting into bars.

Makes 5 bars.

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Peanut Butter Vanilla Protein Bars

Fit as a Mama Bear

Easy to make, these vanilla peanut butter protein bars make a tasty post-workout snack! Made with vegan protein powder and creamy peanut butter this homemade protein bar recipe is great on-the-go.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 0 mins

30 mins

Total Time 35 mins

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 5 bars

Calories 322 kcal

Equipment

• Parchment paper
• 8x4 baking pan

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 cup oats
• 2 vegan protein powder
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil measured solid
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup almond milk

Instructions

 

• In a medium bowl, combine oats and protein powder.
  
• In a small bowl or pot heat the coconut oil and peanut butter slowly until coconut oil is melted. Remove from heat. Whisk in the honey and vanilla until everything is combined and smooth.
  
• Pour the peanut butter mixture into the oat mixture and mix with a fork until it looks sticky but crumbly.
  
• Very slowly, add in the almond milk and mix until everything is combined and holding together.
  
• Line an 8x4 baking pan with parchment paper. Place the mixture into the pan and use another piece of parchment paper to press the mixture down evenly.
  
• Place in the freezer for thirty minutes to set.
• Remove and let thaw for five minutes before cutting into bars.

Nutrition

Calories: 322kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 9gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 140mgPotassium: 226mgFiber: 3gSugar: 10gCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg

Keyword peanut butter protein bars, protein bars, protein powder, vegan protein bars

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

If you’re looking for an easy, simple to make, delicious snack, these are for you! These peanut butter vanilla protein bars are sweet, full of healthy ingredients, and portable. Plus, they make a great snack that will keep you full when you’re stuck. Make a big batch and keep them in your freezer for a quick grab and go.